The Crystal Maze returns to C4

From what I've read from the original show, they were always told what type of game they were playing and who was playing next anyway, they just filmed it to make it look like the captain chose!

I think it was more a case of being hinest rather than pretending any selection has been made.

Overall it was very good!! I'd be amazing if it was on a larger set as per the original with no roof tiles and smoke alarms in view. Also, if the theme music was changed for the run between zones rather than using the main theme tune. Or better still, use the original theme!!!

Stephen Merchant did better than I thought!! However, the host needs to play on the idea that the Maze is a fantasy world full of mystery and weird goings on!!! Ed did an amazing job at this, although he probably did it a bit too much!! Richard achieved a good balance!!! Stephen seemed to take the mickey out of the format saying it was a 90's thing and that they'd run between 4 arbitrary zones etc. But he did lose a lot of the intrigue of the Maze that Richard and Ed did so well!!

But, very enjoyable nonetheless!!!

You have to remember the brief though - as a one off special it wasn't about taking us into a "fantasy world full of mystery", it was about taking us back to a time when shows that took us into a "fantasy world full of mystery" could thrive. I think as a re-introduction to the format for us 90s kids, and an introduction for those completely new to it he struck the right balance. If he remains as host he'll get the chance to make the role his own and add little elements of his own to this fantasy world, and I think the signs were there he'd be able to do that and ultimately in a different way to Richard O'Brien.

I agree. For a one-off, it is possible to do it the way he did it yesterday. However, for a full series, there'd have to be more element of mystery, darkness and illusion, rather than - "look at this Polysterine Aztec Zone full of fake sand" - something which he didn't say, but you couldn't keep this up for a whole series taking the mickey out of it. If he adapted himself, he'd make an excellent host!! He was very good!!

Ed used to say he'd lived in the Castle for 274 years or something like that - which we know isn't true, as Richard O'Brien had been in there the year before. But you'd still go along with the idea - as you would with Bert his Horse and Starbuck in Ocean Zone - even though you never saw them. Richard used to talk about Dwayne and the fact that he'd found a manhole cover which he opened and down he went into this abandoned ship which he restored lovingly. Only for when Ed came along, it had all been deserted again full of dust and sea weed over everything. Ed would say everyone to get into the Osmirillo machine as they went up the lift to the Aztec zone....etc etc.

Stephen Merchant would have to bring some of this into the new series for it to work as a series and not just a one-off!!! He could do it easily!!!

The thing is - would David Tennant also be able to do this or do it better than Stephen Merchant - or would Merchant suit the role perfectly??? That's the question!!

It's not so much about whether they can do it, it's more about whether viewers can buy into it.

From the host perspective it's about them owning it - as you say Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor Pole did that with their back stories and fictional characters, and actually Stephen Merchant did that last night too in his own way. It was never him guiding 5 celebs around the Crystal Maze Experience in London, it was about him taking them back to the 90s and that was the backstory he played with. It suited the one-off perfectly and as it's not a guarantee that he'd take on the role full time I think it's quite right he didn't push the role further at this stage.

Tennant didn't even commit to the charity special so I don't see why anyone thinks he's going to do the series.

To say "commit", was he ever in the running to begin with anyway?

I don't think he will but he could just not have been available to film the charity special (I think they're filming Broadchurch now), but could have a window free next year for the 2-3 weeks needed to film a series.

I thought Stephen Merchant was a very good choice - just the right mix of personable and witty, delivering his scripted lines as fluidly as he did with his adlibs. While David Tennant's proven to be a capable and funny host, I'm not sure he'd have got that kind of balance right. And I'm not sure playing the inscrutably charming but slightly other-worldly owner of a large quirkily decorated space which gives access to a range of other times and places would be his thing...

I wouldn't mind seeing them find an unknown for the part, if it goes to a series. Too many new shows rely on the cachet of a well-known host, whereas the Crystal Maze has its own.

Stephen Merchant doing a Richard O'Brien tribute on a one off is one thing, whether that would be workable for a whole series is debatable.

Did Richard decline to do the revival show or was he not offered the gig?