The Crystal Maze returns to C4

I imagine most gameshows do, apart from those that have some sort of progression, like a jackpot that grows when not won or contestants that stay till the next episode.

I know we've probably discussed this idea before, but I personally don't like Ayoade in this role, however I found him to more bearable in this episode (possibly due to the civilians being filmed first and him still establishing his character). I think my problem is that Richard doesn't involve himself with the maze, for example, Medieval was the home of O'Brien and Tudor-Pole, both created/had created for them their own story of the S.S. Atlantis, Tudor-Pole had a backstory for Futuristic with Barbara and his (unseen) friends in Aztec and Starbuck the Cat in Ocean. Both (even though it was scripted) played on these and developed a character for themselves which complimented the Maze itself.

To me, Ayoade comes off as if he doesn't actually want to be involved with the action, he lets someone in the cell, then (the crew) seems to just do pieces to camera for the time it takes to do the game, noticeable by the fact that O'Brien would be at the door as soon as someone got the crystal to let them out, while Ayoade seems to take about ten seconds to open the door after they've reached the door itself.

It feels as if they're trying to appeal more to the newer and younger audience rather than the audience that's familiar with the original as they don't know any different, the majority probably don't even know it's a revival. And considering I fall into the newer, younger audience, I feel I can say that. I'm 16 and I've watch the original for as long as I can remember. I don't want or expect the 90s, but I don't feel Ayoade and aspects of the revival satisfies my expectation.

I agree about Ayoade not playing along. There's too many references to the 'set' and editing. Yes, there was editing in the original. In fact, there could be stoppages of 30 minutes or more during filming but it looked real time when watching it. That's the point. We know it's a set and the episodes are edited but we don't want to be reminded of it. We want to buy into the fantasy. Imagine watching a Superman movie where Superman or another character kept making quips about strings, or green screen or CG.

There are small things that they've changed that just weren't necessary. Moving directly from Aztec to Medieval - what's the point even having a geographical map if you're going to do that? The theme tune is not nearly as good and I prefer the old 'no music' but a constant ambience in the background when in zones and during games rather than music during the games and silence in the lobby. It would appear that contestants now know each other in real life and this seems to give a different dynamic. Not sure how I feel about that. Certainly, there's too much chat, although it's not quite as bad as in the celebrity editions. If they cut the chat down a bit, maybe they could squeeze in another couple of games and have them play 3 per zone. They only play 2 in a couple of zones and it feels fleeting and wrong.

One good thing is that the clocks outside the game cells have made a return. I thought they were absent from the celebrity episodes but a quick look back shows that they were present even if never referred to or shown close up. Richard, predictably, repeatedly made a point of heavily insinuating that the water clocks in Aztec don't really tell you anything. He's right of course - he's getting told the time via an earpiece but we don't want to be reminded of that. Hourglasses and clocks were present outside cells in Medieval & Industrial zones respectively but were not referred to or shown being set or counting the time away (in which case, what's the point of having them?). Future Zone didn't seem to have any clocks that I could see (it was a digital display in the original series).

It's not a bad show (compared to some of the crap on telly in 2017) and I was entertained but it's just not the original for me. It probably doesn't help that the original is on Youtube (every episode) and I've been watching it lately. And maybe it has no chance of ever matching the original not matter what they do. But many of the changes listed above are small things that just weren't necessary (such as the unconventional zone order).

Hopefully if they get a second series they take some feedback on board and refine the format.

There is probably a time and a place for the side remarks about "those plastic looking rocks", "the water clock doesn't tell you anything" and "in the next shot you'll look different - that's editing", but they are for anywhere outside the programme. We know its not real but that's what suspension of disbelief is for. To be reminded we're watching a TV programme can be jarring BUT it can work if done well (see Miranda and more recently Mrs Brown Boys).

Still, decision has been made that's the way it is. I suppose as long as it generates revenue and ratings of a couple of million or so that's all that matters, once the initial interest fades off we'll see how well it really rates. It'll never reach the six million or so viewership it generated in the early 1990s, heck a lot of stuff on ITV and BBC 1 struggles to reach six million now.

I suppose the original show's true legacy was it happened pretty much by accident (the Fort wasn't available at the time), the variations on Boyard the production made were spot on, they found an excellent presenter/host in O'Brien (who practically invented the asides to cameras outside the games) and new merchandise was still being released based on it best part of 15 years after the show ended.

That might not work, but Deadpool - from the same genre - does it beautifully.

I see a lot of comments complaining that things in this iteration of The Crystal Maze aren't what "we" want, but that just raises the question: have you asked everyone ?

Deadpool is a character known for breaking the fourth wall. Crystal Maze hosts aren't.

Well 33% of them do now, and the other 67% leant pretty heavily on it anyway.

I always thought RoB did quite a fair bit of not taking the show too seriously. Not to the extent of Ayoade, but he still did it. Or was I watching a different show in the 90s to everyone else?

I find that a bit pedantic. When I said "we" I'm sure most people reading knew I wasn't claiming to speak for every last person on the planet. But I do believe I'm far from alone in my POV, which is perfectly valid and I stand by it.

Very much enjoyed the blank incomprehension at the concept of a penguin.

But it was physically impossible for her to do riddles

After that game I came to the conclusion she may be slightly unhinged.