Anyone else watching and loving the repeats on Challenge?

Such a classic show - getting addicted to it all over again! Actually recording them and watching them later

And just when you thought it was missing that ITV 'celebrity' touch, Konnie Huq is on as a contestant tomorrow, I believe...

Since our area has been switched to digital, I've been able to watch Challenge and have got a bit hooked on the repeats. I also record them and watch them later (as they're shown at quite random times!). Apparently Challenge have got all of the 1992 series but can't afford to buy any more at the moment.

I looked the show up on Wikipedia and apparently after the Holness era on ITV from 1983 to 1993 (plus a series he did on Sky One in 1994), Michael Aspel did a BBC 2 version in 1997 (which was for adults and not sixth-formers) and Liza Tarbuck did another version on Sky One in 2000/1. Unsurprisingly, the Aspel and Tarbuck versions were nowhere near as popular as the Holness version.

I remember watching the show on ITV when I was as young as about 7, but I reckon I was watching Bob Holness's Sky One 1994 version, which was apparently repeated on ITV in 1994/5. It's great to be able to see them again, and I particularly like Bob Holness's style... he's a bit blunt with the contestants at times, but you can tell he really wants them all to do well!

I love Bob too - haven't seen an episode of the Tarbuck or Aspel versions so can't really compare, but Holness and his eccentric charm are legendary.

I particularly like how he speeds through the games with just the right amount of introduction and interaction with the players throughout the show - often the game will have begun within the first minute of broadcast which can come as quite a shock to the system after watching some of today's game shows with their 10 minute intros (ehem). So much more value to the programme, just raw questions and mascots - all it ever needed to be, clearly.

From @totaltvguide at a Sky briefing the other day:

Most exciting were the hints Challenge are bringing back a classic teatime game show! Our guesses: Gen Game, Celeb Squares... Blockbusters?

I'd really love it to be Blockbusters as the reruns have become must see viewing in this household. Will be intriguing to see who they pick as host if it does happen - the lack of impact made by the various Sky/BBC revamps suggests this is a pretty important decision as, far as I'm aware, very little in terms of gameplay ever changed.

And they mess with Quiz Wizard at their own peril!!

The only other 'classic' teatime show I could see them reviving is Catchphrase. Any other thoughts?

TalkbackTHAMES looking for contestants for a NEW series of Blockbusters.

18+ is a bit silly if they want to replicate the glory days, but I'll be interested to see how this pans out.

If it comes back on ITV they're bound to ruin it with the useless competitions they have in nearly every programme. ARGH!

It's coming back on Challenge.

http://www.challenge.co.uk/news/tv-quiz-show-blockbusters-is-back.html

Would say I'll be watching but we can't get Challenge here anymore !

My stupid Freeview box won't pick up Challenge. However, it does need retuning on 23 November. Hopefully that'll sort it.

And Simon Mayo has been announced as the host.

The general view is that, despite being more of a radio guy, he'll do a great job - as he did on the first two series of Winning Lines in 1999 and 2000.

Indeed, he's even had a few people come up to him and ask for a P...

I think Simon will do well. Seems like the right kind of host for it.

Looking forward to 8th May!!

And there's a trailer here with a bit of the revamped theme.

Just want to let everyone know that the new Blockbusters starts TONIGHT at 8pm on Challenge! Looking forward to it!

I'm really enjoying this so far. Simon is even better than I imagined he'd be, slick and professional like Bob, putting his own spin on the format. He fits the show perfectly and banters well with the players.

It's a good nod to the past but also justified as a 2012 series (except maybe the £5-a-hexagon prize money...). The only thing I'd say was disappointing was the theme tune, which sounds rather tacky compared to the legendary original. But overall kudos to Challenge for a solid show.

I have to say I really love the way Simon is presenting it so far, and I only think he will get even better at it as time goes on, he tries to talk to the contestants and tries to have a bit of banter with them, I am pretty certain if Neil had stayed longer he would have got his one and only song out of him, I did not like Jonathan, or Stuarts accents although I am a surrey boy myself, I like the way they always seem to end the show with you thinking oooooooh I wonder what's going to happen next. A brilliant series so far in my opinion, good luck to challenge and Simon for the rest of the series. As far as I know the only episode I am going to miss is Monday 4 June, when I go to the Emirates Stadium (one of my favourite stadiums for obvious reasons), to see the MIGHTY COLDPLAY perform.

Celebrity Blockbusters will be starting at 8:00pm tomorrow!
Here's the info on Radio Times:

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rb9xg ... ockbusters
Ignore the word 'repeat' because it isn't.