Success
Much of the show's success has been attributed to its host, Anne Robinson. She was already famous in the UK for her sarcasm while presenting the consumer programme Watchdog, and The Weakest Link saw her develop this further, particularly in her taunting of contestants. Her sardonic summary to the team, usually berating them for their lack of intelligence for not achieving the target became a trademark of the show, and her call of "You are the weakest link—goodbye!" became a popular catchphrase.
The presence of elements inspired by Big Brother and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? differentiated the programme from most previous quiz shows, as it invites open conflict between players, and uses a host who is openly hostile to the competitors, rather than a positive figure.
Initially, there was outcry by national newspapers and some viewers regarding the UK licence fee being used to fund such a potentially high jackpot prize. However, when it became apparent that contestants rarely managed to win even close to the maximum jackpot, these criticisms generally disappeared.
In autumn 2001, for the first time ever, The Weakest Link was placed directly head-to-head with Millionaire in the television schedules. Between the two, Millionaire ultimately emerged on top, attracting 10.2m viewers compared to The Weakest Link's 3.8m.
From 9 to 13 August 2010, five "10th Anniversary Specials" aired at the usual time on BBC One.
Read more about this topic: The Weakest Link (UK game show)
Famous quotes containing the word success:
“She knows there’s no success like failure
And that failure’s no success at all.”
—Bob Dylan [Robert Allen Zimmerman] (b. 1941)
“I feel that you will not only be the making of my happiness, but also of my fortunes or success in life. The truth is I never did half try to be anything, or do anything. There was no motive ... and so I have lived, not an idle, but a useless sort of life. Hereafter I hope all that will be quite changed.... I shall have purpose and steadiness to keep ever doing, looking to your happiness and approval as my best reward.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“There is a vast difference between success at twenty-five and success at sixty. At sixty, nobody envies you. Instead, everybody rejoices generously, sincerely, in your good fortune.”
—Marie Dressler (1873–1934)