The Crystal Maze

I remember this show fondly. But, alas, I remember this show only from the couple of times I saw it in my early childhood when I visited my grandmother in Scotland. It was the most entertaining game show I've ever seen and though I don't know how, I hope all of you readers will happen upon reruns (no matter how unlikely that seems.)

I came across this game show while living in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a show which I have long wished would be shown on Australian television. But alas it never has been.

I found that even as a viewer this show challenges your mind in a more 3 dimensional way. Something that most run of the mill game shows lack in their questions.

It's a shame that is no longer in production....but there are always hopes of re-runs right?

Not so much a maze as The Crystal circuit of four inter-connecting play areas, or "time zones", called Aztec, Industrial (later Ocean), Medieval and Futuristic. A team of 6 contestants would make their way through a huge variety of challenges across 4 "zones", winning crystals which give them time in the final challenge, the crystal dome. Collecting 100 gold tokens would win them the star prize. It was consistently entertaining to watch the challenges, and even more so when they failed! It was one of those shows which would always get you talking to the TV, it had me shouting regular phrases such as "Come on, that's it", "You've got it", "Come on, that's easy!" "It's RIGHT THERE! Use your brain!" etc.

The two presenters of The Crystal Maze, Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole, both played eccentric roles in their own unique way, even providing some strange anecdotes in the middle of the games. It was ultimately the hosts that helped make the programme what it is. The programme ended when still at the height of its popularity, and I'm glad it did as it couldn't have been done any differently to how it was. A winning formula all the way.

I grew up watching this show in the 90s. I don't quite remember the time it used to be aired on TV but I am sure it was some time in the evening after school. Richard O'Brien, being a true entertainer would keep me engaged for the entire hour. What's more. My mom used to love the show too and watch it with me whenever possible.

What an idea for a game show! Different games with versatile genres like Mystery, Physical, Mental, etc., spanned 2-3 mins across different Zones : Aztec, Medieval, Industrial, and Futuristic (chronologically arranged, now i get it) , collecting crystals for obtaining 5 seconds in the beautiful Crystal Dome. I used to admire the entire set of The Crystal maze. What a well-crafted effort the whole crew of the show had put up there. A true team-effort. Kudos to the designers, the cast and crew and the entire production unit for making my childhood exciting! How much I have wanted to praise you guys. I guess IMDb has to be the right platform!!

Why I liked the show is also for the basic scientific approach it took. Perfectly balanced levels of difficulty, Perfect level of details in each zone, for example - the sun-dials in the Medieval zone as opposed to digital watches in the Futuristic Zone, Bubbling acids in the Industrial Zone, etc. There was no room for error! Finally when you enter the maze, "Will ya start the fans please".. and soon we see contestants convert their hard-earned time into glory.

Throughout the entire show, what keeps the adrenalin pumping is the Theme tune of The Crystal maze entitled Force Field composed by Zack Lawrence. I can never forget that track in my lifetime. I always thought it brought a Star Wars kind of feeling with it. At that time, this track was at another level.

All in all, when I look back at the show from the Futuristic Zone of 2012, I am driven into nostalgia and I must say that I was and will continue to be a true fan of this wonderful show.

It was truly the birth of quality entertainment!

I used to love this show. It was one where you could easily be a contestant if you wanted to be. You didn't have to be really physical or really smart. You had a go and you had the rest of the team there to help you. Some of the contestants were really useless but most were really good. I've been watching Re-runs of the earlier series i.e. the ones with the industrial zone. And they bring back fond memories. Richard O'Brian was better at the presenting as he would help the contestants if they got really stuck and would occasionally play his harmonica or go off and do something else while they played a rather uninteresting game. Definitely my favorite Game show. Bring it back please.