Hole in the Wall (American game show)

American game show

Hole in the Wall

Genre| Game show
Directed by| Ron de Moraes (Fox)
Rob George (Cartoon Network)
Presented by| Brooke Burns
Mark Thompson
Teck Holmes
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1 (Fox)
4 (Cartoon Network)
No. of episodes| 18 (8 unaired) (Fox)
40 (Cartoon Network)
Production
Executive producers| Cecile Frot-Coutaz (Fox)
Scott St. John (Cartoon Network)
Producers| Jon Peper
David Ruskey (game producer; Fox)
Editor| Narumi Inatsugu
Camera setup| John Perry
Running time| 22 minutes
Production company| FremantleMedia North America
Original release
Network| Fox
Release| September 7, 2008 (2008-09-07) –
March 15, 2009 (2009-03-15)
Network| Cartoon Network
Release| October 6, 2010 (2010-10-06) –
January 19, 2012 (2012-01-19)

Hole in the Wall is an American game show that has aired in two versions on American television.

The first version aired on the Fox television network from 2008 to 2009. The show was an adaptation of the Japanese game show Nōkabe (脳カベ) (meaning Brain Wall, nicknamed by YouTube fans as "Human Tetris")[1] in which players must contort themselves to fit through cutouts in a large 13 feet (4.0 m) by 7.5 feet (2.3 m) Styrofoam wall moving towards them on a 50 feet (15 m) track. FremantleMedia North America produced the series. Brooke Burns and Fox announcer Mark Thompson were the hosts of this version. On May 20, 2008, Fox announced that it would commission 13 hours of Hole in the Wall from FremantleMedia North America. According to a Hollywood Reporter report, these hours could be split and aired as 26 episodes. Production began July 13, 2008, at CBS Studios-Radford.

## Broadcast[edit]

### Cancellation[edit]

On March 17, 2009, Fox pulled the series again, replacing it with reruns of King of the Hill and American Dad![2] The program's cancellation was announced in May 2009.[3]

### Revival[edit]

On July 20, 2010, Cartoon Network announced that it picked up the series, now updated for its younger audience.[4][5] FremantleMedia would return as the show's producers. The series premiered October 6, 2010, with Real World Hawaii cast member Teck Holmes as host. Joining him as the show's lifeguard was model/lifeguard Emily Hedicke. A second cycle debuted in April 2011, and featured a new co-host, lifeguard Aaron Gingrich. On January 19, 2012, the CN version of Hole in the Wall aired its last episode.[6]

## Fox version (2008–2009)[edit]

### Game play[edit]

Two teams of three people play, with a hobby, occupation, or location as the team name. Two lifeguards, one male and one female, sit poolside. The contestants are dressed in the silver spandex zentai unitards and wear red or blue helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads depending on the team color.

A replay is shown each time the wall was passed and each time wall was not cleared, a diagram is shown of the best method.

One rule that is almost automatically assumed is that contestants must jump through the hole without breaking it all off or falling in the water. The rule that most players inadvertently break is that at least one foot must be in the play area.

#### Solo Wall[edit]

After each team is announced, the team captain is then instructed to enter the play area. After a three-second countdown, the wall is shown. If the captain fails to get through, or "clear" the wall, either by falling into the pool or damaging the wall as it passes, the team earns zero points, clearing the wall earns one point. The opposing team captain then tries a different wall.

#### Double Wall[edit]

The two non-captains on each team then complete on a Double Wall. The team earns two points if both players clear the wall, if either player fails to clear, they earn zero points.

#### Triple Wall[edit]

All three players try to complete the Triple Wall. The team scores three points if all three clear the wall. If any player fails to clear, the team earns zero points.

#### Speed Wall[edit]

Like Round 3, all three players complete. The wall moves twice as fast as before. Each player who clears the wall earns two points, for a maximum of six. In addition, if all three players clear the wall, they win a guaranteed $5,000 bonus whether they win or lose the game. Both teams get a chance to play for the $5,000, even if the second team has been mathematically eliminated.

The team with more points wins a guaranteed $25,000 and plays the final "Blind Wall" for extra cash at $100,000. In case of tie, both teams advanced to the tiebreaker and final "Blind Wall" with $50,000 at stake.

#### Blind Wall[edit]

One team member, blindfolded, is guided by Brooke to the center of the play area. The two remaining team members must then direct the blindfolded member through a standard solo wall by giving verbal commands, while the audience is asked to remain quiet. If the contestant clears the wall, the team wins $100,000. If both teams advance to the Blind Wall, the prize is split in half and each team tries a different blind wall for $50,000. During the show's opening run, there were only two teams that completed the blind wall. Raphael Xavier from the Freedom Rappers Philly team went through the blind wall, winning $50,000 due to a tie with the other team. The second was a teammate from the Gyrating Gents and they took home the full $100,000.

### Broadcast history[edit]

On October 24, 2008, Fox pulled the series from its schedule, replacing it with reruns of Kitchen Nightmares.[7] On January 21, 2009, Fox pulled the series again and replaced it with reruns of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?[8] After an airing on February 8, 2009, the show was quickly put on hiatus. After another month, the series returned on March 8, 2009. Reruns of the series began airing on Fox Reality (now Nat Geo Wild) on May 25, 2009. The program's cancellation was announced in May 2009.[3]

### Special episodes[edit]

The show's producers announced that they planned on shooting celebrity and themed episodes of the game, even though one was shot.

1. Rock Lovers vs. Flavors: Contestants from VH1's Flavor of Love (Pumpkin (Brooke Thompson), Buckwild (Becky Johnston), Saaphyri Windsor) competing against Rock of Love 2 (Destiney Sue Moore, Ambre Lake, Jessica Kinni).
2. Even though it wasn't a special, Phu and Leroy from Solitary 2.0 and Trizz from Solitary 3.0 teamed up as Backyard Wrestlers in the episode Backyard Bozos vs. Fists Of Fury.[9]

4 specials were also made for the Cartoon Network version, all appearing in Season 2.

1. NFL's DeSean Jackson vs. NBA's Chris Webber: DeSean Jackson and Chris Webber compete with their family members, in teams named "Touchdown" and "Slam Dunk"
2. Sugar and Spice & Everything Nice vs. Twin It To Win It: This Episode had a pair of twins and a family member from each team compete.
3. The Mohawk and The Madness vs. The Cranium Kids: This Episode was dubbed as a "designer special". The Red Team had one person with a mohawk wig on their helmet, while The Blue Team had two people have brain designs on their helmets
4. CN Celeb's The main casts from two of CN's live-action shows, Level Up and Dude, What Would Happen, in teams named "The Dudes" and "Level Up". Following the episode, new footage from the pilot movie for Level Up would air for the first time on the network.

## Cartoon Network version (2010–2012)[edit]

### Game play[edit]

As was the case in previous versions, two teams of three people play. The difference is that the teams now consist of families. One member of each team is a child, and the second member must be the child's parent or guardian. The third member can either be one of the child's friends/siblings or a second parent/guardian. The contestants are dressed in the same attire from previous versions. (silver unitard, color coordinated helmets and pads)

The rules for the Double and Triple walls are the same, but points are now awarded based on how many players clear each wall, meaning that it is no longer required for every member to clear a group wall. Each person who gets through the hole and matches the shape earns 10 points. In the Speed round, the points are doubled.

#### 1-player Wall (Yellow)[edit]

One player from each team tackles this wall. If the wall is cleared, 10 points are awarded.

Variants from Round 2

* Blind Wall: One player will wear a blacked out hockey goaltender mask while another stands at the opposite end of the pool. Similar to the Blind Wall in the Fox version, the player who isn't in the play area tries to guide the blinded player through the hole
* Mimic Wall: One player will have their back facing the wall while another player at the other end of the pool try mimicking the shape in order for the player on the play area to make it through
* Blackout Wall: In Season 1, the studios light will flash on and off while the player tries to make the shape. In Season 2, the shape had a glow in the dark outline while the blacklight shining on the play area flashes on and off
* Costume Wall: The player will have a costume and a prop given to them in order to make the shape. The prop must also get through in order to win 10 points
* Distraction Wall: As the player tries to make the shape, dodgeballs from the other team will be thrown at them. Another variant of this is instead of dodgeballs being thrown, the other team will be shooting the player with water soakers

#### 2-player Wall (Green)[edit]

Two on each team then compete on a Double Wall. Each player clearing the wall is worth 10 points, with a total of 20 points at stake.

Variants from Round 2

* Dizzy Wall: 2 Players from the opposing team will spin the 2 Players on the play area until the wall is shown, the players on the play area will try to make the shape while being dizzy
* Question Wall: A question will appear at the top with 2 Answers (Sometimes 3 in later episodes). The players have to go through the correct answer in order to get 20 points
* Blind Wall: Similar to the Blind Wall in the 1-Player wall, but instead of the player being at the opposite end, they're on the play area with them. They have to shape their blind teammate into the shape while making the shape themselves.
* Competition Wall: 1 Player from each team will take on the wall, each person through gives 10 points to their teams
* Costume Wall: This wall is similar to the 1-Player version, but this time with 2 players
* Blackout Wall: This wall is similar to the 1-Player version, but this time with 2 players
* Prop Wall: This wall is similar to the Costume wall, but players will only be holding a prop.
* Mirror Wall: This wall had the 2 players on the play area look at a mirror in order to match the shape, they must have their backs facing the wall in order to get 10 points

#### 3-player Wall (Orange)[edit]

All three players try to clear the wall. Each player clearing the wall is worth 10 points, with a total of 30 points at stake.

Variants from Round 2

* Blind Wall: This is similar to the 2-Player version but instead two players help the blind player out instead of one
* Question Wall: This is similar to the 2-Player version, but this time with 3 players
* Distraction Wall: While the players try making the shape, the other team will be throwing inflated balls at the team.

#### Speed Wall[edit]

The Speed Wall was always in the 4th Round which doubled the points with each player making it through being 20 points. It was mostly was a 2-Player wall with a variant. The exception was in the episode Tap and Destroy vs. Game On where the speed wall was a normal 3-Player wall since nobody had scored points. If it was a competition wall, on rare occasions it will have one of the two walls have a twist with it (In Musical Mayhem vs. Big Bro & The Disco Sistas, one wall was a mimic competition wall. In Ladies Love Us vs. Pizazz N Jazz, one wall was a prop competition wall)

#### Tiebreaker Wall[edit]

One player from each team is chosen to play and will be given ten plastic balls. When the wall starts moving, the players must grab as many balls as possible, and clear the wall with the balls in their hand. The winner of the competition for the player's team is decided by whoever gets the most balls through their hole.

#### Impossiwall (Silver in Season 1/Red in Season 2)[edit]

All three players of the winning team compete in the fifth round that has a final, more difficult wall, thus being named the Impossiwall. This round had 1-3 players take on the wall with a variant. If the wall is completed, the winning team will be immortalized in the Wall of Fame.

Variants

* Jigsaw Wall: This wall had 2 players (sometimes 3) make it through with jigsaw puzzle pieces, they needed to get themselves and the puzzle pieces through in order for it to count as a win.
* Get A Grip Wall: This wall had 2 players make it through while grabbing slippery balloons, they needed to get themselves and the balloons through in order for it to count as a win.
* See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Wall: This wall had one player blindfolded, one wearing earmuffs, and one wearing a mouth piece. They all needed to get through in order for it to count as a win.
* Human Chain Wall: This wall had 3 players (in Flipped Out vs. Bug Lady & The Fly Boys it was 2) have to touch each other while making it through in order for it to count as a win.
* Balloon Wall: This wall had 1 player wear or grab balloons and made it through with the balloons. They need make it through with the balloons not popping any in order for it to count as a win.
* Building Block Wall: This wall had 2 players build a shape using blocks while the wall was coming at them. They need to complete the shape and make it through in order for it to count as a win.
* Puzzle Wall: This wall had 2 players build a shape while the wall was coming at the,. They need to complete the shape and make it through in order for it to count as a win.
* Limbo Wall: This wall had 2 variants to it. The 2-Player version has 2 players standing back to back while making the shape in order for it to count as a win. The 3-Player version had 3 holes that the players needed to do the limbo in without touching the ground nor falling into the pool in order for it to count as a win.

## Catchphrases[edit]

* "It's time to face the holes." (FOX version; also used in the video game)
* "Show us the hole in the wall!" (Cartoon Network version)

## Amazon Prime Video[edit]

Since 2017, prime members can view 18 episodes of the FOX version.[10]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Cool Japan: Why Japanese remakes are so popular on American TV, and where we're getting it wrong" Archived 2008-09-15 at the Wayback Machine.AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-15.
2. ^ "Breaking News - Fox Plugs "Hole in the Wall," Trims "Osbournes"". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
3. ^ a b Owen, Rob (2009-05-19). "Tuned In: Fox builds fall schedule around 'Glee'". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
4. ^ "Hole in the Wall Going to Kids Network, Now Casting". Gameshows.about.com. 2010-07-14. Archived from the original on 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
5. ^ Schneider, Michael (2010-07-20). "Cartoon digs a 'Hole' - Entertainment News, Top News, Media". Variety. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
6. ^ "Cartoon Network January 2012 Premiere Info". Toonzone.net. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
7. ^ "Welcome to nginx". Archived from the original on 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
8. ^ "Fox Suspends Hole in the Wall - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
9. ^ Adalian, Josef. "It's a 'Love' Match on 'Hole in the Wall', TelevisionWeek". Tvweek.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
10. ^ Amazon.com: Hole in the Wall

## External links[edit]

* Cartoon Network has picked up "Hole in the Wall"
* Fox to remake "Hole in the Wall"
* Fox game for Youtube smash "Hole in the Wall"
* Fox Punches "Hole in the Wall"
* Interview with Portia Berry Allen, the daughter of Fred "Rerun" Berry from who said "Oh, crap!" in the commercials
* Hole in the Wall at IMDb

* v
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Former Cartoon Network original programming

1990s debuts|

* ToonHeads (1992–2003)
* The Moxy Show (1993–95)
* Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994–2001)
* What a Cartoon! (1995–97)
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* Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999–2009)
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* Mike, Lu & Og (1999–2001)

2000s debuts|

* JBVO (2000–01)
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* Codename: Kids Next Door (2002–08)
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* The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2003–07)
* Evil Con Carne (2003–04)
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* Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–05)
* Megas XLR (2004–05)
* Justice League Unlimited (2004–06)
* Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2004–09)
* The Batman (2004–06)
* Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (2004–06)
* Krypto the Superdog (2005–06)
* The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (2005–06)
* Camp Lazlo (2005–08)
* Firehouse Tales (2005–06)
* My Gym Partner's a Monkey (2005–08)
* Ben 10 (2005–08)
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* Ellen's Acres (2006–07)
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* The Land Before Time (2007-08)
* Out of Jimmy's Head (2007–08)
* Chowder (2007–10)
* Transformers: Animated (2007–09)
* Chop Socky Chooks (2008–10)
* Ben 10: Alien Force (2008–10)
* The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (2008–10)
* The Secret Saturdays (2008–10)
* Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008–11)
* The Othersiders (2009)
* BrainRush (2009)
* Destroy Build Destroy (2009–11)
* Bobb'e Says (2009)
* Dude, What Would Happen (2009–11)

2010s debuts|

* Adventure Time (2010–18)
* Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (2010–12)
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* Generator Rex (2010–13)
* Unnatural History (2010)
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* Young Justice (2010–13)
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* Level Up (2012–13)
* Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2012–13)
* Dragons (2012–14)
* Ben 10: Omniverse (2012–14)
* Incredible Crew (2013)
* Beware the Batman (2013)
* Uncle Grandpa (2013–17)
* Steven Universe (2013–19)
* Mixels (2014–16)
* The Tom and Jerry Show (2014–16)
* Clarence (2014–18)
* Over the Garden Wall (2014)
* We Bare Bears (2015–19)
* Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Production (2015–16)
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* Long Live the Royals (2015)
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* Unikitty! (2017–20)
* Apple & Onion (2018–21)
* Summer Camp Island (2018–23)
* DC Super Hero Girls (2019–21)
* Victor and Valentino (2019–22)
* Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (2019–20)
* Infinity Train (2019–20)
* Steven Universe Future (2019–20)

2020s debuts|

* ThunderCats Roar (2020)
* Elliott from Earth (2021)
* The Fungies! (2021)
* Looney Tunes Cartoons (2021–23)
* Tig n' Seek (2021)
* Jellystone! (2021)
* Jessica's Big Little World (2023—24)

See also|

* Current original series
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* Warner Bros. Animation

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