Inquizition

American game show

For uses of the similar term inquisition, see Inquisition (disambiguation).

Inquizition

Genre| Game show
Created by| Sande Stewart
Presented by| William H. Bassett as "The Inquizitor"
Country of origin| United States
No. of seasons| 3
Production
Producer| Sande Stewart
Running time| approx. 22-26 minutes
Production companies|

* Sande Stewart Television
* Game Show Enterprises

Original release
Network| Game Show Network
Release| October 5, 1998 (1998-10-05) –
October 19, 2001 (2001-10-19)

Inquizition is an American game show. Created by Sande Stewart Television, it aired on Game Show Network from October 5, 1998 to October 19, 2001. The game, hosted by an unknown figure named "The Inquizitor", featured four contestants competing in a quiz competition against four home viewers who participated by telephone calls.

## Gameplay

[edit]

Four players competed in a studio which, from the opening credits sequence, appeared to be a large airplane hangar. In reality, the show was recorded in a small studio, using a blue screen backdrop on which images of the hangar were superimposed. Additionally, four more contestants played along at home against each other in a parallel game over the telephone (one of several shows on GSN that did this). Studio players wore black T-shirts under smocks in various colors, and would bow to the Inquizitor when first introduced.

The game was played in three rounds, each consisting of approximately 20-25 multiple-choice questions depending on the time available. Each question had three possible answers (A, B, or C; "C" was almost always "none of the above"). The contestants had three seconds to lock in an answer by pressing one of the buttons on their podiums, their answers visible only to the Inquizitor and viewing audience. Each correct response awarded one point, with no penalty for wrong answers; the scores were displayed on the podiums after each question, but were not announced at any point during gameplay.

When time expired at the end of each round, the contestant with the lowest score was eliminated and dismissed by the Inquizitor. The losing player turned around, as if to walk away, and the screen faded to white. The scores were reset for each new round. After Round 3, the remaining contestant collected his/her "papers" (a prop sometimes seen briefly on-camera, similar to a diploma) and a $500 cash prize ($250 in Season 1). Telephone contestants played for the same prize as the studio contestants, with some also winning online gift certificates.

In the case of a tie in either the show or the telephone game, additional questions were asked until the tie was broken.

## The Inquizitor

[edit]

Inquizition's mysterious anti-host, the Inquizitor, was not a typical game show host of the time - he was angry, cranky, and had little patience for wrong answers. He rarely called contestants by their first names, instead opting to use a more gentlemanly approach ("Mr. Roberts", "Miss Johnson"). During the game, he was seen only from behind as a figure in a dark business suit with shoulder-length gray hair, seated in a chair next to a table that held a glass of water and an hourglass.

Frequently, the Inquizitor would express his disdain for under-performing players during questioning and prod them to improve their game - or occasionally praise a player, while giving backhanded insults to the others.

The Inquizitor's remarks could have an effect on gameplay, as they were the only indication contestants had of where they stood against their opponents. At the end of each round, the Inquizitor dismissed the player in last place with annoyance or indifference ("Please leave now."; "Goodbye."; "Get out!"), and usually scorned the eliminated player in Round 3 by shouting "You have failed!" The eliminated player would turn their back to the camera as they left, and the screen faded to white (instead of black).

At the end of the show, the Inquizitor would walk out of the hangar and cackle menacingly.

### Identity

[edit]

The Inquizitor never showed his face during the show's three-year run. His identity remained unknown for many years because of stipulations in his contract.[1] In 2024, show creator Sande Stewart revealed he was played by actor William H. Bassett.[2]

## See also

[edit]

* 100% (a similar game show that aired in limited syndication in the US in 1999; and on Five in the UK from 1997 to 2001)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (2005). The Ultimate TV Game Show Book. Natl Book Network. ISBN 1-56625-291-1.
2. ^ Stewart, Sande (January 8, 2024). National Archives of Game Show History: Sande Stewart. Event occurs at 4:08:13. Retrieved May 12, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Game Show Network original programming

Current|

* Tic-Tac-Dough (since 2025)
* Bingo Blitz (since 2025)

Former|

| 1990s debuts|

* Prime Games (1994–1997)
* Jep! (1998–2000)
* Faux Pause (1998)
* Extreme Gong (1998–1999)
* Inquizition (1998–2001)
* Three's a Crowd (1999–2000)

|

2000s debuts|

* Hollywood Showdown (2000–2001)
* Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck (2002–2003)
* Friend or Foe? (2002–2003)
* Russian Roulette (2002–2003)
* Lingo (2002–2007; 2011)
* WinTuition (2002–2003)
* Cram (2003)
* Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned (2003)
* GSN Video Games (2003)
* World Series of Blackjack (2004–2007)
* Extreme Dodgeball (2004–2005)
* Celebrity Blackjack (2004–2005)
* Poker Royale (2004–2005)
* American Dream Derby (2005)
* High Stakes Poker (2006–2007; 2009–2011)
* PlayMania (2006–2007)
* I've Got a Secret (2006)
* Chain Reaction (2006–2007; 2015–2016; 2021–2022)
* World Blackjack Tour (2006)
* That's the Question (2006–2007)
* National Vocabulary Championship (2006–2008)
* 100 Winners (2007)
* quiznation (2007)
* Camouflage (2007)
* Without Prejudice? (2007)
* Grand Slam (2007)
* How Much Is Enough? (2008)
* GSN Live (2008–2011)
* Bingo America (2008–2009)
* Catch 21 (2008–2011; 2019–2020)
* GSN Radio (2008–2009)
* Think Like a Cat (2008)
* The Money List (2009)
* 20Q (2009)
* The Newlywed Game (2009–2013)

2010s debuts|

* Carnie Wilson: Unstapled (2010)
* Hidden Agenda (2010)
* Instant Recall (2010)
* Baggage (2010–2012; 2015)
* Late Night Liars (2010)
* 1 vs. 100 (2010–2011)
* Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza (2011)
* Love Triangle (2011)
* The American Bible Challenge (2012–2014)
* Beat the Chefs (2012)
* The Pyramid (2012)
* Family Trade (2013)
* Minute to Win It (2013–2014)
* The Chase (2013–2015)
* Mind of a Man (2014)
* It Takes a Church (2014–2015)
* Skin Wars (2014–2016)
* Idiotest (2014–2017)
* The Line (2014)
* Lie Detectors (2015)
* Steampunk'd (2015)
* Skin Wars: Fresh Paint (2015–2016)
* Hellevator (2015–2016)
* Winsanity (2016–2018)
* Window Warriors (2016)
* Divided (2017–2018)
* Emogenius (2017–2018)
* Snap Decision (2017–2019)
* Cover Story (2018)
* America Says (2018–2022)
* Common Knowledge (2019–2021)
* Master Minds (2019–2023)

2020s debuts|

* Get a Clue (2020–2021)
* People Puzzler (2021–2023)
* Tug of Words (2021–2023)
* Split Second (2023–2024)

Upcoming|

* Riddiculous (TBD)

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