This week’stvreviews

Which of the seven dwarfs wore glasses? No? OK, it looks like you’re not a contender for new Saturday night gameshow Rolling In It, but neither is Rebecca who feels she’s seen it all before with this old format

Is there any point in watching ITV gameshows any more when you could just head to your nearest arcade and probably have a much better experience – even if you lose?

The channel’s newest iteration of the familiar gameshow format, Rolling In It, boasts nothing we haven’t seen before and, if anything, it’s a bit strange.

Stealing the theme of the show Tipping Point, contestants roll a coin down a conveyor belt, not too dissimilar to the scenes at my local Aldi, and take whatever money is written on the slot the coin lands in.

To add something for the audience to “oooh” and “aaah” at, contestants only win the money after answering a general knowledge question, such as ‘which of the seven dwarfs wore glasses?’. That, in itself, sounds like a terrible Saturday night if you’re sober, which I unfortunately was.

What doesn’t help is that it’s presented by Stephen Mulhern, CEO of forced fun, who looks far too pleased to be starting a new show with a concept that feels like it’s been done before. It also doesn’t feel like it can be repeated in the “new normal” after TV studios all return following the pandemic, as not much of it lends itself to social distancing, mask wearing or logic.

Then there is the fact that the contestants – random members of the public – are paired with random celebrities which, in this case, was three famous faces from Coronation Street – Jennie Mcalpine, Sair Khan and Antony Cotton.

EMMERDALE (ITV)

It seems Malone will do anything to get what he wants, as this week’s trip to the Dales proves. He intimidates Dawn by telling her the testimony against him has been taken as false. And while Mandy is irritated to see Paul and Vinny continuing to get on like a house on fire, Dan panics as he tries to keep his money worries a secret from Amelia.

In some cases their presence was a help, in others it was a hindrance but I still can’t fathom why the celebrities were brought in to “mind” the commoners.

Rolling In It has all the required ingredients for a successful ITV performance, albeit not a new one; there’s the nail-biting drama over whether or not the commoners will get the money; the mild annoyance you feel when you listen to one of the commoners claim they’re going to spend their winnings on a holiday to Greece (this was filmed pre-covid) while you can barely see the TV because of how big your mortgage is; and there’s the required Googling of “how to get on ITV’S Rolling In It” when you get two of the questions right from the comfort of your sofa.

In a way it’s a much needed light relief from some of the heavier stuff we’ve all been dealing with these last few weeks but that’s still no excuse to return to these old, stale, heavily repeated formats.

But, where Tipping Point is named as such because part of the game board actually tips over, Pointless lives up to its name because it is indeed pointless, and the premise of Big Star’s Little Star makes sense purely from its name, Rolling In It leaves a lot to the imagination.

The only rolling that will come anywhere near this show will be the tears rolling down the face of the poor contestant paired with Tellybox stalwart Gemma Collins in tonight’s episode.

Things are looking bleaker than ever for Jasmine. While she further alienates herself from those looking out for her, Tori’s thoughts turn to her friend’s psychological support. Marilyn and John are out of options, but in a move that would probably impress businessman Alan Sugar, the sparky newcomer un-fires herself.

Susan is certainly glad Jane’s around, especially when she suffers a panic attack. However, Jane soon finds she’s taken on more than she bargained for when she helps Susan out at school. And while Nurse Nicolette is keen to help Chloe prepare for her mum’s arrival, she may be thinking with her heart rather than her head.