So how does this game show last beyond one season?

[Jeemie]

I've watched a couple of episodes of "Separation Anxiety" on TBS.

So for those who don't know, married couples, couples, or just friends get called to compete on what they think is a crappy Internet game show with a top prize of $2,500. They split the couple up, and then one of them goes on stage to the REAL game show, where he/she learns that while their partner thinks the top prize is $2,500, every prize level they play at is 100x that (so the top prize is $250,000). The person that knows picks the categories of questions for the crappy Internet show, and has to watch there helpless as the partner decides whether to stop or go on (well- they get 1-2 chances to stop the game for half the money won).

I'm sure they taped all these episodes over the course of a few weeks before the show aired, but my question is- how can they keep it going past one season now that the show is airing?

They don't change either the look or the host of the "crappy Internet game show" portion of the show, so anyone that signs up from now on would probably know/guess. Even if they changed up the format, the person left behind would probably figure something weird is up.

Seems like a one-shot deal to me.

[silverscreenselect]

I've watched a couple of episodes of "Separation Anxiety" on TBS.

So for those who don't know, married couples, couples, or just friends get called to compete on what they think is a crappy Internet game show with a top prize of $2,500. They split the couple up, and then one of them goes on stage to the REAL game show, where he/she learns that while their partner thinks the top prize is $2,500, every prize level they play at is 100x that (so the top prize is $250,000). The person that knows picks the categories of questions for the crappy Internet show, and has to watch there helpless as the partner decides whether to stop or go on (well- they get 1-2 chances to stop the game for half the money won).

I'm sure they taped all these episodes over the course of a few weeks before the show aired, but my question is- how can they keep it going past one season now that the show is airing?

They don't change either the look or the host of the "crappy Internet game show" portion of the show, so anyone that signs up from now on would probably know/guess. Even if they changed up the format, the person left behind would probably figure something weird is up.

Seems like a one-shot deal to me.

It's a good gimmick, because people will probably keep going as long as they think there's any chance of answering the question correctly because the "money" involved is so small.

[Jeemie]

I've watched a couple of episodes of "Separation Anxiety" on TBS.

So for those who don't know, married couples, couples, or just friends get called to compete on what they think is a crappy Internet game show with a top prize of $2,500. They split the couple up, and then one of them goes on stage to the REAL game show, where he/she learns that while their partner thinks the top prize is $2,500, every prize level they play at is 100x that (so the top prize is $250,000). The person that knows picks the categories of questions for the crappy Internet show, and has to watch there helpless as the partner decides whether to stop or go on (well- they get 1-2 chances to stop the game for half the money won).

I'm sure they taped all these episodes over the course of a few weeks before the show aired, but my question is- how can they keep it going past one season now that the show is airing?

They don't change either the look or the host of the "crappy Internet game show" portion of the show, so anyone that signs up from now on would probably know/guess. Even if they changed up the format, the person left behind would probably figure something weird is up.

Seems like a one-shot deal to me.

It's a good gimmick, because people will probably keep going as long as they think there's any chance of answering the question correctly because the "money" involved is so small.

It appears most have.

The one that was just on this week featured a couple where the boyfriend had served two tours in Afghanistan.

He chose to stop at $1,000/$100,000 and of course everyone loved it.

They have a bit at the end where the couple is in the car going back home, I guess, and he said he didn't go for it, even with such little money at risk because every game show he's seen where they tell you to go for it, something happens that makes it very likely you'll lose it all.

But again- how do they keep this gimmick alive past one season?

[Bob Juch]

Poor planning!

[Coupon Boy]

What Would You Do has survived all these seasons despite them using the same actors in pretty much every episode. More and more you see people catching on early nowadays because of this, though.

I imagine if Separation Anxiety gets renewed another season they'll probably just drop the internet game show thing and and have both sides be in the loop. It wouldn't completely change the premise of the show.

[Jeemie]

What Would You Do has survived all these seasons despite them using the same actors in pretty much every episode. More and more you see people catching on early nowadays because of this, though.

I imagine if Separation Anxiety gets renewed another season they'll probably just drop the internet game show thing and and have both sides be in the loop. It wouldn't completely change the premise of the show.

I can't see how both contestants being in the loop would do anything but destroy the premise of the show.

[triviawayne]

I'm not even sure how people get on this show and not know anyway.

There's always some sort of audition process, forms to fill out, etc; and really, it wouldn't be difficult for either partner to tell the other what is happening from the get-go.

Gotta remember, reality TV isn't real, and television lies to us all the time. Look at Cash Cab, those people knew exactly what was happening when they got in that cab, producers would call the contestants and tell them where to be and when. Then they all acted surprised they were in the Cash Cab; or did you never find it amazing how the team captain always just happened to sit in the same seat every time?

[Jeemie]

I'm not even sure how people get on this show and not know anyway.

There's always some sort of audition process, forms to fill out, etc; and really, it wouldn't be difficult for either partner to tell the other what is happening from the get-go.

Gotta remember, reality TV isn't real, and television lies to us all the time. Look at Cash Cab, those people knew exactly what was happening when they got in that cab, producers would call the contestants and tell them where to be and when. Then they all acted surprised they were in the Cash Cab; or did you never find it amazing how the team captain always just happened to sit in the same seat every time?

I thought about that.

On the show, the partners don't get split up until the show starts, BTW...so it's not a fact that one of the partners "knows" ahead of time.

But it could all be staged.

Some of the reactions make me believe it's not though- unless the contestants are good actors.

[jaybee]

I thought the same thing about "Undercover Boss" - which is now in something like it's 6th or 8th or more season???

How is that????

Hint: As mentioned, reality TV is nowhere near real.

[Estonut]

I thought the same thing about "Undercover Boss" - which is now in something like it's 6th or 8th or more season???

How is that????

Hint: As mentioned, reality TV is nowhere near real.

Undercover Boss pretends to be filming a show where the "employee" has a chance to win money towards starting his own (related) business. As far as "Separation Anxiety" goes, remember it's on TBS. I doubt that many other people are watching it.

[Bob Juch]

As far as "Separation Anxiety" goes, remember it's on TBS. I doubt that many other people are watching it.

0.030 ratings!

[Jeemie]

As far as "Separation Anxiety" goes, remember it's on TBS. I doubt that many other people are watching it.

0.030 ratings!

That would equate to just my household, right?