FUN HOUSE UK
Fun House (UK) was a British children's gameshow hosted by popular radio DJ Pat Sharp that aired on ITV from 1989-1999. It was adapted from the original US version of the same name, but featured many notable changes/additions. The series was very popular throughout its long run, and was compulsory after-school viewing for many youths on Friday afternoons. The series out-lasted its American predecessor by several years.
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The UK version of Fun House featured many additions or changes that likely contributed to its popularity and appeal. The first and perhaps most obvious is the catchy theme song, composed by Bob Heatlie, which is so catchy it's nearly impossible not to sing along. It's a strong improvement over the generic gameshow music of the US version. The music is also used to great effect during gameplay, and adds a sense of consistency and unity that is somewhat lacking in the US version, which used different incidental music for different games.
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The formatting of the UK version was also tightened up, giving a stronger sense of structure and predictability amidst the controlled chaos and anarchy of the games. Good pacing and structure was particularly important, since each episode would run uninterrupted, with no ad breaks. Indeed, the format was so strong, it needed very little modification over the course of its 11-year run. Examples of formatting style include: Pat Sharp always entering the show in an unusual way, always beginning each game with a joke or pun, the audience screaming "Fun House!" in unison whenever a game ended, Pat saying, "Let's re-run the fun!" before proceeding to the next question round, and so forth. These might seem like small details independently, but together these regular elements contribute to the show's strong format and predictability that younger audiences especially enjoy.
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The games were always timed, and interestingly were played without any host commentary. Instead, a variation of the theme tune would play, along with the audience cheering on their associated team. Unlike the US version, the games in the UK version never seemed to be repeated in subsequent episodes. Games were inventive, with creative and fantastic scenescapes and costumes. Gameplay was usually accented with color-gelled lighting. The audience was remarkably enthusiastic, and cheered for both the winning and losing teams after counting score for each game.
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Pat Sharp was an iconic, cooler-than-cool host who maintained great rapport with contestants, and delivered his lines with perfect comedic timing. Almost as iconic were his glorious mullet hair-do, and his fashionable '90s outfits. A pleasant departure from the traditional gameshow host in a formal suit, Sharp added to the style of the show in a way that many other shows would attempt to emulate in children's television throughout the next couple decades.
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Fun House has all the elements of a great gameshow: A great host, memorable music, good writing, an enthusiastic audience, and a strong format, all leading to a fun viewing experience. For all these reasons and more, the show was a great success and endures as a classic.
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Although the UK version ran longer than the US version, only about 13 episodes were shot per season, filmed over the course of just two weeks each year. There are a total of 145 episodes across 11 seasons.
