What Might've Been: 100% (US edition)(1999)

 Producer Reg Grundy, who made some inroads in the US in the 80's by acquiring the rights to adapt Scrabble into a game show, and to also revive Sale of The Century. tried something different in the late 90's.

100% was first tried out in England around 1997-8. The MC would remain off camera, asking the contestants the questions. Unfortunately, Grundy and Pearson Television thought this might work here in the US as well, so they mounted a version for American audiences in 1999. Radio legend Casey Kasem was called on to be the unseen host/announcer for the American 100%, which lasted just 1 season.

Locally, 100% failed to land an affiliate. Jeopardy! was too well entrenched by this point, and the other local stations simply weren't interested.

Here's a sample episode. In fact, it is the only one of the American version available on YouTube presently.

Novel idea, but, as noted, US audiences weren't interested.

Rating: A-.