| Hosts | |
| Neil Patrick Harris (2010) Dwayne Wade [also executive producer] (2021-present) | |
| Broadcast | |
  TBS: 6/10/2021 - present | |
| Packagers | |
| 59th & Prairie Entertainment All3Media America Objective Media Group America | |
The Cube is a game show based on the British original broadcast on ITV from 2009 until 2015 and again from 2020 (albeit with an increased top prize, more specifically called The Million Pound Cube then later its original title) until 2021.
Originally intended to be presented by Neil Patrick Harris for CBS in 2010 with a $500,000 top prize, it was rejected by the network's management.[1] On October 25, 2020, it was reported that an American adaptation of The Cube was entering production, with an aim to air in 2021 on TBS, presented/executive produced by former basketball player of Miami Heat Dwayne Wade.[2][3][4]
Premise[]
Working on their own or as a team, each pair has nine lives to complete seven games that are worth an increasing amount of money as they inch closer to taking home the $250,000 jackpot.
Gameplay[]
The player or players have nine lives to complete seven games. The player or players that have completed seven games are said to have "beaten the Cube".
Before the start of each game, the pair is given a preview of it (being demonstrated by "The Body") and were explained by "The Cube" itself.
When the pair has made a successful attempt to a game, after being shown a preview of the next game, they can either take the money, or go for the next game to increase their winnings. Each failed attempt at a game costs them a life. After a failed attempt, they must retry it until they succeed or run out of lives. If the pair runs out of lives, they are said to have been defeated by the Cube, and they leave with nothing.
There are two lifelines available. Each can be used only once.
- One Shot: Wade attempts the game for them. It can only be used before the pair's first attempt in a game. If he succeeds, the game is completed for them. If he fails, the pair loses a life.
- Simplify: It makes the game easier to succeed. It can only be used after a failed attempt in a game. It may increase the amount of time available, increase the margin of error, or reduce a certain requirement.
- Trial Run: Introduced in Season 2, when the pair reaches $50,000. The pair may attempt the game without any risk. If the pair complete the game, no money is awarded. However if the pair fails no life is lost.
| $250,000 |
| $100,000 |
| $50,000 |
| $20,000 |
| $10,000 |
| $2,000 |
| $1,000 |
Merchandise[]
An online game called "Beat the Cube" can be played through its official website at TBS.com.
Gallery[]
International Versions[]
Countries that have previously aired their versions of The Cube include:
- Arab World
- Australia
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Portugal
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Spain
- Turkey (rejected pilot in 2010)
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom (country that originated the program)
NOTE: In the original British version, the pilot was hosted by Justin Lee Collins.
Trivia[]
At the time, the show was briefly compared to another popular stunt & dare show on NBC called Minute to Win It hosted by Guy Fieri and later Apolo Anton Ohno for the GSN/Game Show Network version.
In season two, the first team to win the top prize of $250,000 were two guys named Brian & Branden on July 16, 2023. Their stunt was called "Final Pathfinder".
See Also[]
Videos[]
References[]
Links[]
Official Site
Article about the original British version (courtesy of ukgameshows.com)