One of television’s most spectacular game shows, The Wall, returns to Italy from Monday July 13 in the prime access slot on Canale 5.
Featuring its iconic 12-metre-high wall, which can change contestants’ lives in an instant, the new edition of the format will be hosted by Max Giusti, who will entertain viewers throughout the summer, seven days a week.
Based on the original format The Wall, created by LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Andrew Glassman, which recently concluded its sixth season on NBC, a new Italian adaptation has been commissioned by Mediaset following the success of its first two seasons. Produced by RTI in association with Fremantle, and in collaboration with Glassman Media, The SpringHill Company and Universal Television Alternative Studio, the format is executive produced by Jessica Otazua.
The rules of The Wall are simple. Each episode features a pair of contestants connected by a family relationship or friendship. The key ingredients for success are a strong bond, absolute trust, excellent general knowledge and a willingness to take risks. The game unfolds over three rounds, followed by a final stage featuring a major new element: the Lucky Ball. This final throw can dramatically increase the pair’s winnings, or wipe them out completely.
Facing the contestants in the studio is the iconic Wall, which ultimately decides their fate. From seven different positions located at the top of the Wall, illuminated balls are dropped and can bounce in unpredictable directions, like a giant pinball machine. Each ball can land in one of the 15 slots at the bottom of the Wall, each marked with a different cash value, increasing round after round, and contributing to the total prize pot.
If the contestants answer correctly the question linked to the slot reached by the ball, it turns green and the pair wins the corresponding amount. If the answer is incorrect, the ball turns red and the contestants lose the amount displayed in that slot.
Contestants play together and answer questions as a team only during the first stage of the game. In the second and third rounds, trust becomes the ultimate challenge as the pair is separated and one contestant is completely isolated. The contestant remaining in the studio does not know whether their partner will answer the questions correctly, while the isolated contestant has no knowledge of how the game is progressing.
This creates even greater suspense, making every answer crucial. Correct answers are just as important as the balls taking the right path down the Wall.
The tension reaches its peak during the final stage of the game. Max Giusti sends the isolated contestant, unaware of the prize money accumulated in the studio by their partner, a contract containing a cash offer, which may be higher or lower than the amount won during the game.
In the final and decisive moment, the pair reunites in the studio. The contestant who answered the questions in isolation reveals whether they accepted the offer or not, while the other contestant reveals what they have won or lost thanks to the Wall up to that point.
But there is still one final challenge: the brand-new Lucky Ball. One last decisive throw that can either wipe out everything won in front of the Wall or add up to €100,000 to the final prize!
Hannah Mabruk, Senior Vice President, Format Sales and Production, NBCUniversal Formats, said: “The Wall continues to resonate with audiences around the world, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Mediaset and Fremantle as the format returns to Italy. Its unique combination of knowledge, trust and high-stakes drama has made it a global success, and we’re excited for viewers to experience this latest edition.”
The Wall is one of the most successful television formats in the world. The format has been adapted in 33 countries across Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, earning numerous awards and widespread audience acclaim. To date, 56 local versions have been commissioned worldwide.
