Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge
Teen teams battle for keys and gold at Fort Boyard.
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge is a children's game show that aired on CITV and Disney XD, based on the French game show Fort Boyard. Six teams of teenagers compete in a tournament-style competition to become the "Ultimate Conquerors Of The Fort" at the series' finale. It is an updated version of the original French format, which had inspired an earlier British version from 1998 to 2003.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Children's adventure game show
- Based on
- Fort Boyard, Jacques Antoine
- Runtime
- 22 minutes (Series 1–2); 52 minutes (Series 3–5)
- Company
- Adventure Line Productions; The Foundation
- Presenter
- Laura Hamilton
- Geno Segers
- Andy Akinwolere
- Theme music
- Paul Farrer
- Country
- United States (Series 1–2); United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
History
The series was announced on 7 July 2011 as a two-season commission of 20 half-hour episodes from CITV and Disney Channels Worldwide, which secured global pay rights for Disney XD except in France and Nordic territories. Adventure Line Productions and The Foundation, both Zodiak Media Group subsidiaries, co-produced the series, with Zodiak handling global distribution. Teenage contestants from the United Kingdom and the United States took part, presented by American actor Geno Segers and English TV presenter Laura Hamilton. Filming occurred in August 2011, and the series debuted globally on Disney XD in the United States on 17 October 2011. From series 3 onward, the show became solely British, with Segers replaced by former Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere. The third series began on 8 December 2012, simulcast on the ITV network. A fourth series aired from 20 October 2013, and a fifth from 15 October 2014, ending on 17 December 2014.
Format
Six teams compete in a tournament. Each episode pits two teams against each other in challenges based on toughness, fear and speed. Over a season, each team plays three times; the two teams with the most gold coins return for the final round. In each level, teams try to obtain a key that aids them in the final Treasure Chamber level. If they collect three keys (five in series 3, 4 and 5) or more, they receive the maximum three minutes in the Treasure Chamber; two keys (four from series 3) or fewer incur a time penalty. Winning a fourth key (sixth or more from series 3) adds 150 bonus coins per key to the team's total. The show uses the same games as the original French format but with different names, no lock-ins, and slight adaptations; for example, in Boiler Room the contestant moves a chain with the key through a maze to the exit instead of being handcuffed. Solo team challenges use a water timer (clepsydre) usually set at 1:30, 2:00 or 2:30 minutes. Some games, such as Tightrope and most duels, require a code to open a key box located outside the room or near the other team members. Games involving both teams are called duels and are not timed by the water clock. Series 2 introduced Punch Ball (2:00/1:30), Unstable Chair (2:00/2:15), Turnstile (1:30), Snake Pit (2:30/3:00), Leap of Faith Version 2 (1:30/1:00), and Infernal Ladder (Duel, 2:00).
Filming
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge is set and filmed on the Fort Boyard fortress on the west coast of France. The fort was refurbished during 1988–89 to become a large outdoor television studio, equipped with its own doctor, catering facilities, production gallery and veterinary centre. It has 10 portable television cameras, one camera crane for overhead shots, one underwater camera, and smaller cameras for individual games. Filming took place from 9–15 July 2011 for two seasons of 10 episodes each; a third season was filmed from 7–14 July 2012, a fourth from 18–25 June 2013, and a fifth from 22–27 June 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which network aired Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge?
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge aired on Disney XD (USA).
How many episodes of Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge are there?
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge has 50 episodes across 5 seasons.
When did Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge first air?
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge first aired on 17 November 2011.
When did Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge end?
Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge last aired on 27 January 2012.
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