Cram (game show)

Did You Know?

• In that episode, Elwood appeared in a POV video during round 3, seemingly running from a vehicle trying to run him down.
• As of 2020, Pluto TV offers episodes of Cram for streaming.

Format

Two players, typically a man and a woman who already know each other, form each team. Both teams open with 100 points. The first round, called The Rant, requires each team to talk nonstop about a pre-assigned article while walking inside a giant hamster wheel. Before taping, a "3 a.m. coin toss" decides which team picks first from three article topics (two in season two). That team chooses one to rant about, and the other team selects from what remains. In season two, the second team automatically gets the topic the first team did not pick. Each team member speaks from memory for 20 seconds, giving the team 40 seconds total. Producers choose eight key words or phrases they consider most important from the article; home viewers see this list, but contestants do not. If a contestant pauses, says "um" or "uh," stutters, strays off topic, or repeats information already stated, the team loses five points per violation. Mentioning a key word or phrase adds ten points. Both teams must keep walking in the wheels throughout both Rants. An early first-season episode worked differently: each team member spoke for 30 seconds (60 seconds total), with ten hidden key words. One point was added for each second of ranting up to 60, while keyword and violation points stayed the same, and Elwood used a handheld buzzer for violations. In round two, the team in the lead, or the coin toss winner if tied, performs a stunt while also answering a list of questions for 40 seconds (45 seconds in season one). The first team picks one of two stunts. This round tests multitasking after sleep deprivation. Stunts vary, such as holding yoga poses, matching meat cuts to a cow diagram, or using a slingshot to fire hard candies at small chocolate bunnies. Every stunt includes seven physical items, tasks, or activities that contestants studied overnight. Players must alternate doing these physical activities.