Think Tank (Australian game show)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | February 5, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Quiz show |
| Website | www |
Think Tank is an Australian quiz show adapted from the original British format. It debuted on the ABC network on 5 February 2018, with Paul McDermott serving as the host.
Think Tank panelists
The program features a rotating panel of eight selected from a pool of thirteen individuals from across Australia, all sharing a passion for quizzing:
- Caroline Roff, publisher of a community newsletter based in Koo Wee Rup, Victoria.
- Deborah Cooke, an editor by profession.
- Gurm Sekhon, specializing as an intercultural consultant.
- Mik Quall, a stay-at-home father.
- Emma Goodsir, working as an educational psychologist.
- Sam Wade, employed by an educational travel company.
- Jono McQuie, currently studying journalism.
- Bruce Whalley, a tram driver operating in Melbourne.
- Chira Fernando, engaged in retail work.
- Michelle Cheng, practicing journalism.
- Mat Garrick, a mining electrician from Broken Hill and former contestant on season 12 of Big Brother.
- Craig Lawler, expert on Australian bushrangers.
- Rachel Ramsay, teaching humanities at the high school level.
Gameplay
Prior to each episode, the Think Tank members answer a series of questions under controlled conditions to determine which eight panelists will participate; those who correctly solve the final "Question: Impossible" are excluded from that episode. Three contestants then compete through five distinct rounds.
The phrase "Shut the gate, kill the goat, dance like a pagan," often abbreviated to "Shut the gate," is used during answer selection. This is analogous to the phrase "Lock it in" from the competing show Millionaire Hot Seat. Occasionally, contestants mistakenly say "Lock it in," which prompts humorous comments from the host.
Full Tank
In this round, each contestant responds to three questions. For each question, all answers provided by the Think Tank—some accurate and others incorrect—are displayed. Contestants must identify the correct response among them. Each correct answer awards 15 points, allowing a maximum total of 45 points per contestant.
Pick a Thinker
Contestants alternate choosing one Think Tank member who poses one of two questions they have personally written. Each contestant answers three such questions without assistance from the panelists and earns 25 points for every correct response.
Trust Me, I'm a Think Tanker
Two Think Tank members present opposing answers to the same question and justify their choices in an effort to convince the contestants. Over five questions, contestants select either option A or B and receive 50 points per correct answer. The contestant with the lowest score at this stage is eliminated. Following this round, the Think Tank no longer has access to forthcoming questions.
Head to Head
The final two contestants engage in a best-of-five rapid-fire challenge using previously unseen questions. They may respond directly or request help from Think Tank members; each contestant can consult three different panelists once each. A 20-second timer represented by a burning fuse graphic limits response time; unanswered questions are marked incorrect. The player with the most correct answers progresses. If tied after five questions, sudden-death numerical tie-breakers occur without any assistance from the Think Tank; the closest guess determines the winner.
Question: Unanswerable
The final participant encounters a question that none of the Think Tank members managed to solve correctly prior to filming. Incorrect answers from the pre-recorded Think Tank session are shown to help steer the contestant away from mistakes. Providing the right answer secures the Think Tank trophy.