{"id":8280,"date":"2021-06-28T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev2.worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/worldscreen.com\/"},"modified":"2021-06-29T09:21:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T13:21:34","slug":"foxs-mental-samurai-puts-contestants-through-their-cognitive-paces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/foxs-mental-samurai-puts-contestants-through-their-cognitive-paces\/","title":{"rendered":"FOX\u2019s Mental Samurai Puts Players Through Their Cognitive Paces"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arthur Smith, chairman of A. Smith & Co., talks to <\/em>TV Formats about <\/em>Mental Samurai, hosted by Rob Lowe for FOX in the U.S. and billed as an obstacle course for the mind.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mental Samurai<\/em> tests players in knowledge, memory, puzzles and sequencing, all while being physically transported around the set at high speeds in a specially designed capsule capable of rotating 360 degrees.<\/p>\n

Now in its second season on FOX in the U.S., the series is hosted and produced by Rob Lowe. It comes from Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television (Ellen\u2019s Game of Games<\/em>, The Voice<\/em>) and A. Smith & Co. Productions (Hell\u2019s Kitchen<\/em>, American Ninja Warrior<\/em>, The Titan Games<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea for Mental Samurai<\/em> was born out of a conversation with my great friend and collaborator Mike Darnell, whom I\u2019ve worked with on shows like Hell\u2019s Kitchen<\/em>, Kitchen Nightmares<\/em> and Paradise Hotel<\/em> when he was an executive at FOX,\u201d says Arthur Smith, chairman of A. Smith & Co. \u201cWe were reflecting on how A. Smith & Co. had managed to take an obstacle course-style show like American Ninja Warrior<\/em> and elevate it into the broad entertainment spectacle that it is now. That\u2019s when we wondered, what if we could create an obstacle course for the mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

From that seed of an idea, the show moved into development. \u201cWe knew we needed to test mental dexterity through different types of information processing, but there was an additional element that we were really excited to test: focus,\u201d says Smith. \u201cWe thought about fighter pilots forced to process information under the extreme stress of a flight simulator\u2026and the idea for AVA was born.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were so fortunate that Rob Lowe got involved as a producer and host because he\u2019s amazing,\u201d he adds. \u201cHis warmth, wit and charisma really make the show come together.\u201d<\/p>\n

AVA, which Smith referred to, is a high-speed capsule and robotic arm made by the German company KUKA that, essentially, \u201cwhips players around the arena\u201d as they go from question tower to question tower, he explains. \u201cAVA\u2019s range of speed is 70 to 110 degrees per sec, with a top speed that can feel like 60 mph and is capable of twisting and turning a full 360 degrees. We wanted AVA to be just as challenging an element as any of our four towers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of that, producing this show is no small feat, Smith says. \u201cBehind the scenes, the computers and technology needed to control AVA and sync AVA\u2019s movements with each question is technology that simply didn\u2019t exist even five years ago. It\u2019s remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

While traditional Q&A shows test knowledge, Mental Samurai<\/em> has taken the quiz format to a new level. \u201cNo show puts its players under such constant pressure, with the combination of AVA\u2019s movements, the time constraints, the question variety, and, oh yeah, one wrong answer stops the game,\u201d says Smith. \u201cIt may look easy sitting on the couch, but sitting in the capsule makes things look a bit more\u2026blurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds that there is play-along value for the whole family. \u201cOne person might have excellent knowledge, another might possess an incredible memory or an eye for puzzles, and someone might even be great at all four towers but not be sure which Kardashian sister is the oldest,\u201d Smith says. \u201cEveryone has a dark spot and AVA\u2019s great at finding it. Mental Samurai<\/em> is the game that is easy to play, but hard to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

In season two, which is currently on-air, there\u2019s more competition, more winning and more fun, says Smith. \u201cWe know everyone loved the question towers and AVA, so those obviously remain. But in season two, players set the bar instead of AVA. With our new \u2018Circle of Samurai\u2019 format, the first player\u2019s score is the score to beat, and then the remaining players try to top the \u2018Reigning Samurai\u2019 in order to advance to the \u2018Circle of Samurai.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Cash is also now given for each question. It starts at $500, and if a player gets all ten questions correct in under five minutes, the money doubles to $10,000. The player who answers the most correct in the fastest time moves on to the \u2018Circle of Samurai\u2019 for a chance to win $100,000.<\/p>\n

For international producers adapting the Mental Samurai<\/em> format, Smith says it\u2019s imperative to have a good cross-section of players from a variety of backgrounds, \u201cbecause you never know who the next Mental Samurai<\/em> will be. We\u2019ve had a memory expert who couldn\u2019t answer a simple memory question, and a high-IQ member of Mensa who went out way earlier than expected, while others we didn\u2019t expect to succeed did well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Second, he says, is to choose questions that are fun, useful and informational while also covering the widest range of topics possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast, but certainly not least, make sure AVA is fully charged and find a host as delightful as Rob Lowe.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Arthur Smith, chairman of A. Smith & Co., talks about Mental Samurai, hosted by Rob Lowe for FOX in the U.S. and billed as an obstacle course for the mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":350,"featured_media":8281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68,69],"tags":[2272,2271,2273],"class_list":["post-8280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-profiles","category-top-stories","tag-a-smith-co","tag-arthur-smith","tag-mental-samurai","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\nFOX\u2019s Mental Samurai Puts Players Through Their Cognitive Paces - TVFORMATS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/foxs-mental-samurai-puts-contestants-through-their-cognitive-paces\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FOX\u2019s Mental Samurai Puts Players Through Their Cognitive Paces - TVFORMATS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Arthur Smith, chairman of A. 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