The Quiz with Balls is an American game show that premiered on May 28, 2024, on Fox. The series is produced by Talpa Studios and the Eureka Productions division of Fremantle, and hosted by Jay Pharoah. Contestants must answer pop culture and general knowledge questions correctly, or else incorrect answers will result in contestants being pushed into a giant pool of water.

The Quiz with Balls
GenreGame show
Created byJohn de Mol Jr.
Presented byJay Pharoah
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • John de Mol
  • Maarten Meijs
  • Chris Culvenor
  • Paul Franklin
  • Wes Dening
  • John Leahy
  • Anthony Carbone
Production locationsMelbourne, Australia
Camera setupMulti-camera
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseMay 28, 2024 (2024-05-28) –
present

This game show is the adaptation of the Dutch TV series De kwis met ballen. Although Pharoah and the contestants are American, the show is actually produced and filmed at Docklands Studios in Melbourne, Australia.[1]

Format

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Two teams compete per episode, each consisting of five members from a different immediate/extended family, and attempt to win up to $100,000. Six giant numbered balls are placed at the top of a set of parallel ramps leading down to the edge of a swimming pool. These balls correspond to possible answers to the questions that will be asked during the game.

The main game is played in five rounds and uses a list of 10 categories, each of which can be played only once. Both families receive one turn per round.

The family in control chooses a category and is asked a question with six answer choices, and as many correct answers as the number of members still in the game. Each answer is assigned to a different ramp, and the members must stand at the bottom of the ramps for the answers they believe to be correct, facing away from the ramps and over the pool. The balls are then released, ether all at once, in groups, or singly as requested by the host. If an answer is correct, a mechanism stops the ball before it can reach the bottom; if not, the ball hits the contestant and knocks them into the pool, eliminating them from the game.

Correct answers are worth $1,000 each in Round 1, with the value increasing by $1,000 per round. Initial control for Round 1 is determined by random draw, while for all others it is determined by high score (episodes 1-4 only) or by low score (as of episode 5). If a round ends in a tie, the family who had initial control retains it for the next one.

A family can win the game in one of four ways:

  • By being in the lead at the end of Round 5.
  • By playing first in Round 5 and having an insurmountable lead after their turn (episodes 1-4).
  • By having the lead at the start of Round 5 and the opponents failing to tie or surpass their score (as of episode 5). The family in the lead takes their turn as in other rounds.
  • By having at least one member survive their turn in any round while all opponents are eliminated. If this happens before Round 5, the surviving family continues the game alone, taking one turn per round until they either lose every member or complete Round 5.

Both families keep their accumulated money; each family can win up to $75,000 in the main game.

The winning family chooses one member who has not been eliminated to play the bonus round. That member selects one of two categories and is asked a question with six answers, five of which are correct. They must choose one answer at a time and stand at the bottom of its ramp as the ball is released. Finding all five correct answers increases the family's total to $100,000, while finding the incorrect answer ends the round immediately and allows the family to keep their main-game winnings.

Production

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On February 7, 2024, it was announced that Fox had ordered the series.[2][3] On February 21, 2024, Jay Pharoah was announced as the host.[4][5] On March 4, 2024, it was announced that the series would premiere on May 28, 2024.[6][7]

Episodes

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No.Title [8][9]Original air date [8][9]Prod.
code [8]
U.S. viewers
(millions)
Rating
(18–49)
1"Beantown vs The Big Apple"May 28, 2024 (2024-05-28)QWB-1051.51[10]0.3[10]
Episode 1 Results:
Wheatley Family vs. Harris Family
  • Families:
    • Wheatley (Shayna, Shivonne (Shayna's sister)[a], Christian (Shayna's brother)[b], Monique (Shayna's cousin)[c], PJ (Monique's husband))
    • Harris (Sierra[d], Lynne (Sierra's mother), Jeff (Sierra's father)[e], Alana (Sierra's aunt)[d], Chris (Sierra's uncle)[f])
  • Categories: Best in Show, Notable People, Game Night, Famous Authors, Geography, Girl Groups, Ahoy Mate!, Space Race, Foods, On Broadway
  1. Notable People (Wheatley) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  2. Girl Groups (Harris) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. Foods (Harris) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  4. Game Night (Wheatley) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  5. Ahoy Mate! (Harris) (Amount Won: $27,000)
  6. On Broadway (Wheatley) (Amount Won: $16,000)
  7. Best in Show (Harris) (Amount Won: $35,000)
  8. Geography (Wheatley) (Amount Won: $24,000)
  9. Space Race (Harris) (Amount Won: $40,000)
  • Extra Categories: World Sports, Movie Villains
  1. Movie Vilains (Harris (Lynne)) (Amount Won: $40,000)[g]
2"The Southern Showdown"June 4, 2024 (2024-06-04)QWB-1071.51[11]0.2[11]
Episode 2 Results:
Byars Family vs. Banks Family
  • Families:
    • Byars (Jay, Jessi (Jay's wife)[h], Dustin (Jessi's brother)[f], Tia (Jay's cousin)[d], Chris (Jay's cousin))
    • Banks (Takenya, Telisa (Takenya's cousin-in-law)[i], Neshia[j], Tonya (Takenya's aunt)[b], Alexandria (Takenya's cousin)[a])
  • Categories: Toy Store, Sports, Literature, The Human Body, In Style, U.S. Geography, On the Farm, Word Up, Movies, World Trivia
  1. Sports (Byars) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  2. Movies (Banks) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  3. On the Farm (Byars) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  4. Word Up (Banks) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  5. U.S. Geography (Byars) (Amount Won: $25,000)
  6. The Human Body (Banks) (Amount Won: $16,000)
  7. In Style (Byars) (Amount Won: $37,000)
  8. Toy Store (Banks) (Amount Won: $20,000)
  9. World Trivia (Byars) (Amount Won: $47,000)
  • Extra Categories: Classic Rock, Red Carpet
  1. Classic Rock (Byars (Chris)) (Amount Won: $47,000)[k]
3"A Family Affair"June 11, 2024 (2024-06-11)QWB-1011.62[12]0.3[12]
Episode 3 Results:
Guillen Family vs. Patel Family
  • Families:
    • Guillen (Sophia[a], Karen (Sophia's mother), Ambioris (Sophia's father), Genesis (Sophia's sister)[b], Katherine (Sophia's sister)[a])
    • Patel (Anip, Dharma (Anip's aunt)[d], Vigen (Anip's brother-in-law)[f], Shachi (Anip's cousin)[c], Darsha (Anip's sister)[h])
  • Categories: Say Cheese, American Pastimes, World Languages, Pop Culture, Green Thumb, Something Fishy, Bedtime Stories, Olympic Games, Foreign Exchange, Reality TV
  1. Pop Culture (Patel) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  2. Reality TV (Guillen) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. World Languages (Patel) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  4. Say Cheese (Guillen) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  5. American Pastimes (Patel) (Amount Won: $19,000)
  6. Something Fishy (Guillen) (Amount Won: $19,000)
  7. Foreign Exchange (Patel) (Amount Won: $27,000)
  8. Bedtime Stories (Guillen) (Amount Won: $27,000)
  9. Olympic Games (Patel) (Amount Won: $32,000)
  10. Green Thumb (Guillen) (Amount Won: $37,000)
  • Extra Categories: Medieval Times, Capture the Flags
  1. Medieval Times (Guillen (Karen)) (Amount Won: $37,000)[l]
4"Clash of the Coasts"June 18, 2024 (2024-06-18)QWB-1081.94[13]0.3[13]
Episode 4 Results:
Garciga Family vs. Buckalew Family
  • Families:
    • Garciga (Juan, Laura (Juan's sister), Leonel (Juan's father)[c], Ana Maria (Juan's sister)[f], Amanda (Juan's sister)[h])
    • Buckalew (Becca[i], David (Becca's brother)[b], Leslie (Becca's mother)[a], Joe (Becca's father)[j], Brad (Becca's uncle)[a])
  • Categories: Physics, Celebrity Culture, Astronomy, U.S. States, Workin' Out, Kid's Classics, Pop Music, Farm to Table, Wine & Dine, Critters
  1. Pop Music (Garciga) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  2. Wine & Dine (Buckalew) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  3. Kid's Classics (Garciga) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  4. Farm to Table (Buckalew) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  5. Celebrity Culture (Garciga) (Amount Won: $19,000)
  6. U.S. States (Buckalew) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  7. Workin' Out (Garciga) (Amount Won: $31,000)
  8. Critters (Buckalew) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  9. Astronomy (Garciga) (Amount Won: $41,000)
  • Extra Categories: Sports, Movies
  1. Movies (Garciga (Juan)) (Amount Won: $41,000)[k]
5"Brains vs. Brawns"June 25, 2024 (2024-06-25)QWB-1091.40[14]0.2[14]
Episode 5 Results:
Wyse Family vs. Brooks Family
  • Families:
    • Wyse (Shane[c], Brittany (Shane's wife)[h], Ryan (Shane's cousin)[h], Christian (Shane's cousin)[e], Corrie (Shane's cousin)[e])
    • Brooks (Kelly[a], KC (Kelly's sister), Nancy (Kelly's sister), Avery (Kelly's daughter)[j], Brooke (Kelly's daughter))
  • Categories: Nature, Books, Fashion, World Geography, Music, Foods, Hot Stuff, Art History, Movies, Animal Science
  1. Movies (Wyse) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  2. Foods (Brooks) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. Music (Wyse) (Amount Won: $8,000)
  4. Books (Brooks) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  5. Hot Stuff (Wyse) (Amount Won: $8,000)
  6. World Geography (Brooks) (Amount Won: $27,000)
  7. Animal Science (Brooks) (Amount Won: $43,000)
  8. Fashion (Brooks) (Amount Won: $58,000)
  • Extra Categories: History, Sports
  1. Sports (Brooks (KC)) (Amount Won: $100,000)[m]
6"Football Frenzy"July 9, 2024 (2024-07-09)QWB-1061.65[15]0.3[15]
Episode 6 Results:
Guillory Family vs. Gresham Family
  • Families:
    • Guillory (Danny, Courtney (Danny's sister)[e], Tyron (Danny's father), Debbie (Danny's mother)[h], Ana (Danny's sister))
    • Gresham (Jacob, Jan (Jacob's mother), Zack (Jacob's brother), Scott (Jacob's uncle)[d], Jo Anna (Jacob's aunt))
  • Categories: Ballers, Weather Report, Music, Hit Movies, (Doctor, Doctor), Academia, Foods, Book It, Toe to Toe, Geography
  1. Foods (Guillory) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  2. Book It (Gresham) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. Ballers (Guillory) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  4. Academia (Gresham) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  5. Toe to Toe (Guillory) (Amount Won: $22,000)
  6. Music (Gresham) (Amount Won: $30,000)
  7. Doctor, Doctor (Gresham) (Amount Won: $46,000)
  8. Geography (Gresham) (Amount Won: $66,000)
  • Extra Categories: Red Carpet, Animal Science
  1. Animal Science (Gresham (Zack)) (Amount Won: $66,000)[g]
7"School of Splash"July 23, 2024 (2024-07-23)QWB-1101.54[16]0.3[16]
Episode 7 Results:
McGlothin Family vs. Bowser Family
  • Families:
    • McGlothin (John Jr.[e], John Sr. (John Jr.'s father)[e], Kaitlyn (John Jr.'s sister)[d], Raven (John Jr.'s brother)[f], Brooklyn (John Jr.'s sister)[h])
    • Bowser (Jodi, Will (Jodi's husband), Suzy (Jodi's aunt)[a], Liz (Jodi's aunt)[j], Kevin (Jodi's uncle)[n])
  • Categories: I'm Hungry, Starry Nights, Fun & Games, In Style, Animal Science, American History, Sports, Flags, Weather Report, Film & TV
  1. Film & TV (McGlothin) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  2. Fun & Games (Bowser) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. American History (McGlothin) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  4. I'm Hungry (Bowser) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  5. Sports (McGlothin) (Amount Won: $19,000)
  6. In Style (Bowser) (Amount Won: $27,000)
  7. Starry Nights (McGlothin) (Amount Won: $23,000)
  8. Weather Report (Bowser) (Amount Won: $39,000)
  9. Flags (McGlothin) (Amount Won: $23,000)
  10. Animal Science (Bowser) (Amount Won: $49,000)
  • Extra Categories: Classic Rock, Literature
  1. Classic Rock (Bowser (Jodi)) (Amount Won: $49,000)[g]
8"Sister Act"August 20, 2024 (2024-08-20)QWB-1031.42[17]0.2[17]
Episode 8 Results:
Barnes Family vs. Lees Family
  • Families:
    • Barnes (Corisma[b], Cekell (Corisma's sister), Chaval (Corisma's sister), Casmè (Corisma's sister), Cathy (Corisma's sister)[i])
    • Lees (Lindsay, Ashley (Lindsay's sister), Brittany (Lindsay's sister), Jason (Lindsay's husband), Brad (Lindsay's brother-in-law))
  • Categories: Breakfast Foods, '90s TV, World Languages, Animal Science, Boy Bands, Across the Universe, Extreme Sports, Music Lessons, Highways & Byways, Dating Apps
  1. '90s TV (Lees) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  2. Breakfast Foods (Barnes) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  3. Animal Science (Lees) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  4. Dating Apps (Barnes) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  5. Highways & Byways (Lees) (Amount Won: $30,000)
  6. Across the Universe (Lees) (Amount Won: $50,000)
  7. World Languages (Lees) (Amount Won: $75,000)
  • Extra Categories: The Human Body, Classic Literature
  1. The Human Body (Lees (Jason)) (Amount Won: $100,000)[m]
9"Mom Knows Best"August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27)QWB-1021.66[18]0.2[18]
Episode 9 Results:
Mitchell Family vs. McGraw Family
  • Families:
    • Mitchell (Anthony, Carla (Anthony's mother), Michael (Anthony's brother)[b], Kristen (Anthony's wife)[j], Jeremy (Anthony's brother))
    • McGraw (Jessica, Diana (Jessica's mother)[h], Kevin (Jessica's father), Kyle (Jessica's brother), Angela (Jessica's sister)[e])
  • Categories: Home Improvement, Hot Stuff, Kids TV, Geometry, Pop Music, Animal Science, World Sports, Language, Celebrity Culture, Fun & Games
  1. Pop Music (McGraw) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  2. Fun & Games (Mitchell) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. Hot Stuff (McGraw) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  4. Celebrity Culture (Mitchell) (Amount Won: $13,000)
  5. Home Improvement (McGraw) (Amount Won: $22,000)
  6. Kids TV (Mitchell) (Amount Won: $25,000)
  7. Language (McGraw) (Amount Won: $34,000)
  8. Animal Science (Mitchell) (Amount Won: $37,000)
  9. Geometry (McGraw) (Amount Won: $49,000)
  10. World Sports (Mitchell) (Amount Won: $52,000)
  • Extra Categories: Award Shows, Capture the Flags
  1. Capture the Flags (Mitchell (Anthony)) (Amount Won: $52,000)[g]
10"Boston Brawlers vs. The Pride of Polynesia"September 3, 2024 (2024-09-03)QWB-1041.63[19]0.3[19]
Episode 10 Results:
Schlehuber Family vs. Halaufia Family
  • Families:
    • Schlehuber (Kevin, Ilanna (Kevin's daughter), Andrew (Kevin's son)[h], Olivia (Kevin's daughter)[c], Joshua (Olivia's boyfriend))
    • Halaufia (Vonda, Ivan (Vonda's nephew), Koloa (Vonda's nephew), Lavi (Vonda's niece)[j], Seyvion (Vonda's niece))
  • Categories: Sports Lingo, The Human Body, Snack Time, The Great Outdoors, Award Winners, Animal Science, Movie Stars, Fashion Trends, Working Out, Foreign Exchange
  1. Movie Stars (Schlehuber) (Amount Won: $4,000)
  2. Working Out (Halaufia) (Amount Won: $5,000)
  3. Snack Time (Schlehuber) (Amount Won: $10,000)
  4. Sports Lingo (Halaufia) (Amount Won: $15,000)
  5. The Human Body (Schlehuber) (Amount Won: $19,000)
  6. The Great Outdoors (Halaufia) (Amount Won: $30,000)
  7. Fashion Trends (Halaufia) (Amount Won: $50,000)
  8. Award Winners (Halaufia) (Amount Won: $70,000)
  • Extra Categories: Book Smarts, Kings & Queens
  1. Kings & Queens (Halaufia (Koloa)) (Amount Won: $100,000)[m]

International versions

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International format and distribution rights are held by Talpa Studios.

Country Name Presenter(s) Channel Broadcast
  Germany Splash - Das Promi-Pool-Quiz Sophia Thomalla RTL 24 July 2024 – present
  Netherlands (original format) De kwis met ballen Johnny de Mol SBS6 24 June 2023 – present
  Spain Juego de pelotas Juanra Bonet Antena 3 2024 TBA

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the sixth question.
  2. ^ a b c d e f This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the fourth question.
  3. ^ a b c d e This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the first question.
  4. ^ a b c d e f This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the seventh question.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the fifth question.
  6. ^ a b c d e This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the ninth question.
  7. ^ a b c d 3 right answers/1 wrong answer.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the third question.
  9. ^ a b c This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the second question.
  10. ^ a b c d e f This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the eighth question.
  11. ^ a b 1 wrong answer.
  12. ^ 4 right answers/1 wrong answer.
  13. ^ a b c 5 right answers.
  14. ^ This person was out after giving the wrong answer to the tenth question.

References

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  1. ^ Perry, Kevin (January 22, 2024). "New game show spectacle: THE QUIZ WITH BALLS set to film in Melbourne". TV Blackbox.
  2. ^ White, Peter (September 12, 2023). "John De Mol's The Quiz With Balls Heads To U.S. As Eureka & Talpa Team Up Again". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  3. ^ White, Peter (February 7, 2024). "Fox Orders Quiz With Balls From John De Mol's Talpa & Eureka". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "Actor and Comedian Jay Pharoah Bounces to FOX as Host of All-New Game Show "The Quiz with Balls," Premiering This Summer" (Press release). Fox. February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 21, 2024). "Jay Pharoah Set To Host New Fox Game Show The Quiz with Balls". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "FOX Gets Pumped for Summer and Goes Balls to the Wall with New and Returning Unscripted Series" (Press release). Fox. March 4, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
  7. ^ Rice, Lynette (March 4, 2024). "Fox Summer Premieres: When To Expect Return Of I Can See Your Voice, Food Stars, Masterchef & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "The Quiz with Balls Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
  9. ^ a b "The Quiz with Balls Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  10. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 30, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: New Fox Game Show The Quiz with Balls Builds Upon Beat Shazam Lead-in, NBC Leads Broadcast with America's Got Talent 19th Premiere". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (June 5, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: NBC Leads with AGT, ABC's Game Show Reruns Top Fox's Game Show Originals". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (June 12, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: Celine Dion NBC News Special Tops Its Hour". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (June 20, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: NHL Stanley Cup Final on ABC Draws Above 4 Million Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (June 26, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: CMA Fest on ABC Relatively Steady in Demos from Year-Ago Levels". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (July 10, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: Decent Outing for Family Feud Retrospective on ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (July 26, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: NBC Tops the Night with America's Got Talent and Password". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 21, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: The Obamas Help Boost Democratic National Convention in Night Two". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 28, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: NBC Wins the Night". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (September 5, 2024). "Tuesday Ratings: The Bachelorette 21st Season Finale Lifts ABC to Demo Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
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