Acid-tongued Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson has become the victim of her own catchline as NBC opt to “rest” her show from this autumn. Instead, a second series of the syndicated version, hosted by US comedian and actor George Cray, will kick off in September.
Also to be dropped from US screens are the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire? and former Michael Fox vehicle Spin City which has been running since 1996.
When The Weakest Link first aired in April 2001 its first three programmes drew a total audience of 51 million, but ratings have been dropping in recent months. Anne won’t be disappearing from US screens entirely, however.
“She will continue to host the primetime show throughout the summer and is expected to host a number of primetime specials after this point,” revealed a spokeswoman for the programme’s originators, BBC Worldwide.
And the controversial leather-clad presenter’s husband and manager, John Penrose, is upbeat about the decision. “The good thing about The Weakest Link being reduced it that it now frees her up for new things,” he says.
Anne is currently in talks to co-host a new IQ-based show in the US after successfully teaming up with Philip Schofield for the BBC’s Test The Nation, which aims to measure contestants’ brainpower.
“There is a possibility she might test the nation’s IQs in America. It’s under discussion now,” reveals John, adding: “The possibility of testing American IQs would make an interesting evening.”
Particularly so in the hands of the notoriously blunt British presenter, it would seem. Anne was her usual caustic self recently when she dismissed US knowledge of geography. "You have to remember that only five per cent of Americans have passports," she says. "That explains a lot..."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The US, it seems, has fallen out with the British presenter's caustic style. There's no escape, however, as Anne - who has never made any secret of her contempt for American intellect - is currently in talks to host an IQ-based quiz stateside
Photo: © Alphapress.com
“There is a possibility she might test the nation’s IQs in America. It’s under discussion now,” revealed Anne's husband and manager, John Penrose
