National Bingo Night

National Bingo Night is the US game show which is hosted by Ed Sanders, an English carpenter, actor and television host. Sanders was born in London, UK. He had to do carpentry to be able to support himself when between acting jobs. Aside from National Bingo Night, Ed Sanders has also hosted Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Andrew Glassman created the National Bingo Night and he also took part in a reality TV game, Average Joe.

National Bingo Night premiered on May, 18th, 2007 on ABC, American Broadcasting Company, which operates TV and radio networks in America. In Canada ABC is available on basic cable.

National Bingo Night is interactive show for both: home and studio audience. Studio audience is given a chance to win a bingo game. They have to compete with players of a solo studio contestant.

Viewers at home have pre-printed bingo cards that they get from ABC website prior to the start of each episode of the National Bingo Night. There are a number of different prizes the contestants of the National Bingo Night can win. On the premiere episode of the show there were prizes, such as a trip to the Indianapolis, visits to various ABC shows and gift cards from Kmart show, the sponsor of the National Bingo Night.

Each episode of the National Bingo Night lasts for an hour and includes three games classified by three colors: red, blue and white. The bingo cards have to match the labels to win, i.e. the red with the red etc. National Bingo Night studio contestants don’t get given bingo cards, but they get a chance to take part in stunt games. National Bingo Night includes simulated games, like automobile race or a wedding, where they have to try their luck guessing which bingo ball will be drawn next.

For the National Bingo Night contestant to win one of the prizes, he/she has to complete the stunt before anyone in the audience gets the bingo. If the player in the audience manages to get the bingo first or even if there is a tie, the audience member shall receive $5,000 prize money. Unfortunately for many unlucky ones, there are no cancellation prizes for those who lose, as the winner leaves with everything there was to be won.

The premier of the National Bingo Night created one studio winner who managed to leave the show $50,000 richer, as she guessed the colors right 7 times in a row.

There has been a number of criticisms about the National Bingo Night. Jimmy Kimmel from Jimmy Kimmel Live said that the show was designed for viewers who were put off by the complexity of Deal or No Deal.

The National Bingo Night is expected to return to ABC for a five episode run in a week commencing December 17th, 2007. If you want to participate in the show now is the time, as on the National Bingo Night's homepage the search for new contestants is announced.