Scared stupid or just stupid?  A US quiz show where the prize
money is linked to how much fear can be instilled in contestants
is set to come to this country. But, asks Rachel Murrell, is it
a format too far?  Gameshow formats are at a crossroads. Risk-
averse broadcasters see successful formats as a way to reduce
risk and every production company, it seems, is now jumping on
the formats bandwagon. But around the world the big combative
shows such as Survivor and The Weakest Link, which have
dominated the formats scene, are losing share, and many argue
that in the aftermath of September 11 audiences want a gentler,
less aggressive style of gameshow.  But if that's true, how is
it that a UK broadcaster - believed to be the BBC - has bought
UK rights to The Chair? This is a quiz show that subjects
contestants to tough questions, a tough host - John McEnroe in
the US version - and a series of nasty shocks designed to get
their heart rates up and their prize money ($250,000 in the US
version) down. These shocks (d