I only recently discovered surfing the Web, and even more recently discovered "The Crystal Maze". And I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the world's great game shows. I have not known such an enthusiasm since around 2000, when I discovered the "Harry Potter" books. There are reasons for this enthusiasm. First, there is ingenuity. The various games that the contestants have to play are usually clever, well-thought out challenges. Some are based on classic puzzles that have teased brains for generations. Others are inspired by tropes found in movies and television. None are "gimmes", and some of them prove to be so difficult that nobody ever got them. Then, there is efficiency. There is none of the endless analysis found in some of today's game shows. There are no whiny postmortems If a contestant wins a challenge, it's cheers all around. If he or she loses, it's "never mind", and "what do you want to play and who do you want to play it?". All this is so because the most important element of the show is the game--not the prizes with endless plugs, not the soap-operatics of the various contestants, but the game! This extends even to the endgame in the Crystal Dome. The theme music catches the ear, and does not let go. I knew I was hooked when, a day after I'd seen my first episode, I found myself entering a shop, and couldn't get the theme song out of my head! Richard O'Brien adds immensely to the festivities. He seems to be enjoying himself immensely, and it shows. There is a certain elfin quality about his work that makes this show all the easier to take. He is not some bland pretty-boy with sparkling teeth and pomaded hair. As I have been watching the show chronologically, I have not yet gotten to the episodes hosted by Ed Tudor-Pole. He must have thought it a thankless job, having to follow O'Brien. I'll find out in due course if he's up to the job. All in all, it's a show that I am happy to tout to those of my friends who are into game shows. It's a winner, all the way around!

I came across this game show while living in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a show which I have long wished would be shown on Australian television. But alas it never has been.I found that even as a viewer this show challenges your mind in a more 3 dimensional way. Something that most run of the mill game shows lack in their questions.It's a shame that is no longer in production....but there are always hopes of re-runs right?

I always loved the crystal maze as this was i think the best amazing adventure game ever. This first started in 1990 and finished in 1995. The contestents had to get each crystal in the challenges they choose. If they don't get out in time, then they are locked up. The contestents have a choice either to buy the player out with one of their crystals they got or to leave them.

When I first saw The Crystal Maze back in 1990, I thought, "Wow, this is ahead of it's time."Richard O' Brien (from the Rocky Horror Picture Show) was the host initially and was replaced in the show's later years by Edward Tudor Pole. O' Brien was irreplaceable and whilst Tudor Pole did his best to make the show his own, he failed miserably.The game show itself was like something from the future which is why I thought it was ahead of it's time. There were all sorts of shows set in Medieval,Aztec, Industrial or Futuristic worlds. The contestants played the games and tried to obtain time points which could then be used inside the Crystal Dome at the end where the contestants tried to obtain gold tokens which were flying about. The prizes were very good indeed.All in all, The Crystal Maze was superb and way ahead of it's time.