Game idea for a new reality show

The man who made “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” a sensation is betting that he can get young people interested in game shows.

Producer Michael Davies’ new program “Studio 7” is a quiz show with some “Real World” antics thrown in. It debuts on the WB network at 9 p.m. Thursday.

“This represents a possible next step in the evolution of game shows,” said Davies, executive producer of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and its successor, “Super Millionaire.”

If Davies is being a little cautious, it’s because the “Studio 7” target of young viewers generally aren’t big game show fans and this summer hasn’t been kind to many, if any, new programs.

But he’s taking heart in the refreshing success of “Jeopardy!” wonk Ken Jennings, this summer’s breakout TV star, as a sign that viewers may prize intelligence over the bad behavior of many reality show participants.

“Studio 7” has been marketed as a hybrid game-reality show, but it’s really a game show with some real-life twists. Each week’s seven participants live together in a luxury Manhattan loft for four days before the game is taped. That gives them time to get to know each other, form alliances and develop a strategy.

The game is primarily a current events quiz -- not an easy one, either. A player who’s stumped has one lifeline to ask for help from a fellow player. But can that competitor be trusted?

“It’s not only about what you know, it’s about your social skills,” Davies said. “In the real world, you get ahead not just by being smart. You get ahead by sometimes knowing how to hide your smarts and knowing how to get along with people.”

In approaching Davies, the WB asked only that he create a show about young people under phenomenal pressure.

So while the set’s dark blue hues will be familiar to “Millionaire” fans, every nuance is designed to make the players as uncomfortable as possible. They have to bend down to speak into a microphone. When their names are called, players must step around a pool of water; one misstep and they can really embarrass themselves.

“It’s designed not to feel like a game show,” Davies said. “It’s designed to feel dark, like a comic book.”

As the game gets down to a final few players, they’re tested on memorization under pressure. The last round is sudden death: one wrong answer and they’re out. At the end of seven weeks, the seven weekly winners are brought together for a final game with a $770,000 prize.