Editing The Krypton Factor (section)

==History==
===Original series===
The show's first series was shown on Wednesdays, presented by [[Gordon Burns]] and ran for eleven weeks, consisting of eight heats, two semi-finals and the final. It was then on Fridays for two years before arriving on Mondays in 1980, where it would be a staple of Monday evening schedules until its 18th and final series in 1995. In the first few series, there were no groups and eight heats, the winner of each advancing to a semi-final. The top two of each semi-final qualified for the Grand Final.

From 1981 to 1985, each series had twelve heats, from which each winner, along with the top four runners-up, progressed to the four semi-finals, the winners of which competed in the Grand Final. In 1986 and 1987, the series was divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D). Each group consisted of three heats, with the winner of each heat and the highest-scoring runner-up of the heats within a group making it to the group final. The winner of each group final would qualify for the grand final. From 1988 to 1995, the series had 13 episodes and only three groups (A, B, and C). The highest-scoring runner-up from the group finals would then go to the Grand Final.

In 2009 and 2010, each series had seven heats and the winners of which, in addition to the highest runner-up of the heats, would qualify for the two semi-finals, the winners of which, in addition to the top two overall runners-up, advanced to the Grand Final. The overall winner of the Grand Final would receive a bronze trophy and would traditionally be titled ''Superperson of the Year''. Unusually and possibly uniquely for the time, until 1993, the series had no advert break in the middle even though it was on ITV in a primetime 7.00 pm slot. This explains why some of the elements (most notably, the time for the quiz) were shortened in later series.

In the 1991 series, for two weeks in a row, contestants Tony Hetherington and Paul Evans won all of the first five rounds in their heats, scoring 50 points; in addition, Hetherington set a record of 62 points. They later met in the same Group Final, where Evans won, and Hetherington qualified as the Best-Scoring Runner-up and went on to win the Grand Final.

In 1995, the show was heavily revamped, including the addition of co-host [[Penny Smith]]. In that series, the intelligence round was dropped, the first round being physical ability, with the rules in each round changing dramatically, except for general knowledge. The show's second half was a "super round", which included a 3D maze, code cracking and a race up Mount Krypton, with accumulated points being exchanged for equipment to assist the contestants with the challenge. While some viewers liked the changes, others felt that scrapping the Intelligence round was a sign of dumbing down and that dramatically changing the format was a mistake.

===Revival===
Since its cancellation in 1995, there were persistent rumours of a revival on the [[BBC]]. In April 2005, it was widely reported that the BBC would advance with a revival. However, the source of this story turned out to be a misinterpretation of comments by [[Wayne Garvie]], head of BBC's Entertainment Group (and previously the last producer on ''The Krypton Factor''), naming it as the next "TV gem" that "should" (rather than would) be revived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4530447.stm |title=Krypton Factor 'set for comeback' |publisher=BBC News |date=9 May 2005 |accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref>

On 24 September 2008, Broadcast reported that ITV was expected to commission a new series within weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McMahon |first=Kate |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/09/itv_poised_to_bring_back_the_krypton_factor.html |title=ITV poised to bring back ''The Krypton Factor'' |publisher=Broadcastnow.co.uk |date=24 September 2008 |accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref> As part of their wider Business Brains campaign, [[The Sage Group]] funded the show's return, and in November, it was confirmed that Ben Shephard would host it. The first episode was shown on Thursday, 1 January 2009, at 7.30 pm and ran for ten consecutive weeks.<ref name="host">{{Cite web|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/breaking-news/2008/11/25/tues-pm-krypton-factor-comes-back-with-new-host-86081-22338160/|title=TUES PM Krypton Factor comes back with new host|publisher=examiner.co.uk|date=25 November 2008|accessdate=25 November 2008}}</ref> The new series is based on the original five-round format of the show, with every round being "brought bang up-to-date" and featuring "state-of-the-art" technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/KryptonFactor/KryptonFactorWk0109/default.html|title=The Krypton Factor - ITV Press Centre|publisher=itv.com|date=2 December 2008|accessdate=2 December 2008}}</ref> However, The Guardian described the rounds as having "irritating bleeping noises and confusing graphics".<ref name="Sam Wollaston on last night's TV"/> The series was recorded at Granada Studios in [[Manchester]] from 7–10 December 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/KryptonFactor/KryptonFactorWk0109/default.html|title=ITV.com}}</ref> It was filmed in London for the 2010 series, which used a four-round format, as the Intelligence round was dropped again.

Critical reception to the revival was poor, with [[UKGameshows.com|UKGameshows]] stating, "It's hard to think of anything they've done differently this time where the change is an improvement"<ref name="The Krypton Factor - UKGameshows">{{Cite web|title=The Krypton Factor - UKGameshows|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_Krypton_Factor|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.ukgameshows.com}}</ref> The [[The Guardian|Guardian]] ultimately describes it as "like getting back together with an ex (drunkenly, on New Year's Eve). And then sobering up quickly and realising why you split up in the first place."<ref name="Sam Wollaston on last night's TV"/> The launch episode of the revival was watched by only half as many viewers as a repeat of ''[[Wallace and Gromit]]: [[A Matter of Loaf and Death]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-01-02|title=TV ratings - 1 January: 4.3m watch Krypton Factor comeback|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jan/02/kypton-factor-tv-ratings-television|access-date=2020-09-01|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>