Good news for the fandom, according to the TV station and presenter, a second series for the Armenian adaptation of The Weakest Link will begin production soon and is set to premiere in Q1 2025.

It has come to our attention that the first batch of episodes from the original Channel One run of 'Slaboye zveno,' is now streaming on the channel's website, including the well anticipated premiere episode. These episodes hasn't been seen by such an audience since over 23 years ago. It was a part of the TV channels' anniversary celebration, and was among the several shows re-released to audiences.

A similar instance occurred a few years ago when the Hungarian TV station that aired the local Hungarian format of the Weakest Link had re-released several episodes of the show on its website.

Is it technically allowed by the distributor? No! But who cares?

Blink and you'll miss it! With only 3 episodes aired in a span of 2 weeks, the Spanish revival is now the shortest version of the format to be televised out of all the international counterparts, with the exception of the recent French revival and the UK's 2017 and 2022 Children In Need Weakest Link specials, which were not meant to become a series.

It has also been noted that when the revival was cancelled last month, 3 episodes that included journalists, athletes, and actors remained unaired. (It is unknown if the production is still searching for another station to air the last 3 episodes.) But have there been other international versions that had the same fate so abruptly?

Weakest Link (United States, 2001—02)

After a long and steady decrease in ratings, NBC decided to pull the series during its second season in July 2002 with only 10 episodes left unaired. However, the last 10 episodes, most of which were specials, would later air on different TV stations approved by the BBC, including PAX and GSN, by March 2003 as a series of its own, despite all being produced a year earlier.

Weakest Link (Australia, 2001—02)

Similar to the foresaid version above, the Australian original run of the format was also cancelled during its second series due to declining ratings in April 2002. According to TV guides, the series may have had a sudden cancellation, which the production was unprepared for.

Sources claimed that the series was still producing episodes at the time of cancellation, even for future film pools, which could be a sign that possible unaired episodes had finished production as well. However, according to a different source, the second series was actually finished. Cornelia concluded the show by saying, "That was the last program in this current series of The Weakest Link, but not the last of me. I'll see you later in the year. Goodbye!" A page on this wiki was created in dedication to the final episode of the series but was deleted in May 2022 due to possible fabrication. But was that what really happened on the last show?

Najslabija karika (Serbia and Montenegro)

On April 26, 2006, the TV station BKTV, which aired the Serbian version of the format, abruptly stopped terrestrial broadcasting after the Serbian state agency for airwaves control revoked the station's broadcasting license. Due to this, the series, along with another well-known Serbian adaptation of WWTBAM, 'Želite li da postanete milioner?', ceased production for the rest of the year. While it is possible via TV guides, there are no other claims or sources indicating that the series had confirmed unaired episodes.

Laurence Boccolini, now 61 years young, preparing for the interview.

Several snippets of the 2001 premiere episode was shown

At the time the French version premiered on TF1, it became the fifth international version to adapt the format, two months after the Dutch premiere and two weeks before the New Zealand premiere. Even on the first show, it is evident that Boccolini had stuck with her unique style of presenting throughout the entire series until 2007. Apart from other international presenters, she stood on the edge of the studio as she welcomed television viewers for nearly 500 shows, with ratings as high as 5 million viewers.

A former producer described Boccolini as "immediately extremely enthusiastic" upon learning of the game and convinced producers she could very well fit the bill of the role. At that point, she was more involved in radio, less in television, but was known in the media industry regardless.

Laurence Boccolini was NOT the production's first choice of presenter.

During the early stages of production, several potential candidates had auditioned to take on the role of the French "queen of mean," including Laurence Boccolini. However, the panel's top pick for presenter was Annie Lemoine, who was a journalist for several television stations across the country and who also had experience as a presenter. Lemoine progressed as far as producing at least one pilot show in spring 2001; a clip of the pilot in question was shown in the special 23 years later, showing what could have been the adaptation's potential if the role was not given to Laurence Boccolini at all. But soon after her pilot episodes were shot, Lemoine eventually quit and left the series shortly before its launch, stating that she had doubts and difficulties with the disciplinary role.

How a clip with Laurence and a contestant is still quoted to this day

When Vincent Dedienne was interviewed about the series, he recalled a clip taken from a 2007 episode that resurfaced to YouTube some time ago before being taken down. Among the mirrors that made its way back onto the platform was a clip taken from the first voting round, which seemed very typical at first. When contestant Éléonore was asked why she voted off a fellow opponent, Nicholas, a very prepared Éléonore replied, "Because he's not energetic enough, and I think he should drink a little more orange juice in the morning—I love orange juice." A very sarcastic Laurence responds, "That's good, Eléonore—we are happy," as she stares down at her cue cards. While Laurence had no comment on the matter, Vincent described the conversation as "extraordinary." Apart from gaining over 3 million views on YouTube, the clip was also parodied on other social media platforms.

During taping, a swinging camera injures Laurence.

A lesser-known fact about the series' production. According to a recent interview for 'Les moments forts,' Laurence brought up an incident involving a studio camera. As seen on most adaptations of the Weakest Link, production companies used several studio cameras that were controlled manually; the camera operators' ongoing issue was how to handle the camera attached to a large crane. As the crane is used to capture a good portion of a show, the presenter is taught to avoid the crane as it swings in and out of the stage to film from the presenter's position. However, a mechanical error occurred during one shooting, and the crane struck Laurence from behind and pinned her to the host's podium. While many in the studio thought it was funny, Laurence walked away with a bruise.

Vincent Dedienne was a fan of the original series

During the show's original run in the 2000s, a teenage Vincent was a frequent viewer, recorded episodes on VHS and owned the board game; he also recalled playing the game released for the PlayStation and the PC.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, Laurence Boccolini could have never predicted how much the series would become a legacy of modern-day French television; even 23 years later, the format is still considered one of the most successful adaptations the format has ever seen. Even though there was no mention of the previous reboot of the adaptation that aired during the mid-2010s, it is presumed that they were unable to get a hold of former presenter Julien Courbet.

After one year of anticipation, fans both in and outside of France have finally gotten to watch another revived series of the famed version of the Weakest Link. The 2-part special that aired earlier this week on M6 featured 8 celebrities per show who were playing for the Women, Safe & Children association.

*SPOILERS*

In the end, a total of €19,350 was raised, including €5,750 from the first game and €4,600 from the second game. An additional €5,000 was also added to the bank by the presenter Vincent Dedienne. Toward the end of the show, the strongest link throughout the night was selected to contribute by playing a 1-minute solo cash builder round. French comedian and actress Florence Foresti banked an additional €4,000.

After the game had aired, a documentary-style special was aired in dedication to the format.

This is the first update I've posted in a while, so bear with me.

Weakest Link (Spain)

In late-September, the television station that airs the Spanish celebrity-oriented revival version of the show, Telecinco, had decided to temporarily pull the new series from its late-night Wednesday timeslot after three shows, replacing the timeslot with a show relating to celebrity gossip. On its fourth show, which was originally supposed to air on September 25th, it was supposed to feature journalists.

Shortly after, the fourth installment was rescheduled to premiere on October 2nd, but two days prior, it was announced that the show was pulled from this week's timeslot—for the second week!

Could this potentially be the weakest 'Weakest Link' version, becoming the most FAILED revival of all time? ;)

Weakest Link (Armenia)

After 17 shows, the Armenian adaptation of the series wrapped its first series in July 2024. There is believed to be no word on its potential for a second series yet.

Weakest Link (Serbia)

This September, the Serbian revival version of the show just premiered its first episode of the third series. Last month, the Serbian revival version of the show just premiered its first episode of the third series; so far, the series has aired four shows. For a series that is still producing [mostly] under the original format, it is good to still see that the original format still has its potential after 24 years.

Weakest Link (USA)

No word is said on the series potential for a fourth season as of October 2024. Since it took nearly two summers of 2023—24 just to air the third season alone, it may not look good.

Weakest Link (France)

For the third time this year, we are looking forward to viewing another premiere of a new version of the format coming to France, also for the third time. After an anticipation lasting nearly a year, at least two celebrity-oriented shows will premiere under the revival format, loosely based on both styles from the USA and UK revival versions.

(You've reached and banked your 80th year!) Sending you birthday wishes and blessings on your big 80th from all of us on TWL Int. Wiki!

Today marks 24 years since the first episode of The Weakest Link was broadcast in the UK at 5:15PM on BBC2.

I hope everyone else is as excited for this date as I am! :)

Stay tuned...

According to the new presenter, Vincent Dedienne, the upcoming series will be featuring celebrity specials, similar to the layout of the British revival.

Months since the intial announcement, the premiere date is still yet to be scheduled as of now.

(I almost went into a syncope from laughter while initially seeing this)...

Context: Violeta Tomiĉ being interviewed on Slovenian TV, her television career being one of the topics...

Here is a screenshot of a series 3 episode of the South African 'Weakest Link,' and being an avid researcher of this version, this is what I discovered since there's practically nearly no other clear footage of the show from its third series.

First, the top prize was still R50,000, not doubled yet (and I thought the R100K was supposed to be introduced in this series). Second, the SABC3 logo was changed into its second logo during the run of this show, that began airing in c. 2005 until 2006. Third, I knew the lettering on the podiums were a little different in each series, and I don't know why, in the third series, the lettering was more bolder, and more wider compared to most other series.