Hot Picks: Caught In The Middle

As befits an elimination format, Caught In The Middle’s origins lie in a zombie apocalypse. Or, more precisely, in Talpa Studios senior creative Stijn Hellewaard musing on what could happen in such an extreme scenario if you could defend yourself by shooting answers rather than bullets. Sure, you eliminate some opponents, but the others will keep closing in.

The DNA of that original idea lives on in both the 100-strong horde of opponents vying to reach the middle of a circular arena and take out the inside couple, and in the distinctive target-style LED rings on their chests.

In development, Hellewaard and his co-creator, Talpa founder, owner and format king John de Mol, initially leaned in further, pitching the format closer to the darker world of Squid Game or The Traitors, with the outsiders dressed in black. Gradually, it evolved into a colourful, accessible family entertainment show – albeit one where the pressure is definitely on. The supersized 100 cast return each week to take on new challengers, many of them becoming familiar returning characters in the process.

The gameplay is straightforward and represents a new twist on the ‘wisdom of the crowd’ formula that begat Family Fortunes, The 1% Club? and Pointless. Here, each of the 100 must guess what answer the central couple would give to a straightforward question – say, ‘name a European capital beginning with B’ or ‘name a Formula 1 driver’.

In second guessing, they have to determine whether the duo will go obvious or obscure. Every player that matches the answer given – and anyone who can’t think of any correct answer - is out, while the remainder move forward.

“Every episode develops differently, and changing just one answer can completely alter the course of the game,” says Hellewaard. “That unpredictability is a key part of the format. There is no obvious route to victory, because every decision has the potential to change the game.”

The final question has 10 possible correct answers, giving the inside couple 10 chances to become the last ones standing and win the prize; if they fail, the remaining outsiders share the spoils.

Caught In The Middle has already secured a second series, for January 2027, after becoming SBS6’s bestperforming new gameshow in six years with more than 1 million viewers. An Australian version is set to air on Seven Network next year, produced from Talpa Studios’ international production hub, with Spanish broadcaster Atres signed up to make its own version.

“Caught In The Middle combines two things that are increasingly important in the gameshow market: a strong, instantly recognisable visual identity and a game mechanic that can be understood within seconds,” says Talpa Studios global distribution director Sebastian van Barneveld.

Core to the format is the playalong element – and the debate it creates as the insider couple talk tactics. “When we see all the answers the outsiders gave and discover which would have eliminated the most people, we heard ‘I told you so!’ a lot between the couples during the recordings,” says Hellewaard. “I imagine the same thing happens on couches at home.”