Underplayed Gems

Hugo (1990)

Hugo poster
Genre
game show
Country
Denmark
Length
4 seasons, 1 episode
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this series is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More series like this

How it feels

In this Danish game show from the 1990s, contestants call in to control a little troll named Hugo through simple video game levels broadcast live on TV. They guide him past dangers to rescue his family from a witch, winning real prizes based on how well they play.

interactivelightheartedplayfulwhimsicalfamily-friendlylivecheerfulnostalgic

What happens

Hugo (Danish: Skærmtrolden Hugo, often referred to as "Hugo the Troll" in English) is a children's and family-oriented interactive television show that aired between 1990 and 1995. It was created by the Danish company Interactive Television Entertainment (ITE). Since its premiere on TV2, this popular one-player interactive game show has aired in more than 40 countries. The program's audience callers used their telephones to guide the titular character, a small "TV troll" named Hugo, through various simple video game scenarios. The game was played on the television screen, broadcast live from a studio with hosts commenting on the progress. Typically, the goal of the players was to help Hugo brave various dangers on his way to rescue his family, held by the evil witch Scylla. After either successfully finishing the game or failing, the contestants were then rewarded with real world prizes based on their performance. The show has been adapted into multiple video-game releases, as well as into various merchandise and other media in an extended media and merchandise franchise. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems. Not quite it? You can browse by genre, country and year, or take this one into the 3D catalogue and ask the Catbot for something closer.