Jacquie Brown. Photo / File
There's a new quiz show in town and it's one of ours.
Which may possibly answer one question if it were to come up: is there some money left in the production bucket?
There clearly is, although things like quiz shows, and panel shows for that matter, do not demand an excess of fittings, locations, props, extras, catering crews, transportation and whatever.
You line them up, start them talking and roll the cameras - and hopefully the result is entertaining.
On that vital note it should be noted that Jono and Ben and 7 Days have achieved in that department, so the wordsmithing and comic skills are clearly out there.
So here we have a newcomer to the television landscape: a quiz show devised here and built here, and set to make its debut on TV1 on Thursday night.
The premise is not entirely original, as at first glance it appears to have a touch of Whose Line is it Anyway? about it.
The contestants are given a word to spark their imaginations.
It is the core of what they will be called upon to perform and (hopefully) drag some laughs from.
There will be ad-lib situations where they must present a skit, with that word at its heart.
And their quizmaster, encouragement mentor and host, Jacquie Brown, is charged with keeping them fired up.
Sharp questions, suggestions and criticism where required.
There will also be pictures shown to the occasionally rattled and bewildered guests for them to deliberate on and pass judgment on.
The show's title is interesting.
It's one of those new language terms (I think some refer to it as hip) that has come into fashion.
Street lingo stuff.
Apparently, if one agrees with something or thinks something has been done very well they express it by saying something like "I really like the way you've painted your fence ... word up!"
No, I don't get it either but it's out there.
In this case it is more down the line, because a word does come up and the line-up herded into action by Ms Brown have to work with it to create things.
There should be some smart moments because there are some smart cookies wandering the halls of comedy now.
Expect to come across Rhys Darby, Steve Wrigley and Stacey Morrison.
There is an interesting twist to the way it is carried out, because after each contestant is confronted with the word which must inspire and ignite them, they have to go out and find an accomplice to help them out.
That accomplice can be a mate, another celebrity or just some person off the street ... anyone.
Then begins the role play, the questioning, the rapid-fire questions and pictures to sift through and explain.
With words at the centre of it all, it would be a fair bet that at some stage during its run someone calls upon the learned man of words Max Cryer to assist them.
This is a brave move by TV1, to introduce a quiz-style show at a time when television is actually blessed with some clever comic/quiz outings such as QI, Would I Lie to You? and The Chase.
At the end of the day it doesn't come down to the premise of the show, it all comes down to those taking part.
-Word Up, TV1 at 9pm Thursday: Jacquie Brown is the perfect host for what could be a colourful and occasionally crazy show which is based on a word. She will be ably aided and abetted by some equally garrulous guests.