What do Americans think of the British gameshow The Weakest Link

A.� Presenter Anne Robinson's debut performance on the US version of the programme has proved a hit with the US studio audience and the show's contestants. But the critics have seemed less than impressed with her cutting manner. Press reports say the audience laughed as she brutally dismissed the American contestants. But TV critics in the States have criticised her school teacher attitude and one called her insults 'innocuous.'

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Q.� How long will the US version last

A. It all depends on the rating figures. Preliminary viewing figures are�promising. They indicate that 15 million viewers in 10 million homes tuned into the primetime inaugural edition, making it the most-watched show in the 8pm to 9pm slot. It was the second most popular programme of the evening, beaten only by a hit sitcom. The test for the NBC network, which has invested millions hyping the show, is whether those viewers will come back or not.

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Q.� Is the show the same as the British version

A.� The quiz follows the same format as the UK original, but the prize money is considerably higher, with a possible jackpot of one million dollars (�670,000), compared with Britain's �20,000.

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Q.� Who won the first show

A.� An undertaker named John won $73,000 or �49,000.

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Q.� How many shows will be recorded in the States

A.� The channel NBC has whisked Anne Robinson over the Atlantic to do 13 episodes. She secured the six-year contract after making a pilot show for the US channel.

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Q.� How much is the deal personally worth to�Anne Robinson

A.� John Penrose, her husband and agent, said: 'it's a remarkable achievement for any British presenter to be invited to appear on primetime television in the States.' And, he admited she shouldn't be out of pocket doing the show. Some reports have suggested the deal is worth �15million.

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Q.� Which other countries are interested

A.� The BBC has confirmed that it is negotiating deals around the world for The Weakest Link, estimated to be worth �30million over the next five to�ten years. The UK production team is working with broadcasters in France, Italy, Germany and Israel, among other countries, to produce local versions of the show.

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Q.� What's the best way to sum the show up

A.� It's said to be a sort of cross between Fifteen To One and Big Brother. There are nine contestants taking part and a possible �10,000 is up for grabs. Contestants vote each other out after each round depending on the quality of their answers, and there's a penalty shoot-out competition at the end between the two finalists to see who walks away with the money.

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Q.� What's the catchphrase

A.� You are the weakest link. Goodbye.

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By Katharine MacColl