The Zone

The Zone
Studio: Beyond Television Productions
Number of seasons: 2
Number of episodes: 57
Original airdate: 1994-04-30
Original channel(s): Nine Network
Country of origin: Australia

The Zone was a video games focused television programme that aired on the Nine Network on Saturday mornings at 8:30AM AEST from 30 April 1994 to 1 July 1995. The show was produced by Beyond Television Productions and was hosted for the majority of its run by Adam Riley. Sega Ozisoft was a major sponsor of the show.

Format

The Zone took on a format similar to most magazine style programmes on television. The show generally opened with an introduction from Adam of what would be on the show that week, followed by the latest gaming news, previews, reviews and some random stuff like gamer jargon. Reviews and previews were typically presented by two people, many of whom were Sydney-based freelancers or worked on magazines such as HYPER>> and Gamestar.

The most popular member of the show's on air crew was Justin "Mutlee" Mansour, who also acted as the voice of the Sega Hotline at the time.[1] Mansour also worked behind the scenes on the show's technical production.

Production

The Zone was notorious for its low budget. According to one member of the crew, the show was filmed in a disused storage room. A cameraman for the show remembers only being paid $20 per episode each week.

Cancellation

The precise reasons for the cancellation of The Zone are not known. The final episode made fun of the fact that the show had got the axe.

Legacy

Due to the aged nature of the content, the potential rights issues concerning footage and the distinct lack of a market, it is unlikely that The Zone will ever see any sort of release on DVD or anything similar. Some dedicated fans and former crew have posted episodes of the show on YouTube, usually captured from VHS tapes that were used to record the show on their first airing. (This is why the SD footage quality is so poor. The recording would depend on the broadcast reception as well as the VCR and tape used.)

Notes

Two episodes remain unaired. Produced on Monday, aired on Saturday mornings. According to Justin Mansour, Richard Parnell has the whole series on tape. Adam Riley was originally brought in to do the music, but wound up being the host when a suitable candidate could not be found, and his screen test was well received. Stuart Clarke was also editor for HYPER>> at the time.

List of episodes

Episode	Video	Name	Date	Airtime	Description
1x01		Season 1, episode 1	1994-04-30
1x02		Season 1, episode 2	1994-05-07
1x03		Season 1, episode 3	1994-05-14		*The Buzz (News): Project Mars - 32X (14:03) Feature: Sega Cleaning Kit (19:34) Mutant League Hockey (time - 3:24) (score - 73.5) Prize Fighter (time - 9:43) (score - 70) Castlevania: The New Generation (time - 17:44) (score - 81.5)
1x04		Season 1, episode 4	1994-05-21		*The Buzz (News): Sega Ozisoft "Sega Classics" Rental Plan (10:15) Art of Fighting (time - 0:00) (score - 62) Tomcat Alley (time - 5:03) (score - 86.5) Sonic 3 (time - 17:09) (score - 89.5)
1x05		Season 1, episode 5	1994-05-28		* Feature: Inside Hyper>> Magazine - brief glimpse of Streets of Rage 3 (time - 13:01) Lame Games: The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare (time - 16:59) (score - "F") Classic Review: The Revenge of Shinobi (time - 17:29) FIFA International Soccer (time - 3:32) (score - 90) Eternal Champions (time - 8:35) (score - 67) Ecco the Dolphin (Mega-CD) (time - 18:21) (score - 82)
1x06		Season 1, episode 6	1994-06-04		*Playguide: Skitchin' (time - 9:31) Lame Games: Jurassic Park (time - 8:23) Lame Games: Home Alone (time - 8:31) Arcade: Alien 3: The Gun (time - 8:43) (score - 3?) Virtual Pinball (time - 2:18) (score - 90) Cool Spot (time - 7:29) (score - 88) Jungle Strike (time - 13:38) (score - 85)
1x07		Season 1, episode 7	1994-06-11		* News: Australia hardware sales, as at Jun 1994 (time - 2:10) - Game Gear - 50,000 - Game Boy - 250,000 - Master System - 300,000 - NES - 500,000 - Mega Drive - 600,000 - SNES - 300,000 - Mega CD - "heaps" Cheatz: Streets of Rage 2 (time - 5:38) Classic Review: Double Dragon (time - 8:21) Preview: Rise of the Robots (time - 14:02) (incomplete video) Cheatz: Super Street Fighter 2 (time - 14:11) The Buzz (News): The Incredible Hulk (time - 19:21) The Buzz (News): Mortal Kombat 2 (time - 19:37) The Buzz (News): Blockbuster World Game Master Competition (time - 19:55) Sub-Terrania (time - 5:57) (score - 82.5) Streets of Rage 3 (time - 10:06) (score - 90)
1x08		Season 1, episode 8	1994-06-18		*Sports Sim Special Mortal Kombat 2
1x09		Season 1, episode 9	1994-06-25
1x10		Season 1, episode 10	1994-07-02
1x11		Season 1, episode 11	1994-07-09		* The Zone Top 10 games of 94 competition (time - 0:00) - Contenders: NBA Jam, Virtua Racing, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters, Skitchin', Rock 'n Roll Racing, Clayfighter, Madden NFL '94 On the Streets (Arcade): Daytona USA (time - 4:53) The Jungle Book (time - 1:08) (score - 91)
1x12		Season 1, episode 12	1994-07-16
1x13		Season 1, episode 13	1994-07-23		* "Oz Gamer Day" - 23 July (time - 0:00) Playguide: Sensible Soccer (time - 3:00) Feature: The Zone Top 10 games of 94 (time - 7:50) 10. Tomcat Alley 9. FIFA International Soccer 8. Rock 'n Roll Racing 7. Alone in the Dark 2 6. Star Wars: Rebel Assault 5. Virtua Racing 4. Jungle Book 3. Street Fighter 2 Turbo 2. Super Metroid 1. NBA Jam Cheatz: Virtua Racing (time - 10:45) Playguide: Sub-Terrania (time - 15:03) Cheat of the week: Sonic 3 (time 19:36) Marko's Magic Football (time - 1:27) (score - 81.5) Landstalker (time - 15:46) (score - 81.5)
1x14		Season 1, episode 14	1994-07-30		* In the arcade review of Cyber Sled, the guys mention how the release of Daytona USA caused Ridge Racer to drop to half price (time - 4:59) Dragon's Lair (time - 0:30) (score - 80) Bubba 'N' Stix (time - 3:15) (score - 81.5) Zool (time - 9:08) (score - 61)
1x15		Season 1, episode 15	1994-08-06		* Brought to you by Sega (time - 0:00) NBA Jam Celebrity Shoot Out - Mutlee has a Sonic Basketball (time - 8:37) Blockbuster World Game Master Competition Finals - Sonic makes an appearance (time - 14:01) Almost a World Exclusive Sonic & Knuckles preview (time - 21:05) Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck (time - 4:06) (score - 82.5)
1x16		Season 1, episode 16	1994-08-13		* TZM Hint: Daytona USA (time - 3:35) Playguide: Marko's Magic Football (time - 5:56) Gamestar Cheat of the week: Aladdin (time - 12:28) World Exclusive Preview: Sonic & Knuckles (time - 13:15) Blockbuster World Game Master Competition Finals Part 2 - Sonic makes an appearance (time - 19:48) (incomplete video) Taz 2 (time - 11:15) (score - 87)
1x17		Season 1, episode 17	1994-08-20		* Sonic the Hedgehog makes an appearance (time - 01:10, 05:14, 13:48 & 14:04) Gamestar Cheat of the week: Skitchin' (time - 04:12) The Buzz (News): Super Street Fighter II (time - 5:25) Timezone Secret Mission (Arcade): Star Wars Arcade (time - 07:03) Playguide: The Incredible Hulk (time - 13:06) Celeb fave game: Dune 2 (time - 16:15) Celebrity Shootout: WWF Super Wrestlemania (time - 19:37) Boogerman (time - 08:15) (score - 80) The Lost Vikings (time - 14:16) (score - 87)
1x18		Season 1, episode 18	1994-08-27		* Cheatz: The Jungle Book (time - 08:54) Arcade: Star Wars Arcade (time - 17:38) Super Street Fighter II (time - 02:41) (score - 89) Zone Approved Games (Clips from earlier eps) (time - 06:08): - Skitchin' (score - 88.5) - Tomcat Alley (from episode 4)
1x19		Season 1, episode 19	1994-09-03		*Playguide: Jurassic Park (Mega-CD) (time - 07:03) The Buzz (News): The Lion King (time - 12:19) The Buzz (News): Urban Strike (time - 13:47) Celebrity Shootout: FIFA International Soccer (time - 16:21) - Sydney Kings Basketball Team was sponsored by Sega in 1994 The Pirates of Dark Water (time - 14:30) (score - 80.5) Combat Cars (time - 19:34) (score - 71.5)
1x20		Season 1, episode 20	1994-09-10		*Cheatz: Streets of Rage 3 (time - 02:34) The Buzz (News): The Lion King (time - 03:34) The Buzz (News): Urban Strike (time - 03:49) The Buzz (News): Earthworm Jim (time - 04:32) Celebrity Shootout: NBA Showdown '94 (time - 18:16) Ballz 3D (time - 00:58) (score - 80) Zone Approved Games (Clips from earlier eps) (time - 05:26): - The Jungle Book (from episode 11) Clayfighter (time - 07:16) (score - 81.5)
1x21		Season 1, episode 21	1994-09-17		*Mortal Kombat 2: The Moves (time - 07:04, 16:45) - Since they can't show footage of the M15+ game on their G rated show, the team act out the moves in person Preview: ESPN Baseball Tonight (time - 09:49) Preview: The Flintstones (Ocean) (time - 10:08) Preview: Mickey Mania (time - 10:22) The Buzz (News): Urban Strike (time - 12:25) The Buzz (News): Sonic & Knuckles (time - 13:07) Playguide: Jungle Strike (time - 15:35) Celebrity Shootout: Super Street Fighter 2 (time - 18:25) Zone Approved Games (Clips from earlier eps): - NBA Jam (time - 05:52) (score - 95) - Madden NFL '94 (time - 06:16) (score - 94) Sylvester and Tweety in Cagey Capers (time - 16:03) (score - 65)
1x22		Season 1, episode 22	1994-09-24		*Preview: Sonic & Knuckles (time - 02:51) Mortal Kombat 2: The Moves (time - 05:58, 16:52) The Buzz (News): Shaq Fu (time - 11:33) The Buzz (News): Earthworm Jim, The Lion King (time - 11:56) Preview: La Russa Baseball 95 (time - 14:03) Preview: Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (time - 14:32) Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars (time - 01:08) (score - 71) Zone Approved Games (Clips from earlier eps) (time - 07:38): - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (score - 83.5) - Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck (from episode 15) - Boogerman (from episode 17) Sparkster (time - 12:09) (score - 87)
1x23		Season 1, episode 23	1994-10-01		*Playguide special Urban Strike (incomplete)
1x24		Season 1, episode 24	1994-10-08
1x25		Season 1, episode 25	1994-10-15		*Preview: 32X Launch - Virtua Racing Deluxe (time - 04:39) Mortal Kombat 2: The Moves (time - 07:25) Playguide: The Jungle Book (time - 08:24) Trivia Comp (time - 08:58) - NBA Jam, The Jungle Book, Urban Strike, Double Switch. Sonic 2 Zero Tolerance (time - 02:48) (score - 62.5) Red Zone (time - 12:39) (score - 61)
1x26		Season 1, episode 26	1994-10-22		The series was originally scheduled to end with this episode, but was renewed by popular demand to continue the following week at the new time of 8:00am.
2x01		Season 2, episode 1	1994-10-29		*Adam is wearing a Sonic & Knuckles T-shirt (time - 02:51) The Buzz (News): Radical Rex (time - 03:02) The Buzz (News): Doom 2 for PC/DOS was distributed by Sega Ozisoft in Australia (time - 03:46) Bev's Handy Hints: The Jungle Book (time - 05:37) Games for your Dad (time - 07:26): - PGA European Tour, Dune, Dune II: Battle for Arrakis, Landstalker A Sonic & Knuckles poster is featured on the wall of the 'Games Room' (time - 10:56, 11:36) Playguide: Zombies Ate My Neighbors (time - 11:25) Trivia Comp (time - 12:50): - Aladdin, John Madden Football, RoboCop Versus The Terminator, NBA Jam Arcade: Desert Tank (time - 17:10) Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (time - 06:05) (score - 85.5) NBA Live '95 (time - 15:57) (score - 91.5)
2x02		Season 2, episode 2	1994-11-05		*The Buzz (News): USA Top 10 (time - 02:12) - Mortal Kombat, Super Metroid, Street Fighter II Turbo, Star Fox, Earthworm Jim, Samurai Showdown, Wild Guns, World Series Baseball, Pocky & Rocky The Buzz (News): Virtua Cop (time - 02:38) The Buzz (News): Radical Rex (time - 03:26) Bev's Red Hot Hints: Beat 'em ups (time - 05:00), feat. Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage, Streets of Rage 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters STUFF (accessories): 4 Way Play, Sega Tap, J-Cart (time - 07:17) Cheatz: Road Rash 2 (time - 08:42) Playguide: Sparkster (time - 10:56) - feat. Sonic & Knuckles poster Cheatz: Gauntlet IV (time - 13:42) Shaq Fu (time - 00:55) (score - 81.5) Rugby World Cup 1995 (time - 06:03) (score - 75) Newman-Haas IndyCar Featuring Nigel Mansell (time - 14:29) (score - 60)
2x03		Season 2, episode 3	1994-11-12		*Games for your mum Bloodshot Dick Vitale's "Awesome, Baby!" College Hoops
2x04		Season 2, episode 4	1994-11-19		*The Buzz (News): Sega 32X Australian Launch (time - 03:10) - 6:00pm, 19th November 1994, Hoyts Cinema Complex, George Street, Sydney The Buzz (News): Sega Ozisoft Hotline staff receive a Sega Saturn with Virtua Fighter for playtesting in Nov '94 (time - 04:36) Lame Games (time - 09:49): Virtual Bart, Home Alone, Jurassic Park Mortal Kombat 2: The Moves (time - 12:19) - Bev is wearing a Sonic & Knuckles T-shirt Hotline time: Sega Hotline (time - 14:58) Playguide: The Lost Vikings (time - 16:40) Power Drive (time - 01:05) (score - 74.5) The Lion King (time - 06:33) (score - 90.33)
2x05		Season 2, episode 5	1994-12-03		*The Buzz (News): A Bookmaker in the UK was running a book on the top game for Christmas 1994 (time - 03:18): 1. Donkey Kong Country - 6:4 2. Earthworm Jim - 2:1 3. FIFA International Soccer - 5:1 4. Super Street Fighter 2 - 5:1 5. The Lion King - 6:1 6. Mortal Kombat 2 - 10:1 7. Sonic & Knuckles - 12:1 The Buzz (News): 32X event at Newcastle on 3rd December 1994 (time - 04:12) - Sonic the Hedgehog was at the event Cheatz (time - 08:34): Mickey Mania, Sonic Spinball STUFF (accessories): The Justifier, Menacer (time - 15:29) Animaniacs (time - 01:37) (score - 79) Lethal Enforcers 2 (time - 13:30) (score - 86.5)
2x06		Season 2, episode 6	1994-12-17		*The Buzz (News): Sega Ozisoft Daytona USA Promotion "If you can drink and drive, you're wrong" (time - 04:26) - Freeplay Daytona USA at Bridge Point Tavern, Sydney on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Get the Hint: The Lion King (time - 07:27) Gamestar Cheat of the Week: Shining Force II (time - 10:05) Cheat: Castlevania: The New Generation (time - 14:43) Playguide: The Lion King (time - 16:09) FIFA Soccer 95 (time - 01:47) (score - 90) Madden NFL '95 (time - 02:45) (score - 88) NHL 95 (time - 03:34) (score - 90) The Story of Thor (time - 12:56) (score - 83.33)
2x07		Season 2, episode 7	1994-12-24		*Adam is wearing a Sonic & Knuckles T-shirt (time - 00:00) Cheatz: FIFA International Soccer (time - 03:53) The Buzz (News): Sega Ozisoft Daytona USA Promotion "If you can drink and drive, you're wrong" (time - 05:51) - Freeplay Daytona USA at New Brighton Hotel (Manly), Sydney on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Playguide: Shining Force II (time - 10:42) Cheatz: Urban Strike (time - 13:00) Arcade: Virtua Cop (time - 13:31) Hint Thingy: Animaniacs (time - 16:10) Mega Bomberman (time - 07:05) (score - 84.5) Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (time - 17:01) (score - 84)
2x08		Season 2, episode 8	1994-12-31		*Mortal Kombat 2: The Moves (time - 00:08, 06:16, 18:51) Metaltech: Earthsiege for PC/DOS was distributed by Sega Ozisoft in Australia (time - 02:55) Cheatz: Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (time - 05:00) Playguide: Earthworm Jim (time - 14:38) Daze Before Christmas (time - 11:31) (score - 52.5) Mr Nutz (time - 16:15) (score - For Under 8: 80.5, Everyone else: 50)
2x09		Season 2, episode 9	1995-01-07		*Best of the Year specials
2x10		Season 2, episode 10	1995-01-14
2x11		Season 2, episode 11	1995-01-21
2x12		Season 2, episode 12	1995-01-28
2x13		Season 2, episode 13	1995-02-04
2x14		Season 2, episode 14	1995-02-11
2x15		Season 2, episode 15	1995-02-18
2x16		Season 2, episode 16	1995-02-25
2x17		Season 2, episode 17	1995-03-04
2x18		Season 2, episode 18	1995-03-11
2x19		Season 2, episode 19	1995-03-18
2x20		Season 2, episode 20	1995-03-25
2x21		Season 2, episode 21	1995-04-01
2x22		Season 2, episode 22	1995-04-08
2x23		Season 2, episode 23	1995-04-15
2x24		Season 2, episode 24	1995-05-20
2x25		Season 2, episode 25	1995-05-27
2x26		Season 2, episode 26	1995-06-03
2x27		Season 2, episode 27	1995-06-10
2x28		Season 2, episode 28	1995-06-24
2x29		Season 2, episode 29	1995-07-01		Final Episode Brought to you courtesy of the big guys at Electronic Arts (time - 00:10) Fake First episode parody - Pong review (time - 11:53) Brian Lara Cricket (time - 03:08)

Ratings

Main article: The Zone/Ratings.