Weakest Link 'threatened' in US

The Weakest Link is a hit in the UK

The future of The Weakest Link in the US, hosted by Anne Robinson, is under review after a fall in ratings, according to reports.

When launched in a blaze of publicity last year the show, based on the BBC original, attracted audiences of up to 17.5 million viewers.

But in recent weeks the ratings have dropped to an average of nine million viewers and the last two editions had audiences of about seven million viewers.

American network NBC is looking at the future of the programme, reports the Daily Mail newspaper.

Balance

The newspaper says the show is now being beaten by The Simpsons on Fox and Max Bickfird on CBS and has been moved from its slot on Monday to Sunday.

The influential industry website mediaweek.com also speculates that the show's future is in the balance.

It says the show "shot itself in the foot" with too many celebrity editions, "hitting rock bottom" when former pornography star Ron Jeremy appeared on the quiz.

Anne Robinson's agent has denied the show's future is in doubt, telling the newspaper: "No, we've not been told officially that the show might be axed in America.

"Yes, the ratings have fallen, but NBC says it is very happy with the demographics of who's watching."

The paper reports that Robinson is negotiating with NBC for her own chat show, called Anne Talks Tough.

She is also expected to make a guest appearance in NBC's comedy Frasier, reports the newspaper.