US version of 'Weakest Link' aired last night

Hit gameshow The Weakest Link today opened in America to praise from critics - and humiliation for contestants.

The BBC show has been transplanted across the Atlantic with host Anne Robinson staying in place to use her devastating catchphrase to American contestants.

But last night they were left humiliated as they failed to bank even one-tenth of the $1m (£697,000) prize fund which dwarves the cash on offer in the original British version.

‘‘Do I have to beg you to take the money,’’ Robinson asked the contestants before the winner, a 42-year-old undertaker and embalmer from New Jersey beat his last remaining rival.

And there seemed to be at least one of the four women and three men taking part who could not fully understand the British host’s clipped tones, asking for the questions to be repeated and losing vital seconds at the same time.

Most of the eight claimed they had been ‘‘cheated’’ out of their prize money in the quiz, although none dared to criticise Robinson herself.

The show is not going head-to-head with Who Wants to Be A Millionaire in America yet - but network chiefs at broadcaster NBC are hoping its catchphrase will become as ubiquitous as phoning a friend and asking the audience.

Ratings, likely to be revealed later this week, will decide whether the show should be moved up to the 9pm slot to contest Millionaire, broadcast in America by ABC - or ditched as the network’s own Weakest Link.

Heavy advertising for the show is being seen as a sure sign the two will compete directly if the ratings are good - meaning American television’s biggest battle will be between two British quiz programmes.

Critics have so far given a mixed response to the show and its host, who has been clad in a black leather knee-length collarless coat for the series - as well as its title.

Variety, regarded as the bible of the entertainment world, praised Robinson’s ‘‘enunciation’’ and predicted it would pull in viewers tired of Millionaire’s ‘‘sluggish and chummy manner’’.

Most critics have compared it to reality television, reflecting the success in America of programmes including Big Brother and Survivor, an adventure version of the hit, and Temptation Island, where couples are split up and attempts are made to seduce them into infidelity.

The New York Daily News also gave the thumbs-up, with critic Eric Mink writing: ‘‘Weakest Link is terrific television: a mixture of suspenseful (sic), challenging, play-along fun; yell-at-the-TV frustration, and stomach-churning empathy for contestants who choke.’’