Author Topic: The Greatest-Ever TV Quiz Show (Read 1971 times)

Vice Admiral · « **on:** July 02, 2026, 08:36:17 am »

The Chase...!

There's no competition, surely? It's not flawless, but it's a brilliant concept, brilliantly executed – and Bradley Walsh is the perfect quizmaster, because he's one of us. Like Manuel from Fawlty Towers, he "know nothing", and he doesn't pretend otherwise.

And three of the Chasers – the Governess, the Beast, and the Sinnerman – are such interesting and unusual people that they'd be welcome to come and dine at the Vice-Admiral's cabin any time they're in Portsmouth.

These three are also, as it happens, the Chasers with the best overall "scores":
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RandomGuy99 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2026, 09:11:11 am »

No, it's Blockbusters.

Can I have a P, please Bob?

Vice Admiral · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2026, 12:56:43 pm »

After I started this thread and went away to do stuff, I did wonder about University Challenge which, to be fair, must be at least a candidate for Greatest-Ever TV Quiz Show – above all for the sheer difficulty of the questions and the simply staggering knowledge of the best contestants.

But the problem with UC for the average viewer is that in many cases one doesn't even understand the question, let alone know the answer – so one can end up feeling pretty dim. Whereas the easy-to-middling questions on The Chase give almost everyone a chance to get a few answers right.

myothernameis · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2026, 01:06:25 pm »

1% club, plus brilliant host

Pillowtalk · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2026, 03:00:42 pm »

'Ask The Family' with Robert Robinson.

Jonestown · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2026, 03:10:37 pm »

Surely it’s either Mastermind, or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire ?

Vice Admiral · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2026, 03:35:19 pm »

Quote from: Jonestown on July 02, 2026, 03:10:37 pm

Surely it’s either Mastermind, or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire ?

I long ago abandoned Mastermind for two reasons:
(a) The question-masters continue using the silly catchphrase, "I've started so I'll finish." Everyone knows that a question interrupted by the buzzer is continued and may be answered. I'm all in favour of tradition, but that "joke" went stale long ago.
(b) It's impossible to ensure comparability of difficulty in the special subject round. However you design and calibrate the questions, "The Biggest Hits of Freddie and the Dreamers" is going to be easier than "The History of the Universe".

Millionaire? It's OK, but it's too slow for me. I would guess that an episode of University Challenge or The Chase gets through five times as many questions.

But we all have different preferences. Also, how many quiz shows can any one individual follow? In my case, a maximum of two.

mills_and_bhuna · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2026, 07:23:46 pm »

15 to 1

timsussex · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2026, 08:08:54 pm »

Quote from: Vice Admiral on July 02, 2026, 03:35:19 pm

I long ago abandoned Mastermind for two reasons:
(a) The question-masters continue using the silly catchphrase, "I've started so I'll finish." Everyone knows that a question interrupted by the buzzer is continued and may be answered. I'm all in favour of tradition, but that "joke" went stale long ago.
(b) It's impossible to ensure comparability of difficulty in the special subject round. However you design and calibrate the questions, "The Biggest Hits of Freddie and the Dreamers" is going to be easier than "The History of the Universe".

Millionaire? It's OK, but it's too slow for me. I would guess that an episode of University Challenge or The Chase gets through five times as many questions.

But we all have different preferences. Also, how many quiz shows can any one individual follow? In my case, a maximum of two.

I gave up on Mastermind when they changed the rules - originally the length of time for the general knowledge round was altered according to the length of the questions in the specialist round.
Millionaire would be improved for me by missing out the first few questions - but then perhaps some viewers wouldnt be able to answer any

binbag · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2026, 08:14:12 pm »

I agree with mills and bhuna - 15 to 1

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2026, 09:52:42 pm »

Surely it has to be 3-2-1 with Dusty bin and it's obscure nonsensical clues which had no bearing on the answer

Or the original bullseye with " great, Smashing, super" Jim Bowen and " you get nothing in this game for two in a bed." Why was it contestants who lived in the Midlands won speed boats when they couldn't live much further from the sea

Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2026, 02:55:59 am »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 02, 2026, 09:52:42 pm

Surely it has to be 3-2-1 with Dusty bin and it's obscure nonsensical clues which had no bearing on the answer
Or the original bullseye with " great, Smashing, super" Jim Bowen and " you get nothing in this game for two in a bed." Why was it contestants who lived in the Midlands won speed boats when they couldn't live much further from the sea

Yeah 3-2-1 clues were so fucking cryptic you could use the same clue to think it was a bin or a car or anything in-between, people would always say "That sound like a car" and be told "There's not always a car you know"

Not the star prize but i'm sure someone won a fucking snow mobile once which was great for them living on floor 12 of a tower block in Birmingham

And then Jim Gobshite Bowen "let's take a look at what you could have won", my parents were on a coach holiday with friends many years ago and he was in the hotel but seemed to think it was his duty to stand at the bar taking the piss out of everybody
A bit of light hearted banter fair enough but he was being a right offensive cunt

robsmith149 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2026, 03:14:43 am »

100% on C5 when it first started.

standardpostage · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2026, 07:15:23 am »

The Generation Game with Bruce Forsythe

11 seasons.

WASA38 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2026, 07:57:33 am »

Only Connect for me.

Really feel a glow of satisfaction if I get one and especially if the contestants don't.

Then there's the sense of anticipation waiting to see how much of VCM's lovely chebs will be on show.

Mr Garmin · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2026, 08:53:33 am »

Top Of The Form, from when kids were actually educated and well before the All Must Have Prizes generation.

I've got that tune in my head now

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RandomGuy99 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2026, 09:30:12 am »

Crackerjack Double or Drop with the cabbages

Fush · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2026, 10:23:21 am »

Ok maybe not a quiz show and more a game show, but how can The Crystal Maze not be included in any list?

"Will you start the fans please!"

How could you also not forget:
The Krypton Factor
Going for Gold
Eggheads
The Weakest Link (only with Anne Robinson)
The National Lottery: Jet Set (one of my favourite lottery shows)

myothernameis · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2026, 11:03:45 am »

Quote from: Fush on July 03, 2026, 10:23:21 am

Ok maybe not a quiz show and more a game show, but how can The Crystal Maze not be included in any list?

Another game show, which I think is top of game shows, just for the fact of the costumes

Its a Knockout

RandomGuy99 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2026, 11:31:56 am »

The Adventure Game

ik8133 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2026, 11:33:44 am »

Who wants to be a Millionaire with Jeremy Clarkson , Mastermind and Never mind the Buzzcocks are my favourites.

ik8133 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2026, 11:35:15 am »

Quote from: myothernameis on July 03, 2026, 11:03:45 am

Another game show, which I think is top of game shows, just for the fact of the costumes

Its a Knockout

Is it because you like an "up and under"?

Pillowtalk · « **Reply #22 on:** July 03, 2026, 11:56:18 am »

Quote from: Mr Garmin on July 03, 2026, 08:53:33 am

Top Of The Form, from when kids were actually educated and well before the All Must Have Prizes generation.

I've got that tune in my head now

External Link/Members Only

Plus 1

Jumping Jack Flash · « **Reply #23 on:** July 03, 2026, 12:47:46 pm »

I like the 1% Club, there’s usually some fit women on it and Lee Mack is a great host.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2026, 04:07:13 pm »

Quote from: myothernameis on July 03, 2026, 11:03:45 am

Another game show, which I think is top of game shows, just for the fact of the costumes

Its a Knockout

Somehow I can't see the BBC ever showing repeats of that

Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2026, 08:06:46 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 03, 2026, 04:07:13 pm

Somehow I can't see the BBC ever showing repeats of that

Yeah just like old editions of TOTP with another convicted sex offender

JRWK · « **Reply #26 on:** July 04, 2026, 01:10:48 pm »

Who remembers Michael Miles with 'Take your Pick' ? And the man with the gong !!

Yes, I know, I'm showing my age here!!

Jonestown · « **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2026, 01:19:21 pm »

Quote from: JRWK on July 04, 2026, 01:10:48 pm

Who remembers Michael Miles with 'Take your Pick' ? And the man with the gong !!

Yes, I know, I'm showing my age here!!

Open the box !!! Take the Money !!!

Take your Pick was in competition with Hughie Green’s Double Your Money, but the intellectual offering of the period was The $64000 Question with Jerry Desmond.

Watts.E.Dunn · « **Reply #28 on:** July 04, 2026, 01:44:39 pm »

Quote from: JRWK on July 04, 2026, 01:10:48 pm

Who remembers Michael Miles with 'Take your Pick' ? And the man with the gong !!

Yes, I know, I'm showing my age here!!

Bob Danvers-Walker on the gong IIRC?..

WARSZAWA16 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2026, 02:45:02 pm »

I used to like A Question Of Sport in the days before Emlyn Hughes appeared on it.
Prior to that there was Quiz Ball which finished in the early 1970's.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #30 on:** July 04, 2026, 04:11:55 pm »

Quote from: WARSZAWA16 on July 04, 2026, 02:45:02 pm

I used to like A Question Of Sport in the days before Emlyn Hughes appeared on it.
Prior to that there was Quiz Ball which finished in the early 1970's.

A Question of Sport used to be good until they axed Sue Barker, Mat Dawson and Tuffers and bought in Paddy McGuiness although Sam Quek was very easy on the eye

Rexgarvin · « **Reply #31 on:** July 04, 2026, 10:50:31 pm »

Quote from: JRWK on July 04, 2026, 01:10:48 pm

Who remembers Michael Miles with 'Take your Pick' ? And the man with the gong !!

Yes, I know, I'm showing my age here!!

The YES-NO Interlude with Bob Danvers Walker

catweazle · « **Reply #32 on:** July 05, 2026, 12:55:05 pm »

So, confession time, ( trying not to out myself en route) I have appeared on The Chase, 15 to 1 ( Sandi Toksvig version) and 2 one short season only quizzes: The Switch ( with Sanjeev Bhaskar) and A Question of Genius (with Kirsty Wark)

I did win money on one of them.

Since then, try as I may I'm not getting selected for any more shows

Vice Admiral · « **Reply #33 on:** July 05, 2026, 01:05:26 pm »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 12:55:05 pm

So, confession time, ( trying not to out myself en route) I have appeared on The Chase, 15 to 1 ( Sandi Toksvig version) and 2 one short season only quizzes: The Switch ( with Sanjeev Bhaskar) and A Question of Genius (with Kirsty Wark)

I did win money on one of them.

Since then, try as I may I'm not getting selected for any more shows

I'm impressed!

Obviously you mustn't out yourself, but, as an aficionado of The Chase, I'd be interested to know who your chaser was and how many you scored in the first round. Oh, and did you make it through to the final chase?

With over 2,500 episodes aired, I'm confident that your privacy would survive those three answers!

Mr Garmin · « **Reply #34 on:** July 05, 2026, 01:43:10 pm »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 12:55:05 pm

So, confession time, ( trying not to out myself en route) I have appeared on The Chase, 15 to 1 ( Sandi Toksvig version) and 2 one short season only quizzes: The Switch ( with Sanjeev Bhaskar) and A Question of Genius (with Kirsty Wark)

I did win money on one of them.

Since then, try as I may I'm not getting selected for any more shows

I would have thought with all those clues it wouldn't be difficult to narrow down your identity Mastermind style. Unless you've added in some misdirection.

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catweazle · « **Reply #35 on:** July 05, 2026, 02:03:10 pm »

Quote from: Mr Garmin on July 05, 2026, 01:43:10 pm

I would have thought with all those clues it wouldn't be difficult to narrow down your identity Mastermind style. Unless you've added in some misdirection.

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Search away....even if you managed to identify me, I'd just deny it, and say "nope, wrong guy".

Mr Garmin · « **Reply #36 on:** July 05, 2026, 03:05:51 pm »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 02:03:10 pm

Search away....even if you managed to identify me, I'd just deny it, and say "nope, wrong guy".

Obviously I don't know your circumstances but I'll add in some misdirection in many of my posts to obscure my identity to anybody on here that might know me. Somebody knowing isn't really a problem but I don't want to shout about my hobby. Remember that, apparently, we're only seven steps away from somebody that knows us and it only takes a couple of clues.

There is a member on here that I know IRL. They don't know that I know but it's definitely them. They used a single slang word in a post that narrowed it down and once I realised almost every post they make confirms it.

I once did a report on another site and used a colloquialism not uncommon to the area of the country I come from but really unusual for where I live now. It would only take somebody who knows me to think 'hey! Mr. G uses that expression' and they could easily put 2 and 2 together.

Collingwood · « **Reply #37 on:** July 30, 2026, 01:54:53 pm »

Take Your Pick with Michael Miles
Debate over I think gentlemen. ☝️😁

ShadowProclamation · « **Reply #38 on:** July 30, 2026, 10:45:20 pm »

Tutti Frutti. This German gameshow was available to satellite viewers across Europe. The gameshow element was minimal. The key feature was ladies taking their bras off. Does anyone remember it?

Thephoenix · « **Reply #39 on:** July 31, 2026, 08:07:01 am »

Famous old catchphrases:

'Give him the money Mabel'

'I mean this most sincerely folks'

...and my favourite bit of Take Your Pick - the 'yes/no' interlude.

Being a music lover, I always enjoyed 'Name That Tune'

Others include 'What's My Line' with Eamonn Andrews and Gilbert Harding.

The funniest have to be 'Who's Line is it Anyway?' and 'Would I Lie to You?'

Private Parts · « **Reply #40 on:** July 31, 2026, 08:23:47 am »

I'm sorry I haven't a clue.
God's gift

Thephoenix · « **Reply #41 on:** July 31, 2026, 08:48:38 am »

Quote from: ShadowProclamation on July 30, 2026, 10:45:20 pm

Tutti Frutti. This German gameshow was available to satellite viewers across Europe. The gameshow element was minimal. The key feature was ladies taking their bras off. Does anyone remember it?

Yes one of the saucy satellite shows on late in the evening.

Thephoenix · « **Reply #42 on:** July 31, 2026, 09:08:53 am »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 12:55:05 pm

So, confession time, ( trying not to out myself en route) I have appeared on The Chase, 15 to 1 ( Sandi Toksvig version) and 2 one short season only quizzes: The Switch ( with Sanjeev Bhaskar) and A Question of Genius (with Kirsty Wark)

I did win money on one of them.

Since then, try as I may I'm not getting selected for any more shows

I applied with one of my daughters for The Generation Game, but didn't get past the auditions.
I obviously didn't impress the casting crew as when I was leaving I exclaimed 'Shut that door!', not realising that by then Larry Grayson had left the show.

On the other side of the camera, I was approached to provide the questions for a well know team quiz show presented by Sarah Kennedy and had to be present in the control room during recording in case of any discrepancies etc.
What really surprised me was the 30mins show took 4 hours to record, with lots of applause recordings , a warm up man for the audience and different tales by the host etc.
Plus lots of re-takes if the contestants weren't showing enough enthusiasm or celebrations after each round.

Doc Holliday · « **Reply #43 on:** July 31, 2026, 09:10:45 am »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 02:03:10 pm

Search away....even if you managed to identify me, I'd just deny it, and say "nope, wrong guy".

I agree with Mr Garmin you should be careful. It took me very little time to find you.

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Doc Holliday · « **Reply #44 on:** July 31, 2026, 09:15:07 am »

Quote from: Vice Admiral on July 05, 2026, 01:05:26 pm

Obviously you mustn't out yourself, but, as an aficionado of The Chase, I'd be interested to know who your chaser was and how many you scored in the first round. Oh, and did you make it through to the final chase?

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Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #45 on:** July 31, 2026, 09:31:55 am »

Quote from: Doc Holliday on July 31, 2026, 09:10:45 am

I agree with Mr Garmin you should be careful. It took me very little time to find you.

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Good spot Doc, if you hadn't pointed him out i'd have missed it as he blends in so seamlessly

Thephoenix · « **Reply #46 on:** July 31, 2026, 03:40:31 pm »

Quote from: Doc Holliday on July 31, 2026, 09:10:45 am

I agree with Mr Garmin you should be careful. It took me very little time to find you.

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Thephoenix · « **Reply #47 on:** July 31, 2026, 03:42:49 pm »

Quote from: Thephoenix on July 31, 2026, 09:08:53 am

I applied with one of my daughters for The Generation Game, but didn't get past the auditions.
I obviously didn't impress the casting crew as when I was leaving I exclaimed 'Shut that door!', not realising that by then Larry Grayson had left the show.

On the other side of the camera, I was approached to provide the questions for a well know team quiz show presented by Sarah Kennedy and had to be present in the control room during recording in case of any discrepancies etc.
What really surprised me was the 30mins show took 4 hours to record, with lots of applause recordings , a warm up man for the audience and different takes by the host etc.
Plus lots of re-takes if the contestants weren't showing enough enthusiasm or celebrations after each round.

Edited

Mr Garmin · « **Reply #48 on:** July 31, 2026, 03:46:45 pm »

Quote from: Thephoenix on July 31, 2026, 03:42:49 pm

Edited

Is this some sort of spot the difference competition?

myothernameis · « **Reply #49 on:** July 31, 2026, 04:13:58 pm »

Quote from: catweazle on July 05, 2026, 12:55:05 pm

So, confession time, ( trying not to out myself en route) I have appeared on The Chase, 15 to 1 ( Sandi Toksvig version) and 2 one short season only quizzes: The Switch ( with Sanjeev Bhaskar) and A Question of Genius (with Kirsty Wark)

I did win money on one of them.

Since then, try as I may I'm not getting selected for any more shows

What about, Jim'll Fix It, did appear on his show

Author Topic: The Greatest-Ever TV Quiz Show (Read 1971 times)

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