In contrast to a number of quiz reveals on this record, the many-years-later revival hosted by Sandi Toksvig (one other presenter in whose potential to win the quiz if ever referred to as upon to play you could possibly have complete confidence) didn’t lose any of the magic. It’s the no-nonsense quiz present so good that former contestant Trevor Montague famously wore a disguise and went on a second time underneath a pretend identify, one thing he later needed to defend himself in opposition to carried out in courtroom.
10. Blockbusters
It’s inconceivable to separate Blockbusters (the unique, not the revival or comedy variations) from its lore: the gag of contestants asking suave presenter Bob Holness: “Can I’ve a P, please Bob?”, the viewers hand-jive carried out over the closing credit, the city myths about Holness having performed saxophone on Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Road” (he didn’t) and having as soon as performed James Bond within the Fifties (he did, on radio)… Beneath all that and the Eighties nostalgia although, stands a robust format that gave a stage to younger quizzers.
Imported from the US with the alteration that the contestants have been faculty pupils aged between 16 and 18 (consider it as a feeder for College Problem), Blockbusters concerned a pair of quizzers going in opposition to a solo competitor. The intention was to create a Join 4-like chain of appropriate solutions, every with its initials supplied as a clue, connecting two sides of a hexagonal board earlier than your opponent(s) did the identical. That carried out, it was time for the well-known “Gold Run” – a solo repeat with the eventual likelihood of a prize. The gameplay labored, the questions have been nicely calibrated, and the children have been impressively educated, if all fairly posh. A traditional.
9. Eggheads
What an idea! A Crosby, Stills, Nash & Younger-style supergroup, however for quizzing. Eggheads didn’t simply have a slick presenter posing inquiries to hopefuls, it had pre-made quiz groups face off in opposition to, to cite OG host Dermot Murnaghan, “the best quiz staff in Britain”, made up of the winners of earlier TV quizzes. First individually after which with as many as have been left after the head-to-head rounds, teams of peculiar quizzers took on the may of the Eggheads – and often misplaced.
The unique Eggheads 5 of Chris, Kevin, Daphne, CJ and Judith have been a legendary line-up – the Avengers or X-Males of the quizzing world. After their 2003 – 2008 heyday, the present diluted the pool with new, rotating members, nevertheless it was by no means fairly the identical, like a world-famous rock group touring underneath the identical identify however with solely the unique drummer. After Eggheads moved to Channel 5 in 2021, it floundered and isn’t anticipated to return within the close to future, however for an excellent lengthy whereas, it was appointment teatime viewing feat. quizzing royalty. Relaxation in peace, Chris Hughes.
8. Richard Osman’s Home of Video games
If the contestants are celebrities, does it depend as a bonafide quiz present? Completely. Richard Osman’s Home of Video games has questions, buzzers, an array of Nineteen Seventies-style prizes contemporary off the Era Sport conveyor belt… and nevertheless a lot of a lark it might be, it’s not an 8 Out of 10 Cats or Taking pictures Stars-style comedy. These individuals have come to play (other than Patsy Kensit, who didn’t know why she’d come.)
