University Challenge
1 9 6 2 - 1 9 8 7 (UK)
1 9 9 4 - current (UK)
University Challenge is one of the UK's most famous TV
quiz shows with a reputation for the difficulty of its questions.
It was originally based on an American show called College Bowl
(invented by Don Reid) which had been running continuously since
1959.
University Challenge first aired in 1962 (the first
match was between Leeds and Reading) and ran continuously until
falling ratings forced it to be cut in 1987. After a seven year
break the BBC revived it.
The original question master was the highly intelligent Bamber
Gascoigne, who became famed for phrases like "your starter
for ten", "no conferring" and "well
remembered, Queens".
His shoes were ably filled by Jeremy Paxman, one of Britain's
most distinguished television journalists, who has kept the helm
since the series restarted in 1994.
Around 250 universities and colleges apply for entry, and a
tough interview process reduces this to only 24 teams for the
show. The actual game lasts around 26 minutes and the ending is signalled
with the famous sound of a gong.
During the 913 shows between 1962 and 1987, some of the more
famous contestants included Stephen Fry, David Mellor and Clive
James.
The series was perfectly lampooned in an episode of The
Young Ones in the 80s.
|
