Who wants to be a quizzer?
LIKE many keen quizzers, I looked forward to the new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? How many of us thought we might be able to crack the £1 million prize while playing along with the contestants from our sofas? I’m no Mastermind, but I am proud to hold the Guinness World Record for most TV quiz show appearances as a contestant — 34 shows, from Sale Of The Century and The Weakest Link to Eggheads and Face The Clock. I’ve approached TV companies with a view to hosting a quiz show, but have always had the same response: ‘The public only want to see familiar faces on the screen.’ Does my lack of cooking skills rule me out? I have also pitched my idea for a show in which the tables are turned on the host and he has to answer questions. So my eyebrows were raised when I saw the new Who Wants To Be A Millionaire lifeline of Ask The Host. It was great to see the Birmingham teacher banking £500,000, despite having to use valuable lifelines by asking the audience about royal jelly and then having a wasted chance on asking the host about the Suez Canal. Despite having a honorary degree in engineering, Jeremy Clarkson had never heard of Ferdinand De Lesseps, whose name crops up on many a quiz night. DAViD ST JOHN, Cannock, Staffs. I AGREE with TV reviewer Christopher Stevens about the dumbing down of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. I am of average intelligence, but answered the first 11 questions without a problem. It’s another programme spoiled by unnecessary and annoying whooping and cheering from the audience, which has made The X Factor unwatchable.
Mrs N. HARRiS, Birmingham.