Check out the Chaser
ARE we really as smart as we think we are? Or more specifically, are the Chasers as smart as they think they are? In this enjoyable series, quizzers Anne Hegerty, Shaun Wallace and Mark Labbett travel the globe to investigate intelligence.
As they take on child geniuses, great apes and even robots, they are mostly concerned with outsmarting them.
This funny episode explores that age old question – is intelligence nature or nurture?
In the UK, they take on three of Britain’s brightest kids, but it won’t be childs’ play.
Anne insists: “We are champion quizzers and we will beat the children. We are quite happy to knock over small children to get to something we want. I fancy our chances.”
Anne, a writer with a degree in linguistics, takes on 11-year-old Reuben, a Junior Scrabble champion. He begins with a word she’s never heard of.
Meanwhile, Shaun battles 14-year-old Mensa genius Akshita in a medical quiz.
And Mark plays 10-year-old chess prodigy Shreyas, who spends 40 hours a week practising the game.
Mark says: “I don’t care who you are, I wouldn’t even let my beloved niece win at Snap when she was four years old. I just want to win.”
But there are many types of intelligence, and the Chasers must investigate others.
In Cambridge they explore emotional intelligence, sitting a test to understand their own and other’s emotions.
Unimpressed Mark rants: “I’m British, I’m designed to have a stiff upper lip. Emotions are overrated.”
Needless to say, despite some reluctance, it all becomes tiring and emotional.