Game Shows

I used to get told off for my ‘Quiz Hour’ when I got in from work (it was actually two & a half hours…Tipping Point, 15 mins of The Chase, Pointless then House of Games.) I absolutely love the latter two. I sit there chatting to the screen as if Xander & Richard are my best mates!

Has anyone mentioned Only Connect? By far the best quiz show on telly, and a highly entertaining host.

I like House of Games, but the contestants who struggle with the questions spoil the show, and you wonder why they were invited and why they agreed. It works best when there are four competitive and high-scoring challengers.

Pointless is fun if you've nothing better to do.

The clips on Gogglebox made The One Percent thing on ITV look interesting, but I'm usually in a theatre somewhere on a Saturday night so haven't seen it. Besides, how many questions do they get through in an hour? I suspect, like cricket, most of the time is spent waiting for the next challenge to bat away.

Has anyone watched One Question? It's decent although some of the questions are fairly easy if you use a combination of process of elimination and knowing events.

I am sure someone could step up and replace Jeremy, as did the excellent Clive Myrie, a brilliant replacement on Mastermind for John Humphries. Besides I always though Jeremy came across as Pompous and more recently stale.

Emily Maitlis or Fiona Bruce spring to mind.

Of all the names I have seen in the media this far, Dara O'Briain is the one that appeals the most. He has wit and warmth. And he also comes with credible intellect.

The least credible option I have seen this far is June Sarpong who would be a really lightweight choice

My first thought was Kirsty Wark. But I recently watched an episode of a history quiz she once hosted and it really wasn't a good fit for her style.

Suzannah Lipscomb would be a viable possibility. Much as I would enjoy watching her, Mary Beard is probably too old for the gig now.

I am expecting a female BBC news regular to actually be announced. And we will all adjust. But there will be some tutting.

The only part of Mock the Week I watch is the final round. The rest, like similar 'topical' shows across the media, I simply avoid.

But the final section is always good fun

Fiona Bruce surely doesn't have any space in her schedule for yet another BBC sinecure. 

No tie ? Agree that is totally unacceptable. 

The Torygraph seem to think the omnipresent Fiona Bruce wanted the job but has been passed over in favour of Amol Rajan. Never heard of him. 

...and Amol Rajan it is. Not a great fan, to be honest, but I assume he has something on someone senior at the BBC.

Well he seems a much better choice than a lot of the names being batted about. Hopefully they make it much less Oxbridge centred along with the new host.