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INSPIRATION: Pointless

  
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Pointless Round 3 Pointless Round 3

My lunchtimes and early evenings are usually filled with game-shows (Only Connect being the gold standard).

So I was delighted to see Ms Lake featured in the round 3 for famous people whose names start with a V. I was even more delighted to see her picked first, despite her scoring just 3/100.. but that’s the shtick of the show.. can you give a correct answer that the fewest of 100 people knew when asked.

Series 30 Episode 49 (of 55)
The brainy quiz returns - but this time host Alexander Armstrong is joined by co-host Vick Hope. As always, contestants try to score as few points as possible by plumbing the depths of their general knowledge to come up with the answers no-one else could think of. [43 minutes]
Wed 31 Jan 2024 17:15
Credits
  • Presenter Alexander Armstrong
  • Presenter Vick Hope
  • Executive Producers Tamara Gilder, Laura Turner
  • Director Nick Pin
  • Production Company Remarkable Television

"Pointless" is a British television quiz show produced by Endemol Shine UK (formerly Remarkable Television) for the BBC. It first aired on BBC Two in August 2009 before moving to BBC One due to its growing popularity. The show is hosted by Alexander Armstrong, and a guest serving as co-presenter, providing additional facts and trivia throughout the episodes.

Format

The premise of "Pointless" is somewhat inverted compared to traditional quiz shows. Instead of looking for correct answers that everyone knows, contestants try to come up with the most obscure answers possible. Before the show, questions are posed to a panel of 100 individuals, and contestants must provide answers that they think the fewest panel members have given. The goal is to score as few points as possible, with the ideal outcome being a "pointless" answer—an answer that none of the 100 people surveyed gave.

Teams of two participants compete over several rounds, with the highest-scoring teams in each round being eliminated until one team remains. The final round gives the remaining team a chance to win a cash prize by finding a "pointless" answer in a chosen category.

Reception and Impact
"Pointless" has been praised for its unique format, the chemistry between Armstrong and Osman, and its blend of entertainment and education. It has become a staple of British daytime television, with its success leading to the creation of special celebrity editions, international versions of the show, and a variety of merchandise, including books and board games.

The show’s format encourages viewers and contestants to think creatively and rewards knowledge of obscure facts, making it both educational and entertaining. "Pointless" has been commended for revitalizing the quiz show genre and has a dedicated fan base in the UK and beyond.

Legacy

"Pointless" continues to be a beloved part of the BBC’s quiz show lineup, with its format having influenced other quiz shows looking to offer something beyond traditional question-and-answer dynamics. The show’s success underscores the public’s appetite for programs that are not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating.