Kenneth
Friday 10th March 2017 1:57am [Edited]
5,447 posts
Quiz show fans seeking an antithesis to the bland syrupy politeness of Pointless ("Now, tell us what you do. Oh, you're an accountant? That's fabulous! ... It's been wonderful having you on the show, you've been marvelous contestants.") have long been able to watch Only Connect. But now there's something much stronger in terms of a tough host. It's an Australian quiz show called Hard Quiz. The format is a little bit like Mastermind, except all contestants can buzz in to answer other contestants' specialty topic questions (except in the final "hard-off" segment).
The host is an Australian alleged comedian, Tom Gleeson (I'd never heard of him before), who goes out of his way to insult the contestants. Whereas Xander and Richard will ooze, "Oh, very good try; this was a tough round," this guy will say, "That was a stupid f**king answer, I thought you were supposed to be an expert on the subject. Obviously you're not. Get out."
It is a million times nastier and more personal than something like, "You are the weakest link, goodbye."
This unpleasantness initially makes for uncomfortable viewing, but the contestants are encouraged to counter the host's horrid jibes. The first episode I saw, it was close to unwatchable because of the host's callous rudeness. But the topics and questions were good, and there are many more questions packed in than on regular quiz shows. It is now an entertaining show and the perfect antidote to the perfunctory politeness of Pointless (not that I'd ever watch such a fatuous, banter-ridden crock, I'm strictly Only Connect). I wonder how soon until Britain releases a version of Hard Quiz.