Summary
'University Challenge' is an academic quiz where teams of students answer questions on all manner of subjects. The programme made its debut on ITV in 1962 and was presented by the affable Bamber Gascoigne until it was axed in 1987. It was eventually revived by the BBC in 1994 and is now presented by Jeremy Paxman. The host begins with 'a starter for ten' and then bonus questions worth five points each. The team with the highest score goes through to the next round and the losing team with the most points is also given an opportunity to return. The brain cells of contestants certainly need to be plentiful as subjects are harder and more varied than any quiz other than 'Mastermind'. Subjects can range from metaphysical poets to species of hedgehog and students need to be prepared to answer all. Competitors in the past have included actor/presenter Stephen Fry, novelist Sebastian Faulks , writer and actor Julian Fellowes, broadcaster Clive James, historian David Starkey and actress Miriam Margoyles. The award-winning film 'Starter for Ten' is based on a student who wins a place on a 'University Challenge' team. The quiz was also famously parodied in an episode of 'The Young Ones'. 'Christmas University Challenge' premiered on BBC Two in December 2011 and featured well-known alumni, including broadcaster Steve Richards, writer Minette Walters, politician David Steel, and comedy producer John Lloyd, competing for their former universities.
