tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post932283318638618010..comments2024-03-12T12:54:32.926-07:00Comments on Life After Mastermind: Reappearing Contenders - AgeismLondiniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07871325359167581176noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-50391244060784499342012-02-19T14:15:33.867-08:002012-02-19T14:15:33.867-08:00Channel 4 was created to cater for people of diffe...Channel 4 was created to cater for people of different demographics that weren't well served by the other channels.<br /><br />There are plenty of opportunities for older people to get on other programmes. Indeed, the controller of BBC One has recently said that his channel will be skewing older in the future.<br /><br />50- and 60-something male WASPs had a good few years on Millionaire, and now it's probably time someone else had a go at winning big cash. <br /><br />I'm not saying that Channel 4's shows are the best formats or have the best production. Nor am I saying that they wouldn't benefit from mixing up the casting a bit.<br /><br />But if you ever look in detail at TV demographics, you will understand the huge challenges involved in getting younger people to watch television. And if that requires a younger-skewing channel to put on The Bank Job to get them interested in quiz shows, so be it.davidbodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06069767281654752637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-77399202240597552832012-02-18T14:21:42.553-08:002012-02-18T14:21:42.553-08:00Pat Baker was a fellow-contestant on my MM episode...Pat Baker was a fellow-contestant on my MM episode and could not have been nicer then and since - a genuinely lovely lady. What annoyed me about the 'Daily Mail' article was the 'third time unlucky' angle; in fact she won her episode of 'Pointless' and of 'Perfection' but was unable to convert her victory into a cash prize. Inaccurate reporting in the 'Mail'? Whatever next? (Some parts of the paper are still good, though.)contentedofcheltenhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03613217417807104685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-48861609240924681662012-02-18T07:44:29.304-08:002012-02-18T07:44:29.304-08:00Hi Hugh
Thanks for the tip about Rob's blog -...Hi Hugh<br /><br />Thanks for the tip about Rob's blog - I'll certainly check it out.<br /><br />I agree with your point that these aren't meant to be serious tests of general knowledge. I also agree that the producers can select anyone they want - although that doesn't mean I have to like it. But I just wish they would come clean about it. Admit that you automatically exclude anyone over a certain age, and then it's all out in the open and you can defend your decision if you get any criticism. <br /><br />I'm not surprised about the viewing figures. UC is one of BBC2's great success stories. It's worth noting that while BBC Wales often play fast and loose with Mastermind around the schedules, they never do it to UC.Londiniushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07871325359167581176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-76465300813124330392012-02-18T07:34:09.994-08:002012-02-18T07:34:09.994-08:00I agree with everything you've said here. I wo...I agree with everything you've said here. I would just say that 'The Bank Job' and 'The Million Pound Drop Live' don't really set themselves up as great tests of general knowledge but rather as entertainment shows and as such I think that they have every right to cast their shows in a way that would be completely unsuitable for 'Mastermind', 'University Challenge' and 'Only Connect' among others. They're trying to draw in a lucrative audience, although that means that you and I won't want to bother with them.<br /><br />That said I've just looked up the viewing figures for those shows and I can tell you that every episode of University Challenge that I appeared on (and therefore remember the viewing figures) had more viewers than every episode of 'The Million Pound Drop' and 'The Bank Job' ever broadcast. Maybe aiming quiz shows at people who like quizzes isn't necessarily a bad idea after all.<br /><br />On a completely unrelated point, I don't know if you're aware that Rob Hannah as a new fortnightly quiz on his blog 'Quizzle Puzzles'. I did the last one which was very enjoyable and challenging. Might you be interested?HughTubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02159363601030942474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-57385219578269168572012-02-18T07:33:24.604-08:002012-02-18T07:33:24.604-08:00Thanks Nic.
You're absolutely right about Mil...Thanks Nic.<br /><br />You're absolutely right about Million Pound Drop - although I wouldn't want to go on that show because of old Shouty McGurney who presents it.Londiniushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07871325359167581176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401280171563686515.post-71818053628651935672012-02-18T07:00:39.097-08:002012-02-18T07:00:39.097-08:00Excellent post David, I have also noticed this and...Excellent post David, I have also noticed this and think it's ridiculous. The same applies to Million Pound Drop.Nichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16541705012462156031noreply@blogger.com