IT’S been hailed as a favourite of the Queen.
Her Majesty is said to sit down to take in Pointless before the weightier matters of BBC One’s News At Six.
The revelation, from a Palace insider, came as the quiz celebrated its 1000th episode last month.
But the Beeb quiz is involved in a daily telly tug of war with ITV rival The Chase, which also recently marked its 1000th episode.
For millions, teatime just wouldn’t be the same without their fix of quick-fire quizzing. And both have become so successful, stars queue up to be involved in celebrity editions.
We run the rule over the rivals who’ve become a late afternoon must-see.
When did it start?
Pointless
It made a lowkey debut on BBC2 on August 24, 2009. But the modest one million-plus audience grew and grew and it completed a Bake Off-style move to BBC1 in 2011.
The Chase
Started on ITV on June 29 2009. Despite debuting during the quiet summer period when TV bosses don’t launch their big guns, it soon became a firm favourite.
What’s it about?
Pointless
A series of questions are put to 100 people. It’s the job of the contestants to identify correct but obscure answers that no one has given – hence Pointless.
The Chase
Contestants have to answer as many general knowledge questions within a minute to build cash before facing off against the show’s fearsome Chasers to try to make it through to the final.
Who hosts it?
Pointless
Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman are the dream double act for the BBC. Osman, a producer with makers Endemol, was initially just demonstrating it to the Beeb when they asked him to stay on when it hit screens. He helped woo an unsure Armstrong – he’d already backed out of Countdown – who he knew from university days.
The Chase
Although better known as a former Corrie star and the lead in Law and Order: UK Bradley Walsh had already had a bit of quiz show experience when ITV came calling. He’d stepped in for a series of Wheel Of Fortune after Nicky Campbell left.
The characters
Pointless
Armstrong and Osman are the two who lead the whole thing. The early shows had extra rounds that left little time for interaction. But those were cut back, resulting in a more relaxed style with more time for banter that has won over many more viewers.
The Chase
Walsh’s giggling at inadvertently cheeky questions or answers has become legendary. But Chasers like Shaun “The Dark Destroyer” Wallace, Mark “The Beast” Labbett and Anne “The Governess” Hegerty have become big stars. Labbett revealed they’d been told to be more cutting to contestants to play up to the baddies image.
The final reckoning
Pointless
Having battled through to the conclusion, the team of two who make the final have to give three answers to a selection of questions. They need one of them to be Pointless to win a cash prize built up over what may have been several episodes.
The Chase
The remaining team members – or indeed last man or woman standing – have to answer as many questions correctly as possible in two minutes. The Chaser then tries to catch them by matching that number. If he or she gets one wrong, the contestants get a chance to answer and push the Chaser back.
Catchphrases
Pointless
“You only need one of those answers to be Pointless…” “You’ve won our coveted Pointless trophy”.
The Chase
“For you, I’m afraid The Chase is over”.
Ratings
Pointless
Since its low-key debut, Pointless has grown into one of the jewels in the BBC’s crown. Its ratings have routinely been above 3.5m and recent Celebrity editions have nudged five million.
The Chase
It’s one of ITV’s most successful-ever daytime shows with January figures regularly topping 3.5m.
Celebrity Versions
Pointless
Pointless Celebrities has become a solid Saturday night hit with four celebrities trying to win for charities of their choice. David Coulthard, Kate Garraway, Rory Bremner and Stephanie Beacham are just a few to have given it a go. Ex-TOWIE star Amy Childs was left red-faced after a biscuit question boo-boo this month.
The Chase
The primetime spin-off has seen Carol Vorderman, Corrie star Jennie McAlpine, EastEnder soap rival Rita Simons, Strictly’s Len Goodman and Alan Titchmarsh all facing the dreaded Chasers.
Global success
Pointless
There are now versions in France, Germany and Holland among numerous countries. In Croatia the title translates to “No one thought of that”, while in Poland it’s “Only you”.
The Chase
The spectacularly successful show has crossed the world with America and Australia just a couple of the countries who have their own version, both of which feature UK Chaser Mark Labbett.
Did you know?
Pointless
It’s now filmed at the Elstree studios used for Star Wars and Strictly. The laptop open on Osman’s desk doesn’t work and is merely a prop.
The Chase
Despite the rivalry, the two shows get along well and Bradley pops on to the Pointless set when he’s filming in the same studio complex. Three episodes a day are recorded and, as of the 1000th show, 135,680 questions had been asked.
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