Still, we can see how UK TV quiz shows have evolved along with viewing habits and programming trends.
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Seeing as how were talking about quizzing, lets ask some questions.
How has UK TV changed the genre?
Why does it seem like quizzes have gotten more dramatic over time?
And what makes a great quiz show?
(All of these questions are accurate at the time of writing.)
But more pressingly, the reality TV revolution has had a noticeable effect.
The obvious breakout hit is the quizzing-and-penny-dropping extravaganzaTipping Point, but the channel has also experimented with oddities.
More complex ones likeChase The CaseorCash Trappeddont tend to last very long.
But for the big general knowledge shows, its all about being unique without being gimmicky.
Thats not a bad thing, but it does mean that contestants may have interests other than the quiz.
Still, the collaborative element and the general playability of the quiz makes for compelling viewing.
Its just that in this case, youre able to argue along at home, instead of just answering.
Logically, it makes sense for quiz show hosts to basically be on contestants side.
Quiz baddies still exist though, under names like Eggheads or Chasers.
Elsewhere, some quiz shows get going because they already have talent attached.
The subsequent deregulation of prizes understandably led to them becoming more important.
The most important question of What would you do with the money?
becomes a dramatic setup from here onwards.
It plugs into our own aspirational needs while also essaying conventions of drama and tragedy.
It also leads to downer endings where a lovely time isnt quite enough to be going home with.
Even the late, great Jim Bowen would promise unlucky players their bus fare.
Its not the only mechanic that has seeped into daytime either.
A noticeable effect of multichannel broadcasting is the way in which quiz shows are designed.
If theres a studio audience, theyre either shrouded in darkness or confined by the fourth wall.
Popular shows are designed to travel to other formats, resulting in a slick, primetime-friendly style becoming uniform.
Another side-effect of digital channels repeating shows is the expansion of shows to 45 minutes.
Funnily enough, the half-hour shows have more varied and less dramatic sets too.
Men In White
B.
While some of our formats now travel around the world, many of our originals are quite enjoyably idiosyncratic.
You should be entertained, even if you dont know the answers.
