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Why I Love...University Challenge

Jeremy Paxman
  • Posted at 10:13am
  • 28 September 2006
  • by RhodriMarsden-RT
  • 16 comments

The gong to mark the end of the opening episode of University Challenge was first thumped some 44 years ago.

While the first incarnation of the show, presented by the benign figure of Bamber Gascoigne, was an impressive demonstration of general knowledge by young adults, the shows since 1994 have been injected with anfascinating mixture of impatience and barely concealed contempt, thanks to the presence in the chair of Jeremy Paxman.

University Challenge is supposed to be a battle of minds between two teams of four students, but far more intriguing is the battle between all eight students and Paxman himself.

Jeremy has the look of a man who'd really rather not be there at all; his wonderfully sneering interrogations punctuated with muttered sideswipes at any subject matter he might find offensive - daytime TV, celebrity trivia, students themselves. But it's his brutal handling of the humble British undergraduate that's the most fun to watch.

See an amused eyebrow raised as an unfortunate contestant buzzes too early, the announcer booming "Exeter - Thompson" as the camera zooms in to reveal the student's darting eyes, sweating forehead and trembling upper lip.

Witness the faint smirk on Paxman's face as he says to one unfortunate team: "Right, these questions are on books that were published in 1543." Then, as the four of them desperately confer in furtive whispers to come up with a coherent answer, the hammer blow is delivered: "Oh, come on. Come on!" if he were holding the door open for them while they were all struggling to tie their shoelaces.

Of course, it sometimes happens that the students under fire are more unpleasant than Paxman himself, in which case you find yourself cheering Jeremy on, joining in with gusto as he yells at a smug student nurse: "No conferring - you may not confer! One of you may buzz!" And if a haughty Open University student surprises Paxman by delivering a well-thought-out answer, you can rely on him to limit his congratulations to a witheringly delivered "well done" .

If you think you deserve a gleeful hug from a TV quizmaster for knowing the capital of Egypt, don't consider going on University Challenge. You're damned if you know the answer, and damned if you don't. It's brilliant.

This compelling atmosphere of hostility has meant, thankfully, that the show has barely been altered since it was first broadcast - right down to the rasping, bone-chilling buzzers that prefix each desperate attempt to remember the name of the Roman Emperor who entrusted Varus to colonise Germania in 6AD? Or perhaps the name given to the molecule binds to the active site in an enzyme-catalysed reaction.

Of course, at home, we're happy if we get two questions right in the whole half hour, but that's not important. It's all about hanging on for that last, lingering camera shot of the unlucky team waving a miserable farewell, followed by Paxman grinning from ear to ear: "And it's goodbye from me - goodbye!"

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Comments

  • Posted on 29 September 2009
  • at 9:53am
  • by rosy

pachelbel's comment is spot on - I've been at recent University Challenge recordings and although the teams are clearly competitive and trying their best to answer, the atmosphere is extremely friendly and light-hearted. Jeremy Paxman is hugely supportive of the students off camera, very much putting them at their ease. Plus far from being belittled by his scathing comments, it's like a badge of honour & the students are pleased ( and laughing! ) if their team gets a Paxman put-down - definitely all in good spirit.

  • Posted on 07 September 2009
  • at 12:14pm
  • by CHRISSIE

THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE SHOW - IF I CAN ANSWER JUST ONE QUESTION CORRECTLY I'M ON A HIGH - I HAND IT TO ALL THE SUDENTS FOR THEIR BRAVERY - PLUS 10/10 FOR MR PAXMAN FOR KEEPING IT ALL VERY INTERESTING AND VERY WATCHABLE!! SINCERELY HOPE IT GOES ON FOR MANY MORE YEARS!

  • Posted on 11 August 2009
  • at 7:08pm
  • by beasty

Who could have replaced dear 'ol Bamber..only Jez Paxman..doesn't he always look like he knows the answer to ALL of the quezzies ? S'pose he does really.If I get 4 right I am thrilled..lol.Another of B.B.C.'s addictive must watch progs.My 2 fav. progs.@ the mo. are rock n roll hotel and this.Thx B.B.C.

  • Posted on 21 July 2009
  • at 1:10pm
  • by PEGGY

I STILL WAIT TO HEAR BAMBER GASGOIGNE'S NAME BUT LOVE JEREMY'S WIT. HE IS SCATHING AT TIMES BUT ALSO GIVES PRAISE WHEN IT IS DUE. WELL DONE J.P.

  • Posted on 09 July 2009
  • at 9:52pm
  • by David

I have always enjoyed the programme, despite only having 6 O levels and it now forms the focus of a weekly competition between myself, my sister and one of my brothers. We do modify things a little - we answer starters when we can and any bonus on the basis that if we only answered bonuses after getting a starter our scores would be near zero. The rule which we obey is that we must get the answer out before the team does or, at least, in unison. My best score was 195 and the first programme of the 2009/10 series saw me answering 9 starters (my best ever) and finishing up with 140.

My favourite starter of recent years began "What propritary food based on yeast...." and I yelled "Marmite". It's easy when you know the answer!

  • Posted on 08 July 2009
  • at 2:40pm
  • by Mintug

In life you can not please them all. One always can find someone is for and someone is against any commments. With Jeremy Paxaman, he is well educated and articulate and his cutting edge interviews or commenets can not please them all, In news night his gruelling questions to both sides to get their answers and reactions are very impartial, I personally think he deserves better recognition and less crticism. I would rather listen to him than Ken Livingstone or Boris Johnson any time

  • Posted on 23 February 2009
  • at 10:01pm
  • by rigalearth

Paxman at his best, ingenious question setting and fast paced quick fire workouts keep this quiz going strong. Paxo's disgust at a younger generation's lack of fundamental knowledge such as first lines of well known hymns or carols;anything pertaining to the UK;or that which should be known by undergraduates. The structure of the multi-layered questions, which are answered before I've even worked them out provides the thriller element to the show. Now the series is over, we will, I hope, be intrigued by former students and professional teams. May the Challenge continue with Paxo in charge!

  • Posted on 25 January 2009
  • at 5:23pm
  • by Mouse

Paxman is, unfortunately, one of a long line of presenters employed specifically to belittle members of the public hapless enough to apply for a TV quiz show. The difference between UC and other quiz shows though is that it is supposed to showcase UK university's finest minds. Therefore this kind of presenting is out of place in UC. Bamber's encouraging and positive tone echoed the kind of atmosphere we hope was found in University classrooms, rather than the way it's more fashionable to 'bash the brains' and celebrate numptiness in all its forms, which seems to be the purpose of TV channels these days. Yet more evidence of dumbing-down. Is nothing sacred? I think they should give Adam Hart-Davis a turn at presenting UC.

  • Posted on 15 December 2008
  • at 6:47pm
  • by Rita Kleppmann

Echo Mal.

  • Posted on 15 December 2008
  • at 11:17am
  • by Anon

The great thing about Paxman is that while he does throw a lot of sneering and chastising remarks towards the students, it's all in good fun and nobody takes it seriously. Also, when it does happen that a team is losing badly he has been seen to actually cheer them on.

Anyway, it's no wonder he looks so grumpy all the time, did you see the Barack Obama Newsnight Special? It really sunk to new lows when Dizzy was brought on, hilarious though it was.

  • Posted on 24 November 2008
  • at 7:08pm
  • by Belluman

It's bizarre that Paxman's sneering and smirking is considered to be a positive aspect of the programme. The man is plain rude - and stupid (see Mal's comment)

  • Posted on 03 November 2008
  • at 4:31pm
  • by Mal

The problem with Paxman is that while his knowledge of literature and classical mythology might eclipse that of the brightest student, when he asks science or mathematics questions it is obvious that he is just reading words off a card, and does not understand the answers at all.

  • Posted on 03 March 2008
  • at 11:02pm
  • by Chigz05

"followed by Paxman grinning from ear to ear: "And it's goodbye from me - goodbye!"

stop on! :P

  • Posted on 03 March 2008
  • at 9:42pm
  • by simon_daly

its just funny!

  • Posted on 13 February 2007
  • at 10:27pm
  • by pachelbel

Well, my illusions were shattered when I attended recordings for the current series. Jeremy Paxman just doesn't come across in that scornful and sneering way in real life, especially when you see him chatting to the teams before and after a game. Derogatory though some of the comments are it's all in good spirit. I supose it's good tv though.

Sorry, have I spoilt it for you?

  • Posted on 01 October 2006
  • at 9:10pm
  • by Amadeus

What cracks me up most is Paxman's lesser knowledge when it comes to the world of science. Woe betide you if you get Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's dream mixed up 'Don't you know that!' he sneers scornfully. On the other hand, as long as you have the most rudimentary knowledge of, say, the periodic table you're almost guaranteed a hearty 'Well done!'. But that's not going to make me stop watching, it's a top show and not many other people would present it so well.

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