QI

[Tenure]

The premise of the show is a simple one. It is a quiz show with (often) difficult questions - things like, 'What sort of style of cloth was Henry VIII known for wearing?' Correct answers are acceptable, however, since the questions are so obscure, points are far more often awarded for an interesting answer, 'It was known he would have his beard shavings knitted into a scarf'.

Also, an answer that seems like the obvious answer, but is in fact incorrect, results in points being taken away - there is a round in fact, which is aimed at providing questions which seemed to be easy, but are quite difficult.

Now, the premise isn't entirely on just making stuff up. There are, of course, correct answers, but points are awarded on what is the most interesting thing someone could possibly think up as the answer - followed by the enlightenment of the answer itself. It's education and fun mixed together.

Essentially, it's a chance for some of TV entertainment's brightest (and not so brightest) talents to have a right laugh and come up with the good old-fashioned silliness that the old Radio 4 shows like, 'Just a minute' are well known for. If it airs on BBC America at all, I advise you watch it.

Here's a good clip of Stephen Fry talking about why the show is so good:

And some clips from it itself:

Edited September 23, 2008 by Tenure

[James I]

I also enjoy this show and I second Tenure's recommendation. If you are unable to get the show in the US you can still buy the book for the facts alone on Amazon.

It's amazing how many things we take for granted which are in fact incorrect.

Edit- I'd like to see topics like selfishness and capitalism come up on the show, I want to see Stephen say something like:

SF: For our next question, 'What is capitalism?'

Alan: The exploitation of poor people by a small gang of fat cat industrialists who rape the earth and put profit before human rights!

*BUZZER!*

SF: Oh! I'm afraid that's the wrong answer! Capitalism is actually a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned and where men voluntarily trade value for value for their mutual benefit and the initiation of force is illegal. This is in contrast to socialism which is a pile of cat dung.

Edited September 23, 2008 by James I

[tito]

I also enjoy this show and I second Tenure's recommendation. If you are unable to get the show in the US you can still buy the book for the facts alone on Amazon.

It's amazing how many things we take for granted which are in fact incorrect.

Edit- I'd like to see topics like selfishness and capitalism come up on the show, I want to see Stephen say something like:

SF: For our next question, 'What is capitalism?'

Alan: The exploitation of poor people by a small gang of fat cat industrialists who rape the earth and put profit before human rights!

*BUZZER!*

SF: Oh! I'm afraid that's the wrong answer! Capitalism is actually a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned and where men voluntarily trade value for value for their mutual benefit and the initiation of force is illegal. This is in contrast to socialism which is a pile of cat dung.

Hardly likely, since Fry is such a big advocate of keeping broadcasting in the public sector.

[eriatarka]

Its unlikely that a show like Qi would be made by private television so thats not too surprising.

Edited September 24, 2008 by eriatarka

[Tenure]

A mere repeat of QI attracted over 2 million viewers earlier this month, so I don't think they'd be too adverse to hosting it.

[James I]

QI has brought out a great book of quotations called "Advanced Banter". In the section on 'Architecture' there is a quote by Ayn Rand: "A building has integrity just like a man. And just as seldom." She is described as 'Controversial Russian-born US philosopher and novelist, whose books continue to sell in their hundreds of thousands and whose philosophical creed of Objectivism has influenced people as diverse as Alan Greenspan, Hugh Hefner and Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia.'

It's exciting to see Oism becoming more recognised and in a British book no less!

Edit: She is also quoted in the section on 'Personality': "He liked to observe emotions; they were like red lanterns strung along the dark unknown of another's personality, marking vulnerable points."

Edited November 3, 2008 by James I