University Challenge - Editorial

It was a record-breaking series all in all; there were five new additions to the high-score table, four new additions to the low-score table, and an incredible seven winning margins of over 200 points. Finally, Corpus beat my own team's record for total points, amassing 1510 points in their five games. How will the next series follow that?...

But then the series has already entered the record books for other reasons. The flames of allegations of an ineligible contestant, were willingly fanned by the press to result in the inevitable disqualification.

As a former Cambridge student and member of the last Cambridge team to win the series, I've had to endure seven Oxford victories since, each time hoping that a Cambridge college would bring the trophy back again. So surely, I'd delight in Corpus' demise?

No, and I believe the BBC have made the wrong decision.

"Rules are rules", stated Paxman following the decision, and so they are. The rule that dictates that a contestant must be a member of the institution they represent at the time of application and the following year has been consistently in place since I was on in 1995. Recent contestants have pointed out that the rules they sign say nothing about the year after applying, so if nothing else there is a lack of clarity. But for the sake of the show, the onus has to be on the producers to check the applicants' credentials rigorously, and if a team is accepted then the result on the night should stand.

Still, I understand why the BBC had to act, and it will at least ensure the rule is strictly adhered to in the future, levelling the playing field somewhat. It just jars a little that this clearly would have blown over were the show not already in the news for different reasons.

Which brings me to the saddest part of the tale; the fact that Corpus' series-winning achievements may now be forgotten, as they officially never took place. They scored more points in total than any other team have in the modern era, and gave some of the most impressive displays that have been seen recently. And Gail Trimble's personal tally of 15 starters in the quarter final is a feat that may never be beaten.

So the 2009 series will be remembered for the wrong reasons, but it will return. The fact that the show incites this kind of public reaction shows that there is a place for it in the schedules for many years to come.

Documentary - Series Champions

Marco, a producer at the BBC is keen to hear from any past series champions for a forthcoming documentary about the impact the show had on their lives. The aim is to make something that is both about University Challenge in particular, and more generally about our relationship with quizzes, competition and knowledge.

Please note this is my personal website, and is in no way affiliated to the BBC or the producers of the show. All the views herein are my own.

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