Back to the now-familiar Granada Studios complex last night for another helping of 'television magic', I dragged Phil off to see Univeristy Challenge being taped. Filmed in a studio much like the one for the Angus Deayton show, the set is impressive and looks very much like you see it on television - except that obviously the two panels of contestants are side by side and not on top of each other. After a warm-up round which is run by the voice-over guy (I'm sure he has a name) it's straight into the Paxman-hosted show, where there is no break whatsoever and the questions come thick and fast, particularly near the end. Consequently (and as a result of Jeremy Paxman being pretty professional) the tapings were short and before little more than 2 hours had passed we had seen two tapings. Firstly it was Oxford (Magdelen College) up against Birmingham - such a close competition - and then Warwick up against Leeds. In case there are some hard core fans, I won't announce who won (hey, you never know who reads these blog things!) but suffice to say that it was an entertaining evening, though the questions are REALLY tough! I'm usually pleased if I get a handful right when watching the show at home, and I found it hard to resist shouting the answer when you very rightly know that Anzac Day falls in APRIL YOU MUPPETS, NOT JUNE!!
Jeremy Paxman comes across as dry-witted and sarcastic on television - and this is definitely true in person, but in a very amusing way. All in all, a fun glimpse into another style of television production!
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