Quizmania
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QuizMania shall be resuming in the UK, in the summer of 2008.. But will from now on only be streaming via the internet (stated by Q-Mails sent by QM and Presenter Greg Scott)
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This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (April 2007) |
- For the Australian version of the show, please see Quizmania (Australia)
| Quizmania | |
|---|---|
 Quizmania logo |
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| Format | Live phone-in television quiz |
| Created by | Chuck Thomas, Debbie King, Simone Thorogood |
| Starring | Several presenters |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | FremantleMedia |
| Running time | 10.00-01.00 (weeknights) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV, ITV2, ITV Play |
| Original run | 12 August 2005 – 15 January 2007 2008 - Present (Online) |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | My Games Fever |
Quizmania is a popular British television interactive gameshow which showed on ITV Play. The show was created by Chuck Thomas, Debbie King, and Simone Thorogood (formerly of 9Live and Bowling For Bucks). In a similar vein to other premium-line call-in shows such as Quiz Call, viewers were encouraged to phone a premium-rate number in order to provide an answer to a quiz question.
Quizmania's most recent broadcast was made on 14 January–15 January 2007, with the broadcast being presented by Greg Scott and Debbie King. The show finished with a montage of memorable moments and an emotional farewell from Scott and King.
Quizmania is set to return for a second series sometime this summer. Rumour and hype has been building up about the new series since December 2007 when the show's presenters and devisors were contacted about the revival.
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[edit] Overview
Quizmania was broadcast from 22.00 to 01.00, weeknights on ITV Play. Whether the show will move to a different channel or return for another series is still uncertain, although there are strong rumours that a new series of the show will start in 2008. In order to win money, viewers had to ring in at a cost of 75p from a BT landline (previously 60p). If they were successful they would be placed on hold, then transferred live to the studio if they were lucky, where they went on to deliver their answers. Prizes usually ranged from £50 to £25,000. The biggest prize to be won was £28,000 on March 22, 2006. Once £100,000 was available as a prize, but no-one won it.
According to an article in The Times, Quizmania earned ITV over £1.2million during the first two weeks of transmission on ITV1. Part of this is believed to be down to the shows ever growing cult status of students, insomniacs, late-night gamers, and those returning from a night out all taking part.[citation needed]
Quizmania originally began broadcasting on 12 August 2005 on Sky channels 139 (Life Showcase) and 181 (Information TV) and completed a three-month run on terrestrial channel ITV from December 16, 2005 to March 30, 2006. After its last show on March 31, 2006, the show became solely shown on ITV as it disappeared from the schedules of the two Sky channels. It began airing nightly on ITV2, where for the first time it contained ad-breaks, and from May 26, 2006, Quizmania rejoined ITV1's weekend lineup airing three nights a week from 00.00. The show also appeared on ITV Play and Men & Motors during weekday afternoons from 15:00 until 18:00. On 27 August 2006, Quizmania stopped showing late-nights on ITV and from the week beginning 4 September 2006, Quizmania was available exclusively on ITV Play in the evening between 22:00 and 1:00, and continued until January 14, 2007.
[edit] Confusion
Because of the premium rate phone number similarity, occasionally viewers would phone the show thinking that they had got through to The Mint on ITV. They would proceed by giving an answer for another game, and were often given a second chance by the Quizmania presenters. This could have been now less frequent as Quizmania was assigned a new phone number on July 29, 2006.[citation needed].
[edit] Crew
[edit] Presenters
- Debbie King
- Greg Scott
- Lee Baldry
- Chuck Thomas
- Nigel Mitchell
- Kirsty Duffy
- Lottie Mayor
- Tim Lichfield
- Lee Clark
- Stuart Headlam
Chuck Thomas and Stuart Headlam presented rarely, because they also sometimes produced the show. Chuck Thomas's voice could sometimes be heard speaking or giving away clues, when invited by a presenter.
On the night of 9 November 2006, Greg Scott announced live on-air that Kirsty Duffy had moved on to other things.
[edit] Technical crew
Flash, the cameraman, was the most popular and spent a lot of time in front of the camera. From May 2006 he did not appear in front of the camera for four months for reasons unknown. In compromise, Zool (Flash) is often heard by acting out studio made props (such as Michael Jackson and Morgan Freeman cutouts) and hand puppets sent in by fans of the show. He has since returned and was heard playing a character called "Zool" with his face covered by a cape, and operates camera two. On the night of his return he was called the Emperor and not mentioned by the name Flash. The next night his name was changed to "Zool". In recent times, he has been referred to as the "Mystery Guest". However, on the evening of September 21, 2006, Flash at last reappeared in front of the camera, referred to again as Flash.
Flash and Sky London are both members of a rock band called King Lizard along with Martin Francis, a fact which was often mentioned on the show.
The female voice often heard singing "It's a Speed Round!" during the show is that of Lottie Mayor. The male voice also heard singing "It's a Speed Round!" in a deep voice is in fact presenter Greg Scott. Camera operator Flash provides the voice of the strange laugh sound effect, and the "b-b-b-b-bonus!" noise. Lee Baldry provides the voice for the "Triple Money" sound effect. A caller named Linda was asked if she wanted to make a jingle for Chuck A Duck and she sang the words and it was used as a Jingle.
Christmas sound effects- after the set changed to Christmas or 'winter' theme, Flash added sound effects as santa claus. These included, ' lets go and roast my chestnuts' and ' have you been a good little boy' which were played throughout the show. Everytime they were played when presenter Lottie was on air she would smile and say ' That's our Flash' followed by a statement like ' pretending to be santa' or ' as santa'
Nigel Mitchell has recorded a jingle which says "Make a Word with These Letters", and another which says "The game that takes ages that doesn't take ages".
[edit] Producers
The producers interacted with the presenters live on air, through a microphone link from the control room. They were responsible for the games, and the sound effects that appeared in-game.
- Stuart Headlam
- Sky London
- Simone Thorogood
- Chuck Thomas
[edit] Players
One of the show's unluckiest players, "Tornado Tom", made it through to the studio on 97 consecutive shows without a single win. He eventually broke his losing streak with a £75 win on the 12 December 2006.
On the other hand, regular player "Rob from Norwich" became the first big money winner, winning £6,700 on the 14 January 2006[1]. Some fifteen months later he went on Sky News to defend the whole format during the massive backlash against these channels.
[edit] Studio set
The Quizmania studio reflects the show's main colour theme, bright pink with elements of blue. In main section of the studio is a very large door, that is set in a low-angled pink wall. This door is normally where the presenters enter the show from at the start, and when another presenter arrives to take over.
From the viewer's perspective, to the left of the studio is a bar section, with various odds and ends on it. Going further to the right is a large noticeboard-like wall, which has a large gold frame (nicknamed "Quizframia") where viewer submitted photographs are pinned up. Also in the left section is a flat screen TV, where the animated Quizmania logo is displayed for most of the show. When special events happen in the show (e.g. Double money, speed round) large text is normally displayed on the screen. The screen is also used to display video clips as part of some games.
To the right of the main section, is another main bar section with a flat-screen television in the background, which displays the same picture as the other TV. The bar has traditionally had a gumball machine on it, and a large selection of random props and items that viewers have sent in. It also has two picture frames, for the "King and Queen of Quizmania". The bar also has some things underneath it that the presenters often get out, but the actual back of the bar has never been seen by viewers. Going further right, there is a 'podium of love' (a nickname started by Debbie) that the presenter will normally 'mount' when a speed rounds happens. The podium has a backdrop of large white bulb lights on a black background, and the lights are often flashing.
On July 31, 2006, the studio was redesigned into a summer theme. Items like the large door were painted yellow, the left side of the studio was turned into a seaside-like setting, complete with deckchair, bucket and spade, some artificial palm trees, a barbecue etc. Meanwhile, the right side has also be changed, with the bar becoming a different colour, and the frame around the TV repainted yellow. The podium/speed round area of the studio has received new blue and red lights and newly painted podium. Additionally, a large jukebox was placed at the back of the main studio area.
In December 2006, the set was changed again into a snowy, Alpine Lodge theme which was the last theme for Quizmania's run on ITV Play.
[edit] Possible Revival
On December 18, 2007 the Quizmania website published the following:
"Yakkabakakkas! Quizmania could be on its way back like you've never seen before!".[2].
Since the announcement, speculation has grown about a possible revival. Fan demand for a return of the show has remained high ever since Quizmania's last broadcast. A further announcement related to the return has yet to have been made. It is rumoured that if the programme returns, it will not be broadcast on ITV. In September, ITV plc announced a gradual phase-out of its participation TV quiz shows.
On 11 January 2008 those who had signed up to the Quizmania mailing list received this email:
Hello everyone and belated festive greetings from all the gang at QM Towers.
First off, a huge fluffy pink thank you to everyone for getting in touch. It's fab to know that there are so many Quizmaniacs out there who miss the show as much as we do. Can you believe that it's almost one year since the last episode!?!
Now, what about all these rumours of a QM return in 2008? Well, it's true we're looking at ways we can bring back the show in a completely different (but hopefully equally wadgetastic) way. Its not 100% certain yet and there are still details we need to scratch our heads over, but If and when things get moving, we know how to get in touch with you all.
In the meantime, we might send you a qmail from time-to-time with some news or a bit of QM nonsense. If you'd really prefer we didn't, just click on 'leave mailing list' below.
And as a special anniversary treat, check out the never-before-seen QM compilation on our myspace site: www.myspace.com/quizmaniaofficial
See you around!
The QM Team
www.quizmania.tv
On 13 February 2008 those who had signed up to the Quizmania mailing list received this email:
Hello everyone, it's the QM crew here! Thanks very much for all your messages over the past couple of weeks - it's great to have such an active Quizmania community. We've got a new treat for you guys: you can now download Quizmania music and sound effects from www.quizmania.tv! It's absolutely free of charge - a b-b-b-bonus gift from us to you. So if you want to make the classic QM theme tune your ringtone, or fancy chilling out to the sounds of our old music beds when you get home from work, click here now and get the tracks! In the meantime, don't forget to check out www.myspace.com/quizmaniaofficial and add us to your friends! Cheers The QM Team
On 2 April 2008 those who had signed up to the Quizmania mailing list received this email:
Hello people, hope you're all keeping well! Guess what we've found! Check out the quizmania.tv site for a remix of the classic QM theme tune, put together by Jonesy and our very own Lee B-B-B-B-Baldry! Sorry we haven't been in touch for a while, but we've now managed to jump a couple of hurdles and leap through a few flaming hoops, and we're hoping to have some more concrete news about a possible QM revival in the next few weeks. In the mean time, check out the tune - we have it on repeat in the office every day! Click Here to check out the track! Enjoy! The QM Team
On 20 May 2008 those who had signed up to the Quizmania mailing list received this email:
Hi folks, Ah yes, spring is in the air and despite all the doom and gloom going round at the moment, QM Towers is positively awash with enthusiasm and excitement. And it's not just the weather that's ringing our proverbial bells. After giving our manpower a major boost by getting Fergal Le Sharkey on board, we are happy to bring you some news about our (not so secret) plan to revive the great QM. Now we realise that over the last few months you've been very patient while we've been a bit, ahem, mysterious. So let's cut to the chase, spill the beans, poleaxe the polar bear. Assuming no more pesky hitches, we expect to re-launch Quizmania this summer as a live, truly interactive online gameshow. What in Baron Von Farquahasen's underpants is that, we hear you cry? Well instead of ringing up and hoping you'll get through to give your answer, every one of you will be able to take part in every single game. What's more, there will be lots of community features, including your chance to message the presenter and chat with your fellow QM fans while you watch and play along with the show. The first few episodes will be a test of course because neither we nor anyone else has ever tried anything like this. But if it works and everyone likes it, then it's full steam ahead for QM world domination! Or at least a celebratory cup of tea. But enough! You know too much. Talk soon :-) xx
[edit] Quizmania in different countries
Quizmania is also shown in other countries, such as:
- Australia (see Quizmania (Australia))
- Colombia [1]
- France [2]
- Poland — it was shown on Polsat, originating from the same studio used in the British version. Polsat has since replaced Quizmania with another program, Halo Kasa.
- Portugal Quizmania is currently broadcasting on SIC in Portugal under the name Quando o telefone toca, which translates as "When the phone rings".
[edit] References
[edit] External links
