[sigma421]

To be fair, unless they test every question on an audience beforehand, you’re always going to get ones that are in the wrong place on the ladder. That’s always happened.

The big issue with this version of the show remains the casting. Having contestants who just shrug their shoulders and say ‘that’s fair enough’ to losing out on £32,000 proves that casting is wrong. The famous Fiona Wheeler episode was on Challenge a few weeks back and her winning £32,000 was much more entertaining than seeing a Doctor or Solicitor winning big or even crashing down from £125,000. I know the fear is people who need the money won’t gamble, but that’s all down to casting and I’m sure they can get around that by casting people who aren’t risk averse. Ultimately if the money doesn’t mean a meaningful change to their lives, the might as well be playing for Monopoly money or a Mastermind glass vase.

It’s become a running joke that when I see a contestant I guess whether they’re a solicitor or some kind of doctor. Something like Beat the Chasers is cast much better.

I agree with the overall sentiment (and wonder if the previous phone line model brought in more people who would normally never apply to be on a quiz). Also worth remembering though that the value of the prizes has roughly halved since Fiona Wheeler due to inflation.