Who would've thought a humble little teatime quiz would get so many people's backs up? Certainly not me. But then I like to think I'm a reasonable person. This week's five editions of Richard Osman's House of Games features former champions Sara Barron, Sanjeev Kohli, Josie Long and Gregg Wallace.
Let's hope that social media does not lay into them like some people did last week when Angela Barnes had the timerity to show how clever she was and American comedian Kemah Bob had the timerity to speak in her normal voice. It seems as if some viewers of quiz shows might be a tiny bit intimidated by a quickwitted woman like Barnes (well, quickwitted until she forgot the surname of Kerry Godliman who she knows well from the comedy circuit – apart from that brief brain freeze nothing could stop Barnes from winning).
Comedians seem to do particularly well on quiz shows so maybe it is no surprise that three of the former champions this week make their living by making people laugh. Spiky American comedian Sara Barron, who is now based in London, is a favourite of mine - onstage she has an acid tongue, spitting pure comedic vitriol - particularly when referring to her real-life English husband, DJ Geoff Lloyd. I'm sure she really loves him though. Go Sara!
My loyalties are slightly divided because I've been a fan of Josie Long for a very, no pun intended, long time. Long, who is now Glasgow-based, has not gigged so much in the last few years - but then who has? – but can often be heard fronting the Radio 4 mini documentary series Short Cuts. Long is clever and compassionate but also highly competitive. I would not bet against her.
As I suggested, it could well be much closer this week than last week then. Sanjeev Kohli of BBC TV sitcom Still Game and radio sitcom Fags, Mags and Bags is no slouch either. And bringing up the rear is the only non-comedy competitor this week, Gregg Wallace. The form book says that Gregg Wallace is the outsider, but in these unpredictable times i would not bet against him.
Richard Osman's House of Games, Monday, February 28 to Friday, March 4. 6pm, BBC Two.
Picture: BBC/Remarkable
