QI analysis

QI

• for the episode you watched, state the series (this will be a letter), channel, day and time of broadcast

I watched the comedy sketch quiz show QI. It is an on-going series which was led by comedian Steven fry but is now hosted by sandy Toskiv. It is a quiz show that awards points to guests who answer the most interesting answer. The show is broadcasted on the BBC and is shown after 9pm.

• state the genre of the programme

This programme is a comedy/ quiz show which involves a host and guest celebrities.

• state the names of the host and panellists

The host is a comedian called Sandy Toskiv’s. She is so well fit for the hosts’ role not only because she can make someone laugh, but because she is genuinely intellectual. She can make witty and informative statements which entertain and inform. The guest celebrities that appeared in the episode was Alan Davis (who is always on the show), Matt Lucas (comedian), josh Wickam and Susan Coleman.

• As the host, how does Sandy Toskiv relate to the other panellists? Consider if the term 'genial' applies.

She relates to the other guests because they are all celebrities who are well known for their comical personalities and work. This means they can all play off each other’s wit through their knowledge of audiences humour. Each one of them have studied and experienced first-hand what pleases a live audiences and so know the type of jokes that will make a positive impression and promote the show.

• What is 'quite interesting' about the extract that you watched?

Verbal humour is important: ‘quite interesting’ facts are more important in order to entertain than getting the right answer; for example, the episode we watched they taught us about the Santa’s in Iceland. They told us about the names of Santa in Iceland and how there are several. Some had very unfortunate names like “window peeper” where Alan Davis makes a joke about how it would be more of gift for Santa rather than the child.

Verbal humour important: ‘quite interesting’ facts more important to entertain than to get the right answer,

• What makes you laugh in the episode?

What made me laugh was the ongoing gags about Susan’s neighbour being able to control her TV. Also the slapstick side of the episode was when they played the game “Moretti are you there” which involves being blindfolded and hitting each other with rolled up newspaper. This contrast between intellectual and slapstick comedy works very well as I get to see the two types by the same people.

• How is Sandy Toskiv’s erudition (the extent of his knowledge) shown?

Answers designed to expose myths:  things you always thought were true; laugh yourself clever. She asks questions to that make us thing that we know the answers. However when we find out the obvious answer is wrong, we are intrigued to find out the right answer. For example when Susan asked about what is the name given to a person who helps you with the education of your children. We all assumed of course that it is a nanny. Nanny is actually wrong. But, the correct answer is opear. Then we find out some background information to where the name originates from and only the quiz master knows.

• Are the audience passive consumers or active participants?

They are a passive consumers. This is because they are simply observers and do not interact with the show itself. Although they laugh at the jokes, there is no interaction with the panellists.

• What is the role of Alan Davies and how does he contribute to audience pleasures?

Alan Davies is a comedian, film actor and TV actor, therefore a familiar face even for teenage audiences (Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Jonathan Creek). He fulfils the role of ‘the bloke next door’, the common man, the Everyman, who "rushes headlong like a puppy into the wall of ignorance." Alan fills the role of the common man, he is an archetype. When we see him he is always the one to lose or to get the wrong answer. Alan is seen as the king’s jester who is there simply to entertain people. Weather that’s with slapstick or with witty conversations. For example when he always gets the most embarrassing or a very stupid buzzer.

• How far does the programme fulfil its Public Service Broadcasting remit to inform, to educate and to entertain?

It definitely ticks all the boxes. It informs by asking us intellectual questions which we are curious to find out about. It educates us by telling us things we didn’t know along with making us more interested in the show and in the comedians who display this information. And it certainly entertain with all types of comedy coming into play like slapstick and witty Banta. This comedy is not only at the expense of other people but also at the facts and questions that we learn about from the host which comes together neatly to form what we know as IQ.

• How is the audience positioned: as omniscient or powerless?

There are two audiences, the live studio audience and the ones at home. The host is very intellectual and knows everything we don’t. This makes us feel less than her, however we can relate to the panellists because they are in the same situation as us which is the unknown.