QI questions

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

Series-N, it is on BBC 2 at 22:00 on Fridays which makes it very mainstream.  

• state the genre of the programme

QI is part of the comedy, panel show genre.

• state the names of the host and panellists

Hosting the show is Sandi Toksvig and the panellists are; Josh Widdicombe, Susan Calman, Matt Lucas and Alan Davies.

• as the host, how does Sandi Toksvig relate to the other panellists? Consider if the term 'genial' applies.

Sandi Toksvig always appears very knowledgeable in comparison to the panellists. Often she has extra knowledge on a subject outside the answer of the question. This allows for comedic effect as panellist Alan Davis who is set up as the genial fall guy pales in comparison and makes the common mistake or falls into the trap of the trick questions. He is relatable to the audience because many people won’t know the answer and look for him to make the mistake of getting it wrong.

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

The episode I watched was about Christmas traditions and especially Dutch traditions and generally unknown topics like the names of Icelandic Santa’s (‘spoon licker, door sniffer etc…’) This is interesting to audiences and it is new information and often told in a funny way as the panel of comedians try to work out what the names relate to for instance Josh Widdicombe says ‘Are they names you use to call us’

• what makes you laugh in the episode?

Jokes made by comedians that turn out to be the answer for instance when Alan Davis relates the noise of a partridge taking off to that of someone ‘breaking wind’ and Sandi then informs that the word partridge does actually mean to break wind. Also games played by the panellists such as ‘Are you there Moriarty’ which involves smacking each other with a rolled newspaper. Naturally and expectedly chaos ensues with the panellists not following the rules and using it as an opportunity to smack each other. This chaotic atmosphere is very funny for the audience and jokes are shouted during this that have been carried through the show like ‘Imagine it’s the man over the road’

• how is Sandi Toksvig erudition (the extent of his knowledge) shown?

Sandi Toksvig’s erudition is shown through her very exact knowledge of very varied and unusual topics, such as African fruits and Latin derived names. Throughout the series Sandi’s knowledge on more and more subjects becomes apparent and after a few episodes the audience becomes reliant on Sandi to know everything, She often adds her own knowledge of a subject onto the answer like during this episode when she knew the rest of the names of Icelandic Santa’s.

• are the audience passive consumers or active participants?

The audience feel more like active participants in the show, despite the lack of dialogue from the audience the show engages with them differently by setting up Alan Davies to represent the general audience and give the answer everyone is thinking and with his failure we learn the correct answer so it is very immersive.

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

Alan Davis is the genial fall guy. This means he is set up to fall into the traps of the question that the audience is thinking and make that mistake for us. Not only does this give comedic effect as he often says the answer in a very funny way like when he imitates the partridge ‘blowing off’ into flight, but it often means he embarrasses himself and the audience feels in a higher position than him and more intelligent which often keep them engaged.

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

It fits all the criteria extremely well. Being a panel how the informative and educational sides are very easy to put into the show. Rounds that talk about specific topic like for instance ‘Parlour games’ are very good to entertain and often the show will also talk on current affairs like statistics from the UK about Christmas or ongoing political debates which are good to inform. All this is told in a comedic way as the questions are set up to trick and confuse an audience making them engaged and the panel of comedians often joke about the subjects no matter how serious it is.

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

The audience I would say is positioned as omniscient as we have a panel to make the mistakes for us and to laugh at for getting the answer wrong. We are put in a high position than them and often can guess the answers along with them without the same humiliation’ that comes with if they fall into the traps like the alarm going off as the give an incorrect answer.