Ultra Quiz
Encyclopedia
Ultra Quiz was an elimination game show series that was produced by TVS
and aired for three series and a total of 24 episodes on the ITV
network from 9 July 1983 until 17 August 1985. The British version was devised by Jeremy Beadle
. Each series of eight editions was hosted by a different person: Michael Aspel
hosted series 1, David Frost
hosted series 2, and Stu Francis
hosted the final series. The top prize for the winner at the end of the series was £10,000 in £1 coins. The programme is modelled after Japanese Nihon TV
's program, Trans America Ultra Quiz aired from 1977 until 1992, and 1998.
and Sally James
; Michael Aspel, safely back in the studio, presided over a duo who pontificated as to who was most likely to win: Russell Grant did it astrologically, a computer bod, David Manuel, did it statistically. The first round saw the 2000 whittled down to about 200 with true or false questions, and a few ‘You Bet’ style ‘will they won’t they’ stunts. Amongst these were Eddie Kidd doing a leap on a jetski, the Robin Hood Karate team from Nottingham kicking the hell out of a piano in four minutes, and a parachute team trying to land in a tiny circle in the sea. Contestants had to stand in a giant square that had either a tick or a cross in it, while holding a helium balloon, and let it go if they had the wrong answer. The next round took place on the Watercress Line
steam railway near Winchester, and was a bit more quizzy, and had Arnold Ridley (Godfrey from Dad's Army) involved in one of the questions. The spurious eliminations continued on to Reims in France (competing around the Moet vineyards), then Amsterdam and finally Bahrain or Hong Kong, before 4 survivors fought it out with their in-depth travel knowledge, in the TVS Southampton studios, for the grand prize of £10,000 in £1 pound coins, won by Clive Scott from Surrey. This first series was the most lavish, featuring various locations around the world and was shot on video. Jeremy Beadle, directed things, and kept everyone amused.
For the second series, the budget was somewhat less — it used film rather than videotape and did away with the studio audience format — but still took contestants around the world. In this series, 1,000 contestants assembled for the first programme, and were quickly reduced to 28. The remaining contestants set off on their travels in France and Belgium, and through a series of games, quizzes and tests were whittled down to the final 11, who then travelled to Los Angeles and on to Hawaii, with two more falling by the wayside in each show. The semi-final was held in Hawaii, and the final, with three remaining competitors, was held at Arundel Castle in Sussex. David Frost
was the presenter, ably assisted by Willie Rushton
.
By the third series, the budget was even less: they reverted to videotape and never left the UK. Auditionees for the third series were somewhat disappointed, as the farthest east they went was Kent and the farthest west was Hampshire. This third season was presented by Stu Francis
and Sara Hollamby.
Television South
Television South was the ITV franchise holder in the south and south east of England between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1992. The company operated under various names, initially as Television South plc and then following reorganisation in 1989 as TVS Entertainment plc, with its UK...
and aired for three series and a total of 24 episodes on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network from 9 July 1983 until 17 August 1985. The British version was devised by Jeremy Beadle
Jeremy Beadle
Jeremy James Anthony Gibson-Beadle MBE was an English television presenter, writer and producer. During the 1980s, he was a regular face on British television and in two years appeared 50 weeks of the year. His shows regularly topped the charts beating Coronation Street and EastEnders on one...
. Each series of eight editions was hosted by a different person: Michael Aspel
Michael Aspel
Michael Terence Aspel, OBE is an English television presenter, known for his reserved demeanour and rich speaking voice. He has been a high-profile TV personality in the United Kingdom since the 1960s, presenting programmes such as Crackerjack, Aspel and Company, This is Your Life, Strange But...
hosted series 1, David Frost
David Frost
Sir David Frost is a British broadcaster.David Frost may also refer to:*David Frost , South African golfer*David Frost , classical record producer*David Frost *Dave Frost, baseball pitcher...
hosted series 2, and Stu Francis
Stu Francis
Stu Francis is a British comedian with a camp style of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the children's television programme Crackerjack , on which his catchphrase was "Ooh! I could crush a grape". His principal "co host" was Basil Brush...
hosted the final series. The top prize for the winner at the end of the series was £10,000 in £1 coins. The programme is modelled after Japanese Nihon TV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
's program, Trans America Ultra Quiz aired from 1977 until 1992, and 1998.
Rules
Possibly the only instance of a Japanese-originated format crossing over to the west, starting off with 2000 contestants, recruited from a Daily Mail/Express advert, perched nimbly on the pebbles of Brighton Beach. Out in the field were Jonathan KingJonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
and Sally James
Sally James
Sally James was a presenter on the ITV Saturday morning children's show Tiswas from 1977 until it ended in 1982.Before this success, she was an actress on such television shows as The Two Ronnies, Crown Court, Father Dear Father, Dixon of Dock Green, Curry & Chips and The Protectors...
; Michael Aspel, safely back in the studio, presided over a duo who pontificated as to who was most likely to win: Russell Grant did it astrologically, a computer bod, David Manuel, did it statistically. The first round saw the 2000 whittled down to about 200 with true or false questions, and a few ‘You Bet’ style ‘will they won’t they’ stunts. Amongst these were Eddie Kidd doing a leap on a jetski, the Robin Hood Karate team from Nottingham kicking the hell out of a piano in four minutes, and a parachute team trying to land in a tiny circle in the sea. Contestants had to stand in a giant square that had either a tick or a cross in it, while holding a helium balloon, and let it go if they had the wrong answer. The next round took place on the Watercress Line
Watercress Line
The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to...
steam railway near Winchester, and was a bit more quizzy, and had Arnold Ridley (Godfrey from Dad's Army) involved in one of the questions. The spurious eliminations continued on to Reims in France (competing around the Moet vineyards), then Amsterdam and finally Bahrain or Hong Kong, before 4 survivors fought it out with their in-depth travel knowledge, in the TVS Southampton studios, for the grand prize of £10,000 in £1 pound coins, won by Clive Scott from Surrey. This first series was the most lavish, featuring various locations around the world and was shot on video. Jeremy Beadle, directed things, and kept everyone amused.
For the second series, the budget was somewhat less — it used film rather than videotape and did away with the studio audience format — but still took contestants around the world. In this series, 1,000 contestants assembled for the first programme, and were quickly reduced to 28. The remaining contestants set off on their travels in France and Belgium, and through a series of games, quizzes and tests were whittled down to the final 11, who then travelled to Los Angeles and on to Hawaii, with two more falling by the wayside in each show. The semi-final was held in Hawaii, and the final, with three remaining competitors, was held at Arundel Castle in Sussex. David Frost
David Frost
Sir David Frost is a British broadcaster.David Frost may also refer to:*David Frost , South African golfer*David Frost , classical record producer*David Frost *Dave Frost, baseball pitcher...
was the presenter, ably assisted by Willie Rushton
Willie Rushton
William George Rushton, commonly known as Willie Rushton was an English cartoonist, satirist, comedian, actor and performer who co-founded the Private Eye satirical magazine.- School and army :William George Rushton was born 18 August 1937 in the family home at Scarsdale Villas,...
.
By the third series, the budget was even less: they reverted to videotape and never left the UK. Auditionees for the third series were somewhat disappointed, as the farthest east they went was Kent and the farthest west was Hampshire. This third season was presented by Stu Francis
Stu Francis
Stu Francis is a British comedian with a camp style of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the children's television programme Crackerjack , on which his catchphrase was "Ooh! I could crush a grape". His principal "co host" was Basil Brush...
and Sara Hollamby.
Transmission guide
- Series 1: 8 editions from 9 July 1983 - 27 August 1983
- Series 2: 8 edition from 7 July 1984 - 25 August 1984
- Series 3: 8 editions from 29 June 1985 - 17 August 1985