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Log inBBC Lottery quiz show embroiled in new ‘fake’ row
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BBC Lottery quiz show embroiled in new ‘fake’ row
by Admin on Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:22 pm
The BBC was at the centre of another TV fakery row last night over its flagship Saturday night National Lottery quiz show. Viewers of 1vs100 are given the impression contestants are picked randomly from hopefuls in the studio to compete for prizes of up to £100,000.
But a Mail on Sunday investigation has discovered BBC producers routinely select players before the programme begins.
The first contestant in the latest series, which began on April 19, has now been on six different quiz shows in the past seven years, winning prizes worth a total of more than £20,000.
Dennis Powell, a 41-year-old supermarket manager from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has appeared on BBC shows The Weakest Link, National Lottery: Jet Set and Beg Borrow Or Steal; Sky One's Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year-Old; and Channel 4's Deal Or No Deal. The latter is made by Endemol, which also makes 1vs100.
TV experts say Mr Powell was chosen because he is 'bright, lively and makes good telly' – qualities television producers value highly.
Other contestants on the show, hosted by Ben Shephard, reacted angrily, saying they believed they had been "duped" by the BBC.
Jane Allen, the director of the British Quiz Association, said: "Members who took part in the show all believed they had a fair and
equal chance of being chosen. "It's a pity so many production companies treat members of the public in such a shoddy and inconsiderate manner." One contestant, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "We all thought we were in with a chance of winning something. We gave up our time to go on the show."
The row comes after a year of soul-searching by the television industry which began when this newspaper revealed viewers were asked to make £1 phone calls to enter the You Say, We Pay quiz on the Richard & Judy show even though contestants had already been chosen. Culture select committee chairman John Whittingdale said: "Given the damage that has been done to viewers' confidence and trust in the integrity of British broadcasting, I think producers have to be absolutely rigorous and ensure that they are not misleading viewers.
(Read More)
But a Mail on Sunday investigation has discovered BBC producers routinely select players before the programme begins.
The first contestant in the latest series, which began on April 19, has now been on six different quiz shows in the past seven years, winning prizes worth a total of more than £20,000.
Dennis Powell, a 41-year-old supermarket manager from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has appeared on BBC shows The Weakest Link, National Lottery: Jet Set and Beg Borrow Or Steal; Sky One's Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year-Old; and Channel 4's Deal Or No Deal. The latter is made by Endemol, which also makes 1vs100.
TV experts say Mr Powell was chosen because he is 'bright, lively and makes good telly' – qualities television producers value highly.
Other contestants on the show, hosted by Ben Shephard, reacted angrily, saying they believed they had been "duped" by the BBC.
Jane Allen, the director of the British Quiz Association, said: "Members who took part in the show all believed they had a fair and
equal chance of being chosen. "It's a pity so many production companies treat members of the public in such a shoddy and inconsiderate manner." One contestant, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "We all thought we were in with a chance of winning something. We gave up our time to go on the show."
The row comes after a year of soul-searching by the television industry which began when this newspaper revealed viewers were asked to make £1 phone calls to enter the You Say, We Pay quiz on the Richard & Judy show even though contestants had already been chosen. Culture select committee chairman John Whittingdale said: "Given the damage that has been done to viewers' confidence and trust in the integrity of British broadcasting, I think producers have to be absolutely rigorous and ensure that they are not misleading viewers.
(Read More)
