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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...if you were going on a TV game show...

105 replies

Merryoldgoat · 08/12/2018 19:58

... what subjects would you revise?

I am going on a well-known TV quiz show. I’m an ridiculously excited. I’ve been really depressed lately and am on maternity leave and this has really cheered me up.

However, I’ve just realised that I should probably revise some shit... Filming is in less than a week and I don’t want to embarrass myself but it’s lookimg increasingly likely!

If you had 5 days until you were quizzed on a wide range of general knowledge what subjects would you concentrate.

Where I’m reasonable:

Monarchs
American TV
Science
Literature

I’m going to try current affairs and politics, history, geography but they’re such wide ranging subjects - which bits would you concentrate on?

OP posts:
MsJuniper · 09/12/2018 00:12

It's so hard to revise for a general knowledge show. I'd try and get some facts in which be useful when extrapolating, eg distances and measures.

My top tip is to go on Tipping Point 😉

Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 01:20

Hi OP, I went on the chase a couple of months ago (have name changed as my episode hasn’t aired and I’ll get in shit if they see this)

My advice:

The production team are really really lovely. They’ll try their hardest to relax you.

Once you’re on set it’ll be crazy - they give you a bottle of water so drink that.

I found the pattern was - 2 hard/random questions. I got caught on my third which was pathetically easy and I was absolutely furious at myself. I panicked. It’s exactly what they want you to do. Just take deep breaths.

If you do get caught, you go sit in a small area backstage. It’s freezing. Wear a cardigan.

Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 01:21

Also the most important thing - there is NO audience.

WendyWoofer · 09/12/2018 01:27

Oooh! Exciting 🤗 No advice but good luck! 🍀 Let us know when you're on 😊

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee · 09/12/2018 01:45

Ambernectarine

Ohh, that’s amazing that you were on Countdown. I wish I had the guts to try. I’m really good at it from the comfort of my couch and can often beat the contestants on the TV but I know i’d bomb if I was actually on the show.

OP,
Good luck. Whatever you do don’t go low! My general knowledge isn’t general enough to stand a chance n a show like The Chase. I think the secret to doing well on the Chase is speed. Some people are so slow 🤓

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2018 10:10

chasemechaseme

Thank you so much for the advice! Knowing a bit of what to expect is a real help.

OP posts:
Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 15:11

You really will have a fab time - I had the advantage of being a standby so I knew exactly what to expect (if you go on a Tuesday you’ll probably meet the standby contestants) but really I was too focused on winning and I was really gutted when I crashed out. Enjoy your day, it really is a fantastic experience and I feel very lucky to have done it. Just enjoy it for what it is and forget about winning (will obviously be a bonus if you do!)

Bordercollies · 09/12/2018 15:19

I auditioned in september too. Passed but i had literally just (about 5 days before) filmed another game show and won the jackpot so i dont think ill get on now. Most people on the show i won had been on lots of other ones. There werent many tv virgins as they called us.
Tipping point and the chase were very popular. Think nearly everyone had been on one or both. I think its a bit if a bug you catch so be prepared to apply for lots more after this Grin

EdWinchester · 09/12/2018 15:24

How exciting! I sat next to Bradley Walsh once at a charity lunch - he was lovely.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2018 15:46

You guys are getting me so excited!!

OP posts:
HoosierDaddy · 09/12/2018 15:48

Exciting!

If it's a question about 2014/2015 pop, bands, number 1s - it’s always One Direction

The Dark Destroyer can't do quick mental maths- so if you get a sum, answer quickly to put him under pressure.

Have a fab time!

Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 15:50

Yes one of my team mates had been on tipping point, it’s v popular! Plus another had been on the weakest link. They tell you after that you can’t apply for any other shows for a year (until after it’s aired, mine will be aired around this time next year so there will definitely be a wait). V jealous about all your quick audition times, I waited over 3 years from my audition to my filming date!

Sidge · 09/12/2018 16:00

I’m so jealous!

I auditioned, but in our group of 8 they selected the men. None of us women got through so I think they were trying to fit targets too. I was gutted, I’d have loved to have gone on.

Might apply for Tipping Point!

EunikeLavender · 09/12/2018 16:14

I've been on as well and none of my revision was worth a thing as my questions were so completely random. I got through thanks to sheer luck, some knowledge but also logic for working out what the most obvious answer would be. And as soon as you second guess yourself you'll convince yourself of the wrong answer.

My main advice is breathe, relax and don't freak out if you get one wrong as it can put you off further ones, ignore it and move on to focus on the next question.

Good luck and have a good sniff of Bradley for me. Grin

EunikeLavender · 09/12/2018 16:16

I had a quick turn around from audition to filming as well, less than a month! Would have been sooner as well but I couldn't make the original date they wanted me on, but maybe it was for the best as I ended up with a brilliant team. Smile

kitkatsky · 09/12/2018 16:17

Download the Sporcle app!

fascicle · 09/12/2018 16:27

Worth familiarising yourself with key battles in the UK and US.

The following answers are a given:

Canadian rapper = Drake

Space agency = NASA (even though there are plenty of others)

Good luck and always worth guessing rather than passing.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2018 19:29

My DH said about battles! I know NOTHING about that stuff.

I have also noticed that it’s ALWAYS NASA if it’s a space agency.

In my audition. I did really well in the mock up of the multiple choice section but the rest was shimmy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2018 19:31

Sidge

They definitely have targets - they said so to us. What a shame you missed out.

Out of our group they took 6 of the 8 - we had a riot.

OP posts:
Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 20:12

Get a good rhythm going in the cash builder - literally say the first thing that comes into your head. Don’t second guess yourself in the multiple choice section, that’s what did me in. Don’t plan strategies or anything with your teammates before you’re all through - they really discourage this.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2018 20:14

I’ve been playing the app - there is SO MUCH don’t know!

OP posts:
Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 20:14

Oh and if you say something that needs to be queried during the fast rounds, they stop the show and the adjudicator will come and talk to the contestant who’s made the error (eg I said a more specific answer and they had to check if it could be accepted). They will restart the show with very little warning and Bradley just starts asking questions again with no notice so be prepared for that.

Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 20:15

The app has a lot of really hard questions - my show I found was generally really really hard for all contestants (very obscure questions) but still not as hard as the app Grin

KindergartenKop · 09/12/2018 20:16

Revise phobias.

Chasemechaseme · 09/12/2018 20:18

Oh yes phobias and also names of hobbies