IT
APPEARS we’ve become addicts to TV quiz shows. The likes of University Challenge, Pointless and Tipping Point never go by without
us giving them a viewing.
The
last two we often record for later in the evening, so keen are we to get our
daily “fix”.
And
sometimes we feel a sense of personal triumph when we get a good answer.
It’s
just a little unfortunate that the two subjects that people find the most
interesting are also the two we are usually hopeless at: sport and pop music.
With
the exception, perhaps, of Wimbledon we’ve no interest in sporting achievements
or the people who accomplish them.
And
the sort of music we do enjoy bears no relationship to contemporary pop – or indeed
to the pop of the last few decades. Anything much after the 1960s is really a
closed book to us.
But
ask us questions on literature – especially the classical stuff – French chanson,
food and wine, history and geography and we’re in our element. In other words
the very subjects that most contestants dread.
So,
on the odd occasion when I do get a sporty- or poppy-type question right the
sense of accomplishment is all the more satisfying. Especially so when the
other competitors fail to answer correctly.
I
just hope we’re not getting unhealthily competitive.
