Man, I have to keep on going.

The process includes, but is not limited to:

• Writing new questions, (and getting them right).
• Updating old questions when new information renders them obsolete.
• Removing old questions from the database that are obsolete, not for factual reasons. but because it’s gotten to the point where no-one under 40 will have any idea what’s going on in the question.
• Balancing sets of questions (easy/hard)
• Balancing sets of questions (low-brow/high-brow)
• Balancing sets of questions (categories)
• Balancing music rounds (different decades and styles)

And so on.

People have told me I have an easy job. Turn up, mark a few answers ,get paid, go home.

Truth is, there’s a lot going on to get these things ready.

I was reading an article in The Leither by Tom Wheeler about the Channel 4 game show Countdown and he mentions the genius of creating a quiz format which can run for forty years without ever needing any new questions written.

Countdown’s entire question database is 26 letters and 13 numbers. And it will never ever change. That is superb.

Granted, it’s answer database is somewhat larger but someone else is working on it all the time and you only have to buy one new copy per year (the dictionary).

This quiz efficiency is off the scale and meanwhile I’m knocking my pan in updating questions about the English Premier League, the Eurovision and international politics, all of which refuse to stand still.

Maybe I should set up a pub gig doing something like Countdown? The jackpot round could be the Conundrum. I’d never have to write another question. Don’t get me wrong, I like writing questions but it’s a lot of work.

Hang on, this idle idea is maybe not ridiculous…. we’ll see. Would you come to the pub to play Countdown? Let me know.

Anyway – here are the quizzes and answers for tonight:          

Brass Monkey Grange 7pm (with me)

Free answer: PICTURE round: “HELVETICA“
Jackpot: £100
Book: Phone 0131 667 2335

The Strathie 7pm (with Mr. E)

Free answer: MUSIC round: “THE WEDDING PRESENT“
Jackpot: £30
Book: Call Strathie on 0131 554 8717 or send them a message on their Facebook.

The Newsroom 9pm (with me)

Free answer: In the PICTURE round: “BELFAST“
Jackpot: £100
Book: Call Newsroom on 0131 557 5830 or use their online booking https://www.newsroomedinburgh.co.uk/book-now.html

With quiz and love,

Dr Paul

Music Round Clue for the Strathie:

Meanwhile: