XYZ

(Synopsis)
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<div class="image">[[File:Xyzlogo.png|300px]]</div>
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== Host ==
== Host ==
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== Broadcast ==
== Broadcast ==
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Channel X for BBC 1, 15 November 1993 to 26 January 1994 (32 episodes)
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Channel X and BBC North for BBC1, 15 November 1993 to 26 January 1994 (32 episodes in 1 series)
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== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
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Probably only watched by students after lunch, and possibly created just because no-one had made a quiz show beginning with X before. Noted for its cringeworthy, yet memorable, catchphrases (see below).
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Possibly created just because no-one had made a quiz show beginning with X before. Noted for its cringeworthy, yet memorable, catchphrases (see below).
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Like ''[[Blockbusters]]'', players (in this case, two individuals) competed for "letters" which were also the initial letter of the answers to the questions corresponding to them. Unlike Blockbusters, there was no board to speak of - merely, a series of slots in your desk where you inserted your letters (Perspex rods). You could either get one from the board, or steal them off your opponent. The ultimate aim was to get the longest contiguous series of letters (why, rather like "XYZ"), rather than having the most letters.
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Players (in this case, three individuals) competed for letters from an 'Alphabank' (huh?) which, like [[Blockbusters]], were also the initial letter of the answers to the questions corresponding to them. They can choose any letter from A-W or an 'X-Y-Z', a question based on a picture, clip or piece of music which could have any letter as the answer. If the contestant got it wrong, it would be thrown open to the other two participants.
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Unlike Blockbusters, there was no board to speak of - merely, a series of slots in your desk where you inserted your letters (Perspex rods). You could either get one from the board, or steal them off your opponent. The ultimate aim was to get the longest contiguous series of letters, rather than having the most letters.
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Regardless of the number of letters won, the contestants would only score points if they were part of a 'string' - a series of letters in alphabetical order (why, rather like "XYZ"). Only the contestant's longest string possible counted and they were allocated no more than 3 'X-Y-Z' questions.
Not astoundingly original by any means, but it should have been given more of a chance to develop a cult following.
Not astoundingly original by any means, but it should have been given more of a chance to develop a cult following.
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== Inventor ==
== Inventor ==
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Devised by Simon and Amanda Ross.
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Devised by Simon and [[Amanda Ross]].
== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
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Apparently, the programme was developed at short notice to fill the space vacated by the cancellation of BBC soap flop ''Eldorado'', which was repeated at lunchtimes.
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Apparently, this was one of three programmes that was developed at short notice to fill the 1.50pm [[Going for Gold]] slot vacated by the cancellation of BBC soap flop ''Eldorado'', which was repeated at lunchtimes. The show (alongside its successor [[The Great British Quiz]]) aired from Mondays to Thursdays while Fridays was taken by [[The Travel Quiz]].
Host George Marshall is an impressionist by trade, his party piece being Sean Connery.
Host George Marshall is an impressionist by trade, his party piece being Sean Connery.
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== Video ==
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== Web links ==
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_(game_show) Wikipedia entry]
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== Videos ==
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fixDoYFsv3U Excerpt of an episode]
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<div class="video"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/J8nNY1AeHBI&ab_channel=beauraing"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/J8nNY1AeHBI&ab_channel=beauraing" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br/>''Two full episodes.''</div>
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[[Category:General Knowledge Quiz]]
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[[Category:General Knowledge Quiz|Xyz]]
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[[Category:Channel X Productions|Xyz]]
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[[Category:BBC North West Productions|Xyz]]

Revision as of 04:21, 13 April 2024

Contents

Host

George Marshall

Broadcast

Channel X and BBC North for BBC1, 15 November 1993 to 26 January 1994 (32 episodes in 1 series)

Synopsis

Possibly created just because no-one had made a quiz show beginning with X before. Noted for its cringeworthy, yet memorable, catchphrases (see below).

Players (in this case, three individuals) competed for letters from an 'Alphabank' (huh?) which, like Blockbusters, were also the initial letter of the answers to the questions corresponding to them. They can choose any letter from A-W or an 'X-Y-Z', a question based on a picture, clip or piece of music which could have any letter as the answer. If the contestant got it wrong, it would be thrown open to the other two participants.

Unlike Blockbusters, there was no board to speak of - merely, a series of slots in your desk where you inserted your letters (Perspex rods). You could either get one from the board, or steal them off your opponent. The ultimate aim was to get the longest contiguous series of letters, rather than having the most letters.

Regardless of the number of letters won, the contestants would only score points if they were part of a 'string' - a series of letters in alphabetical order (why, rather like "XYZ"). Only the contestant's longest string possible counted and they were allocated no more than 3 'X-Y-Z' questions.

Not astoundingly original by any means, but it should have been given more of a chance to develop a cult following.

Key moments

The (in)famous consolation prizes to all losing players - the XYZ mug tree (postage and packing extra).

Catchphrases

Before the game starts: "Letters Play!"

During play: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't in a string"

At the end of the programme: "ABC-ing you!"

Inventor

Devised by Simon and Amanda Ross.

Trivia

Apparently, this was one of three programmes that was developed at short notice to fill the 1.50pm Going for Gold slot vacated by the cancellation of BBC soap flop Eldorado, which was repeated at lunchtimes. The show (alongside its successor The Great British Quiz) aired from Mondays to Thursdays while Fridays was taken by The Travel Quiz.

Host George Marshall is an impressionist by trade, his party piece being Sean Connery.

Web links

Wikipedia entry

Videos


Two full episodes.

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