Let's get quizzical - why do we love quizzes so much?
Pic: iStock
Picture the scene. You are in a room with dozens of other people, numbered sheets of paper in front of you all. Mobile phones are very much frowned upon but it is permissible to have a hydrating drink and snack on the table. Rather than being questioned on Pythagoras theorem you could, instead, be asked to identify the first couple shown in bed together on prime-time television. (Fred and Wilma Flintstone in case you were wondering.) And after approximately three hours, you are free to go.
It sounds alarmingly like sitting the Leaving Certificate all over again, but in a lovely twist of good fortune, you are, in actual fact, down the local taking part in the monthly pub quiz.
Pub quizzes or trivia nights are a popular way to fundraise for schools and charities, but they bring so much more to the table.
Samantha O’Sullivan, psychotherapist, and founder of Cork City Therapy outlines some of the positives. “Attending quizzes regularly will increase your knowledge and aid in cognitive reserve. However, not only do they help in brushing up on your general knowledge, but the social interaction is also good for the mind, body, and soul. Having that social interaction can reduce symptoms of depression by decreasing feelings of loneliness, isolation, stress, and anxiety.”
Leo Sharkey is a professional mediator and an athletics coach. When he is not working, he donates some of his time to voluntary and charitable work. He is, by his own admission, an enthusiastic quizzer, attending two quizzes a week. It all kicked off for Leo when he discovered day-time television game shows.
He says, “I was self-isolating [during Covid], working from home, and as I live alone, it was getting very boring staying in my apartment all day and night. I watched The Chase to keep me sane. It helped me deal with the isolation of this tough time.” For Leo going to quizzes became “a new social world, and a very welcoming one too. You get to know the regular teams and the staff and the quiz masters.” He enjoys the challenge of it.
So much so, he has taken part in a BBC quiz called “The Tournament” hosted by Alex Scott. How did he fare?
“We shot two shows on the one day in Glasgow, it was very stressful, and an incredibly charged atmosphere. I got wiped out in the first round in the first show, and bounced back and won the second show.” Samantha O’Sullivan backs up Leo’s viewpoint about the team element of quizzing. “It gives you a sense of belonging and connectedness, with a level of support that can help boost self-esteem by giving a sense of purpose.”
Leo has many complimentary things to say about quizzing in general.” It provides a low-stress social life, and a nice way of getting out and meeting people. And in Ireland there is a very high standard of quizzing.” Bitten by the BBC bug Leo would love to do The Chase, Mastermind or try his luck with Ireland’s Smartest which he thought was a great show.
But not all quizzes are competitive. Take the game Waffle, on Ian Dempsey’s early morning Today FM breakfast show. Waffle has a huge following and Ian says he has heard stories of DIY versions being played at home and teachers using it as a classroom game.
"People set their clocks by our Waffle quiz. I love that because it means it’s a real part of the day.” There is a thousand euro up for grabs if the contestant gets the all-important “five dings” but Ian is of the opinion the magic is in its simplicity. “You can shout at the radio no matter where you are. It’s always winnable and the key words we’re looking for are the most obvious. We’ve had loads of winners.”
RTÉ’s Ray D’Arcy echoes Dempsey’s radio brain teaser sentiments. Back in the day, he hosted the TV quiz Blackboard Jungle which aired three times a week. “It was brilliant in its simplicity. There were no bells and whistles. I still meet people every week who have very fond memories of it. But the appeal, I think, of quizzes on the telly is we all think we know the answers and we can shout at the telly.”
Jackie Richards, a senior citizen from Dublin, holds a shrewd insight into what she thinks of as the “unintended consequences of technology” and how that which was “intended for business meetings turned into a boon during lockdown for families.” Jackie is referring to Zoom quizzes, one of the more enduring pursuits from those bleak Covid times. She explains further.
“Do you remember when the police stopped cars driving more than a couple of miles? Everything was shut, we couldn't touch, or hold hands. My husband thought it [Zoom] would be a nice way for scattered family to come together.”
Initially the zoom quizzes were meant to be temporary, ‘a bit of fun during the extraordinary dark days.” Jackie reveals they became so much more than that, providing a valuable link to friends and community.
“We have been doing it four years now. In full flight we would have had about twelve live screens. We are down to about eight now but we still enjoy it, the closeness. In fact, because of Covid we now see far more of our extended family and friends than we ever did before. After four years we have ‘history’. One couple married and babied. Another engaged. The quiz was a bright cheerful relief we could do safely. And we could see each other face to face without masks and smile at each other.”
Four years later with everyone still meeting up each week, Jackie says the quiz element is only part of the fun. With an age range of 25 to 80 years, there is teasing, asking after grandchildren and their sports results, new hair do’s, retirement plans and holidays.
Jackie's friend, Jane Williams agrees. “It's been a great support as some of the group are housebound and it keeps us all connected. During Covid Jackie mentioned her family had started a zoom quiz and I should join. They became my weekly social event and I felt part of a family even being on my own.
"Over the course of the years, they have been my stable social outlet. We've all gone through some health and family difficulties but every Thursday we come together and have a laugh. I love being part of a group, and we've all got different areas of skills and quiz setting," says Jane.
"There's a competitive streak in the group from those who want to win and those who win so frequently they try to lose on purpose. I love the creativity that each member brings to their quiz setting and how we try to make it fun or different for each other.”
Hosted by the ever-affable Mike Murphy. It was one of the first quizzes that featured computers in its programme design.
Bunny Carr broadcast from a different Irish town each week with a live audience. Featured the catch phrase, “Stop the lights!”
A Sunday night favourite with Theresa Lowe testing the contestant’s geographical knowledge. Two families battled it out to win the coveted holiday prize.
Chaired by Aonghus MacAnally. Two teams and a piano player. The aim was to successfully sing the song hidden on a board. A lot more competitive than it sounds!
Ronan Collins was tasked with containing two teams captained by Twink and Brendan Grace. It brought Charades from your living room onto your television screens.
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