University Challenge
University Challenge (known as College Bowl in the U.S.) is a televised student team quiz tournament.
Each show involves two teams of four players competing on points to decide the winner of a game with a remarkably simple format.
The show presented by Jeremy Paxman begins with details about the status of the series before the introduction of each team with information about their record on the show and (if appropriate), in previous rounds.
Each team member then introduces themselves by name, where they are from, and the subject they are studying. The front of their desk shows their surname in a block that also contains a light to signify when they have buzzed in.
The game quickly begins with what is known as a "Starter for ten". For this question, no conferring is allowed, and any of the eight players can buzz in at any stage of the question. If they interrupt and get the answer wrong, they lose five points (yes, negative scores are allowed) and the rest of the question is put to the other team. The question continues and, without conferring, any member can buzz and answer, usually after the question has been completed.
Answering a "Starter for ten" (buzzer question) correctly gives the team the opportunity to answer three "Bonus questions" worth five points each. For these questions, conferring is allowed, and the team speak through their captain who is always seated third from the left in their block of seats. On rare occasions the captain may elect to have another team member say the answer, usually for complicated words where the captain is unsure of the pronunciation. As for all questions, the time allowed before the next question is asked is at the discretion of the presenter.
Play continues with the same structure of incorrect interruptions (minus five points), correctly answered starter questions (10 points), and bonuses (5 points each) for the duration of the show. When the gong sounds at the end of the show, the team with the most points is declared the winner.
In the event of a tie, further "Starter for ten" questions are read out until the scores change. The same rules apply.
Interesting things about the game include the large amount of seemingly obscure and specialist questions and the manner the host has with the teams. Jeremy Paxman will often tell them to hurry up when conferring, and correct answers that teams take a long time over will often be treated as extremely obvious. Teams giving incorrect answers will often get worried looks and comments made about how ridiculous their answers were.