Fifteen-to-One - Part One
"Fifteen to One is firstly, a severe test of general knowledge"
(William G. Stewart)
Devised by John M. Lewis and broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, the quiz is made by Regent Productions (owned by Pearson Tevlevsion), involving over forty people. It is co-produced and presented by William G. Stewart (pictured).
Opening Sequence
The show begins with the logo flying into position in the centre of the screen. This is followed by a de-layering of the image before the introduction begins in order of the seat number that they randomly selected before the show.
The name and home town of each person is verbally announced by either Laura or Philip. Their county may also be added if the place where they live is sufficiently obscure. In addition to this information, their occupation and seat number is displayed on the screen.
It's interesting to note that this section is one of the most time-intensive parts of the show to produce. Before anything is recorded, each contestant is asked to confirm the spelling and pronunciation of their details. The voice-over is then performed in its entireity before the filming of each individual contestant is added.
Compared with the recording throughout the questions and answers part of the show, the introduction requires the recording of each individual contestant standing in a position where none of the thick black lines appear behind them. Each face must also be sized and positioned correctly.
When the visual part of the recording takes place, the contestant can (if they wish) perform their nod, smile or other facial movement in time with the audio.
The taped applause then sounds, the lights then go up, and William G. Stewart makes his appearence and introduces the show. If you crave TV stardom, at this point you'll be glad if you picked number 7, 9 and perhaps 8 since you'll be standing behind William G. Stewart.
Start Sequence Clips: Audio / Video.
The usual start procedure is then for William G. Stewart to welcome the previous winner(s), with a bit of information about their past record on the show, e.g. If they have appeared in any Grand Finals, the number of appearances they have made, etc.
A little snippet of information about the previous day's show is often given, and a look at the finals board is made.
Towards the end of the series, it will be more difficult for winning contestants to get a place on the finals board. William G. Stewart will often make a reference to the contestant or contestants at the bottom of the board who are refered to as "Today's target(s)"
Little time is taken up before the opening question is fired at contestant number 1, who is formally introduced by William G. Stewart in the form: "...and we begin with (name) from (town) in (county)..."
Round 1
'2 Questions Each'
Going round the arc twice, each person is asked two questions. If they get the first one wrong, they lose a life. If they also manage to get the second one wrong, both the remaining lives are removed.
At the end of this round, it is likely that a few of the Contestants will be out, and that there will be some who have retained all three of their lives.
This information is announced by William G. Stewart it the form: "...# down (15 - #) to go, Laura / Philip...". The appropriate voice-over then responds with: "And they are: (name), (name) ... and (name). And of the remaining Contestants, # still have their three lives intact".
For example, the situation (pictured right) resulted in: "six down seven to go Laura / Philip..." - "And they are: Mark Labbett, Peter Hart, Vivienne Nnoka, Jonathan Stafford, Ben Gould and Jessica Bridson. And of the remaining Contestants, three still have their three lives intact".
Round 2
'A Number Please'
Initially, starting with the first person on the left, questions are asked in turn, until someone gets one right. If you answer correctly, you can nominate who gets the next one (by saying their number), but you can't nominate the person who nominated you. If you answer incorrectly (or not at all), you lose a life, and the person who nominated you can choose again.
The aim of this round is to wittle the number of Contestants down, so the situation is (as it has to be) "12 down, three to go".
The Contestants who have made it to the final are then announced by William G. Stewart in the form: "...after the break (name), (name) and (name) will be here for the Fifteen to One final."
At this point in the show, there is an advertisment break.