| Genius | |
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| Genre | Comedy quiz show |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 4 |
| Starring | Dave Gorman |
| Creator(s) | David Scott Ali Crockatt |
| Producer(s) | Simon Nicholls |
| Air dates | 27 October 2005 – 5 November 2007 |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 17 |
| Website | Radio 4 Genius homepage |
Genius is a BBC Radio 4 comedy gameshow presented by comedian Dave Gorman. Listeners send in 'genius' ideas which are considered by Gorman and a guest before a studio audience, with a different guest for each show. One series of five episodes was broadcast between 27 October and 24 November 2005, with a CD of the first series was released on 27 November 2006. The second series was broadcast between 7 September and 12 October 2006, and a third series between 1 October and 5 November 2007. The series is the brainchild of writers Ali Crockatt and David Scott, and is produced by Simon Nicholls. A television pilot is to be made in November 2007.[1]
Contents |
Rules
People send their ideas to Genius and, if chosen, travel to a recording of the show to put forward their idea to the audience. Most ideas are created by one person, however it is possible for an idea to be made by more than one person. There are normally five different ideas on every episode. The idea can be anything, such as an invention, a law or a government policy. The idea does not have to be very expensive, or even ethical. To quote Dave Gorman, "We do allow evil genius". Some ideas are constructed or otherwise trialled in real life, and the consequences are played out to their extremes. The guest then decides if the idea is "Genius or not". Once all five ideas have been put forward, the guest then picks his/her two favourites. The winner out of these two is chosen by the audience, by applauding for their choice. The one with the loudest applause wins the "coveted" Genius trophy. Since series two, the winner also reads the end credits.
Television
Gorman has announced on his blog that a television pilot of Genius is to be recorded some time in November. Gorman wrote;
"For now, all we know is that if we're making a new show we want to hear more of your ideas. If you've heard the show you'll know the kind of thing… although having said that, we don't want to have a load of ideas that are a-bit-like-the-ideas-we've-already-discussed… we want to hear your ideas that are brand spanking new and y'know, genius. Think outside the box and we might well ask you to appear on it."[1]
Episodes
Series 1
| Episode | Co-host | Winning idea |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Paul Daniels | Just A Minute in the Houses of Parliament |
| Episode 2 | Richard Madeley | Miniature elephants as pets |
| Episode 3 | John Fortune | Very old scientists on space missions |
| Episode 4 | Neil Innes | Helium-filled Bubble Wrap (to save money on postage and packing) |
| Episode 5 | Stewart Lee | CD Microwave oven |
Series 2
| Episode | Co-host | Winning idea |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Johnny Vegas | Using dogs as metal detectors |
| Episode 2 | Carol Vorderman | Parking meters as fruit machines |
| Episode 3 | Brian Sewell | Putting the clocks back every night |
| Episode 4 | Chris Addison | Socks in trios |
| Episode 5 | Sid Waddell | Perforated bread |
| Episode 6 | Armando Iannucci | Tetris: The Movie |
Series 3
| Episode | Co-host | Winning idea |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Rob Newman | The hitchhiker assurance scheme |
| Episode 2 | Germaine Greer | Lego prisons |
| Episode 3 | Simon Munnery | The Vacuum loom |
| Episode 4 | Gyles Brandreth | Royal Family Leasing |
| Episode 5 | Matthew Wright | UnDad |
| Episode 6 | Charlie Brooker | The two-year dog/Changing the way the top Genius is judged |
References
- ^ a b Wolf, Ian (2007-09-19). A Genius TV programme (English). British Sitcom Guide. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
