BBC University Challenge viewers were left appalled as quizzers failed to recognise a classic 1970s film on Monday’s show.
The outrage came moments after other viewers threatened to “switch off” after host Amol Rajan posed a question they considered to be far “too easy”.
Monday’s show saw Christ's Cambridge University take on students from Warwick as the quarter final stage continued.
Fans were quick to celebrate the return of Warwick player Hart’s quirky buzzer technique but had their heads turned by Rajan’s lengthy first question – which led to some to consider changing the channel.
Fans were initially happy to see the return of Hart's unique buzzer technique
BBC
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"Who was the only person to sign or seal all of the following? The Declaration of Independence that precipitated the American Revolution, the 1778 Treaty of Alliance between the 13 colonies and France, the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the war and recognised the sovereignty of the colonies and the United States Constitution, of which he was the oldest signatory,” the host asked.
Warwick’s Siddle correctly answered that it was Ben Franklin, earning his team the right to take on a series of film questions.
However, fans issued a threat to “switch off”
"First question of the show and I got it correct. I’m switching off now. #UniversityChallenge,” one wrote on X.
Some fans felt Rajan's first question was "too easy"
BBC
Another complained: "Actually too easy #UniversityChallenge."
A third said they were tempted to watch something else but in reference to the buzzer technique and apparent inter-team rivalry of Warwick’s Hart and Siddle.
"Switching over to the Scottish Cup tie, where there should be a lot less elbowing. #UniversityChallenge,” they joked.
Rajan then challenged Warwick’s team on movies related to the US state of Wyoming, where they found success in all but the final question.
Fans were shocked when the Warwick quizzers failed to recognise a classic Steven Spielberg film
BBC
“Devil’s Tower, a massive, flat-topped rock formation in north-east Wyoming, is significant location in what 1977 film?” The host posed.
“Throughout the film, a number of characters find themselves obsessively recreating its distinctive shape and gradually converge on it,” he added as a clue.
Warwick were stumped, with mumblings of “I have no idea. Sorry,” and I’ve never heard of this” being heard before they chose to pass.
Rajan revealed the answer was Steven Spielberg’s 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Viewers were appalled once again that the contestants appeared to only partly recognise with timid nods.
“They haven't seen Close Encounters?? Heathens. #UniversityChallenge,” one exclaimed.
Another lamented: “Close Encounters of the Third Kind, boom! then I sat there crying as none of the youngsters had even heard of the film #UniversityChallenge.”
However, others enjoyed the episode and applauded the BBC quiz show, with one writing: #mastermind #universitychallenge Good quiz tonight." (sic)
