As we've just got our double quiz evening back tonight (Mastermind & University Challenge) I'd see who else joins in on any TV quizzes like me?
I've always done the general knowledge on Mastermind, and divided the total by 4 to see how I compared with the contestants. Since it started it's crept up from about 4 per 2 minute go to about 7. But both my parents got at least as many as the contestants averaging around 12 per go.

My mother started doing the same for University Challenge as well some years ago, answering every question before they do when possible, and counting the total for the programme at the end. I started as well, and though she mainly beat me for a couple of years, she's dropped a bit so I often beat her now. My average per week is around 140 and hers about 160 or more.

Now you know my scores, what TV quizzes do you join in with, and how do you get on?

All I know of those shows is the quote from "Fawlty Towers":

Basil: "Should we put you on 'Mastermind'? Sybil Fawlty. Special category: The Bleeding Obvious!"

There is a very good quiz program in the U.S. called Jeopardy! Three contestants, and 6 categories to choose from. The questions get more difficult with the amount of money each question is worth. I can answer half of the questions most of the time but some days I don't even understand the category let alone the question.

I usually join in if I’m on my own, but I’ve never actually kept my scores. It’s satisfying when someone on “Mastermind” chooses a special subject that I know a bit about: I see someone tonight will be doing “The novels of Tom Sharpe”: I wonder how much I can remember about them.

If I know the answer, I say it out loud!

I usually try and answer a question on quiz shows before the contestant does.

Yes!! It's a great way to see how
you stack up mentally against the Ken
Jennings-types of the world.
Do both Jeopardy! and Millionaire...
You may get an answer and wonder
"How did I know that - and from where?"

Of course! What fun would it be to watch a show just to see how much OTHER people know?!?

Or a lot of times, what they DON'T
know (ex. being when Millionaire had
their second "Walk In and Win Week":
you had contestants who lined up for
hours outside the studio; and most of
the ones who actually found their way
to the hot seat couldn't get past the
$16K mark/two wound up with $0).

I can't believe I forgot about "Millionaire"! But, I also watch Jeopardy whenever I can. When my mother watches (and plays along with) Jeopardy, she misses every single one! Not because she doesn't know the stuff, but because she doesn't put it in the form of a question!!!!!