The Big Fat Quiz of the Year
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year is an annual British television programme broadcast in the last or first week of the year on Channel 4. Essentially, the show is a comedy panel game in the style of a pub quiz. Three teams, of two celebrities each, are asked questions relating to the events of the year just gone by, which they write answers to on an electronic board in front of them. At the end of each round, they then display their answers, scoring a point for each correct one. The first edition was broadcast in December 2004. There has been another at the end of each year since, as well as a special edition in November 2007 for Channel 4's 25th anniversary celebrations. Repeats can usually be found days later on Channel 4's sister-channel E4. Stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr has been the host and quizmaster of each edition to date. Channel 4 recently made full episodes of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year available to view on Youtube.
| Table of contents:
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
Programme details
2004
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Rob Brydon Simon Pegg Jonathan Ross June Sarpong Liza Tarbuck David Walliams |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Anthony Caveney Jane Goldman |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 28 December 2004 |
For the first Big Fat Quiz, the three teams of celebrities were:
- Cut the Funk: Simon Pegg and Liza Tarbuck
- BJ and The Bear: David Walliams and Rob Brydon
- The Winners: June Sarpong and Jonathan Ross
Louis Walsh, Nadia Almada and Dame Kelly Holmes all made live appearances to read out the questions for the months of April, June, and August respectively. Recorded questions from Bono and The Bear from Bo' Selecta were shown too along with films of Richard and Judy discussing events.
The winners were June Sarpong and Jonathan Ross with 49 points out of 72. David Walliams and Rob Brydon got 43 points and Simon Pegg and Liza Tarbuck got 41.
2005
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Rob Brydon David Mitchell Sharon Osbourne Gordon Ramsay Jonathan Ross Denise van Outen |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Emily Dean Jane Goldman |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 26 December 2005 |
In 2005, the Big Fat Quiz of the Year was shown on Boxing Day. The teams were:
- The A-List: Sharon Osbourne and Jonathan Ross
- The Double Ds: Denise van Outen and David Mitchell
- Can't Cook, Don't Need to 'Cos I'm Sat Next to Gordon Ramsay: Gordon Ramsay and Rob Brydon
Guest questioners in the studio included Jordan & Peter Andre and David Tennant. There were also recorded questions by several celebrities including Richard and Judy, Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Kevin Pietersen. Mystery guests were Walter Wolfgang and a woman genuinely named Sue Doku.
The winners were Sharon Osbourne & Jonathan Ross with 39 points, making Ross a two time winner. Second place were Denise van Outen & David Mitchell (33 points), with third being Gordon Ramsay & Rob Brydon (30 points).
2006
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Russell Brand Rob Brydon Cat Deeley Noel Fielding Jonathan Ross David Walliams |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Emily Dean Jane Goldman |
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 27 December 2006 |
In 2006 the show was broadcast on 27 December.
The three teams were:
- Raven Spawn/Rod's Progeny/The Goth Detectives: Russell Brand and Noel Fielding (Originally Raven Spawn/Rod's Progeny, in reference to a Jimmy Carr joke about Fielding's supposed parentage – a raven and Rod Stewart. Later, they took on the mantle of the Goth Detectives)
- Rob & Dave: Rob Brydon and David Walliams (a team name that the pair claimed had been chosen after "a lot of phone calls" and the involvement of a team of hired writers)
- The Conventionally Attractive Team: Jonathan Ross and Cat Deeley
Guest questioners in the studio included Boy George, Myleene Klass & Matt Willis and Guy Goma (famous for incorrectly appearing as a guest on BBC News 24). Pre-recorded questions were asked by Ian McKellen, Lily Allen, Carol Vorderman, Courtney Love, Girls Aloud, and Sacha Baron Cohen (in his Borat guise).
Russell Brand and Noel Fielding spent much of the show giving deliberately wrong - and surreal - answers, leaving them trailing far behind the other two teams. This was until towards the end when Jimmy Carr bowed to the pressure of the studio audience, and gave them 22 points for answering one question correctly, which was the amount needed to bring them back into contention at the time. Walliams and Brydon, who were competitive throughout the show, began to rant about the turn of events with Walliams saying "You gave them 22 points for having stupid hair." in which Noel Fielding replied "Nothing for swimming the channel." The Goth Detectives ended up triumphant with 39 points. At one interval, Fielding remarked that their plan had always been to "do a bit of comedy and then come in and steal it at the end". They were followed by Ross and Deeley who got 38, while Walliams and Brydon came last with 37 points, prompting the losing pair to exaggerate their chagrin at the turn of events that had seen Brand and Fielding emerge on top.
During a discussion about the Bob Skeleton event at that year's Winter Olympics, the suggestion arose that a character with that name could be the star of Brand and Fielding's next show together. The pair subsequently became known as the Goth Detectives, which was suggested for the show's title. Though it began as a joke, the pair eventually performed a Goth Detectives themed show for the Teenage Cancer Trust event at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 March 2007.
The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Richard Ayoade Alan Carr Jack Dee David Mitchell Frank Skinner Carol Vorderman |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 2 November 2007 |
A special edition of the show, aired to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Channel 4. The three teams were:
- The CarrDees / CarrJack: Alan Carr and Jack Dee
- A&D: Carol Vorderman and Frank Skinner (team name is a reference to the name of the flats that the pair both live in)
- The Speccy Nerdy Fucknuts: Richard Ayoade and David Mitchell (Mitchell claimed that if they'd been placed in the middle they would've called themselves Team 3 [or Team 1] "in a way that would've been annoying". Jimmy Carr suggested The IT Boys, but in the end they decided on The Speccy Nerdy Fucknuts)
This show aired on 2 November 2007. Carr and Dee emerged victorious at the climax, and so had to take part in a special challenge which replicated the finale of The Crystal Maze. The pair had to collect silver and gold pieces of paper being blown around in a glass dome.
Vic Reeves and Joanna Fisher, who was a member of 1980s Channel 4 programme Minipops both came into the studio to ask bonus questions. Jon Snow, Quentin Tarantino, Anna Friel, Ram John Holder, Derren Brown, Jo Frost, Jools Holland and others appeared on pre-recorded filmed questions.
2007
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Lily Allen Russell Brand Rob Brydon Noel Fielding David Mitchell Jonathan Ross |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 30 December 2007 |
The show aired on 30 December 2007.
The teams were:
- The Goth Detectives: Russell Brand and Noel Fielding
- The Shadow Cabinet: Rob Brydon and David Mitchell
- Fulham: Jonathan Ross and Lily Allen
Guest questioners in the studio were Christopher Biggins and Cerys Matthews. Pre-recorded questions were asked by Take That, Gordon Ramsay, Thom Yorke and Jon Snow. John Hurt read out extracts of the year's best selling autobiographies.
Russell Brand and Noel Fielding campaigned for an extra 50 points during the final round in order to come out on top, in an attempt to echo their victory in the previous year's edition. Despite this approach once again winning the vocal approval of the studio audience, Jimmy Carr did not bow to pressure on this occasion and the duo finished last on 17 points.
This ensured that Brydon and Mitchell won the show with 38 points, while Ross and Allen came second on 36. This was the first time that Rob Brydon had been on the winning team, despite having appeared on the panel every year since the first show in 2004. Also, it was the first time that the previous year's winning team - the Goth Detectives - had both returned to defend their title.
2008
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | James Corden Sean Lock Davina McCall Michael McIntyre Dara Ó Briain Claudia Winkleman |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 130 Minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 28 December 2008 |
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2008 aired on Sunday, 28 December on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The teams were as follows:
- Dara 'n' Dave: Dara Ó Briain and Davina McCall
- Normal & Hooch / Chubb Lock: Sean Lock and James Corden
- Michael McIntyre and Claudia Winkleman / Same Difference: Michael McIntyre and Claudia Winkleman
Due to the furore caused by his and Russell Brand's infamous phone call to actor Andrew Sachs, which resulted in his three month suspension from the BBC at the end of the year, this was the first occasion that Jonathan Ross did not appear. He also declined his customary executive producer credit. Despite Big Fat Quiz not being a BBC programme, Ross himself had thought it inappropriate to do any broadcasting work during the Corporation's censure (the same reason that was given for his decision to temporarily concede hosting duties of the British Comedy Awards - broadcast on ITV - around the same time).
This was also the first year that Rob Brydon was absent, leaving host Jimmy Carr as the only regular fixture throughout the Big Fat Quiz of the Year's entire run to date (although neither Brydon nor Ross had been panellists for the special C4 Anniversary edition).
Guest appearances included Katy Perry, the Fonejacker, Jodie Kidd, Mark Foster, Christine Ohuruogu, James Degale, Alan Carr, Sarah Silverman, John Hurt and Sir Alan Sugar along with regulars Jon Snow and the children from Mitchell Brook Primary School, with another selection of topical school plays.
The final scores were:
- Ó Briain and McCall: 36
- Lock and Corden : 32
- McIntyre and Winkleman: 29
2009
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Russell Brand Charlie Brooker Rob Brydon David Mitchell Jonathan Ross Claudia Winkleman |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 125 Minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 1 January 2010 |
The 2009 show was recorded on 7 December and aired on 1 January 2010.[1]
The teams were:
- The Moral Minority /Jedward: Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand
- The Newlyweds: Rob Brydon and Claudia Winkleman
- Ignorance & Want / Dancing Queens: David Mitchell and Charlie Brooker
Peter Andre appeared as a guest questioner and musical comedian Tim Minchin asked a question in song format about Google Street View. Newsreader Jon Snow again appeared to ask several questions about the year's music in the form of a faux news report and the children of Mitchell Brook Primary School also reprised their regular slot, acting out news stories. Other guest questioners included Sir David Attenborough, cricketer Stuart Broad, actor David Tennant and rapper 50 Cent.
Ross and Brand made a number of references to the Sachsgate scandal of 2008 which occurred last time they appeared together. There was also a discussion about changing Brooker and Mitchell's team name to The Curmudgeons after they refused to dance to the Lady GaGa song Poker Face.
Mitchell and Brooker were the eventual winners and were asked by Jimmy Carr after their victory if they wanted to do a dance. Despite pressure from the audience, they kept up their premise of not dancing.
The final scores were:
- Mitchell and Brooker - 32
- Brydon and Winkleman - 29
- Ross and Brand - 28
2010
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Richard Ayoade Alan Carr Noel Fielding Ruth Jones Michael McIntyre Jonathan Ross |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 3 January 2011 |
The 2010 show was recorded on 13 December and aired on 3 January 2011.[2]
The teams were:
- Wagner: Jonathan Ross and Ruth Jones
- Posh & Specs: Michael McIntyre and Alan Carr
- The Electric Moccasins: Richard Ayoade and Noel Fielding
Guest questions were provided by Nicole Scherzinger, Jack Black, Simon Pegg, Russell Brand, Seth Rogen, the cast of Misfits and Will Ferrell. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School made their annual appearance acting out news stories, which included the Stig scandal and the Icelandic volcano eruption, as did Jon Snow with his fake news reports of popular songs. Lola, the cat put in a wheelie bin in August by Mary Bale appeared as a Mystery Guest. Louie Spence posed a question in the form of a dance routine representing the story of the trapped Chilean miners.
The final scores were:
- Ross and Jones - 28
- McIntyre and Carr - 25
- Ayoade and Fielding - 12
2011
| The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Jimmy Carr |
| Starring | Miranda Hart Eddie Izzard David Mitchell Jamie Oliver Jonathan Ross David Walliams |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 27 December 2011 |
The 2011 show was recorded on 14 December and is set to air on December 27, 2011.[3] The teams for this year will be:
Appearances
| Name | Appearances | Wins | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Carr | 8 | Host | n/a |
| Jonathan Ross | 6 | 3 | 50% |
| Rob Brydon | 5 | 1 | 20% |
| David Mitchell | 4 | 2 | 50% |
| Russell Brand | 3 | 1 | 33% |
| Noel Fielding | 3 | 1 | 33% |
| Alan Carr | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Richard Ayoade | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Michael McIntyre | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| David Walliams | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Claudia Winkleman | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Charlie Brooker | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Jack Dee | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Ruth Jones | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Davina McCall | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Dara Ó Briain | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Sharon Osbourne | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| June Sarpong | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Lily Allen | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| James Corden | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Cat Deeley | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Sean Lock | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Simon Pegg | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Gordon Ramsay | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Frank Skinner | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Liza Tarbuck | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Denise van Outen | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Carol Vorderman | 1 | 0 | 0% |
References
- ^ Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2009 Channel 4
- ^ Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2010 Channel 4
- ^ [1]
External links
- 'The Big Fat Quiz of the Year' on Channel 4
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year at British Comedy Guide
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2004) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2005) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2006) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz (2007) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2007) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2008) at IMDb
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2009) at IMDb