Paxman on University Challenge

[lynbrown]

Why is Paxman allowed to be so rude and ridicule the students when they get a wong answer? Surely it is better to have a stab at it. A chairman should be impartial and not sneer at their efforts.

[Panic Button]

They know what they are going into.

It's a bit like going onto The Weakest Link with that unbearably rude cow. You can't say you didn't know what was coming.

[Mr Veritas]

I agree with tonyted,
Tonight he asked a question about "an island in the Caribbean",and one student answered "The Falklands"!
He has every right to sneer.

[BigDave44]

Bring back Bamber Gascoigne !!!

[Mr Veritas]

BigDave44
When this new series of UC started(some years back now) they did ask Bamber,but he politely declined!
He is 73 now after all(but a mere spring chicken).

[andy-hughes]

I think it is part and parcel of the show.

Paxman is known not to suffer fools glady, and he only tends to bark if people give silly answers which, for their level of education, they could be expected to know.

[lynbrown]

Thanks for all the replies, but I hold to my original belief that the chairman should be impartial and not sneer at young people, trying their best in a stressful situation. There is never an excuse for rudeness, no matter how stupid the person appears.

[DaisyMae]

I agree with you Lyn to some extent, but Paxman is very quick to compliment the student who gets a difficult question and gives the correct answer - he also seems to like the students and for that I can forgive him the occasional lapse. But you are right, there is no excuse for bad manners.

[WoWo]

It all adds to show in my opinion, as mentioned he only does it when it's either an easy question or so totally wrong to be laughable.

Lets not forget that these people are supposed to be the educational elite in this country.

[Verix]

"There's no excuse for bad manners"

Torrets?

[mrs_overall]

As another poster says, Paxman does not suffer fools gladly and the young lad with the glasses who thought the Falklands were in the Caribbean last night came up with another couple of ridiculous answers as well.

As well as being rude and ridiculing him, I personally would have slapped the lad. Well....he had a face that just begged for a slap!

[ummmm]

If it wasn't for Paxmans attitude the show would be dull dull dull......

Or duller.

[Supermike]

I like Paxman. We need more characters on TV not less. Mind you I might change my mind when he starts having a go at my old uni the LSE when they return for the � finals.

[lynb]

It's very easy to be smug when you have the answer on a card in your hand!