# QI - What does it mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 11, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549 "2013-09-11T02:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/41 "2013-09-13T22:11:39Z")
There have also been other variations on the scoring system, such as [this episode](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2amZSYjt6Q), where the contestants got a a klaxon whenever they said a certain F-word, but were given the chance to get the points back by beating Stephen at a round of rock-paper-scissors. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/42 "2013-09-14T00:00:17Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > In a similar vein, you might like [Says You](http://www.saysyou.net/) if you can find it on a local station (or just find someone who plays it at a convenient time and listen to their web stream). Also largely a rip-off of an old BBC show, [Call My Bluff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_my_bluff). ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/43 "2013-09-14T00:25:30Z")
QI is great… except the theme music. Eurgh. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/44 "2013-09-14T00:46:22Z")
QI is great… except the theme music. Eurgh. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/45 "2013-09-14T02:10:38Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > QI is great… except the theme music. Eurgh. Too repetitive? ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/46 "2013-09-14T03:59:06Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Too repetitive? Hee 🙂 It’s so bad, I had to mention it twice! ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/47 "2013-09-14T07:38:28Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Also _Around the Horn._ Four sportswriters “compete” on various topics and get awarded random points. The prize is to be the last one left and get the last word on any topic they wish. Sounds like [Just a Minute](http://youtu.be/VrwUAFV706k), on Radio 4 and apparently TV. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/48 "2013-09-14T08:05:46Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Also largely a rip-off of an old BBC show, [Call My Bluff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_my_bluff). Going from the description at that link, it’s only partially similar. _Says You_ does have bluffing rounds like that, but they make up a small portion of the show. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/49 "2013-09-14T08:31:20Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Another problem with trying to follow the scoring in shows like this is they often edit out segments for time, but still count them in the final score. Yeah, people squawk about this with **Never Mind The Buzzcocks**. The final round - Next Lines - is scoring mayhem, and people who’ve seen it live say all sorts of stuff is cut out, so a team that appears to get nothing right jumps up 5 points. :dubious: And since Amstell was fired, if the guest presenter has an idea for a tie-breaker (Adam Buxton’s “Michael Stipes” puzzle, for instance) they seem to force a tie so they can use it. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/50 "2013-09-14T22:33:24Z")
Never heard of QI until now. I’m hooked. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/51 "2013-09-15T15:16:03Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Never heard of QI until now. I’m hooked. I envy you, you have got the “Peter Cushing” moment ahead, and also Stephen’s reaction to what German people call mobile phones. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/52 "2013-09-15T17:48:38Z")
Fans of QI might want to see Stephen Fry [as a team captain on Never Mind The Buzzcocks](http://youtu.be/YYkVS9y5iP4). ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/53 "2013-09-15T21:55:21Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I envy you, you have got the “Peter Cushing” moment ahead, and also Stephen’s reaction to what German people call mobile phones. Just don’t ask what [they say about the acropolis where the Parthenon is…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVBXb4XIqE) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/54 "2013-09-15T22:18:57Z")
[I before E except](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6RbPKqQpA0)… ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/55 "2013-09-16T01:24:50Z")
[That’s a very attractive horse.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c88fBIS-sSY) ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/56 "2013-09-16T07:08:35Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > Just don’t ask what [they say about the acropolis where the Parthenon is…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVBXb4XIqE) Fantastic! ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/57 "2013-09-16T13:15:08Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > Just don’t ask what [they say about the acropolis where the Parthenon is…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVBXb4XIqE) Perhaps my favorite moments on the show are when Stephen gets flustered like this–it’s just adorable. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/58 "2013-09-16T17:34:59Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Yeah, people squawk about this with **Never Mind The Buzzcocks**. The final round - Next Lines - is scoring mayhem, and people who’ve seen it live say all sorts of stuff is cut out, so a team that appears to get nothing right jumps up 5 points. :dubious: And since Amstell was fired, if the guest presenter has an idea for a tie-breaker (Adam Buxton’s “Michael Stipes” puzzle, for instance) they seem to force a tie so they can use it. Amstell was fired? As opposed to leaving? What’s the story there? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/59 "2013-09-16T17:37:40Z")
Supposedly he was super harsh on the guests and took a show that enjoyed the occasional ribbing and turned it into a minor roasting to the point where it seriously affected their ability to book guests. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549/60 "2013-09-16T18:36:14Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Supposedly he was super harsh on the guests and took a show that enjoyed the occasional ribbing and turned it into a minor roasting to the point where it seriously affected their ability to book guests. Supposedly?! He was brutal - it was often entertaining (the ep with [Donny Tourette](http://youtu.be/i5C2OZGOZ3U) is a classic), and some of the guests actually enjoyed his bitchiness and held their own (the ep with [John Barrowman,](http://youtu.be/NAoMKEhqtYY) also classic), but it was clear that a _lot_ of guests regretted coming on the show. I’d lay odds that the Stephen Fry appearance was an all-hands-on-deck gay solidarity attempt to keep him in the chair, which failed because it didn’t correct the real issue - everyone _else_ not wanting to do the show. Indeed, towards the end you see a lot of favors being called in. In the years since he left, they’ve gotten some people that I strongly suspect avoided the show when Amstell was in the chair, specifically to sort of support the decision to oust him. I also suspect the reason there weren’t more walk-offs was that (understandably) no one wanted to be lumped in with Preston. I also see part of the problem as Amstell wanting guests that were more current. Lamarr had something of a rat pack, rotating old friends thru the seats just to visit and/or give them a boost (why is Rich Hall on everything?), and stars on the decline like Meatloaf and Alice Cooper, or new artists he liked and wanted to provide some exposure to, so they had a broader pool to choose from. It still gives a bit of a twinge to see the young, pre-drugs Amy Winehouse ep, compared to her drunken turn during Amstell’s reign, though the second is notable because Winehouse seems to be one of the few guests he genuinely liked. Ironically, it’s pretty clear Winehouse liked him as well, yet found him somewhat trying, even medicated as she was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qi-what-does-it-mean/668549.md?page=4)