The 99p Challenge
Contents |
Host
Co-hosts
Panellists included: Armando Iannucci, Simon Pegg, Peter Baynham, Dave Green (of Need to Know fame), Nick Frost, Peter Serafinowicz, Tom Binns
Broadcast
Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4, 22 June 2000 to 29 September 2004 (24 episodes in 4 series)
Synopsis
Spoof panel game on BBC Radio 4, a revised and retitled version of the universally unpopular King Stupid.
Perkins gives the panellists silly things to do and they are awarded pence, rather than points, for being funny. Some of the rounds use ingenious use of sound effects, leading to quickfire rounds about mobile phone "I'm running late" excuses and train station announcements.
The player with the most money at the end of the show is given the chance to win the jackpot of 99p. Some of the games were quite ingenious, such as "Half and Half" where the finalist had to answer exactly half the questions correctly.
Key moments
Running gag by the Radio 4 announcers after each programme in series 3: "If you'd like to try and win 99p, you can do so by ringing the special '99p Challenge' hotline. Calls are charged at £1.50 a minute."
Occasionally, contestants have had to gamble their winnings of over £1 in order to win the jackpot 99p.
Theme tune
Intro: Borodin's Prince Igor. Outro: 99 Luftballons by Nena.
