The rating thread numbers say more people are watching it than what is on the other channels at the time - Judge Rinder / Deal or No Deal
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...3#post81918143.

It gets more than double the amount of viewers of Coundown and that has lasted 33 years.

A couple of reasons that people may be sticking with it
1) It's pretty easy and you can feel good knowing that you seem to be generally more knowledgeable than the 11 people answering questions. (I realise it's specific quiz general knowledge but these people have applied to be on a quiz show).

2) Watching with your jaw dropped at some of the answers given.

What was all that nonsense with the hand gestures at the start and something similar at the end?

It's not friggin Gladiators!

Yes, that may be true, but the only meaningful comparison is to compare it with what BBC1 normally shows at that time, to see whether it's doing better or worse than average for that time slot. I don't follow the ratings thread so I've no idea.

If it's higher than average initially, there might be a bit of novelty value, people watching a new show to see what's it's like.

The fact that Countdown has lasted 33 years, although its viewing figures are well down from its peak, shows what an enduring programme it is.

it remains to be seen if Think Tank lasts 33 weeks. Or indeed 33 days.

I saw that. It's cringeworthy. And when Bill said, "So it's all aboard the Think Tank Express!", and they all went "Whoo whoo!" and pulled an imaginary train whistle. It's Alan Partridge stuff. It's like a parody of a bad quiz show.

Another highlight of yesterday's show was the dialogue concerning how many British monarchs had reigned during the twentieth century, and the Think Tanker's first thought was, "I'm thinking maybe just two, Elizabeth and Victoria?" I mean I know the Queen's the longest reigning monarch, but even she'd be doing well to have been on the throne for 115 years and through both World Wars since Victoria died in 1901.

BIB: A perfect appraisal Sarahsaurus.

..Except it isn't funny

It's lucky she didn't die in 1900, then, or there'd have been even more arguments about whether 1900 was in the 19th (correct) or 20th century.

Sorry to drone on but (as mentioned before) I think she's a fake.

You can honestly imagine Alan Partridge pitching something like this to the BBC:

"Right, I've got a great idea for a quiz show."
"Another one, Alan?"
"No, listen, you'll love this one. Think Tank!"
"OK. How does it work?"
"Well, we get people on a panel, called the Think Tank, to sort of help the plebs with the questions."
"Plebs? You mean contestants?"
"Contestants, plebs, whatever."
"Right, OK. And these Think Tank people, are they like, top quizzers? Like on Eggheads?"
"Well, this is the clever bit. They're not. The Think Tank are just ordinary punters."
"So half the time they'll be no help with the answers?"
"Precisely."
"So what's the point of them being there at all?"
"It'll be great telly! We'll get banter going between them. It'll be like Ant and Dec stuff."
"Only presumably it'll be without Ant and Dec."
"Well, they'll probably be too busy."
"Anything else?"
"We could get them doing train whistle noises. Saying 'Whoo whoo!', that sort of thing."
(Alan mimes pulling a train whistle.) "Whoo whoo!"
"I'll let you know, Alan."
"Monkey tennis?"

Don't forget that it's on earlier today (and for the rest of the week). Starts at 2.15. You Think Tank addicts know you don't want to miss it and then have to catch up in iPlayer.

Can't wait for this series to be released on Blu-ray.

"Mary". I love the answers that people throw up when they're given no time.

I want it signed by that bunch of Tankers.

Clementine Hozier married Emmeline Pankhurst in 1908? Apart from the correct answer and Asquith, all the others were long dead.

Every time somebody says something that might qualify as slightly amusing, everyone laughs as if it was absolutely hilarious.

I think one or two of the Think Tank might be guilty of "building up their part", shall we say, ie thinking that they're some sort of comedian.

But they shall remain nameless.

There's a drinking game in this show somewhere.

One day, one of the questions will be, what does think tank mean? One of the two answers must be, when you think something's going to tank.

Bill: How you got that answer right . . .

It was an easy question Bill. Stop trying to make out it's a tough quiz.

I think three out of the eight Tankers managed to get their question right in the head to head. I think the only one who was any help (ie gave the contestant an answer they didn't already know themselves) was Max, who, after an incredibly long winded build up, gave the answer My Fair Lady for the musical based on Pygmalion.

I love it when some of the Tankers get a bit put out when the player rejects their (wrong) answer and instead goes with the right one. "Oh well. it's up to you.."

I happened on the last 15 minutes of this show for the first time today. I never thought I'd come across a quiz with less knowledgeable people on it than Tipping Point!

Oh, definitely.

Take a shot whenever they all laugh at something that isn't funny.
Take a shot whenever Max starts one of his long winded stories. Actually you'll probably have time for two shots.
Take a shot whenever anybody does a "turn" ,ie singing or something.
Take a shot whenever a Think Tanker offers a wrong answer in the head to head. Two shots if the contestant knew the answer anyway.

You'll be well away by the end of it.

Brilliant.

It's basically as annoying as Deal or No Deal only with less people you'd like to punch.

I played this on today's show on I-player ; didn't take real drinks but counted in my head. Stopped at 4 minutes and had got to nine shots. Good grief