Bauer Media’s Take a Puzzle magazine has published its Game Show Puzzles Special. The magazine, from the Take a Break puzzle portfolio, features its own editorial team who have all appeared on TV as quiz show winners.
In the issue, Take a Puzzle’s experts share their top tips and winning formulas on how to become a champion, and as an homage to Countdown, Only Connect and Blockbusters, the Puzzles team have created puzzles in the style of their favourite game shows, added the publisher.
Sonia, editor of Take a Crossword magazine, has appeared on two TV quiz shows – The Weakest Link and Impossible. She escaped a roasting from Anne Robinson and triumphed as the winner of The Weakest Link with the unexpectedly auspicious answer ‘tapeworm’.
Sonia said: “I had a tough finish on The Weakest Link, locked into a sudden-death battle for about five rounds with a chap called Ron.
“If you want to get onto a quiz show, emphasise all the varied things you have experience of, and are interested in, on the form. And if you do get onto the show, treat it like an all-expenses-paid day out. If you win any money, it’s a bonus, and if you don’t, you’ve still had a new, exciting experience.”
Puzzles Portfolio Editor Helen scooped a win on Pointless back in 2010 along with her then-fiancé (and now-husband!) Joe.
Helen said: “I laid the groundwork with some early expertise on NATO and Nick Cave, before Joe’s knowledge of obscure Marilyn Monroe films clinched the final round, winning us the show and a very decent £7500 for our honeymoon pot!
“My top tip for getting on quiz show is to mention a fun fact or quirky story in your application. I had a great on-screen conversation with Richard Osman and co about decorating cakes as a hobby and about how I’d decided to make my own wedding cake.”
Content Lead Niall has been a contestant on both University Challenge and Only Connect. He solved the three maths puzzles above in a total of 2 minutes 45 seconds.
Niall said: “My best TV moment was when I correctly answered a question about zebras on University Challenge. It’s a great feeling when you succeed at a question far outside your wheelhouse!
“If you’re thinking of applying to Only Connect, my top tip is to gather a team whose areas of expertise are different to your own. That way you can pool resources and come at questions from different angles.”
Take a Puzzle’s Game Show Special Issue is priced £3.80 and on newsstands now, or available to purchase on subscription from Great Magazines.
Keep up-to-date with publishing news: sign up here for InPubWeekly, our free weekly e-newsletter.
