Jeremy Paxman must answer for Bristol’s beating on University Challenge

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By Theo Whyte, Third Year Geography

We must address Paxman's potential bias to ensure the show's integrity.

Despite a strong start from Bristol, peaking at a lead of 100 points, St. Edmund Hall, Oxford staged an impressive comeback in the second half of a recent University Challenge episode, taking a victory and in the process ending Bristol’s unbeaten run.

The contest quickly became a spectacle as St. Edmund’s captain Freddy Leo, arguably this series’ strongest player, was left stunned by Bristol biologist Owen Iredale, who’s quick answers ranging from obscure chemical elements to countries in East Asia scarcely allowed Leo time to think.

What should have been a story about the meeting of some of academia’s most dexterous minds has been tainted by allegations of bias and favouritism.

The wide knowledge base of historian and captain Anne Le Maistre, physics student George Sumner, and English student Pushan Basu meant Bristol consistently collected the 15 bonus points on offer for each question, giving them a substantial lead in the first half. But, after a flustered interruption by Leo leaving the Oxford team in the minus numbers, St. Edmund Hall regrouped in the second half of the episode, dominating the buzzer and continuing their unbeaten run.

Sadly, what should have been a story about the meeting of some of academia’s most dexterous minds has been tainted by allegations of bias and favouritism.

These came after a harsh ruling from chairman Jeremy Paxman, without prior warning, punishing Bristol captain Anne Le Maistre for briefly mishearing teammate George Sumner. This sudden change of tone, which until then had been comfortable and jolly, understandably put Bristol on the wrong foot, from which they never fully recovered.

The controversy also came as Freddy Leo of St. Edmund Hall hesitated after his name was called at a starter question, a foul which he was warned he would not be allowed to get away with again. These words turned out to be empty, however, and a similar violation from Leo was met only by a half-hearted protest by Paxman, cut short by him rewarding points to Leo’s team anyway.

Users of social media were quick to point out that these apparent double standards might be a manifestation of favouritism towards ‘Teddy Hall’ rather than simply poor refereeing, due to Paxman’s position as an honorary fellow at this Oxford college.

The University Challenge host’s apparent fondness for the team has been noted prior to this incident, but tensions are now flared among fans in a way most uncharacteristic for viewers of the longstanding institution.

The competition is not over for the University of Bristol team, who must win their upcoming match against Edinburgh on the 25th of March if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

Nonetheless, the seeming bias of Paxman is something which should be properly confronted, to protect the competition from controversies in the future.

Do you think University Challenge showed bias? Let Epigram know!

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