Late night British television seems to be all a-fever with “game shows.” These are not games shows as North Americans normally think of them: no one actually expects or even cares if they win. The prize, if any, is the production of wit itself. Contestants will dare to be daring and fall flat on their faces or become the sitting duck for a host with quick aim but every now and then something actually funny occurs. It's a spontaneity rarelt seen on the Tube this side of the Atlantic--Morning television being a possible, though hypermanic, exception.
Quite Interesting, or as it usually called, QI, is the cream of the crop. The show started airing in 2003 and has the highest viewership on BBC Four and Dave.
“Mock the Week” (host: Dara O’Briain) has comedians riffing on current events. “Big Fat Quiz of the Year” pairs comedians in a pub-style quiz on events of the year and “Never Mind the Buzzcocks” (starring Phil Jupitus and Bill Bailey among others), a panel game show centred on popular music.
“Would I Lie to You” (host: Rob Brydon among others; regulars David Mitchell and Lee Mack) features contestants guessing whether the tales they tell are true or false.