December 27th 2024.
The latest episode of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year on Channel 4 has sparked controversy among viewers. Many have deemed the format of the game show as offensive, particularly during one round when comedian Chris McCausland was competing.
The annual special, hosted by Jimmy Carr, featured a lineup of talented guests including Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Judi Love, and Maisie Adam. The contestants were challenged with questions about major news, sports, and pop culture moments from the past year, 2024.
However, some viewers couldn't help but raise their concerns when several questions involved visual cues. This posed a challenge for Chris, who is blind, as he had to rely on his fellow contestants to explain the visuals to him. At one point, he was faced with the Say What You See round, which Jimmy himself acknowledged as a potential issue.
Despite the added obstacle, Chris managed to guess the picture round correctly, earning him a round of applause and cheers from the audience. Jimmy couldn't help but joke, "Just so we are clear, you were all beaten by a blind man in this round." Chris added, "It's shocking."
While Chris seemed to take the image-based rounds in stride, viewers at home questioned why the episode wasn't made more accessible for him. Some suggested that minor changes could have been made to the format to make it more inclusive for blind individuals. Others expressed discomfort with the lack of accommodations for Chris. Some even questioned the point of having a disabled panelist if they couldn't fully participate in the show.
However, as some viewers pointed out, it's highly likely that Chris was briefed on the format of the show before agreeing to participate. In the end, the team of Rob and Judie emerged as the winners with a score of 45, followed by Richard and Katherine with 41, and Masie and Chris with 40.
This isn't the first time Chris has overcome initial reservations to prove himself as a capable competitor. Just earlier this month, he and his dance partner Dianne Buswell were crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing. While he initially had doubts about being a "box ticking exercise" or a "sacrificial lamb," Chris's dancing skills impressed both the judges and the public.
In an interview with Metro before their win, Chris shared, "I wanted to be able to represent not just people who are blind, but people with disabilities in a positive way. I wanted to show what is possible rather than what is not, and we've done that more than I had hoped we could have." He also expressed his joy in connecting with viewers who were inspired by his journey.
On BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Chris spoke about the low expectations that people with disabilities often face and his desire to challenge those limitations. He hopes to "stretch people's ideas of what is possible for a person with disabilities."
Metro has reached out to Channel 4 for comment. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year can be streamed on Channel 4. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can contact the entertainment team at The Agency via email or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
