Sporting Dilemma: The Ill-Fated Paddy McGuinness Reboot that Laid to Rest a TV Institution
In 1990, Frank Keating marveled at the truly remarkable success of "A Question of Sport," a quiz show that had become an institution, drawing over 10 million viewers each week and rivaled in BBC One's ratings only by iconic shows like Neighbours and EastEnders. A bastion of sport and entertainment, it once featured stars like Bryan Robson who stood as a standby whenever someone couldn't make it.
Fast forward to 2023, and the curtain has fallen on this 53-year-old quiz show. The final blow came on Friday when the news of its shelving emerged during the "What happened next?" round. The BBC attributed the decision to "inflation and funding challenges," but two words seemed to encapsulate the underlying issue: Paddy McGuinness.
Paddy McGuinness, known for his hosting roles, has seemingly become the harbinger of demise for TV shows, with Top Gear, Catchpoint, and I Can See Your Voice meeting their end under his watch. However, A Question of Sport's plummeting viewership, dropping from 4 million to under 1 million after McGuinness replaced Sue Barker in 2021, left the BBC with little choice.
While many won't mourn the passing of a show criticized for being chummy and formulaic, with a guest list drifting from A-listers to anyone available, there's a hint of nostalgia for what it once represented. At its peak, it held a magical sway over the public, captivating audiences with its unique blend of sports and entertainment.
Interestingly, it was revealed that the show had a distinct appeal to women, maintaining a 60/40 split in its viewership, making it a trailblazer in its own right. Despite the critiques and the decline in its later years, the end of A Question of Sport marks the conclusion of an era, leaving behind a legacy of sporting trivia and entertainment that once held the nation in its quiz show grip.
In the heyday of "A Question of Sport," its allure lay in a trifecta of elements: star power, scarcity, and genuine geniality. The captivating photographs from its inaugural 1970 broadcast reveal the first ingredient – star power. Captains like boxing legend Henry Cooper and Welsh rugby union star Cliff Morgan were sporting royalty, accompanied by guests like Tom Finney, Ray Illingworth, Olympic silver medallist Lillian Board, and the effortlessly cool George Best.
During an era with limited entertainment options and minimal live sports coverage, witnessing these sporting icons speak was a genuine thrill. As the nation had only four channels and no social media, the show provided a unique platform for fans to connect with their heroes, creating an excitement that resonated with a particular age group.
However, the charm extended beyond the screen. The genuine geniality on display was infectious, fueled by the camaraderie of the team members. Boozy Sunday lunches set the tone, with anecdotes like Ian Botham convincing Paul Gascoigne that advocaat was non-alcoholic, leading to a memorable misunderstanding. The banter felt authentic, not manufactured, and the camaraderie transcended the show – Botham and opposing captain Bill Beaumont even vacationed together with their families.
Crucially, it wasn't solely about financial gains. In the mid-90s, team members earned a modest £350 per show (equivalent to about £800 today), while mystery guests received a fee of just £100. This genuine camaraderie and lack of commercial emphasis contributed to the unique appeal that made "A Question of Sport" a cultural touchstone.
Efforts to replicate its magic fell short. Shows like Sporting Triangles and Match Point struggled to recreate the genuine camaraderie, while the arrival of They Think It’s All Over in 1995, with youthful team captains Gary Lineker and David Gower, aimed to challenge "A Question of Sport's" dominance. However, the original's charm and authenticity proved irreplaceable, cementing its status as a television classic.
Frank Keating, in his musings on these very pages, once questioned the audacious "brazenly tart blokeishness" of an upstart show attempting to parody the revered "A Question of Sport" on the same channel. This irreverence was met with disapproval, but time had a way of dealing with such audacity. Even two years ago, the show appeared robust, boasting its "biggest ever" live tour. However, the winds of change blew forcefully when Sue Barker, a stalwart for 24 years, was unceremoniously shown the door.
The pivotal decision to oust Barker marked a turning point, and the once-healthy vital signs of the show plummeted. Now, all that remains for fans are nostalgic YouTube clips, featuring moments like Ally McCoist failing to recognize his Rangers manager, Walter Smith, and Emlyn Hughes misidentifying a mud-splattered Princess Anne on horseback as the jockey John Reid.
As we contemplate this unraveling, the decision in 2021 looms large. One can't help but wonder about the BBC executive who, in that fateful moment, looked at the legendary trio of David Vine, David Coleman, and Sue Barker – broadcasting titans and treasures – and thought that the next name in the sequence should be Paddy McGuinness. A decision that, in hindsight, feels like an inexplicable departure from the show's cherished tradition, signaling the end of an era that once thrived on star power, camaraderie, and genuine geniality.
As the curtain falls on "A Question of Sport," a show that once stood as a bastion of star power, camaraderie, and genuine geniality, its decline prompts reflection on the decisions that led to its unraveling. Frank Keating's skepticism towards an upstart show's audacious parody now feels prophetic, as the very essence of "A Question of Sport" faced challenges that eventually proved insurmountable.
The decision to bid farewell to Sue Barker, a stalwart of 24 years, marked a turning point in the show's trajectory. The once-healthy vital signs of the program took a nosedive, leaving fans with only nostalgic YouTube clips as remnants of its glory days. Ally McCoist's amusing failure to recognize his manager and Emlyn Hughes misidentifying a mud-splattered Princess Anne now echo as poignant remnants of a bygone era.
In contemplating the decisions of 2021, the BBC executive's choice to anoint Paddy McGuinness as the torchbearer for such an esteemed tradition feels like an inexplicable departure from the cherished legacy of David Vine, David Coleman, and Sue Barker – broadcasting titans and treasures who once defined the show.
While the show may see a revival for a one-off special in 2031, the present moment marks the end of an era. As fans bid adieu to "A Question of Sport," they are left with a mix of nostalgia, disappointment, and the enduring question of why a show that once thrived on tradition chose an unlikely torchbearer in its twilight years.