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{{about|the British game show}} {{Short description|British television quiz show}}
{{About|the British quiz show}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2017}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| show_name = Pointless | alt_name = Pointless Celebrities {{no italics|(celebrity version)}}
| image = Pointless titles.png | image = Pointless titles.png
| caption = Logo used since 2018 | genre = ]
| director = {{ubl|Nick Harris|Julian Smith|Jonathan Glazier|Richard Valentine|Richard van't Riet|Stuart McDonald (celebrity)}}
| show_name_2 =
| presenter = {{ubl|]|]{{efn|Osman retired from co-presenting the main series in 2022, but he still co-presents ''Pointless Celebrities''.}}|Guest co-presenters{{efn|Regular series only, the role of co-presenter currently alternates between ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].}}}}
| genre = ]
| director = Nick Harris<br />Julian Smith <br /> Stuart McDonald <small>(celebrity)
| presenter = ]
| starring = ]
| opentheme = | opentheme =
| theme_music_composer = ] | theme_music_composer = ]
| country = ] | country = United Kingdom
| language = ] | language = English
| num_series = 19 <small>(regular)</small> <br /> 10 <small>(celebrity)</small> | num_series = {{ubl|31 (Regular)|17 (Celebrity)}}
| num_episodes = 1011 <small>(regular, {{asof|2018|April|20|lc=y}})</small> <br /> 163 <small>(celebrity, {{asof|2018|April|14|lc=y}})</small> | num_episodes = {{ubl|1695 (Regular)|357 (Celebrity)}}
| executive_producer = Pam Cavannagh <small>(BBC)</small><br />Tom Blakeson and David Flynn <small>(both Brighter Pictures then Remarkable Television)</small> | executive_producer = {{ubl|Pam Cavannagh (BBC)|Tom Blakeson and David Flynn (Brighter Pictures/Remarkable Television)}}
| producer = Michelle Woods, Ed de Burgh, John Ryan | producer = {{ubl|Michelle Woods|Ed de Burgh|John Ryan|Laura Turner}}
| editor = Hannah Barnes<br>Peter Elphick<br>David Horwell<br>Neil Hunter<br>Nick Parker | editor = {{ubl|Hannah Barnes|Peter Elphick|David Horwell|Neil Hunter|Nick Parker}}
| location = ] <small><br />(2009–12, 2017)</small><br />] <small>(2013–)</small> | location = {{ubl|] (2009–2012, 2017)|] (2013–present)<br>] (2023)}}
| camera = ] | camera = ]
| runtime = 45 minutes <small>(regular)</small><br />50 minutes <small>(celebrity)</small> | runtime = {{ubl|45 minutes (Regular)|50 minutes (Celebrity)}}
| company = Brighter Pictures <small>(2009)</small><br />Remarkable Television <small>(2010–)</small> | company = {{ubl|Brighter Pictures (2009)|Remarkable Entertainment (2010–present){{efn|Known as '''Remarkable Television''' prior to 2023.}}}}
| distributor = ] | channel = ]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2009|08|24|df=y}}
| channel = ] <small>(2009–11)</small><br />] <small>(2011–)</small>
| last_aired = {{End date|2011|04|15|df=y}}
| picture_format = ] (] ])<br/>] (])
| audio_format = Stereo | channel2 = ]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2009|8|24|df=yes}} | first_aired2 = {{Start date|2011|07|11|df=y}}
| last_aired = present | last_aired2 = present
| related =
| website = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rhg2r
}} }}
'''''Pointless''''' is a ] ]. It is produced by ] for the ], hosted by ] and ]. Each episode of the quiz features teams of two contestants attempting to find correct but obscure answers to general knowledge questions in order to score as few points as possible, and become eligible to compete for the show's cash jackpot. All questions used on the show are factual in nature, and are asked to a panel of 100 individuals in a pre-conducted public survey. Contestants seek to find correct answers that were given by as few participants as possible; those given by no participants are termed "pointless" and are the most desirable. Every pointless answer given during the main game increases the jackpot by £250, and one such answer must be given in the final round in order to win it.


'''''Pointless''''' is a ] ] produced by ] subsidiary Remarkable Entertainment for the ] hosted by ]. In each episode, four teams of two contestants attempt to find correct but obscure answers to four rounds of general knowledge questions, with the winning team eligible to compete for the show's cash jackpot.
Although it originally debuted on ] on 24 August 2009, its success in its first three series led the BBC to broadcasting it on ] from 2011, though on occasions when the channel is to feature live broadcasts of major news and sporting events, the programme is aired on ] as a direct result. To date, the programme has aired 18 series,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rhg2r/episodes/guide |title=BBC One – Pointless – Episode guide |publisher=BBC|accessdate=24 January 2014}}</ref> and has had peak audience figures of over 7 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-celebrities-attracts-more-viewers-than-englands-euro-qualifier-match-against-slovenia-9864757.html|title=Pointless Celebrities attracts more viewers than England's Euro qualifier against Slovenia|author=Daisy Wyatt|date=17 November 2014|work=The Independent}}</ref> The show has spawned a celebrity edition entitled ''Pointless Celebrities'' in 2011, which to date has had 10 series, with the format being exported to a number of European countries.

''Pointless'' debuted on ] on 23 August 2009. The success of the first three series led the BBC to move it to ] from 2011. {{As of |2023|8}}, the programme is airing Series 30<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rhg2r/episodes/guide |title=BBC One – Pointless – Episode guide |publisher=BBC |access-date=30 January 2018 |archive-date=14 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114144953/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rhg2r/episodes/guide |url-status=live }}</ref> and has had peak audience figures of over 7 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-celebrities-attracts-more-viewers-than-englands-euro-qualifier-match-against-slovenia-9864757.html |title=Pointless Celebrities attracts more viewers than England's Euro qualifier against Slovenia |author=Daisy Wyatt |date=17 November 2014 |work=The Independent |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-date=16 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010732/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-celebrities-attracts-more-viewers-than-englands-euro-qualifier-match-against-slovenia-9864757.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An offshoot of the show entitled ''Pointless Celebrities'' was first shown in 2011 and {{as of |2022|4|lc=y}} had reached Series 15.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d09p5/episodes/guide |title=BBC One – Pointless Celebrities – Episode guide |publisher=BBC |access-date=8 April 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408114142/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d09p5/episodes/guide |url-status=live }}</ref> The format has been exported internationally.

The first 27 series were co-presented by ], who announced on 8 April 2022 that he would step down from the role to focus more on his writing career. Beginning with Series 28, a rotating group of guests took his place. Osman continued to co-present with Armstrong on ''Pointless Celebrities''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1512402144980529157|author=Richard Osman|author-link=Richard Osman|user=richardosman|title=SOME NEWS! After 13 wonderful years I'm leaving daytime Pointless, to concentrate on writing. Will still be doing the celebrity shows and 'HouseOfGames'. It has been the GREATEST pleasure and I can't wait to start watching as a viewer. Thank you to everyone! ❤️|date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

==Development==
{{multiple images
|total_width=250
|align=left
|image1=Alexander Armstrong (cropped) (4by3).jpg
|image2=Richard Osman 2022.png
|footer=The regular series was presented by the duo of ] (left) and ] (right), from its inception until Osman left the show in 2022
}}
The show was originally to be called ''Obviously'' and was conceived by Tom Blakeson, Simon Craig, David Flynn, Nick Mather, Richard Osman and Shaun Parry, producers at ], in 2009. They envisaged it as a "reverse '']''....rewarding obscure knowledge, while allowing people to also give obvious answers....a quiz which could be sort of highbrow and populist simultaneously".<ref name="guardian500">{{cite web |author=Tom Meltzer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/04/pointless-alexander-armstrong-richard-osman |title=Pointless: Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman on TV's favourite quiz |work=] |date=4 June 2013 |access-date=6 June 2013 |archive-date=18 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818082327/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/04/pointless-alexander-armstrong-richard-osman |url-status=live }}</ref> Osman was not intended to be co-presenter; originally, he filled the role only as part of a demonstration laid on for the BBC. BBC executives asked him to continue when they commissioned the first series.<ref name="guardian500" /> Osman then approached comedian Alexander Armstrong to be the main presenter; the two men had been peers during their university days.<ref name="guardian500" /> Armstrong, who the previous year had been lined up to present ]'s '']'' only to back out for fear of being pigeonholed as a presenter,<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Sweney |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/30/armstrong-countdown |title=Alexander Armstrong backs out of Countdown job |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2008 |access-date=6 June 2013 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030091603/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/30/armstrong-countdown |url-status=live }}</ref> agreed to present what was perceived as a lower-profile show, with the presence of Osman helping to convince him.<ref name="guardian500" />

In 2016, Osman told the '']'', "It's never been a show that's had posters, or trailers, and it's presented by these two slightly inept guys. Everyone who's ever watched it feels like it's their programme. We've never changed it, but have always done it in the same way, which is slightly shoddy, enjoying ourselves." On the programme's future, he said, "Every programme has a shelf-life, but as long as people are enjoying it, we will stick with it. If Channel 4 wanted to offer three times as much money, we wouldn't take it. We would stay with the BBC. We love the BBC. ''Pointless'' is not for sale. We owe the BBC an enormous debt, because they've looked after us."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/we-started-pointless-thinking-it-would-be-a-bit-of-fun-1200-shows-later-were-still-here-35282304.html | title= 'We started Pointless thinking it would be a bit of fun... 1,200 shows later, we're still here' | work= Belfast Telegraph | date= 10 December 2016 | access-date= 9 March 2021 | archive-date= 26 June 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220626170703/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/we-started-pointless-thinking-it-would-be-a-bit-of-fun-1200-shows-later-were-still-here-35282304.html | url-status= live }}</ref>

After Series 27, Osman resigned from the regular series (remaining as co-presenter on ''Pointless Celebrities'') and for series 28 was replaced by six presenters in rotation: ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tellymix.co.uk/tv/617817-richard-osman-replaced-on-pointless-by-six-guest-stars.html | title=Richard Osman replaced on Pointless by SIX guest stars for new episodes | date=2 September 2022 | access-date=2 September 2022 | archive-date=2 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902195821/https://tellymix.co.uk/tv/617817-richard-osman-replaced-on-pointless-by-six-guest-stars.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Series 29 added ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] to the rotation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/pointless-new-hosts-replacing-richard-osman/ | title=Pointless: Meet 2023's New Hosts Replacing Richard Osman | newspaper=Den of Geek | date=23 February 2023 | last1=Mellor | first1=Louisa | access-date=10 March 2023 | archive-date=10 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310233011/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/pointless-new-hosts-replacing-richard-osman/ | url-status=live }}</ref>


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
The object of the game is for contestants to provide answers that are not only correct but also as obscure as possible, with each game consisting of teams of two contestants; previously the programme featured five teams to begin with, but this was later reduced to four teams. Prior to each show, 100 people are given 100 seconds to provide as many answers as they can to a series of general knowledge questions as part of a pre-conducted survey, and in each round, contestants are asked these same questions. These questions are set into category, with the contestants given rules regarding what they are searching for in terms of answers, more importantly what answers will be accepted for the question given. If the answer is correct, the team scores one point for each participant that gave it during the survey; if none of the surveyed participants gave an answer listed for the question and a contestant gives it, the team scores zero points for providing a "pointless" answer. If the answer is incorrect, the team scores the maximum of 100 points. After a question is done, a list of answers that are pointless are given, along with the high-scoring answers given in the survey, usually the top three.<ref name="recomm"><!-- cite press release --> BBC Press Office.</ref> Teams of two contestants attempt to provide answers that are not only correct, but also as obscure as possible. The programme initially featured five teams per episode, but the field was later reduced to four. On each episode, contestants answer a series of questions that were put to 100 members of the general public in a previously conducted online survey, which had a time limit of 100 seconds. Once a question is asked at the start of a round, the contestants are given details as to what constitutes a valid answer. If a team's answer is correct, they score one point for each participant who gave it during the survey; an answer given by none of the participants is termed "pointless" and adds nothing to the team's score. Incorrect answers add a penalty of 100 points. Once a question or pass is complete, depending on the specific format of the round, any remaining pointless answers are stated along with the high-scoring answers given in the survey, usually the top three.


The format of the show consists of two elimination rounds to begin with, in which teams must achieve as low a score as possible, with those who achieve the highest score in each round being eliminated from the game; if two teams are tied for the highest score in either of these rounds, a sudden-death "lockdown" round is played, with the higher-scoring team losing. Following these rounds, the two surviving teams compete against each other to find the lowest scoring answer in a series of questions, with the winning team moving on to the final round. Prior to the final round, every pointless answer given adds £250 to the cash jackpot, and eliminated teams making their first appearance are eligible to appear again in the next consecutive game; teams who have appeared twice or reached the final round cannot return (with the exceptions of the teams that appeared in the 1000th episode). The team that reaches the final round is awarded a trophy to keep, and then must supply three answers to a question, in which one must be a pointless answer in order to win the jackpot as it stands for that game; otherwise, the money rolls over to the next show. The game begins with two Elimination Rounds, in which teams must achieve as low a score as possible. The rounds are scored independently of one another, and the team with the highest score in each round is eliminated from the game. If two or more teams are tied for the highest score in either of these rounds, a "lockdown" tiebreaker is played among them, using the last question from the round and the same scoring rules. If the score remains tied, an "emergency question" is asked to break it. In the "Head-to-Head", the two surviving teams compete against each other to find low-scoring answers; the first team to win two questions moves on to the Final.


Teams may return to the programme until they have either reached the Final once or been eliminated in three consecutive episodes, whichever occurs first. The team that reaches the Final is awarded a pair of trophies to keep. They must then supply three answers to a question with many correct answers (e.g. name films directed by a specified director, name a song by a specified singer). If any of the answers is pointless, they win the jackpot as it stands for that game; otherwise, the money rolls over to the next episode. Starting in Series 29, teams can win a £500 bonus in addition to the jackpot by giving three pointless answers in the Final.
The cash jackpot begins at £1,000 at the start of its run. Should it not be won at the end of a game, the amount (including any increases from pointless answers) is rolled over to the next game and increased by £1,000, offering returning and new contestants a chance of winning a bigger cash prize. To date, the highest recorded jackpot won on the show as a result of it rolling over from previous games, was £24,750 on 8 March 2013. Once the jackpot is won, the amount is reset to £1,000. For the celebrity version, the jackpot is set at £2,500, and increases by £250 for each pointless answer found, while special editions have the jackpot set at £5,000, and increased by £500 for each pointless answer found; in neither version does the jackpot roll over to another show.


The jackpot increases by £250 for every pointless answer given in any round other than the Final. If a team reaches the Final but fails to win the jackpot, the whole amount is rolled over to the next episode and increased by £1,000. {{As of|2022|5}} the highest recorded jackpot won on the show was £24,750 on 8 March 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Sam |title=Less than zero: how Pointless's tweaked finale made fools of us all |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/25/jump-the-shark-pointless |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922221906/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/25/jump-the-shark-pointless |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Richard Osman reveals the secrets of Pointless |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-01-16/richard-osman-reveals-the-secrets-of-pointless/ |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=Radio Times |date=16 January 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021105337/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-01-16/richard-osman-reveals-the-secrets-of-pointless/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Once the jackpot is won, the amount is reset to £1,000. For the ''Celebrity'' version, the jackpot is set at £2,500 and increases by £250 for each pointless answer found, while special editions have the jackpot set at £5,000 and increased by £500 for each pointless answer found; in neither version does the jackpot roll over to another episode. Instead for ''Pointless Celebrities'', £500 is awarded to each of the four pairings.
=== Elimination rounds ===
During an elimination round, teams aim to score as few points as possible, with the team having the highest score at the end of the round being eliminated from the game. Each round consists of a question derived from a subject, with each member of a team required to give an answer during a pass; each round consists of two passes, and teams are required, prior to the question being given, to decide who answers during the first pass, with the other answering during the second pass. The order of play differs; in the first elimination round, it is determined by drawing lots in advance of recording, while in the second, it is determined by the scores in the previous round, though in both, the team nearest to the host answers first, moving on towards the team farthest from them, before going back in reverse order during the second pass. In the event of a tie, the tied teams are allowed to confer and give an extra answer to the question, until one team manages to score more points than the others; if no team can give a correct answer on this pass, the question is thrown out and a new one is asked in its place.


Prior to Series 25, teams became ineligible to return after appearing on two consecutive episodes or reaching the final once, whichever occurred first. This rule was relaxed for the programme's 1,000th episode, in which four past jackpot-winning teams were invited to compete again.
Five different formats for the questions are used/have been used during the programme's run for the elimination rounds in each game, and are listed below:


===Elimination Rounds===
* ''Open-Ended'' – Contestants are given the question, and have free choice of what answer to give. In the first series, this format was used three times in this round, before subsequent episodes used it no more than once. A variant of this format was introduced in the seventh series, in which a list of categories is shown and contestants can give an answer as long as it fitted into any of the categories shown (for example, they could name any member that was in any band on the list); contestants are not required to identify which category their answer belongs to, and will be still credited for a correct answer even if they attribute it to the wrong category. This variant of the format was mainly designed to combine several smaller categories into a round (e.g. the films of several different actors) or to narrow down a wider category (for example, by limiting answers to those starting with certain letters).
During an Elimination Round, teams aim to score as few points as possible. Each round consists of a question derived from a subject with each member of a team required to give an answer during a pass; each round consists of two passes and teams must decide who will play which pass before the question is asked. Teammates may not confer on answers during the round. Order of play for the first pass is determined by random draw in Round 1 and by ascending order of first-round scores in Round 2. For the second pass in each round, the order of play is reversed.
* '' Possible Answers'' – Introduced in the second series, contestants are given a board of potential answers to a question and must pick up, attempting to find the obscure ones on the board and avoid picking out a wrong answer. Each pass consists of two boards, each possessing at least one pointless answer and one incorrect answer, the latter usually having some indirect link (often humorous) with the question, with Osman going through the board after a pass, revealing the points scores of the correct answers and which were incorrect. This format allowed categories to be used in which no commonly agreed definitive list of correct answers exists. It was discontinued following the end of the fifth series.
* ''Clues and Answers'' – Introduced in the third series, contestants are given a list of clues related to the topic of the question, whereupon they must select a clue and provide the correct answer connected to it. An example of this format is that a list could contain the names of different battles, and the questions requires a contestant to name the country that it took place in (i.e. "the ]" – ]"). Although the round follows a similar style to that of the "Possible Answers" format, there is no guarantee that contestants may find a pointless answer from within the list.
* ''Linked Categories'' – Introduced in the fifth series, each pass consists of two closely related categories; one team member provides an answer related to the first category, while the other provides an answer to the second category. The format follows the same principles as that of the "Open-ended" format, but was rarely used, and was later discontinued after the series.
* Picture Board – Introduced in the seventh series, contestants are shown a picture or pictures, which contain many people or objects that they have to identify, attempting to seek out those that are more obscure than others. The format is occasionally used, and often replaces the "Open-ended" format when it does.


After both passes are complete, the team with the highest score for the round is eliminated from the game. In the event of a tie for high score, the affected teams are allowed to confer and offer one more answer to the question as a tiebreaker; the order of answers given is identical to the first pass. If the scores remain tied after this pass, the question is thrown out and a new one is played. All scores are reset to zero at the beginning of Round 2.
=== Head-to-head ===
The two teams that survive elimination in the initial rounds, now compete against each other, answering questions with the intention of finding the lowest answers possible. Both teams can now confer, and the winning team of this round moves on to the Final. The format of this round has differed, as listed below:
* Series 1 – Both teams provide as many correct answers as they can to a single question, with the aim of providing answers that score as few points as possible, with the round ending if a team goes above 100 points. The team who scored the lowest in the elimination rounds gets pick choosing which of two categories to answer, with both teams required to give an answer on each turn, regardless of their opponents going over 100. If both teams go above 100, then the team that is nearer to 100 goes through to the final.
* Series 2–5 – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of contest; best-of-five for the second series, best-of-three from the third series. Each team must give an answer to a question, and once both have done so, the lower score of the two wins the question and earns that team a point. Each question will usually have a minimum of four answers to choose from, and the order of play is that the team who acquired the fewest points in the elimination rounds gets to answer first on the first question.
* Series 6–present – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of-three contest; while the format is the same since the third series, questions are now designed around the "Clues and Answers" format. Each question now has five answers to choose from, and there are three kinds of questions in this round: a picture/sound question, in which contestants are shown five pictures or are played five sounds or pieces of music, labelled A to E, and must identify them, often with some letters given as an additional clue; a facts question, in which contestants are given a list of clues to notable facts, and must identify the answer based upon the clue given; a word puzzle question, in which the answers, connected to the subject of the question, are given in the form of an anagram, an initialism, have alternate letters missing, or complete a quote or title.


Six different formats for the questions have been used during the programme's run for the elimination rounds in each game:
=== Final ===
The winning team that survives both the elimination rounds and the head-to-head receives a trophy that they are allowed to keep, regardless of what happens in the final round, and now attempt to win the game's jackpot; the host will usually remind viewers of the amount, including if it is a rollover from a previous game(s). In order to win it, the team first chose a category from a list given to them, whereupon they are given a question connected to it, and have 60 seconds to confer amongst themselves on which three answers they will use; contestants may freely end the debating period early, if they have decided on which three to give. If any individual response is a pointless answer, the team wins the jackpot; otherwise, it is rolled over to the next show.


* ''Open-Ended'' – Contestants are given the question and have free choice of what answer to give. In Series 1, this format was used three times in this round, before subsequent episodes used it no more than once. A modified version of this format is sometimes used in which the contestants must name items that belong to any of several sub-categories (e.g. given a list of acronyms, choose one and state the word represented by any one of its letters).
Originally, contestants could choose from one of three categories, with those not chosen remaining in the list for five days or until they were picked. This format was used between the first and fifth series. The number of categories to choose from was then increased to five at the start of the sixth series. By the start of the second half of the ninth series, the format of the round was modified in that the winning team must supply answers within three subcategories connected to their chosen category, though they may elect to go for any or all three subcategories with their answers. In addition, they must state which subcategory each of their answer belongs to; if it is for the wrong one, their answer is considered incorrect.
* '' Possible Answers'' – Introduced in Series 2, contestants are given a board of potential answers to a question and must each pick one, attempting to find the obscure ones on the board and avoid picking out a wrong answer. Each pass consists of two boards, each possessing at least one pointless answer and one incorrect answer, the latter usually having some indirect link (often humorous) with the question. This format allowed categories to be used in which no commonly agreed definitive list of correct answers might exist. It was discontinued following the end of Series 5, but revived as a bonus round midway through Series 23.
* ''Clues and Answers'' – Introduced in Series 3, contestants are given a list of clues related to the topic of the question, whereupon they must select a clue and provide the correct answer connected to it. An example of this format is that a list could contain the names of different battles and the question requires a contestant to name the country in which it occurred (e.g., "the ]" – "England"). Although the round follows a similar style to that of the "Possible Answers" format, there is no guarantee that contestants may find a pointless answer from within the list. If a team answers incorrectly, that clue remains in play and can be chosen again. The number of clue/answer pairs is always three more than the number of teams playing a round, and a new board is used on each pass.
* ''Linked Categories'' – Introduced in Series 5, each pass consists of two closely related categories; one team member provides an answer related to the first category while the other provides an answer to the second category. The format follows the same principles as that of the "Open-ended" format, but was rarely used and was later discontinued after the series.
* ''Picture Board'' – Introduced in Series 7, contestants are shown a grid of pictures or items and must identify one at a time. In some cases, the pictures have some of the letters in their correct answers filled in and/or serve as clues to items that must be named.
* ''Part Identification'' – Introduced in Series 24, contestants are shown seven items and four groups into which they must be sorted (e.g. given a list of seven parts of the human head, decide whether each is found in the brain, ear, eye, or mouth). Each contestant selects one item and must identify the group to which it belongs. As in "Clues and Answers," a new board is played on each pass, and an incorrect guess leaves that item available to opponents.


As of Series 25, the most common format for the elimination rounds involves "Clues and Answers" for one and either "Open-Ended" or "Picture Board" for the other. For all formats except "Open-Ended" and "Picture Board", the last contestant or team to play on a particular board is invited to answer as many remaining items as they wish before selecting one to use on that turn.
== ''Pointless Celebrities'' ==
Following the success of ''Pointless'' and its transfer to BBC One, the BBC commissioned a celebrity edition of the programme, entitled ''Pointless Celebrities''. Like the main show, the celebrity edition featured teams of two celebrities competing against each other to win the jackpot for their chosen charities. While the show used the same format for rounds, the celebrity edition featured notable differences. Unlike the regular show, the celebrity version was reserved for the weekend and placed in a prime-time evening slot for its broadcast. In addition, most episodes usually featured a theme in regards to the celebrity contestants that took part—an example, a celebrity edition aired in December 2015 consisted of celebrities who were made famous on reality television shows like '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgyd1|title=Pointless Celebrities, Series 8, Reality TV|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 January 2016}}</ref>


===Head-to-head===
As the celebrity edition is for charity, celebrity teams compete for a jackpot of £2,500, and can increase the amount by £250 for every pointless answer they find before the final round. While the jackpot will not roll over to the next celebrity game if it is not won, the programme rewards all teams with £500 for taking part, regardless of how well they performed.
The two remaining teams compete against each other, answering questions with the intention of finding the lowest scores possible. Both teams can now confer and the winning team of this round moves on to the Final. The format of this round has differed, as listed below:
* Series 1 – The teams take turns providing one answer to a question at a time and attempting to score as few points as possible. The lower-scoring team from the elimination rounds chooses one of two categories to be played. Each team is given an equal number of turns; if at least one team has exceeded 100 at the end of a pass, the round ends and the lower-scoring team wins.
* Series 2 to 5 – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of contest; best-of-five for the Series 2 and best-of-three from the Series 3. Each team must give an answer to a question and once both have done so, the lower score of the two wins the question and earns that team a point. Each question will usually have a minimum of four answers to choose from and the order of play is that the team who acquired the fewest points in the elimination rounds gets to answer first on the first question.
* As of Series 6 – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of-three contest; while the format is the same since Series 3, all questions have five answers with each team choosing one. Questions follow one of three formats: Picture Board (occasionally using sound cues or with some letters of the correct answer filled in); Clues and Answers; or answers that have been scrambled/anagrammed or had some of their letters removed. Both teams may choose the same item if the second team to play believes that the first has answered incorrectly. The second team is invited to fill in as many missing answers as they can before choosing one.


Midway through Series 23, a new round was added to give the contestants more opportunities to increase the jackpot. It is played between the second elimination round and the head-to-head and is similar to the previously retired "Possible Answers" format. Both pairs of contestants are shown a question and six possible answers. Two of the answers are pointless, two are also correct but score some points and the other two are incorrect (often with a tangential and humorous link to the question). Each pair may offer one answer with no risk of elimination and all four contestants may confer with one another if desired. Any chosen pointless answers add £250 to the jackpot.
== Development ==
The show's format (originally to be called "Obviously") was conceived by Tom Blakeson, Simon Craig, David Flynn, Nick Mather, Richard Osman and Shaun Parry, producers at ], in 2009. They envisaged it as a "reverse '']''....rewarding obscure knowledge, while allowing people to also give obvious answers....a quiz which could be sort of highbrow and populist simultaneously".<ref name="guardian500">{{cite web|author=Tom Meltzer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/04/pointless-alexander-armstrong-richard-osman |title=Pointless: Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman on TV's favourite quiz |work=] |date=4 June 2013 |accessdate=6 June 2013}}</ref> Osman was not originally intended to be co-presenter, primarily fulfilling the role only as part of a demonstration laid on for the BBC. However the BBC executives asked him to continue when they commissioned the first series.<ref name="guardian500" /> Osman then approached comedian Alexander Armstrong, a peer of Osman's during their university days, to be the main presenter.<ref name="guardian500" /> Armstrong, who the previous year had been lined up to present ]'s '']'' only to back out for fear of being pigeon-holed as a presenter,<ref>{{cite web|author=Mark Sweney |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/oct/30/armstrong-countdown |title=Alexander Armstrong backs out of Countdown job |work=] |date=30 October 2008 |accessdate=6 June 2013}}</ref> agreed to present what was perceived as a lower-profile show, with the presence of Osman helping to convince him.<ref name="guardian500" />


===Final===
The first series aired on the BBC's second channel ] between August and October 2009, with the corporation announcing on the day of the final episode's broadcast that they had commissioned a second series. The series' audience had peaked at 1.69 million viewers, 17.2% of audience share for the timeslot,<ref name="recomm" /> while averaging around 1 million viewers per episode.<ref name="guardian500" /> The second series saw audiences grow modestly and the format was tweaked prior to the start of series three, reducing the number of rounds and giving more time for ] between the hosts which had previously been edited out.<ref name="guardian500" /> The change saw strong viewer growth with the show subsequently moved to the BBC's main channel ] in 2011.<ref name="guardian500" /><ref name="tele500">{{cite web|author=TV and Radio |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10101870/Pointless-it-may-be-but-Alexander-Armstrongs-gameshow-is-certainly-addictive.html |title=Pointless it may be, but Alexander Armstrong's gameshow is certainly addictive |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 June 2013 |accessdate=6 June 2013}}</ref> By 2013, the programme records four episodes in one day,<ref>{{cite web|last=Graham |first=Alison |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-06-10/pointless-star-richard-osman-on-the-show-that-made-him-a-tv-heart-throb |title=Pointless star Richard Osman on the show that made him a TV heart-throb |work=Radio Times |date=10 June 2013 |accessdate=24 January 2014}}</ref> and averaged 3.6 million viewers daily, gaining more viewers than ] game show '']'', which also airs in roughly the same time slot.<ref name="tele500" />
The last remaining team receives a pair of trophies to keep regardless of what happens in the Final and now attempts to win the game's jackpot. The team chooses one category from a list, whereupon the host reads a series of questions associated with it that have multiple correct answers (e.g. characters in the play '']'' or films starring ]). The contestants may take up to 60 seconds to discuss the questions, after which they must jointly give three answers. If any individual answer is pointless, the team wins the jackpot; otherwise, the jackpot is rolled over to the next episode.


Originally, contestants could choose from one of three categories, with unused ones remaining in the list for five days or until they were selected, and had to provide answers to a single question within the chosen category. This format was used between Series 1 and Series 5. The number of available categories was increased to five at the start of Series 6, then reduced to four in Series 9. By the start of the second half of Series 9, the round was modified to require the contestants to provide answers to any or all of three questions connected to their chosen category. They must specify which question they are attempting with each of their three answers and can only win the jackpot if any answer is pointless for its nominated question. As of Series 29, the contestants are presented with two questions in their chosen category and can win an additional £500 by giving three pointless answers.
In February 2014, ''Pointless'' was extended for another 204 episodes, giving three more series, taking the total commissioned to 13 in February 2014. A further 24 celebrity episodes were also ordered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a550644/pointless-gets-204-more-episodes-24-celeb-specials-on-bbc-one.html |title=Pointless gets 204 more episodes, 24 celeb specials on BBC One |first=Morgan |last=Jeffery |date=12 February 2014}}</ref> For the 1,000th episode, which aired on 16 January 2017, Armstrong and Osman traded host/assistant duties and four previous couples who had distinguished themselves in various ways were invited to compete again. The jackpot for this episode began at £2,500 (the usual starting value for ''Pointless Celebrities''), and every pointless answer during the main game added £1,000 to it. On 23 February 2016, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned by the BBC to make 165 more regular daytime editions along with 45 prime-time celebrity specials, which will see ''Pointless'' continue to air on BBC One until at least the end of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/23/pointless-to-hit-the-1000-episode-mark-as-bbc-signs-deal-for-over-200-more-shows-5713442/|title=Pointless to hit 1,000 episodes as BBC signs deal for over 200 more shows – Metro News|author=Caroline Westbrook|date=23 February 2016|work=Metro}}</ref><ref name="jessdenham">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-to-cross-1000-episode-milestone-as-bbc-orders-hundreds-more-a6891131.html|title=Pointless to break 1000 episode milestone as BBC orders hundreds more|author=Jess Denham|date=23 February 2016|work=The Independent}}</ref> On 4 September 2017, it was announced that the BBC had commissioned a further 204 episodes which will include 165 regular and 39 celebrity specials.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pointless fans, rejoice! BBC quiz recommissioned for 204 more episodes|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-09-04/pointless-fans-rejoice-bbc-quiz-recommissioned-for-204-more-episodes/|website=]|accessdate=25 September 2017}}</ref>


==''Pointless Celebrities''==
With the start of the 11th series of Pointless Celebrities on 23 December 2017, the show gained a brand new set design and an updated intro that replaced the one used since the show's debut. This extended to the 19th series of the daytime version when it premiered on 2 April 2018.
Following the success of ''Pointless'' and its transfer to BBC One, the BBC commissioned a celebrity edition of the programme, entitled ''Pointless Celebrities''. Much like the main show, ''Pointless Celebrities'' has teams of two celebrities competing against each other to win the jackpot for their chosen charities and has the same gameplay as the regular show.


Unlike the Regular version, the jackpot does not roll over and always starts at £2,500 with every Pointless answer adding £250 to the jackpot, but this may be doubled on some occasions. £500 is always donated to every team who fails to either reach the Final or win the jackpot and any money won by a team is split equally between the two charities represented by its members.
== International broadcasts ==
In Australia, ''Pointless'' has aired on both ] (series 10 and 11) and ] (series 9–11, as at April 2017).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/pointless/|title=Pointless|website=ABC Television|accessdate=6 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Knox |first=David |date=14 November 2015 |title=ABC: Summer highlights |url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/abc-summer-highlights-3.html |newspaper=TV Tonight |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}</ref>


''Pointless Celebrities'' is broadcast within a prime-time slot on Saturday nights and features some differences in how the game works. Celebrities are allowed to return in more than one episode with the same partner or a different partner and episodes tend to have a theme in regards to the celebrity contestants that took part – for example, a celebrity edition aired in December 2015 consisted of celebrities who were made famous on reality television shows like '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgyd1 |title=Pointless Celebrities, Series 8, Reality TV |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 January 2016 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410185506/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgyd1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some editions of the show end with a guest performance.
== Awards and nominations ==

===Kelvin MacKenzie controversy===
Following a news-themed edition of ''Pointless Celebrities'' which aired on 27 October 2014, several fans criticised the presence of former '']'' editor ], who was responsible for the newspaper's ] concerning the 1989 ]. Osman responded to this criticism with at least twenty comments on ], stating that he had not known MacKenzie would appear until "about an hour before" recording, and that he had "strongly argued against it".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pointless-host-richard-osman-apologises-8006447 |title=Pointless host Richard Osman apologises to viewers for Kelvin Mackenzie's appearance on the show |work=] |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015 |author=Morgan, Georgia |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128134020/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pointless-host-richard-osman-apologises-8006447 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-27/richard-osman-was-not-happy-about-kelvin-mackenzies-appearance-on-pointless-celebrities |title=Richard Osman was not happy about Kelvin Mackenzie's appearance on Pointless Celebrities... |work=] |publisher=] |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015 |author=Lazarus, Susanna |archive-date=7 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107145754/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-27/richard-osman-was-not-happy-about-kelvin-mackenzies-appearance-on-pointless-celebrities |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/screenwriter/2014/10/26/pointlessgate-isnt-really-a-scandal/ |title=PointlessGate isn't really a scandal |newspaper=] |date=26 October 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015 |author=Clarke, Donald |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112033/http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/screenwriter/2014/10/26/pointlessgate-isnt-really-a-scandal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transmissions==
===Regular===
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Series !! Start Date !! End Date !! Episodes !! Notes
|-
| '''1''' || 24 August 2009 || 6 October 2009 || rowspan="2" | 30 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 1 took breaks on: 31 August and 10 September.
|-
| '''2''' || 8 March 2010 || 16 April 2010 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 2 did not take any breaks.
|-
| '''3''' || 30 August 2010 || 22 December 2010 || 50 || style="text-align:left;"| Episode 50 was a celebrity special.<br/>Series 3 took breaks on: 4{{nbnd}}14 October and 22 November{{nbnd}}21 December.
|-
| '''4''' || 14 March 2011 || 26 August 2011 || rowspan="2" | 60 || style="text-align:left;"| This was the first series to be broadcast on BBC One.<br/>Series 4 took breaks on: 18 April{{nbnd}}8 July.
|-
| '''5''' || 29 August 2011 || 6 February 2012 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 5 took breaks on: 17 October 2011{{nbnd}}2 January 2012.
|-
| '''6''' || 13 February 2012 || 24 August 2012 || rowspan="2" | 70 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 6 took breaks on: 23 March (pre{{nbh}}empted for Sport Relief), 2{{nbnd}}27 April, 3 May (an election day in the UK) and 4 June{{nbnd}}10 August.
|-
| '''7''' || 29 August 2012 || 5 December 2012 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 7 aired without breaks, but on 16 November a Children in Need special with celebrities was aired.<br/>In episode 60 a couple's answer was considered as incorrect even though their answer could be classified as a synonym of the correct answer. As a result, the BBC did not repeat this episode in 2014 and jumped from episode 59 to 61 without any announcement. However, as a massive jackpot of £20,250 was won in episode 60, viewers noticed the missing episode immediately and the BBC received more than 1,000 complaints.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson|first=Dom |date=20 August 2014 |title=Pointless – the missing £20250 jackpot episode! |url=https://dvd-fever.co.uk/pointless-the-missing-20250-jackpot/ |work=DVD Fever}}</ref>
|-
| '''8''' || 2 January 2013 || 2 April 2013 || 65 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 8 did not take any breaks. This series contained the episode where the highest jackpot was won (£24,750). At the time, there was only one category for the final round. This was changed to three categories the contestants could pick from shortly after this series aired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell|first=Sam |date=25 May 2020 |title=Less than zero: how Pointless's tweaked finale made fools of us all |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/25/jump-the-shark-pointless |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
|-
| '''9''' || 3 April 2013 || 25 September 2013 || 55 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 9 took breaks on: 29 April{{nbnd}}24 May and 24 June{{nbnd}}30 August.
|-
| '''10''' || 26 September 2013 || 19 March 2014 || 70 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 10 took breaks on: 7{{nbnd}}25 October, 2 December 2013{{nbnd}}3 January 2014 and 3{{nbnd}}21 February 2014.
|-
| '''11''' || 20 March 2014 || 29 September 2014 || rowspan="2" | 55 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 11 took breaks on: 21 April{{nbnd}}23 May and 19 June{{nbnd}}5 September.
|-
| '''12''' || 28 October 2014 || 25 February 2015 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 12 took breaks on: 20 November 2014{{nbnd}}2 January 2015.
|-
| '''13''' || 23 March 2015 || 28 July 2015 || 51 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 13 took breaks on: 13 April{{nbnd}}3 May, 25 May{{nbnd}}11 June and 25 June{{nbnd}}10 July.
|-
| '''14''' || 29 July 2015 || 29 February 2016 || rowspan="15" | 55 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 14 took breaks on: 3 August{{nbnd}}4 September 2015, 30 September{{nbnd}}23 October 2015, 17 November 2015{{nbnd}}1 January 2016, and 27 January{{nbnd}}26 February 2016.
|-
| '''15''' || 1 March 2016 || 20 September 2016 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 15 took breaks on: 21 March{{nbnd}}19 April and 24 May{{nbnd}}26 August.
|-
| '''16''' || 24 October 2016 || 15 March 2017 || style="text-align:left;"| Episode 36 marked the 1000th episode of Pointless. For this occasion, Armstrong and Osman swapped roles.<br/>Series 16 took breaks on: 21 November{{nbnd}}9 December, 15{{nbnd}}28 December 2016, and 24 January{{nbnd}}23 February 2017.
|-
| '''17''' || 19 April 2017 || 29 September 2017 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 17 took breaks on: 7 June{{nbnd}}1 September.
|-
| '''18''' || 2 October 2017 || 12 February 2018 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 18 took breaks on: 6 November 2017{{nbnd}}1 January 2018.
|-
| '''19''' || 2 April 2018 || 15 June 2018 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 19 did not take any breaks.
|-
| '''20''' || 19 June 2018 || 25 January 2019 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 20 took breaks on: 20 June{{nbnd}}31 August, 19 October{{nbnd}}27 December 2018 and 1 January 2019.
|-
| '''21''' || 28 January 2019 || 29 May 2019 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 21 took breaks on: 13 February{{nbnd}}29 March.
|-
| '''22''' || 2 September 2019 || 6 April 2020 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 22 took breaks on: 16 October 2019{{nbnd}}1 January and 27 January{{nbnd}}27 March 2020.
|-
| '''23''' || 7 April 2020 || 6 October 2020 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 23 took breaks on: 20 April{{nbnd}}25 June and 30 July{{nbnd}}4 September.
|-
| '''24''' || 7 October 2020 || 22 February 2021 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 24 took breaks on: 3 November 2020{{nbnd}}1 January 2021.
|-
| '''25''' || 6 April 2021 || 20 July 2021 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 25 took breaks on: 14 June{{nbnd}}9 July.
|-
| '''26''' || 21 July 2021 || 14 March 2022 || style="text-align:left;"| Series 26 took breaks on: 26 July{{nbnd}}3 September, 28 October 2021{{nbnd}}3 January 2022, and 20 January{{nbnd}}11 March 2022.
|-
| '''27''' || 15 March 2022 || 20 July 2022 || style="text-align:left;"| This is the final series with ].<br/>Series 27 took breaks on: 18 April{{nbnd}}20 May and 27 June{{nbnd}}11 July.
|-
| '''28''' || 20 September 2022 || 21 February 2023 || style="text-align:left;"| This series started later than originally planned due to the death of ]. This was the first series without ] and instead featured guest co{{nbh}}hosts, starting with ] (episodes 1{{nbnd}}11) Other co{{nbh}}hosts: ] (12{{nbnd}}22), ] (23{{nbnd}}33), ] (34{{nbnd}}44), ] (45{{nbnd}}55).<br/>Series 28 took breaks on: 4 November 2022{{nbnd}}23 January 2023.
|-
| '''29''' || 3 April 2023 || 30 August 2023 || 54 || style="text-align:left;"| Co{{nbh}}hosts: ] (1{{nbnd}}10), ] (11{{nbnd}}21), ] (22{{nbnd}}32), ] (33{{nbnd}}43), ] (44{{nbnd}}54).<br/>Series 29 took breaks on: 8{{nbnd}}26 May and 7 June{{nbnd}}31 July.
|-
| '''30''' || 31 August 2023 || 2 April 2024 || 55 || style="text-align:left;"| Co{{nbh}}hosts: ] (1{{nbnd}}4), ] (5{{nbnd}}8), ] (9{{nbnd}}12), ] (13{{nbnd}}23), ] (24{{nbnd}}34), ] (35{{nbnd}}45), ] (46{{nbnd}}55).<br/>Series 30 took breaks on: 15 September{{nbnd}}27 October 2023, 27 November 2023{{nbnd}}5 January 2024, and 7 February{{nbnd}}29 March 2024.
|-
| '''31''' || 3 April 2024 || 28 August 2024 || 48 || style="text-align:left;"| Co{{nbh}}hosts: ] (1{{nbnd}}11), ] (12{{nbnd}}22), ] (23{{nbnd}}33), ] (34{{nbnd}}44), and ] (45{{nbnd}}48).<br/>Series 31 took a break from 29 May to 19 August.
|-
| '''32''' || 29 August 2024 || TBA || 49 || style="text-align:left;"| Co{{nbh}}hosts: ] (1{{nbnd}}7), ] (8{{nbnd}}18), ] (19{{nbnd}}29), ] (30{{nbnd}}40), and ] (from episode 41 onwards)<br/>After airing episode 27 series 32 took a break from 7 October 2024 to 6 January 2025.
|}
{{reflist|group=fn}}

====Co-hosts====
:Up to series 32 episode 47 on 31 January 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Last published episode |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027fr3 |work=] |date=15 January 2025 |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>
{{sticky header}}
:{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="text-align:center"
! | Co-Host
! | Episodes
! | {{tooltip|S 28|Series 28}}
! | {{tooltip|S 29|Series 29}}
! | {{tooltip|S 30|Series 30}}
! | {{tooltip|S 31|Series 31}}
! | {{tooltip|S 32|Series 32}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Lindsay, Sally"| ]
| 11 || 11 || || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Mangan, Stephen"| ]
| 15 || 11 || || 4 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Laverne, Lauren"| ]
| 11 || 11 || || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Huq, Konnie"| ]
| 15 || 11 || || 4 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Brooker, Alex"| ]
| 11 || 11 || || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Gamble, Ed"| ]
| 10 || || 10 || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Matafeo, Rose"| ]
| 11 || || 11 || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Lina, Ria"| ]
| 15 || || 11 || 4 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Porter, Lucy"| ]
| 11 || || 11 || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Brandreth, Gyles"| ]
| 11 || || 11 || || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Kumar, Nish"| ]
| 11 || || || 11 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Oliver, Andi"| ]
| 11 || || || 11 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Phillips, Sally"| ]
| 11 || || || 11 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Hope, Vick"| ]
| 10 || || || 10 || ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Dennis, Hugh"| ]
| 11 || || || || 11 ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Rani, Anita"| ]
| 11 || || || || 11 ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Logan, Gabby"| ]
| 11 || || || || 11 ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Widdicombe, Josh"| ]
| 11 || || || || 11 ||
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Burch, Desiree"| ]
| 11 || || || || 4 || 7
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Ramsey, Chris"| ]
| 11 || || || || || 11
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Wan, Gok"| ]
| 11 || || || || || 11
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Rinder, Rob"| ]
| 11 || || || || || 11
|-
| style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="Taylor, Ellie"| ]
| 7 || || || || || 7
|-
|- class=sortbottom
| style="background:#e6e6f2; text-align:right;"| '''Total'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''259'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''55'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''54'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''55'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''48'''
| style="background:#e6e6f2;"| '''47'''
|-
|}

===Celebrity===
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Series !! Start Date !! End Date !! Episodes !! Notes
|-
| '''1''' || 4 July 2011 || 8 July 2011 || 5 || style="text-align:left;"| Daily at 5:15&nbsp;pm. Series 1 did not take any breaks.
|-
| '''2''' || 25 February 2012 || 16 June 2012 || 8 || style="text-align:left;"| On selected dates across four months.
|-
| '''3''' || 20 October 2012 || 27 December 2012 || 9 || style="text-align:left;"| Weekly on Saturday evenings at 5:40. Episode 9 was first broadcast on a Thursday due to Christmas schedules.
|-
| '''4''' || 16 February 2013 || 7 September 2013 || 6 || style="text-align:left;"| On selected dates. Episodes 1 to 5 were specials with contestants from a specific field: sports, Doctor Who, sitcoms, radio and top chefs.
|-
| '''5''' || 14 September 2013 || 21 December 2013 || 12 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.<br>In the first episode of this series, Richard Osman set a new Guinness World Record by naming at least 30 countries, identified by their capital cities in 60 seconds.
|-
| '''6''' || 28 December 2013 || 3 January 2015 || 31 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times. The series took a break midway through.
|-
| '''7''' || 11 April 2015 || 26 September 2015 || 7 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''8''' || 29 August 2015 || 30 January 2016 || 17 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''9''' || 9 January 2016 || 3 September 2016 || 8 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''10''' || 14 May 2016 || 31 March 2018 || 45 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''11''' || 23 December 2017 || 1 June 2019 || 39 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''12''' || 31 August 2019 || 14 March 2020 || 23 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''13''' || 25 April 2020 || 24 April 2021 || 30 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''14''' || 23 December 2020 || 16 April 2022 || 52 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''15''' || 2 April 2022 || 5 August 2023 || 31 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times.
|-
| '''16''' || 26 November 2022 || 20 April 2024 || 20 || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times. First series recorded without the dividers between celebrities after COVID restrictions. Apart from the 26 November episode (BBC Centenary Special) and the 2022 Christmas special, all other episodes aired in 2023 and 2024.
|-
| '''17''' || 11 March 2023 || TBA || TBA || style="text-align:left;"| On Saturdays at selected times. The only episodes to have aired in 2023 are 'Comedy' (11 March) and "Eurovision 2023" (13 May, before the Eurovision final). Only 2 new episodes aired in 2024 (27 April and 4 May 2024). The 17th series continues on 4 Jan 2025 (Ep. 5: Sports Special).
|}

===Pointless Celebrities: Daytime===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Series !! Start Date !! End Date !! Episodes !! Notes
|-
| '''1''' || 10 December 2012 || 21 December 2012 || 10 || style="text-align:left;"| Ten episodes with celebrities shown at the time of regular Pointless (weekdays at 5:15&nbsp;pm). Made for the Christmas season of 2012.
|}

===Specials===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Title !! First Broadcast
|-
| 500th Episode || 6 June 2013
|-
| 1,000th Episode || 16 January 2017
|-
| "The Good, the Bad and the Bloopers" || 23 March 2019
|}

==Broadcast and ratings==
Series 1 aired on BBC Two between August and October 2009 with the corporation announcing on the day of the final episode's broadcast that it had commissioned Series 2. The series' audience had peaked at 1.69 million viewers; 17.2% of audience share for the timeslot,<ref name="recomm"><!-- cite press release --> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204001449/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/10_october/06/pointless.shtml |date=4 December 2017 }} BBC Press Office.</ref> while averaging around 1 million viewers per episode.<ref name="guardian500"/> Series 2 saw audiences grow modestly; the format was tweaked prior to the start of Series 3, reducing the number of rounds and giving more time for ] between the hosts which had previously been edited out.<ref name="guardian500"/> The change saw strong viewer growth and the show was moved to the BBC's main channel BBC One in 2011.<ref name="guardian500" /><ref name="tele500">{{cite web |author=TV and Radio |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10101870/Pointless-it-may-be-but-Alexander-Armstrongs-gameshow-is-certainly-addictive.html |title=Pointless it may be, but Alexander Armstrong's gameshow is certainly addictive |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 June 2013 |access-date=6 June 2013 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=6 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606172722/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10101870/Pointless-it-may-be-but-Alexander-Armstrongs-gameshow-is-certainly-addictive.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2013, the programme was recording four episodes in one day<ref>{{cite web |last=Graham |first=Alison |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-06-10/pointless-star-richard-osman-on-the-show-that-made-him-a-tv-heart-throb |title=Pointless star Richard Osman on the show that made him a TV heart-throb |work=Radio Times |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919125829/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-06-10/pointless-star-richard-osman-on-the-show-that-made-him-a-tv-heart-throb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and averaged 3.6 million viewers daily, gaining more viewers than ] game show '']'', which airs in roughly the same time slot.<ref name="tele500"/>

In February 2014, ''Pointless'' was extended for another 204 episodes, giving three more series, taking the total commissioned to 13 in February 2014. A further 24 Celebrity Specials were also ordered.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a550644/pointless-gets-204-more-episodes-24-celeb-specials-on-bbc-one.html |title=Pointless gets 204 more episodes, 24 celeb specials on BBC One |first=Morgan |last=Jeffery |date=12 February 2014 |work=] |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-date=4 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704012715/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a550644/pointless-gets-204-more-episodes-24-celeb-specials-on-bbc-one.html |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 1,000th episode, Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman traded host and assistant duties and four previous couples who had distinguished themselves in various ways were invited to compete again. The jackpot for this episode began at £2,500 (the usual starting value for ''Pointless Celebrities'') and every pointless answer during the main game added £1,000 to it. On 23 February 2016, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned by the BBC to make 165 more Regular daytime editions along with 45 prime-time Celebrity Specials taking ''Pointless'' to the end of 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/23/pointless-to-hit-the-1000-episode-mark-as-bbc-signs-deal-for-over-200-more-shows-5713442/ |title=Pointless to hit 1,000 episodes as BBC signs deal for over 200 more shows – Metro News |author=Caroline Westbrook |date=23 February 2016 |work=Metro |access-date=24 February 2016 |archive-date=26 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226213744/http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/23/pointless-to-hit-the-1000-episode-mark-as-bbc-signs-deal-for-over-200-more-shows-5713442/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jessdenham">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-to-cross-1000-episode-milestone-as-bbc-orders-hundreds-more-a6891131.html |title=Pointless to break 1000 episode milestone as BBC orders hundreds more |author=Jess Denham |date=23 February 2016 |work=The Independent |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915204451/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/pointless-to-cross-1000-episode-milestone-as-bbc-orders-hundreds-more-a6891131.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 4 September 2017, it was announced that the BBC had commissioned a further 204 episodes including 165 Regular and 39 Celebrity Specials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/pointless-fans-rejoice-bbc-quiz-recommissioned-for-204-more-episodes/ |title=Pointless fans, rejoice! BBC quiz recommissioned for 204 more episodes |last=Ling |first=Thomas |date=4 September 2017 |website=] |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423003447/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/pointless-fans-rejoice-bbc-quiz-recommissioned-for-204-more-episodes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

With the start of Series 11 of ''Pointless Celebrities'', the show's set design was changed with some new graphics and an updated intro replaced the one used since the show's debut; this extended to Series 19 of Regular ''Pointless''.

==International broadcast==
In Australia, ''Pointless'' has aired on both ] (series 10 and 11) and ] (series 9–11).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/pointless/ |title=Pointless |website=ABC Television |access-date=6 May 2017 |archive-date=16 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516113651/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/pointless/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Knox |first=David |date=14 November 2015 |title=ABC: Summer highlights |url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/abc-summer-highlights-3.html |newspaper=TV Tonight |access-date=16 February 2016 |archive-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223053012/http://tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/abc-summer-highlights-3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
As of 18 March 2023, it is aired on the ] at 2pm Weekdays

In ], Pointless airs on ] on the African satellite television provider, ].

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable" {| class="wikitable sortable"
|- |-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| 2012 || ] || Comedy Panel Show || Longlisted | rowspan="2"| 2012 || ] || Comedy Panel Show || {{Longlisted}}
|- |-
| ] || Best Daytime Show<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a405010/tvchoice-awards-2012-the-winners-in-full.html#~p2jovmMzCHp9qH | title=TVChoice Awards 2012: The winners – In full | work=]| date=10 September 2012 | accessdate=24 January 2015 | author=Daniels, Colin}}</ref> || {{nom}} | ] || Best Daytime Show || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a405010/tvchoice-awards-2012-the-winners-in-full.html#~p2jovmMzCHp9qH |title=TVChoice Awards 2012: The winners – In full |work=] |date=10 September 2012 |access-date=24 January 2015 |author=Daniels, Colin |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912002310/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a405010/tvchoice-awards-2012-the-winners-in-full.html#~p2jovmMzCHp9qH |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- |-
| 2013 || ] || Most Popular Daytime Programme{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} || Longlisted | 2013 || rowspan="3" | ] || rowspan="3" | Most Popular Daytime Programme{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} || {{Longlisted}}
|- |-
| 2014 || {{nom}}
| 2014 || ] || Most Popular Daytime Programme || {{nom}}
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| 2015 || ] || Most Popular Daytime Programme || {{nom}} | rowspan="2"| 2015 || {{nom}}
|- |-
| ] || Daytime Programme || {{won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tric.org.uk/2015awardswinners.php|title=TRIC – The Television and Radio Industries Club – 2015 TRIC Awards Winners|publisher=Television and Radio Industries Club|accessdate=26 February 2016}}</ref> | ] || Daytime Programme || {{won}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tric.org.uk/2015awardswinners.php |title=TRIC – The Television and Radio Industries Club – 2015 TRIC Awards Winners |publisher=Television and Radio Industries Club |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811214312/http://www.tric.org.uk/2015awardswinners.php |archive-date=11 August 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|- |-
| 2016 || ] || Most Popular Daytime Programme || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/21/the-chase-stars-mark-labbett-and-anne-hegerty-discuss-their-ntas-win-twitter-reactions-and-pointless-rivalry-5636444/|title=The Chase's Mark Labbett and Anne Hegerty talk NTA wins and Pointless rivalry|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=21 January 2016|work=]|accessdate=26 February 2016}}</ref> | 2016 || ] || Most Popular Daytime Programme || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/21/the-chase-stars-mark-labbett-and-anne-hegerty-discuss-their-ntas-win-twitter-reactions-and-pointless-rivalry-5636444/ |title=The Chase's Mark Labbett and Anne Hegerty talk NTA wins and Pointless rivalry |last=Lindsay |first=Duncan |date=21 January 2016 |work=] |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223122557/http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/21/the-chase-stars-mark-labbett-and-anne-hegerty-discuss-their-ntas-win-twitter-reactions-and-pointless-rivalry-5636444/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|} |}


== Controversies ==
Following a news-themed edition of ''Pointless Celebrities'' which aired on 27 October 2014, several fans expressed annoyance at former '']'' editor ]'s appearance as a contestant. This was in reference to MacKenzie's infamous "The Truth" front page report concerning the 1989 ]. Osman responded to this criticism with at least twenty comments on ], stating that he did not know MacKenzie would appear until "about an hour before" recording and that he had "strongly argued against it".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pointless-host-richard-osman-apologises-8006447 | title=Pointless host Richard Osman apologises to viewers for Kelvin Mackenzie's appearance on the show | work=]| date=27 October 2014 | accessdate=24 January 2015 | author=Morgan, Georgia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-27/richard-osman-was-not-happy-about-kelvin-mackenzies-appearance-on-pointless-celebrities | title=Richard Osman was not happy about Kelvin Mackenzie's appearance on Pointless Celebrities... | work=]| publisher=] | date=27 October 2014 | accessdate=24 January 2015 | author=Lazarus, Susanna}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/screenwriter/2014/10/26/pointlessgate-isnt-really-a-scandal/ | title=PointlessGate isn't really a scandal | work=] | date=26 October 2014 | accessdate=24 January 2015 | author=Clarke, Donald}}</ref>


== International versions == ==International versions==
'''Legend:''' {{Color box|lightgreen|border=darkgray}} Currently airing as of February 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=Vildbjerg-lærere var tæt på tv-gevinst |url=https://www.herningfolkeblad.dk/artikel/a763c819-af23-4a27-a670-e087e6b5a194/ |access-date=11 April 2021 |work=Herning Folkeblad |date=16 February 2021 |language=Danish |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411132859/https://www.herningfolkeblad.dk/artikel/a763c819-af23-4a27-a670-e087e6b5a194/ |url-status=live }}</ref> &nbsp; {{Color box|#FFC0CB|border=darkgray}} No longer airing &nbsp;
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" "background:#F8F8FF;"
|- |-
! scope="col"|Country
! Country !! Title !! Translation !! Host(s) !! Network !! Launch/Broadcast run
! scope="col"|Local title
! scope="col"|Channel
! scope="col"|Presenter
! scope="col"|Assistant
! scope="col"|Premiere date
! scope="col"|End date
|- |-
| {{Flag|Australia}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Australia}}
| '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/british-game-show-pointless-set-to-replace-family-feud-20180508-p4ze13.html |title=British game show Pointless set to replace Family Feud |last=Carmody |first=Broede |date=8 May 2018 |website=Canberra Times |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185714/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/british-game-show-pointless-set-to-replace-family-feud-20180508-p4ze13.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| ''Pointless'' <ref>https://go.mycastingnet.com/Apply/Show/QuizShow</ref>
| ]
| N/A
| Mark Humphries
| TBD
| ] | ]
| 2018 | 23 July 2018
| 10 May 2019
|- |-
| {{Flag|Czech Republic}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Czech Republic}}
| ''Míň je víc!'' | '']''<br />(''Less Is More!'')
| ''Less Is More!''
| Jan Smetana
| ] | ]
| Jan Smetana
| 5 January 2015 – 17 December 2015
| {{n/a}}
| 5 January 2015
| 17 December 2015
|- |-
| {{Flag|Croatia}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Croatia}}
| ''Tog se nitko nije sjetio'' | ''Tog se nitko nije sjetio''<br />(''No one thought of that'')
| ]
| ''No one thought of that''
| ]<br>Krešimir Sucevic-Međeral | ]
| Krešimir Sučević-Međeral
| 29 April 2013
| ]
| 29 April 2013 – 7 June 2013 | 7 June 2013
|- |-
| style="background-color:lightgreen" | {{Flag|Denmark}}
| {{Flag|France}}
| ''Jo færre, jo bedre''<br />(''The fewer, the better'')
| ''Personne n'y avait pensé!''
| ]
| ''No one had thought of it!''
| Steen Langeberg
| ]
| Marie Tangaa
| 6 January 2019
| present
|-
| style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|France}}
| '']''<br />(''No one had thought of it!'')
| ] | ]
| ]
| 16 July 2011 – present
| {{n/a}}
| 16 July 2011
| 22 January 2021
|- |-
| {{Flag|Germany}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Germany}}
| ''Null gewinnt''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/34437/nuhr_vertritt_gottschalk_whrend_der_sommerpause/ |title=Nuhr vertritt Gottschalk während der Sommerpause |publisher=DWDL.de |date=17 January 2012 |accessdate=31 May 2013}}</ref> | '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/34437/nuhr_vertritt_gottschalk_whrend_der_sommerpause/ |title=Nuhr vertritt Gottschalk während der Sommerpause |publisher=DWDL.de |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=31 May 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305180718/http://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/34437/nuhr_vertritt_gottschalk_whrend_der_sommerpause/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(''Zero wins'')
| ''Zero wins''
| ]<br>Ralph Caspers
| ] | ]
| ]
| 20 July 2012 – 1 March 2013
| Ralph Caspers
| 20 July 2012
| 1 March 2013
|- |-
| style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Italy}}
| {{Flag|Macedonia}}
| ''Без Поени!''<br />''Bez Poeni!''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sitel.com.mk/kviz/bez-poeni |title=Bez Poeni! |date=6 March 2014 |accessdate=6 March 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607010209/http://sitel.com.mk/kviz/bez-poeni |archivedate=7 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raiplay.it/programmi/zeroelode/ |title=Zero e Lode! |publisher=raiplay.it |date=11 September 2017 |access-date=1 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223907/https://www.raiplay.it/programmi/zeroelode/ |archive-date=13 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />(''Zero cum laude!'')
| ]
|''No Points!''
| Alessandro Greco
| Snezana Velkov
| Francesco Lancia
| 11 September 2017
| 1 June 2018
|-
| style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|North Macedonia}}
| ''Без Поени!''<br />''Bez Poeni!''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sitel.com.mk/kviz/bez-poeni |title=Bez Poeni! |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607010209/http://sitel.com.mk/kviz/bez-poeni |archive-date=7 June 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />(''No Points!'')
| ] | ]
| Snezana Velkov
| 1 November 2014 – 7 March 2015
| {{n/a}}
| 1 November 2014
| 7 March 2015
|- |-
| {{Flag|Netherlands}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Netherlands}}
| ''Pointless''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avrotros.nl/pointless/home/ |title=Pointless |publisher=AVROTROS |accessdate=23 July 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723184945/http://www.avrotros.nl/pointless/home/ |archivedate=23 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | ''Pointless''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avrotros.nl/pointless/home/ |title=Pointless |publisher=AVROTROS |access-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723184945/http://www.avrotros.nl/pointless/home/ |archive-date=23 July 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|
| Lucille Werner<br>Owen Schumacher
| ] | ]
| ]
| 27 July 2015 – 28 August 2015
| Owen Schumacher
| 27 July 2015
| 28 August 2015
|- |-
| {{Flag|Poland}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Poland}}
| ''Tylko Ty''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvp.pl/lublin/aktualnosci/rozmaitosci/nikt-tylko-ty-nowy-teleturniej-telewizji-polskiej/13658855 | title="Nikt tylko Ty". Nowy teleturniej Telewizji Polskiej |publisher=tvp.pl |date=15 January 2014 |accessdate=17 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/tomasz-kammel-i-radoslaw-kotarski-poprowadza-teleturniej-tylko-ty-w-tvp2 | title=Tomasz Kammel i Radosław Kotarski poprowadza teleturniej "Tylko ty" w TVP2 |publisher=wirtualnemedia.pl |date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=31 January 2014}}</ref> | '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvp.pl/lublin/aktualnosci/rozmaitosci/nikt-tylko-ty-nowy-teleturniej-telewizji-polskiej/13658855 |title="Nikt tylko Ty". Nowy teleturniej Telewizji Polskiej |publisher=tvp.pl |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=17 January 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119121617/http://www.tvp.pl/lublin/aktualnosci/rozmaitosci/nikt-tylko-ty-nowy-teleturniej-telewizji-polskiej/13658855 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/tomasz-kammel-i-radoslaw-kotarski-poprowadza-teleturniej-tylko-ty-w-tvp2 |title=Tomasz Kammel i Radosław Kotarski poprowadza teleturniej "Tylko ty" w TVP2 |publisher=wirtualnemedia.pl |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202112707/http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/tomasz-kammel-i-radoslaw-kotarski-poprowadza-teleturniej-tylko-ty-w-tvp2 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(''Only you'')
| ''Only you''
| Tomasz Kammel<br>Radosław Kotarski
| ] | ]
| Tomasz Kammel
| 27 February 2014 – 30 May 2014
| Radosław Kotarski
| 27 February 2014
| 30 May 2014
|- |-
| {{Flag|Serbia}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Serbia}}
| ''Toga se niko nije setio''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://togasenikonijesetio.rs/ |title=Toga se niko nije setio |language=sr |publisher=togasenikonijesetio.rs |accessdate=19 February 2014}}</ref> | '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://togasenikonijesetio.rs/ |title=Toga se niko nije setio |language=sr |publisher=togasenikonijesetio.rs |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225165945/http://togasenikonijesetio.rs/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(''No one thought of that'')
| ''No one thought of that''
| Tamara Grujic<br>Dragan Ilic
| ] | ]
| Tamara Grujić
| 5 April 2014 – present
| Dragan Ilić
| 5 April 2014
| 11 May 2014
|- |-
| {{Flag|Switzerland}} | style="background-color: #FFC0CB" | {{Flag|Switzerland}}
| ''Weniger ist mehr''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glanzundgloria.sf.tv/Nachrichten/Archiv/2012/04/18/Schweiz/Patrick-Haessig-moderiert-Weniger-ist-mehr |title=Patrick Hässig moderiert "Weniger ist mehr" – Schweiz: Promi-News, Videos und Bilder – glanz & gloria – Schweizer Fernsehen |language=de |publisher=Glanzundgloria.sf.tv |accessdate=31 May 2013}}</ref> | ''Weniger ist mehr''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glanzundgloria.sf.tv/Nachrichten/Archiv/2012/04/18/Schweiz/Patrick-Haessig-moderiert-Weniger-ist-mehr |title=Patrick Hässig moderiert "Weniger ist mehr" – Schweiz: Promi-News, Videos und Bilder – glanz & gloria – Schweizer Fernsehen |language=de |publisher=Glanzundgloria.sf.tv |access-date=31 May 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203957/http://www.glanzundgloria.sf.tv/Nachrichten/Archiv/2012/04/18/Schweiz/Patrick-Haessig-moderiert-Weniger-ist-mehr |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(''Less is more'')
| ''Less is more''
| Patrick Hässig
| ] | ]
| Patrick Hässig
| 20 August 2012 – September 2014
| {{n/a}}
|-
| 20 August 2012
| {{Flag|Italy}}
| 12 September 2014
| ''Zero e lode!''
| ''Zero with honours!''
| Alessandro Greco<br>Francesco Lancia
| ]
| 11 September 2017 – present
|} |}


An American version was set to be developed by ] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.c21media.net/gsn-orders-emojis-remakes-pointless/ |title=GSN Orders Emojis, Remakes Pointless |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331214751/https://www.c21media.net/gsn-orders-emojis-remakes-pointless/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A pilot episode presented by ] with Doug Mirabelloas her assistant was produced by Endemol Shine America but never aired.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anotado |first1=Cory |title=We Watched GSN's Pointless And Lived To Tell The Tale |url=http://buzzerblog.com/2021/04/14/we-watched-gsns-pointless-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale/ |access-date=17 April 2021 |publisher=Buzzer Blog |date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416172822/http://buzzerblog.com/2021/04/14/we-watched-gsns-pointless-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Merchandise ==

On 26 February 2014, the official Pointless app, ''Pointless'' Quiz, was released for iOS,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.endemoluk.com/news/brand-new-pointless-app-launches|title=Endemol UK – Brand new Pointless app launches|work=]|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412063953/http://www.endemoluk.com/news/brand-new-pointless-app-launches|archivedate=12 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> with an ], ] and an ] version released a few months later. The Pointless app features animated versions of Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman and allows the player to tackle questions in a similar format to the TV show. Five books have been released of the show: ''The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World'', ''The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World'', ''The Very Pointless Quiz Book (not to be mistaken for ])'', ''The A-Z of Pointless: A brain-teasing bumper book of questions and trivia'' and "A Pointless History of the World". All five were released by ]. In the books, Armstrong and Osman give their insight to pointless matters. Three editions of the official board game have also been released, plus two mini-sized versions, each of which contains updated questions.
==Merchandise==
===App games===
On 26 February 2014, Endemol's in-house app-publishing division released the official ''Pointless'' app, ''Pointless'' Quiz, was released for iOS,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.endemoluk.com/news/brand-new-pointless-app-launches |title=Endemol UK – Brand new Pointless app launches |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412063953/http://www.endemoluk.com/news/brand-new-pointless-app-launches |archive-date=12 April 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> with an ], ] and an ] version released a few months later. The Pointless app features animated versions of Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, and allows the player to tackle questions in a similar format to the TV show.

In October 2018, Vocala released an ] Skill based on the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vocala.co/works/alexa-skills/pointless?id=334eff8f-639d-4bac-b83c-62c759f2b5be|title=Pointless|website=www.vocala.co}}</ref>

===Books===
Five books have been released of the show: ''The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World'', ''The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World'', ''The Very Pointless Quiz Book'' (not to be mistaken for '']''), ''The A-Z of Pointless: A brain-teasing bumper book of questions and trivia'' and "A Pointless History of the World". All five were released by ]. In the books, Armstrong and Osman give their insight into pointless matters.

===Board games===
Three editions of the official board game have been published by ], as well as two mini-sized versions, each of which contains updated questions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pointless – 2023 |url=https://university-games.co.uk/products/u08612 |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=University Games |language=en |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010195858/https://university-games.co.uk/products/u08612 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
''Pointless'' appeared in the BBC sitcom '']'' (Series 7, Episode 5); Armstrong and Osman both played themselves.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/not-going-out-guest-richard-osman-if-my-kids-dont-laugh-its-lee-macks-fault-64944/ |title=Not Going Out guest Richard Osman: 'If my kids don't laugh, it's Lee Mack's fault' |last=Briant |first=Michelle |date=14 November 2014 |work=] |access-date=28 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040419/http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/not-going-out-guest-richard-osman-if-my-kids-dont-laugh-its-lee-macks-fault-64944/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Pointless'' was also parodied in several sketches of the satirical show '']'', in which a caricature of Osman interrupts people in regular situations with phrases used in the game show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiNhMcJAhT4|title=Newzoids Series 2 Ep5 – Stoptober – Richard Osman|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421185920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiNhMcJAhT4|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Notes==
== In popular culture ==
{{notelist}}
''Pointless'' appeared in the BBC sitcom '']'' (series 7, episode 5); Armstrong and Osman both played themselves.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/not-going-out-guest-richard-osman-if-my-kids-dont-laugh-its-lee-macks-fault-64944/|title=Not Going Out guest Richard Osman: 'If my kids don't laugh, it's Lee Mack's fault'|last=Briant|first=Michelle|date=14 November 2014|work=]|accessdate=28 November 2017}}</ref> ''Pointless'' was also parodied in several sketches of the satirical show '']'', in which a caricature of Osman interrupts people in regular situations with phrases used in the game show.


== References == ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
{{Portal|BBC|Television}} {{Portal|BBC|Television}}
* {{BBC programme|b00rhg2r}} * {{BBC programme|b00rhg2r}}
*
* {{IMDb title|id=1509677|title=Pointless}}
* {{tv.com show|pointless|Pointless}}
* {{UKGameshow|Pointless}} * {{UKGameshow|Pointless}}
* {{IMDb title|1509677}}
* {{BBC programme|b01d09p5|Pointless Celebrities}}
* {{IMDb title|id=2267661|title=Pointless Celebrities}}
*


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__INDEX__

Latest revision as of 16:48, 15 January 2025

British television quiz show This article is about the British quiz show. For other uses, see Pointless (disambiguation).

Pointless
Also known asPointless Celebrities (celebrity version)
GenreQuiz show
Directed by
  • Nick Harris
  • Julian Smith
  • Jonathan Glazier
  • Richard Valentine
  • Richard van't Riet
  • Stuart McDonald (celebrity)
Presented by
Theme music composerMarc Sylvan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series
  • 31 (Regular)
  • 17 (Celebrity)
No. of episodes
  • 1695 (Regular)
  • 357 (Celebrity)
Production
Executive producers
  • Pam Cavannagh (BBC)
  • Tom Blakeson and David Flynn (Brighter Pictures/Remarkable Television)
Producers
  • Michelle Woods
  • Ed de Burgh
  • John Ryan
  • Laura Turner
Production locations
Editors
  • Hannah Barnes
  • Peter Elphick
  • David Horwell
  • Neil Hunter
  • Nick Parker
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time
  • 45 minutes (Regular)
  • 50 minutes (Celebrity)
Production companies
  • Brighter Pictures (2009)
  • Remarkable Entertainment (2010–present)
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release24 August 2009 (2009-08-24) –
15 April 2011 (2011-04-15)
NetworkBBC One
Release11 July 2011 (2011-07-11) –
present

Pointless is a British television quiz show produced by Banijay subsidiary Remarkable Entertainment for the BBC hosted by Alexander Armstrong. In each episode, four teams of two contestants attempt to find correct but obscure answers to four rounds of general knowledge questions, with the winning team eligible to compete for the show's cash jackpot.

Pointless debuted on BBC Two on 23 August 2009. The success of the first three series led the BBC to move it to BBC One from 2011. As of August 2023, the programme is airing Series 30 and has had peak audience figures of over 7 million viewers. An offshoot of the show entitled Pointless Celebrities was first shown in 2011 and as of April 2022 had reached Series 15. The format has been exported internationally.

The first 27 series were co-presented by Richard Osman, who announced on 8 April 2022 that he would step down from the role to focus more on his writing career. Beginning with Series 28, a rotating group of guests took his place. Osman continued to co-present with Armstrong on Pointless Celebrities.

Development

The regular series was presented by the duo of Alexander Armstrong (left) and Richard Osman (right), from its inception until Osman left the show in 2022

The show was originally to be called Obviously and was conceived by Tom Blakeson, Simon Craig, David Flynn, Nick Mather, Richard Osman and Shaun Parry, producers at Endemol UK, in 2009. They envisaged it as a "reverse Family Fortunes....rewarding obscure knowledge, while allowing people to also give obvious answers....a quiz which could be sort of highbrow and populist simultaneously". Osman was not intended to be co-presenter; originally, he filled the role only as part of a demonstration laid on for the BBC. BBC executives asked him to continue when they commissioned the first series. Osman then approached comedian Alexander Armstrong to be the main presenter; the two men had been peers during their university days. Armstrong, who the previous year had been lined up to present Channel 4's Countdown only to back out for fear of being pigeonholed as a presenter, agreed to present what was perceived as a lower-profile show, with the presence of Osman helping to convince him.

In 2016, Osman told the Belfast Telegraph, "It's never been a show that's had posters, or trailers, and it's presented by these two slightly inept guys. Everyone who's ever watched it feels like it's their programme. We've never changed it, but have always done it in the same way, which is slightly shoddy, enjoying ourselves." On the programme's future, he said, "Every programme has a shelf-life, but as long as people are enjoying it, we will stick with it. If Channel 4 wanted to offer three times as much money, we wouldn't take it. We would stay with the BBC. We love the BBC. Pointless is not for sale. We owe the BBC an enormous debt, because they've looked after us."

After Series 27, Osman resigned from the regular series (remaining as co-presenter on Pointless Celebrities) and for series 28 was replaced by six presenters in rotation: Sally Lindsay, Alex Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Stephen Mangan, Konnie Huq and Ed Gamble. Series 29 added Vick Hope, Gyles Brandreth, Ria Lina, Andi Oliver, Nish Kumar, Lucy Porter, Rose Matafeo, Sally Phillips, Hugh Dennis, Anita Rani and Gabby Logan to the rotation.

Gameplay

Teams of two contestants attempt to provide answers that are not only correct, but also as obscure as possible. The programme initially featured five teams per episode, but the field was later reduced to four. On each episode, contestants answer a series of questions that were put to 100 members of the general public in a previously conducted online survey, which had a time limit of 100 seconds. Once a question is asked at the start of a round, the contestants are given details as to what constitutes a valid answer. If a team's answer is correct, they score one point for each participant who gave it during the survey; an answer given by none of the participants is termed "pointless" and adds nothing to the team's score. Incorrect answers add a penalty of 100 points. Once a question or pass is complete, depending on the specific format of the round, any remaining pointless answers are stated along with the high-scoring answers given in the survey, usually the top three.

The game begins with two Elimination Rounds, in which teams must achieve as low a score as possible. The rounds are scored independently of one another, and the team with the highest score in each round is eliminated from the game. If two or more teams are tied for the highest score in either of these rounds, a "lockdown" tiebreaker is played among them, using the last question from the round and the same scoring rules. If the score remains tied, an "emergency question" is asked to break it. In the "Head-to-Head", the two surviving teams compete against each other to find low-scoring answers; the first team to win two questions moves on to the Final.

Teams may return to the programme until they have either reached the Final once or been eliminated in three consecutive episodes, whichever occurs first. The team that reaches the Final is awarded a pair of trophies to keep. They must then supply three answers to a question with many correct answers (e.g. name films directed by a specified director, name a song by a specified singer). If any of the answers is pointless, they win the jackpot as it stands for that game; otherwise, the money rolls over to the next episode. Starting in Series 29, teams can win a £500 bonus in addition to the jackpot by giving three pointless answers in the Final.

The jackpot increases by £250 for every pointless answer given in any round other than the Final. If a team reaches the Final but fails to win the jackpot, the whole amount is rolled over to the next episode and increased by £1,000. As of May 2022 the highest recorded jackpot won on the show was £24,750 on 8 March 2013. Once the jackpot is won, the amount is reset to £1,000. For the Celebrity version, the jackpot is set at £2,500 and increases by £250 for each pointless answer found, while special editions have the jackpot set at £5,000 and increased by £500 for each pointless answer found; in neither version does the jackpot roll over to another episode. Instead for Pointless Celebrities, £500 is awarded to each of the four pairings.

Prior to Series 25, teams became ineligible to return after appearing on two consecutive episodes or reaching the final once, whichever occurred first. This rule was relaxed for the programme's 1,000th episode, in which four past jackpot-winning teams were invited to compete again.

Elimination Rounds

During an Elimination Round, teams aim to score as few points as possible. Each round consists of a question derived from a subject with each member of a team required to give an answer during a pass; each round consists of two passes and teams must decide who will play which pass before the question is asked. Teammates may not confer on answers during the round. Order of play for the first pass is determined by random draw in Round 1 and by ascending order of first-round scores in Round 2. For the second pass in each round, the order of play is reversed.

After both passes are complete, the team with the highest score for the round is eliminated from the game. In the event of a tie for high score, the affected teams are allowed to confer and offer one more answer to the question as a tiebreaker; the order of answers given is identical to the first pass. If the scores remain tied after this pass, the question is thrown out and a new one is played. All scores are reset to zero at the beginning of Round 2.

Six different formats for the questions have been used during the programme's run for the elimination rounds in each game:

  • Open-Ended – Contestants are given the question and have free choice of what answer to give. In Series 1, this format was used three times in this round, before subsequent episodes used it no more than once. A modified version of this format is sometimes used in which the contestants must name items that belong to any of several sub-categories (e.g. given a list of acronyms, choose one and state the word represented by any one of its letters).
  • Possible Answers – Introduced in Series 2, contestants are given a board of potential answers to a question and must each pick one, attempting to find the obscure ones on the board and avoid picking out a wrong answer. Each pass consists of two boards, each possessing at least one pointless answer and one incorrect answer, the latter usually having some indirect link (often humorous) with the question. This format allowed categories to be used in which no commonly agreed definitive list of correct answers might exist. It was discontinued following the end of Series 5, but revived as a bonus round midway through Series 23.
  • Clues and Answers – Introduced in Series 3, contestants are given a list of clues related to the topic of the question, whereupon they must select a clue and provide the correct answer connected to it. An example of this format is that a list could contain the names of different battles and the question requires a contestant to name the country in which it occurred (e.g., "the Battle of Hastings" – "England"). Although the round follows a similar style to that of the "Possible Answers" format, there is no guarantee that contestants may find a pointless answer from within the list. If a team answers incorrectly, that clue remains in play and can be chosen again. The number of clue/answer pairs is always three more than the number of teams playing a round, and a new board is used on each pass.
  • Linked Categories – Introduced in Series 5, each pass consists of two closely related categories; one team member provides an answer related to the first category while the other provides an answer to the second category. The format follows the same principles as that of the "Open-ended" format, but was rarely used and was later discontinued after the series.
  • Picture Board – Introduced in Series 7, contestants are shown a grid of pictures or items and must identify one at a time. In some cases, the pictures have some of the letters in their correct answers filled in and/or serve as clues to items that must be named.
  • Part Identification – Introduced in Series 24, contestants are shown seven items and four groups into which they must be sorted (e.g. given a list of seven parts of the human head, decide whether each is found in the brain, ear, eye, or mouth). Each contestant selects one item and must identify the group to which it belongs. As in "Clues and Answers," a new board is played on each pass, and an incorrect guess leaves that item available to opponents.

As of Series 25, the most common format for the elimination rounds involves "Clues and Answers" for one and either "Open-Ended" or "Picture Board" for the other. For all formats except "Open-Ended" and "Picture Board", the last contestant or team to play on a particular board is invited to answer as many remaining items as they wish before selecting one to use on that turn.

Head-to-head

The two remaining teams compete against each other, answering questions with the intention of finding the lowest scores possible. Both teams can now confer and the winning team of this round moves on to the Final. The format of this round has differed, as listed below:

  • Series 1 – The teams take turns providing one answer to a question at a time and attempting to score as few points as possible. The lower-scoring team from the elimination rounds chooses one of two categories to be played. Each team is given an equal number of turns; if at least one team has exceeded 100 at the end of a pass, the round ends and the lower-scoring team wins.
  • Series 2 to 5 – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of contest; best-of-five for the Series 2 and best-of-three from the Series 3. Each team must give an answer to a question and once both have done so, the lower score of the two wins the question and earns that team a point. Each question will usually have a minimum of four answers to choose from and the order of play is that the team who acquired the fewest points in the elimination rounds gets to answer first on the first question.
  • As of Series 6 – Both teams compete in a multi-question best-of-three contest; while the format is the same since Series 3, all questions have five answers with each team choosing one. Questions follow one of three formats: Picture Board (occasionally using sound cues or with some letters of the correct answer filled in); Clues and Answers; or answers that have been scrambled/anagrammed or had some of their letters removed. Both teams may choose the same item if the second team to play believes that the first has answered incorrectly. The second team is invited to fill in as many missing answers as they can before choosing one.

Midway through Series 23, a new round was added to give the contestants more opportunities to increase the jackpot. It is played between the second elimination round and the head-to-head and is similar to the previously retired "Possible Answers" format. Both pairs of contestants are shown a question and six possible answers. Two of the answers are pointless, two are also correct but score some points and the other two are incorrect (often with a tangential and humorous link to the question). Each pair may offer one answer with no risk of elimination and all four contestants may confer with one another if desired. Any chosen pointless answers add £250 to the jackpot.

Final

The last remaining team receives a pair of trophies to keep regardless of what happens in the Final and now attempts to win the game's jackpot. The team chooses one category from a list, whereupon the host reads a series of questions associated with it that have multiple correct answers (e.g. characters in the play King Lear or films starring Emily Watson). The contestants may take up to 60 seconds to discuss the questions, after which they must jointly give three answers. If any individual answer is pointless, the team wins the jackpot; otherwise, the jackpot is rolled over to the next episode.

Originally, contestants could choose from one of three categories, with unused ones remaining in the list for five days or until they were selected, and had to provide answers to a single question within the chosen category. This format was used between Series 1 and Series 5. The number of available categories was increased to five at the start of Series 6, then reduced to four in Series 9. By the start of the second half of Series 9, the round was modified to require the contestants to provide answers to any or all of three questions connected to their chosen category. They must specify which question they are attempting with each of their three answers and can only win the jackpot if any answer is pointless for its nominated question. As of Series 29, the contestants are presented with two questions in their chosen category and can win an additional £500 by giving three pointless answers.

Pointless Celebrities

Following the success of Pointless and its transfer to BBC One, the BBC commissioned a celebrity edition of the programme, entitled Pointless Celebrities. Much like the main show, Pointless Celebrities has teams of two celebrities competing against each other to win the jackpot for their chosen charities and has the same gameplay as the regular show.

Unlike the Regular version, the jackpot does not roll over and always starts at £2,500 with every Pointless answer adding £250 to the jackpot, but this may be doubled on some occasions. £500 is always donated to every team who fails to either reach the Final or win the jackpot and any money won by a team is split equally between the two charities represented by its members.

Pointless Celebrities is broadcast within a prime-time slot on Saturday nights and features some differences in how the game works. Celebrities are allowed to return in more than one episode with the same partner or a different partner and episodes tend to have a theme in regards to the celebrity contestants that took part – for example, a celebrity edition aired in December 2015 consisted of celebrities who were made famous on reality television shows like Big Brother and Made in Chelsea. Some editions of the show end with a guest performance.

Kelvin MacKenzie controversy

Following a news-themed edition of Pointless Celebrities which aired on 27 October 2014, several fans criticised the presence of former The Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, who was responsible for the newspaper's infamous front-page report concerning the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Osman responded to this criticism with at least twenty comments on Twitter, stating that he had not known MacKenzie would appear until "about an hour before" recording, and that he had "strongly argued against it".

Transmissions

Regular

Series Start Date End Date Episodes Notes
1 24 August 2009 6 October 2009 30 Series 1 took breaks on: 31 August and 10 September.
2 8 March 2010 16 April 2010 Series 2 did not take any breaks.
3 30 August 2010 22 December 2010 50 Episode 50 was a celebrity special.
Series 3 took breaks on: 4‍–‍14 October and 22 November‍–‍21 December.
4 14 March 2011 26 August 2011 60 This was the first series to be broadcast on BBC One.
Series 4 took breaks on: 18 April‍–‍8 July.
5 29 August 2011 6 February 2012 Series 5 took breaks on: 17 October 2011‍–‍2 January 2012.
6 13 February 2012 24 August 2012 70 Series 6 took breaks on: 23 March (pre‑empted for Sport Relief), 2‍–‍27 April, 3 May (an election day in the UK) and 4 June‍–‍10 August.
7 29 August 2012 5 December 2012 Series 7 aired without breaks, but on 16 November a Children in Need special with celebrities was aired.
In episode 60 a couple's answer was considered as incorrect even though their answer could be classified as a synonym of the correct answer. As a result, the BBC did not repeat this episode in 2014 and jumped from episode 59 to 61 without any announcement. However, as a massive jackpot of £20,250 was won in episode 60, viewers noticed the missing episode immediately and the BBC received more than 1,000 complaints.
8 2 January 2013 2 April 2013 65 Series 8 did not take any breaks. This series contained the episode where the highest jackpot was won (£24,750). At the time, there was only one category for the final round. This was changed to three categories the contestants could pick from shortly after this series aired.
9 3 April 2013 25 September 2013 55 Series 9 took breaks on: 29 April‍–‍24 May and 24 June‍–‍30 August.
10 26 September 2013 19 March 2014 70 Series 10 took breaks on: 7‍–‍25 October, 2 December 2013‍–‍3 January 2014 and 3‍–‍21 February 2014.
11 20 March 2014 29 September 2014 55 Series 11 took breaks on: 21 April‍–‍23 May and 19 June‍–‍5 September.
12 28 October 2014 25 February 2015 Series 12 took breaks on: 20 November 2014‍–‍2 January 2015.
13 23 March 2015 28 July 2015 51 Series 13 took breaks on: 13 April‍–‍3 May, 25 May‍–‍11 June and 25 June‍–‍10 July.
14 29 July 2015 29 February 2016 55 Series 14 took breaks on: 3 August‍–‍4 September 2015, 30 September‍–‍23 October 2015, 17 November 2015‍–‍1 January 2016, and 27 January‍–‍26 February 2016.
15 1 March 2016 20 September 2016 Series 15 took breaks on: 21 March‍–‍19 April and 24 May‍–‍26 August.
16 24 October 2016 15 March 2017 Episode 36 marked the 1000th episode of Pointless. For this occasion, Armstrong and Osman swapped roles.
Series 16 took breaks on: 21 November‍–‍9 December, 15‍–‍28 December 2016, and 24 January‍–‍23 February 2017.
17 19 April 2017 29 September 2017 Series 17 took breaks on: 7 June‍–‍1 September.
18 2 October 2017 12 February 2018 Series 18 took breaks on: 6 November 2017‍–‍1 January 2018.
19 2 April 2018 15 June 2018 Series 19 did not take any breaks.
20 19 June 2018 25 January 2019 Series 20 took breaks on: 20 June‍–‍31 August, 19 October‍–‍27 December 2018 and 1 January 2019.
21 28 January 2019 29 May 2019 Series 21 took breaks on: 13 February‍–‍29 March.
22 2 September 2019 6 April 2020 Series 22 took breaks on: 16 October 2019‍–‍1 January and 27 January‍–‍27 March 2020.
23 7 April 2020 6 October 2020 Series 23 took breaks on: 20 April‍–‍25 June and 30 July‍–‍4 September.
24 7 October 2020 22 February 2021 Series 24 took breaks on: 3 November 2020‍–‍1 January 2021.
25 6 April 2021 20 July 2021 Series 25 took breaks on: 14 June‍–‍9 July.
26 21 July 2021 14 March 2022 Series 26 took breaks on: 26 July‍–‍3 September, 28 October 2021‍–‍3 January 2022, and 20 January‍–‍11 March 2022.
27 15 March 2022 20 July 2022 This is the final series with Richard Osman.
Series 27 took breaks on: 18 April‍–‍20 May and 27 June‍–‍11 July.
28 20 September 2022 21 February 2023 This series started later than originally planned due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This was the first series without Richard Osman and instead featured guest co‑hosts, starting with Sally Lindsay (episodes 1‍–‍11) Other co‑hosts: Stephen Mangan (12‍–‍22), Lauren Laverne (23‍–‍33), Konnie Huq (34‍–‍44), Alex Brooker (45‍–‍55).
Series 28 took breaks on: 4 November 2022‍–‍23 January 2023.
29 3 April 2023 30 August 2023 54 Co‑hosts: Ed Gamble (1‍–‍10), Rose Matafeo (11‍–‍21), Ria Lina (22‍–‍32), Lucy Porter (33‍–‍43), Gyles Brandreth (44‍–‍54).
Series 29 took breaks on: 8‍–‍26 May and 7 June‍–‍31 July.
30 31 August 2023 2 April 2024 55 Co‑hosts: Stephen Mangan (1‍–‍4), Konnie Huq (5‍–‍8), Ria Lina (9‍–‍12), Nish Kumar (13‍–‍23), Andi Oliver (24‍–‍34), Sally Phillips (35‍–‍45), Vick Hope (46‍–‍55).
Series 30 took breaks on: 15 September‍–‍27 October 2023, 27 November 2023‍–‍5 January 2024, and 7 February‍–‍29 March 2024.
31 3 April 2024 28 August 2024 48 Co‑hosts: Hugh Dennis (1‍–‍11), Anita Rani (12‍–‍22), Gabby Logan (23‍–‍33), Josh Widdicombe (34‍–‍44), and Desiree Burch (45‍–‍48).
Series 31 took a break from 29 May to 19 August.
32 29 August 2024 TBA 49 Co‑hosts: Desiree Burch (1‍–‍7), Chris Ramsey (8‍–‍18), Gok Wan (19‍–‍29), Rob Rinder (30‍–‍40), and Ellie Taylor (from episode 41 onwards)
After airing episode 27 series 32 took a break from 7 October 2024 to 6 January 2025.

Co-hosts

Up to series 32 episode 47 on 31 January 2025.
Co-Host Episodes S 28 S 29 S 30 S 31 S 32
Sally Lindsay 11 11
Stephen Mangan 15 11 4
Lauren Laverne 11 11
Konnie Huq 15 11 4
Alex Brooker 11 11
Ed Gamble 10 10
Rose Matafeo 11 11
Ria Lina 15 11 4
Lucy Porter 11 11
Gyles Brandreth 11 11
Nish Kumar 11 11
Andi Oliver 11 11
Sally Phillips 11 11
Vick Hope 10 10
Hugh Dennis 11 11
Anita Rani 11 11
Gabby Logan 11 11
Josh Widdicombe 11 11
Desiree Burch 11 4 7
Chris Ramsey 11 11
Gok Wan 11 11
Rob Rinder 11 11
Ellie Taylor 7 7
Total 259 55 54 55 48 47

Celebrity

Series Start Date End Date Episodes Notes
1 4 July 2011 8 July 2011 5 Daily at 5:15 pm. Series 1 did not take any breaks.
2 25 February 2012 16 June 2012 8 On selected dates across four months.
3 20 October 2012 27 December 2012 9 Weekly on Saturday evenings at 5:40. Episode 9 was first broadcast on a Thursday due to Christmas schedules.
4 16 February 2013 7 September 2013 6 On selected dates. Episodes 1 to 5 were specials with contestants from a specific field: sports, Doctor Who, sitcoms, radio and top chefs.
5 14 September 2013 21 December 2013 12 On Saturdays at selected times.
In the first episode of this series, Richard Osman set a new Guinness World Record by naming at least 30 countries, identified by their capital cities in 60 seconds.
6 28 December 2013 3 January 2015 31 On Saturdays at selected times. The series took a break midway through.
7 11 April 2015 26 September 2015 7 On Saturdays at selected times.
8 29 August 2015 30 January 2016 17 On Saturdays at selected times.
9 9 January 2016 3 September 2016 8 On Saturdays at selected times.
10 14 May 2016 31 March 2018 45 On Saturdays at selected times.
11 23 December 2017 1 June 2019 39 On Saturdays at selected times.
12 31 August 2019 14 March 2020 23 On Saturdays at selected times.
13 25 April 2020 24 April 2021 30 On Saturdays at selected times.
14 23 December 2020 16 April 2022 52 On Saturdays at selected times.
15 2 April 2022 5 August 2023 31 On Saturdays at selected times.
16 26 November 2022 20 April 2024 20 On Saturdays at selected times. First series recorded without the dividers between celebrities after COVID restrictions. Apart from the 26 November episode (BBC Centenary Special) and the 2022 Christmas special, all other episodes aired in 2023 and 2024.
17 11 March 2023 TBA TBA On Saturdays at selected times. The only episodes to have aired in 2023 are 'Comedy' (11 March) and "Eurovision 2023" (13 May, before the Eurovision final). Only 2 new episodes aired in 2024 (27 April and 4 May 2024). The 17th series continues on 4 Jan 2025 (Ep. 5: Sports Special).

Pointless Celebrities: Daytime

Series Start Date End Date Episodes Notes
1 10 December 2012 21 December 2012 10 Ten episodes with celebrities shown at the time of regular Pointless (weekdays at 5:15 pm). Made for the Christmas season of 2012.

Specials

Title First Broadcast
500th Episode 6 June 2013
1,000th Episode 16 January 2017
"The Good, the Bad and the Bloopers" 23 March 2019

Broadcast and ratings

Series 1 aired on BBC Two between August and October 2009 with the corporation announcing on the day of the final episode's broadcast that it had commissioned Series 2. The series' audience had peaked at 1.69 million viewers; 17.2% of audience share for the timeslot, while averaging around 1 million viewers per episode. Series 2 saw audiences grow modestly; the format was tweaked prior to the start of Series 3, reducing the number of rounds and giving more time for banter between the hosts which had previously been edited out. The change saw strong viewer growth and the show was moved to the BBC's main channel BBC One in 2011. By 2013, the programme was recording four episodes in one day and averaged 3.6 million viewers daily, gaining more viewers than ITV game show The Chase, which airs in roughly the same time slot.

In February 2014, Pointless was extended for another 204 episodes, giving three more series, taking the total commissioned to 13 in February 2014. A further 24 Celebrity Specials were also ordered. For the 1,000th episode, Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman traded host and assistant duties and four previous couples who had distinguished themselves in various ways were invited to compete again. The jackpot for this episode began at £2,500 (the usual starting value for Pointless Celebrities) and every pointless answer during the main game added £1,000 to it. On 23 February 2016, it was announced that the show had been recommissioned by the BBC to make 165 more Regular daytime editions along with 45 prime-time Celebrity Specials taking Pointless to the end of 2017. On 4 September 2017, it was announced that the BBC had commissioned a further 204 episodes including 165 Regular and 39 Celebrity Specials.

With the start of Series 11 of Pointless Celebrities, the show's set design was changed with some new graphics and an updated intro replaced the one used since the show's debut; this extended to Series 19 of Regular Pointless.

International broadcast

In Australia, Pointless has aired on both BBC UKTV (series 10 and 11) and ABC (series 9–11). As of 18 March 2023, it is aired on the Nine Network at 2pm Weekdays

In South Africa, Pointless airs on BBC BRIT on the African satellite television provider, DStv.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2012 National Television Awards Comedy Panel Show Longlisted
TV Choice Awards Best Daytime Show Nominated
2013 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Programme Longlisted
2014 Nominated
2015 Nominated
The Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Daytime Programme Won
2016 National Television Awards Most Popular Daytime Programme Nominated


International versions

Legend:   Currently airing as of February 2021     No longer airing  

Country Local title Channel Presenter Assistant Premiere date End date
 Australia Pointless Network Ten Mark Humphries Andrew Rochford 23 July 2018 10 May 2019
 Czech Republic Míň je víc!
(Less Is More!)
ČT1 Jan Smetana 5 January 2015 17 December 2015
 Croatia Tog se nitko nije sjetio
(No one thought of that)
RTL Antonija Blaće Krešimir Sučević-Međeral 29 April 2013 7 June 2013
 Denmark Jo færre, jo bedre
(The fewer, the better)
TV2 Steen Langeberg Marie Tangaa 6 January 2019 present
 France Personne n'y avait pensé !
(No one had thought of it!)
France 3 Cyril Féraud 16 July 2011 22 January 2021
 Germany Null gewinnt
(Zero wins)
Das Erste Dieter Nuhr Ralph Caspers 20 July 2012 1 March 2013
 Italy Zero e lode!
(Zero cum laude!)
Rai 1 Alessandro Greco Francesco Lancia 11 September 2017 1 June 2018
 North Macedonia Без Поени!
Bez Poeni!
(No Points!)
Sitel Snezana Velkov 1 November 2014 7 March 2015
 Netherlands Pointless NPO 1 Lucille Werner Owen Schumacher 27 July 2015 28 August 2015
 Poland Tylko Ty!
(Only you)
TVP2 Tomasz Kammel Radosław Kotarski 27 February 2014 30 May 2014
 Serbia Toga se niko nije setio
(No one thought of that)
Prva Tamara Grujić Dragan Ilić 5 April 2014 11 May 2014
  Switzerland Weniger ist mehr
(Less is more)
SRF1 Patrick Hässig 20 August 2012 12 September 2014

An American version was set to be developed by GSN in 2017. A pilot episode presented by Alison Sweeney with Doug Mirabelloas her assistant was produced by Endemol Shine America but never aired.

Merchandise

App games

On 26 February 2014, Endemol's in-house app-publishing division released the official Pointless app, Pointless Quiz, was released for iOS, with an iPad, Android and an Amazon version released a few months later. The Pointless app features animated versions of Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, and allows the player to tackle questions in a similar format to the TV show.

In October 2018, Vocala released an Amazon Alexa Skill based on the show.

Books

Five books have been released of the show: The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World, The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World, The Very Pointless Quiz Book (not to be mistaken for The Pointless Book), The A-Z of Pointless: A brain-teasing bumper book of questions and trivia and "A Pointless History of the World". All five were released by Coronet. In the books, Armstrong and Osman give their insight into pointless matters.

Board games

Three editions of the official board game have been published by University Games, as well as two mini-sized versions, each of which contains updated questions.

In popular culture

Pointless appeared in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out (Series 7, Episode 5); Armstrong and Osman both played themselves. Pointless was also parodied in several sketches of the satirical show Newzoids, in which a caricature of Osman interrupts people in regular situations with phrases used in the game show.

Notes

  1. Osman retired from co-presenting the main series in 2022, but he still co-presents Pointless Celebrities.
  2. Regular series only, the role of co-presenter currently alternates between Sally Lindsay, Alex Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Stephen Mangan, Konnie Huq, Vick Hope, Gyles Brandreth, Ria Lina, Andi Oliver, Nish Kumar, Ed Gamble, Lucy Porter, Rose Matafeo, Sally Phillips, Hugh Dennis, Anita Rani and Gabby Logan.
  3. Known as Remarkable Television prior to 2023.

References

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External links

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