Monty Panesar once claimed Germany played their home football matches in Athens. David Lammy mistakenly identified Henry VIII’s heir as Henry VII. And actor Amanda Henderson answered “Sharon” when asked about Greta Thunberg.
Panesar’s poor performance on Celebrity Mastermind six years ago was recently used to mock him by Australian cricket captain Steve Smith. Lammy’s wrong answers from the 2009 BBC show were brought up by Robert Jenrick to question the intelligence of the justice secretary, whom he now calls “Mastermind.” Henderson’s 2020 mistake about Thunberg caused such an uproar on social media that the Swedish climate activist briefly changed her Twitter name to Sharon.
The risks of appearing on a quiz show known for attracting intellectuals seem clear and can damage one’s reputation long-term. So why do celebrities agree to participate?
Their agents argue it can raise their profile and showcase their relatable side. Bronagh Monahan, cofounder of Mon Rae Management, which represents YouTubers, said, “These shows are usually for charity, so there’s a positive association. Taking part is what matters. Making mistakes shows you’re human, which can make you more likable.”
But Guardian sketch writer John Crace disagrees, still haunted by misspelling “mozzarella” on Celebrity University Challenge. “My family still teases me about ‘Mozzarellagate,'” he admitted. Crace advises against appearing on such shows: “Unless you’re exceptionally smart, you’re likely to embarrass yourself. Producers hope you’ll mess up because it makes for entertaining television.”
Crace warned that University Challenge is even more humiliating than Mastermind, as it requires buzzing in with potentially incorrect answers and doesn’t allow for preparation on a specialist subject. “It’s much harder on TV than playing at home. I thought I’d be a star, but I wasn’t,” he reflected.
Not all quiz show experiences end in embarrassment. Journalist and author David Hepworth initially hesitated to join University Challenge, fearing he’d be exposed, but his wife convinced him by noting, “You won’t get another chance.” He didn’t regret it after helping his Middlesex team win in 2023. However, he still wouldn’t consider Celebrity Mastermind, calling it “an exercise in TV exploitation.”
Maths teacher Bobby Seagull has built a media career on his University Challenge success, also winning celebrity editions of Mastermind and Pointless. He now coaches celebrity contestants. “My advice is to relax and enjoy it. If you take it too seriously, then…”You panic and fall into that cycle of doom we’ve seen so often in celebrity quizzes. Seagull’s advice includes listening to recordings of the quizmaster to become familiar with their pronunciation and binge-watching other quiz shows.
Even Seagull is troubled by questions he’s gotten wrong, like confusing Barry Manilow with Rod Stewart. He maintained that Panesar’s Mastermind failure could have happened to anyone.
Seagull said, “If you make a couple of mistakes, it really shakes your confidence. As a math teacher, I see that in class all the time. It doesn’t matter how smart you are—you could be Stephen Fry, and a mental fog can still block your ability to recall information under pressure.”
He cautioned celebrities to avoid social media if they make a blunder. Online attacks have become so severe that Seagull doubts the future of such shows. “The risk of social media backlash is reaching a point where it’s becoming hard for producers to attract notable celebrities to these programs,” he said.
Alex Segal, managing director of the talent agency InterTalent, disagrees. “People do these shows for exposure, they can win good money for charity, and it’s fun. It’s not that serious.”
Segal does warn clients they might be made to “look silly,” and sometimes he has advised against appearing on Mastermind when celebrities don’t have time to study their specialist subject. But he said even wrong answers can be entertaining. “I had Omid Djalili on Mastermind. When he didn’t know the answers, he came up with the most ridiculous ones. He didn’t look bad; he just looked funny.”
When asked for the alternative name for the horned rattlesnake based on its movement, Djalili answered “writhing erotically.” The correct answer was sidewinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the risks of competing on a celebrity game show framed around the theme I still feel the shame
General Beginner Questions
1 What does I still feel the shame mean in this context
Its a way of saying that the embarrassing or humiliating moments from being on the show can stick with you long after its over affecting your confidence
2 What kind of game shows are we talking about
Shows like Family Feud The Masked Singer Celebrity Jeopardy or any program where celebrities compete often in silly or highpressure challenges
3 Whats the biggest risk of doing one of these shows
The biggest risk is public humiliation A bad performance a silly costume or a wrong answer can become a viral meme that defines you for years
4 Are there any real benefits to doing these shows
Yes They can be a great way to boost your public profile connect with fans in a new way and often youre playing for a charity you care about
Common Problems Deeper Risks
5 Im worried about looking stupid on national TV Is that a real concern
Absolutely These shows are edited for maximum entertainment which often means highlighting the funniest mistakes or most awkward moments not your smartest ones
6 What if I get a really embarrassing question wrong
Unfortunately that clip will likely live forever on the internet It can be used in memes fail compilations and mentioned by talk show hosts for a long time
7 Could it actually hurt my career
It can depending on your brand If youre known as a serious actor or intellectual a goofy or poor performance might make it harder for audiences and casting directors to take you seriously in future roles
8 What are the social risks
You might face constant teasing from friends family and the public Online trolls and negative comments on social media can be intense and hard to ignore
9 Is the pressure really that different from a normal acting job
Yes In a scripted role you have control On a game show youre reacting in realtime and theres no director to yell cut if you mess up The pressure to be
