University Challenge contestants look so smart because questions they can’t answer are edited out

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “I'll let you into a secret University Challenge is recorded,” host Jeremy Paxman told an audience at Henley Literary Festival. "If we get a run of questions, it doesn't happen very often, say one show in seven or eight or 10 or something, you might get a run of unanswered starter questions, they all get edited out.” Paxman justified the cuts by saying that “as a taxpayer you do not want to think your money is being wasted”, but perhaps an hour-long uncut episode would be better? open image in gallery While Paxman suggested the cuts only happen every 10 episodes or so, the Telegraph claims contestants are unable to answer a string of questions around two to three times a recording. Not satisfied with blowing University Challenge wide open, Paxman also criticised the BBC itself at the festival, taking aim at the £145.50 licence fee.