Quiz show MasterMind has come under fire from fans following the latest episode on Monday.
The long-running BBC show was accused by some of having “dropped its standards” after one contestant’s specialist subject was the US cartoon sitcom, The Simpsons.
Admin assistant Danielle opted to answer questions on the first 10 years of the popular show, which has been running since the 1990s and still continues today.
Competing against a health consultant who specialised in composer Chopin, a digital designer who chose the plays of Samuel Beckett, and a teacher who answered questions on American activist Gloria Steinem, Danielle managed to achieve the most points in both her specialised round and the general knowledge section.
BBC Mastermind: Danielle won the show after specialising in The Simpsons
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However, not all viewers were impressed by the win, despite Danielle achieving 24 points in total, placing her firmly in the lead.
Some questions she was asked in the Simpsons round included: “What was the name of the dog the Simpsons adopted in the first episode?”
Danielle achieved 11 points for the TV show-focused section and another 13 in the general knowledge segment.
The admin assistant also had no passes during her rounds, another factor that worked out in her favour.
BBC MasterMind: Danielle won by five points
|BBC
“In the lead with 24 is Danielle, so she goes through to the semi-final, congratulations to her,” host Clive Myrie announced at the end of the episode.
X users shared their thoughts on the accomplishment, though, criticising the show for allowing a contestant to specialise in The Simpsons.
One wrote: “Ffs.... The Simpsons, as a specialist subject, I got 8 correct! #Mastermind.”
“The Simpsons. This isn't a serious programme anymore #Mastermind,” a second penned.
“Simpsons season 10? Has #Mastermind dropped its standards?” another asked, while someone else shared: “The Simpsons. Oh, p*** right, off! #Mastermind.”
Others disagreed, though, with one viewer writing: “All Simpsons fans are smart so no surprise she won. She knew her Simpsons stuff certainly #Mastermind.”
BBC MasterMind: Viewers accused the show of 'lowering its standards'
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“The Simpsons seasons 1-10 - that would’ve been my specialist subject choice! #Mastermind #TheSimpsons,” another added. (sic)
Another agreed: “Simpsons. I dunno. Lots of material, but not exactly highbrow #Mastermind.”
Speaking to cameras after her win, Danielle shared: “I can't believe it, to be honest, it's not what I expected really signing up, I just thought give it a go, and at least to be a part of it.
“But to actually win, I don't think I really heard it when Clive said it. I've never been on a quiz show before, but it's been brilliant.
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BBC MasterMind: Danielle made it through to the next round
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“The main person cheering me on at home is mum - and I got into quiz shows by watching the BBC's Quizzing Mondays, just the two of us. We always try to keep a little tally.”
She continued: “Going into the semi-finals, I feel quite nervous now.
“It didn't even occur to me that there would be another topic to learn, so it's quite exciting that there will be something else to learn, so there's more prep now.”