QI facts for kids

QI (which stands for Quite Interesting) is a popular British TV show. It's a comedy panel show where people answer questions. The show is known for its funny facts and unexpected answers. It first started in 2003.

The show used to be hosted by Stephen Fry. Now, Sandi Toksvig is the host. Each episode has four people, called panelists. One of these panelists is always Alan Davies, who is a comedian.

Instead of numbering its series like most TV shows, QI uses letters. So, the first series was Series A, then Series B, and so on. The show first aired on BBC Two. Later, for Series F and beyond, it moved to BBC One.

What is QI About?

QI is not your average quiz show. The goal isn't just to know the right answer. Panelists get points for being interesting, funny, or giving surprising facts. They even get points for giving wrong answers if they are common mistakes! This makes the show very entertaining and educational at the same time.

The Host and Panelists

The host of QI is like the teacher of a very fun class. They ask questions and share lots of interesting facts.

Stephen Fry's Time as Host

Stephen Fry was the original host of QI from 2003 to 2016. He was known for his huge knowledge and witty comments. He made the show very popular.

Sandi Toksvig Takes Over

In 2016, Sandi Toksvig became the new host. She was already a frequent guest on the show. Sandi is also known for her humor and intelligence. She has continued to make QI a favorite for many viewers.

Alan Davies: The Permanent Panelist

Alan Davies has been a panelist in every single episode of QI. He often plays the role of the person who knows the least, which leads to many funny moments. He's a big part of the show's humor.

How the Game Works

The game has a few simple rules, but they lead to lots of fun.

Questions and Answers

The host asks questions that often seem easy but have tricky answers. For example, a question might be "What is the fastest animal?" and the obvious answer might be wrong. The real answer might be something unexpected.

Scoring Points

Points are given for correct answers, but also for interesting facts, funny jokes, and even for giving a "quite interesting" wrong answer. Panelists lose points for giving answers that are "obviously wrong" or common misconceptions. This unique scoring system makes the show unpredictable.

Behind the Scenes of QI

Many people work to make QI happen.

The Creator: John Lloyd

The idea for QI came from John Lloyd. He is a famous TV producer who has worked on many comedy shows. He wanted to create a show that was both funny and taught people new things.

Filming and Production

Each episode of QI is filmed in front of a live audience. The show is produced by the BBC, which is a big TV company in the UK. There are also longer versions of the show called QI XL, which have extra content.

Images for kids

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  Comedian Alan Davies (pictured in 2007) has been a permanent QI panellist in every series.

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  Veteran comedy producer John Lloyd was the driving force behind QI's creation.

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  The QI panel set, seen empty in 2009, incorporates the QI logo.

• Sandi Toksvig.jpg

  Danish-born Sandi Toksvig, a regular QI guest (Bantermeister), took over from Fry as QI Master from Series N in 2016.

See also

In Spanish: QI para niños