Jeremy Paxman to step down from University Challenge
Replacement to be announced later this week
Paxman has hosted the show since 1994
Jeremy Paxman is to step down as the host of University Challenge, the BBC has announced. Paxman has hosted the show since 1994, making him the longest-serving current quizmaster on British television.
The BBC said that Paxman's replacement will be announced later this week. Paxman's departure comes after a difficult year for the show, which has been criticized for its difficulty and for Paxman's sometimes abrasive interviewing style.
In the final episode of the 2023 series, Paxman asked contestants a question about the history of the Panama Canal. One contestant answered that the canal was built by the British, while the other answered that it was built by the Americans. Paxman then revealed that the correct answer was that the canal was built by the French.
The question was met with derision on social media, with many people accusing Paxman of being out of touch with the show's audience. Some viewers even called for Paxman to be replaced.
It is not yet known whether Paxman's replacement will be a man or a woman. However, the BBC has said that it is committed to finding a host who is "as knowledgeable, passionate, and entertaining as Jeremy Paxman."
Komentar