Pointless host Richard Osman sat behind a desk with a laptop.
Richard Osman and Alexander Armstrong host (Picture: BBC)

Pointless has become a staple of teatime TV since it first hit screens in 2009, with thousands of episodes of the show having been made since then.

The BBC show, hosted by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, has both regular and celebrity versions.

Contestants put their trivia skills to the test, but rather than aiming for a high score, it’s the lowest number that wins the jackpot.

So how does the show work?

How does Pointless work and what’s a pointless answer worth?

Contestants try to score as few points as possible by giving obscure answers to general knowledge questions.

If no one else from a panel of 100 anonymous participants have thought of the same answer, the contestant will get zero points.

Pointless contestants stood behind podiums on the BBC show.
Contestants aim for ‘Pointless answers’ (Picture: BBC)

The team with the fewest points at the end of the episode wins the jackpot.

Host Alexander Armstrong explained to the RadioTimes that you ‘can’t “apply” to be one of the 100 people because that would then affect the outcome.’

Those polled can’t know they’re being questioned for Pointless, meaning that even the 100 themselves don’t know who they are.

As far as the panel are aware, they are just answering general knowledge questions for a survey – unbeknownst to them their answers will be used for the hit BBC show.

Is this the best Pointless jackpot win ever?

You can apply to be on the show itself, however – find out how here.

When is Pointless on?

Pointless is on BBC One on weekdays at 5.15pm.

If you miss any instalments you can catch up via the BBC iPlayer.

MORE : Which celebrities have appeared on Pointless?

MORE : What’s the highest jackpot ever won on Pointless?


Share your views in the comments below