Fans of the notoriously challenging BBC quiz show Only Connect were presented with a festive treat that broke the mould: a Christmas special entirely themed around a classic British pub quiz. Host Victoria Coren Mitchell, 53, fully embraced the concept, even adopting the attire of a barmaid for the occasion, complete with visible bra straps.
A Festive Format Shake-Up
In a radical departure from the show's standard cerebral format, this special episode was described by Coren Mitchell herself as 'something of an experiment'. She admitted to having 'broken a few rules', notably by awarding more points than is customary. The pub quiz theme was executed in detail, with contestants forced to navigate rounds while a team member was 'down the pub' fetching a fictional round of drinks, mirroring the disruptions of a real pub trivia night.
Coren Mitchell teased the unconventional episode on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing: 'The Only Connect specials begin tonight! The first one was something of an experiment. I think we might have broken a few rules so I won’t say more than: I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!' During the show, she further immersed herself in the theme by snacking on pork scratchings.
Viewer Reaction: Praise and Criticism
The new, arguably more accessible format proved to be a hit with a significant portion of the audience. Many viewers expressed joy at finally being able to solve some of the puzzles, a rare occurrence given the programme's infamous difficulty.
Fans took to social media to applaud the change, with comments including: 'Loving the pub quiz variation of #OnlyConnect this evening... Wonderfully entertaining genius,' and 'Thank you! Absolutely inspired episode... made me reminisce my old east end pub quiz team.' Others simply celebrated: 'Loved it! Got a lot of the answers right too for a change!'
However, the dramatic shift did not sit well with all devotees of the show's traditional, more austere style. Some viewers were less impressed, with one stating: 'Oh just realised Victoria’s doing it like a pub quiz. Nah don't like it #OnlyConnect.' Another criticised the host's conduct, saying: 'Not keen on the pub quiz format. Even more annoying is VCM eating while conversing.'
What's Next for Only Connect?
Despite the mixed reception, the majority of feedback was positive, with several fans also complimenting Victoria Coren Mitchell's striking new look for the episode. This pub quiz special was the first of four Christmas specials scheduled over the holiday period.
The festive run continues on BBC One, featuring episodes with returning contestants and specialised themes, including a sports-themed edition set for Boxing Day. All episodes air at 8pm and are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers to judge the 'experimental' format for themselves.
