Pop the Q

Pop the Q was a British interactive gameshow which became the first live format to be commissioned by MTV for their TMF network. It began life in the summer of 2005 running for two hours on Sunday afternoons.

The initial show was presented by Caroline Flack and Yemi Sawyerr and was a blend of music videos and interactive video games that could be played by viewers to win prizes such as VIP gig tickets. Games included Pop Cannon – viewers had to guess the power needed to fire Robbie Williams out of a cannon into a bucket. Pop Trash – callers must work out which garbage bin Christina Aguilera was hiding in. It was similar in style to MTV Select but with caler competitions instead of caller song requests.

In subsequent series the show developed into more of a quiz caller format which had slots from 12 midnight until 3:00am (1:00am to 4:00am on Thursday nights). Lasting a whole three hours, each show was hosted by a single presenter; unusual for its genre. The main style of game for this show was a tower (stack) game, with ten potential answers relating to a themed clue. Game entry was by players either dialling the number on screen or via a random callback via the free web entry route. Viewers were also invited to e-mail the presenter in the studio, selected messages being read out on air.

Pop the Q ended on 1 June 2007 with Yemi Saywerr presenting the final show.

Currently, similar programs air worldwide.

Presenters

• Gemma De Ville
• Elle Dible
• Caroline Flack (pilot series only)
• Mel Peachey
• Hannah Peckham
• Adèle Sica
• Yemi Sawyerr
• Luke Toyne