Game shows: A completely pointless move into books

Pointless asks its players to come up with obscure answers to broad general-knowledge question

It's among the most popular shows on television, but if you work nine to five, chances are you've never seen it. Pointless asks its players to come up with obscure answers to broad general-knowledge questions; those with the fewest points proceed to the next round. Like the best game shows, it makes perfect sense as soon as you've watched five minutes of it.

Since 2009, Pointless has attracted many fans, including Sir Tim Rice, Sarah Millican and Stephen Fry, who clearly don't have enough work to do in the afternoon. Last year, it was moved from BBC2 to a coveted slot on BBC1. The show has given its host, Alexander Armstrong, a career beyond comedy, but it has also made a star of Richard Osman, Armstrong's Cambridge chum and bespectacled on-screen sidekick, who also happens to be creative director of Endemol, making him the man behind 8 out of 10 Cats. Pointless fact? His brother is the bassist from Suede.

Now a loo book based on Pointless has been published. The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World features, among other "things", cushions on beds and over-complicated hotel showers. The book itself is as pointless as its contents. But it ought to liven up a loo or two, at least until next Christmas.