The Man With All The Answers
Let me introduce a good friend to you and while I do that I’ll also introduce you to a world you see everyday but may not have noticed. Those of you who watch tea-time quiz shows (or watch iPlayer) can see my friend Chris Wills for the next few days on A Question of Genius on the BBC, the latest in a number of TV quiz shows in which he’s participated.
His first quiz show experience was 15-1 back in 2001. Chris wasn’t terribly successful (partly as a result of getting picked on by a “retired paperboy”), but undaunted he then applied for another teatime quizzing legend, Countdown. This was a much bigger success, as he ended up becoming series champion and winning a large number of dictionaries in 2002. Various other stints have followed, including Mastermind and The Weakest Link – on the latter Chris won about £2,500 and a kiss from Anne Robinson.
However, it’s not the winning itself that’s most important to Chris, but – forgive the cliché – the taking part. Some people get a buzz from skydiving, drumming or dancing at a rave; Chris gets a buzz from appearing in front of a TV camera and showing off his general knowledge (or his ability with words and numbers and his love of pastel shades of clothing- apparently they look good on camera).
If he wins, fantastic; but even if he doesn’t, the experience is invariably a positive one, thanks to the other contestants and the production team. They’re all well looked-after, put up in nice hotels, get their travel expenses paid and generally pampered, all by people who work ridiculously long hours, often for relatively low pay and (if they’re freelance) perilous job security, yet somehow manage to remain friendly and enthusiastic. Chris tells me about there being an interesting community spirit within the world of TV quiz shows as he often sees people he’s faced before on other shows.
Chris and I have been friends for about three years, having first chatted on a social networking site; our friendship blossomed from there. Chris is a committed atheist, which may lead some to question how we can have a meaningful friendship without some sort of ideological conflict. In fact, it’s simple: Chris totally respects my Christianity, just as I totally respect his atheism, and whilst our beliefs may differ, faith has never been something that has dominated our friendship.
We often discuss how the actions of the Church (big C) impacts on society and I gain perspective on how my own faith works out in a secular environment. Faithfulness as friends is far more important between us, as is the common ground we share. Chris helps deepen my understanding and love of Doctor Who, he introduces me to great music which helps close some of the musical gaps in my knowledge and we regularly indulge in verbal flights of fancy.
Also, whilst Chris might be an atheist, this does not mean his mind is closed to spiritual matters. Last year, he came to Greenbelt for the first time, after being pestered by me for a few months and found this to be both an enriching and rewarding experience, as so many of the discussions that take place are not specifically around religion, but focus on wider issues of social justice, our perception of those around us and our search for ontological security in an increasingly uncertain world. (Chris wants me to use the word “ontological” - I frequently have to reach for a dictionary when talking to him) For Chris, who is currently doing a part-time Social Sciences degree, these discussions were both illuminating and thought-provoking, so much so he’s coming back this year.
So, although Chris prides himself on being the man with all the answers, he’s also someone who likes to ask plenty of questions. Chris will be taking part in a special Countdown challenge happening at the Hub during this year's festival.
Ben Whitehouse is Literature Coordinator for the Greenbelt festival. His blog- White Like Milk - is here and you can follow Ben on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/benjaminbrum
You can follow Chris Wills on Twitter by pointing your internet at: www.twitter.com/crispeater
