Pencil and Paper – Nostalgia Central

1 9 6 0 – 1 9 6 1 (UK)
30 minute episodes

This Tuesday evening quiz show from ATV pitted two teams of contestants in the studio against each other and viewers at home who could play along with just “a pencil and paper” (hence the title) to test their IQ and general knowledge.

In the first part of the show, genial Dotto host Shaw Taylor – assisted by Irish model Gwynneth Tighe – asked questions on general knowledge, observation and music directly to viewers and gave the answers at the end of each round.

In the second part of the show, two teams of contestants pitted their wits against each other in the studio. The contest was run on a knock-out basis, with the winning team going on to the following week’s programme.

Viewers were invited to answer a “hangover” question, with the senders of the first five correct postcards each receiving a £5 gift voucher. Around 30,000 entries were received each week.

The first episode aired at 7:00 pm on Tuesday 28 June 1960, with a team of three beauty queens competing against three office cleaning “Mrs Mopps”.

In September, the show was moved – amidst much complaint – from its 7:00 pm timeslot to 10:35 pm in the Midlands region, but remained in the 7:00 spot for the rest of the ITV network.

Shaw Taylor died at his home on the Isle of Wight on 17 March 2015, aged 90.

Host
Shaw Taylor
Assistant
Gwynneth Tighe