Tipping Point (game show)

For other uses, see Tipping point (disambiguation).

Tipping Point
Genre	Quiz show
Created by	Hugh Rycroft Matthew Boulby
Presented by	Ben Shephard
Theme music composer	Marc Sylvan
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	12 (Regular) 8 (Lucky Stars) 3 (Best Ever Finals)
No. of episodes	1,367 (Regular; as of 18 November 2022) 75 (Lucky Stars; as of 24 July 2022) 7 (Specials; as of 9 June 2022) 25 (Best Ever Finals; as of 29 August 2022)
Production
Running time	60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production company	RDF Television (2012–14) Fizz (2015–present)
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	2 July 2012 (2012-07-02) – present

Tipping Point is a British television quiz show that is broadcast on ITV1. First airing on 2 July 2012, it is presented by Ben Shephard and features three contestants (originally four before Series 12) answering questions on the subject of general knowledge to win counters which they use on a large coin pusher arcade-style machine. Only the winner at the end has a chance to take home any money; the others leave with nothing except any non-cash prizes they may have won during the game.

Gameplay

The machine consists of two shelves filled with flat circular counters; the upper shelf slowly extends and retracts, whilst the lower one is stationary. The rear face of the machine is divided into four "drop zones," each of which contains a pegboard similar to those found in pachinko machines. Contestants answer questions to win counters, then choose a drop zone and press their buzzer to release one counter at a time into that zone. The goal is to have the counters land flat on the upper shelf so that its retraction will cause them to push other counters over its front edge, leading them in turn to push still others off the lower shelf and into a collection trough referred to as the "win zone." Contestants win £50 for each counter that drops into the win zone during their turn. Any counters that bounce out of the machine and land on either the floor or the lip of the win zone during a turn are still credited toward that contestant's score.

Three "mystery counters" were added in series 2, each labelled with a question mark; at the start of the game, two are on the upper shelf and one is on the lower. If a mystery counter enters the win zone, the contestant in control of the machine wins a prize (monthly flower bouquets, weekend holiday, etc.), which is theirs to keep regardless of the game's final outcome. Two "double counters" labelled "x2" were added in series 5, one each on the upper and lower shelves, which double the value of all counters that land in the win zone on that same drop. If both double counters fall in a single drop, the total value is quadrupled. This was first achieved in the 45th episode of series 11 first broadcast on 28 December 2021. Starting with series 9, the mystery are respectively coloured green and the double counters are respectively coloured yellow, so that they can be easily distinguished from the others in the machine.

Counters that enter the win zone when the machine is not in play, excluding the final round, are "ambient drops" and are removed from the machine with no effect on scoring. If such a drop occurs after a contestant has chosen a drop zone but before they have pressed the buzzer to release a counter, they are given the option to play from that zone or select a different one. Any mystery or double counters that fall into the win zone as an ambient drop are put back in the machine, as near as possible to the position they occupied before falling.

A "ghost drop" occurs when a counter drifts forward as it falls through a drop zone, until its face makes contact with the clear plastic sheet covering the front of the zone. The resulting friction can greatly slow the counter or even stop its descent altogether for a very short period of time. Ghost drops, mistimed drops, and unexpected bounces can lead to a counter landing on the upper shelf so that it partially overlaps or "rides" on others; such plays rarely trigger falls into the win zone, adversely affecting the contestant's turn.

For the first 11 series, the lowest-scoring contestant at the end of each round including round 1 is eliminated from the game and forfeits all their money. In the event of a tie for low score, a sudden-death toss-up is used to break the tie. A correct buzz-in answer allows the contestant to advance, while a wrong answer eliminates them. If three or all four contestants are tied for low score, the toss-ups continue until either one has been eliminated or all but one have advanced. Beginning in series 12, with only three contestants per game, eliminations occur only at the end of the second and third rounds.

If a contestant is visually impaired, they are allowed to have a helper stationed backstage, who can see the machine and give advice through an audio earpiece as to where and when to play each counter. The helper may not assist in answering questions. This first happened in the 125th episode of series 11 first broadcast on 12 May 2021 and again in the 24th episode of series 12 first broadcast on 12 May 2022.

Round 1

All the contestants are each given three counters at the start of this round. A series of toss-up questions is asked, and the first contestant to buzz-in may answer. A correct response allows the contestant to either play one of their own counters or force an opponent to play one instead, based on their judgement of how likely the machine is to pay out on that particular turn. Once a contestant runs out of counters, they may not answer any more questions; the last remaining contestant doesn’t need to buzz-in, but must continue answering correctly in order to use their counters.

A contestant who gives an incorrect response at any time loses one counter, which is placed into a penalty pot. If the pot contains any counters at the end of the round, they are all put at stake on one final toss-up question, which is open to all four contestants. An incorrect response on this question freezes the contestant out, and a new question is asked to the others.

If no contestants lose any counters, the round ends once they have each used the three they were given.

Round 2

Each contestant answers 45 seconds of rapid-fire general knowledge questions and receives a counter for each correct answer, then uses these counters in an attempt to win more money. The leader at the end of Round 1 decides who will play first; after the chosen contestant has finished their turn, the higher-scoring of the other two decides who will play next. In case of a tie at any point, the first tied contestant who gave a correct answer in Round 1 has priority.

Except for the Soccer Aid specials, the time limit was 30 seconds in the first 11 series and Lucky Stars.

Round 3

In Round 3, the two remaining contestants are asked six questions alternately, three to each contestant, and the leader at the end of Round 2 decides who will start. After hearing a question, the contestant in control may either answer or pass to the opponent. One counter is awarded for each correct answer, while a wrong answer awards the counter to the opponent. Each counter is used as soon as it is earned. If the contestants are tied going into this round, the first one who gave a correct answer in Round 2 has priority.

Final round

The contestant is given a jackpot counter, larger than the others used in the game and coloured gold with a red star and chooses a zone from which to drop it into the machine. The goal of this round is to win a £10,000 jackpot by getting the counter into the win zone. The contestant must answer one multiple-choice question from each of six categories, in any order; all questions have three answer options. For each category, the contestant chooses whether to play for one (easy), two (medium), or three counters (difficult). A correct answer awards the selected number of counters, which the contestant immediately plays in the machine.

Counters that enter the win zone during this round are worth £50 apiece, including any that fall during the initial playing of the jackpot counter and the mystery and double counters are still in effect. Ambient drops are not voided in this round once the jackpot counter is in, they are added to the contestant's winnings; however, they are voided before the jackpot counter goes in and after the last category has been used. If the jackpot counter enters the win zone, the contestant's cash total is augmented to £10,000. As of Series 8, the jackpot is doubled to £20,000 if a double counter falls on the same drop in which it is won. This was first achieved in the 5th episode of Series 10 first broadcast on 4 March 2020 and again in the 26th episode of Series 11 first broadcast on 26 May 2021.

If the contestant fails to recover the jackpot counter after using up all six categories, they may either trade the accumulated money for three more counters, or end the game at this point and keep all winnings. If the contestant trades, all counters except the jackpot counter become worthless and they forfeit all their money if the jackpot counter remains in the machine; however, the jackpot can still be increased to £20,000 with a double counter and they can win a mystery prize but only if one falls with the jackpot. If the contestant does not trade, and if the jackpot counter is on the bottom shelf, they play the three counters to see if they would have been able to win.

Regardless of the outcome in this round, the contestant keeps all mystery prizes they have won at any point in the game.

Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

The title-card for the Lucky Stars series.

A series of 12 celebrity episodes under the title Tipping Point: Lucky Stars aired on ITV, beginning on 9 June 2013. The programme was shown in a primetime slot. Three further series were then aired, in the summer of 2014, the autumn of 2016 and the autumn of 2017. A Christmas special aired in December 2018, ahead of a fifth series in summer 2019. The sixth series commenced in Autumn 2020 and a Christmas Special aired in December 2020.

The celebrity episodes feature some changes to the ordinary format:

1. Each contestant plays on behalf of a selected charity.
2. All cash values are doubled: £100 for normal and mystery counters, and £20,000 for recovering the jackpot counter, except for the 2021 and 2022 soccer aid special.
3. Double counters are not present in the machine, except for the 2021 and 2022 soccer aid special.
4. Mystery counters award either a small joke prize, a cash bonus or a question about the playing contestant that allows them to play a bonus counter by giving a correct answer. In the soccer aid specials the prizes are things to help people in need.
5. In Round 2, the time limit is 30 seconds rather than 45 seconds, except for the 2021 and 2022 Soccer Aid special.
6. The losing contestants after rounds 2 and 3 still take home the money they have accumulated for their chosen charities. If a contestant is eliminated with a total of zero, a donation is still made to his or her charity.
7. In the final round, if the contestant trades the money in but loses, his or her charity still receives £1,000.
8. Episodes recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic were recorded before a live audience, instead of using canned applause as in the regular series.

Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals

Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals is a half hour spin-off that is shown at times when the regular series is neither shown nor repeated (e.g. during ITV horse racing coverage). The programme showcases the best and most dramatic jackpot finales from previous daytime series of Tipping Point. From series 2 they also included some dramatic jackpot final rounds from previous series of the primetime celebrity spin-off Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.

Transmissions

Regular series

Series	Start date	End date	Episodes	Notes
1	2 July 2012	27 July 2012	20	Series 1 took no breaks.
2	2 January 2013	26 February 2013	40	Mystery counters were introduced. Series 2 took no breaks.
3	20 May 2013	20 November 2013	70	Series 3 took breaks on 1 July – 6 September, 28 October – 1 November and 11 – 19 November 2013
4	17 February 2014	29 August 2014	70	Series 4 took breaks on 28 April – 6 June and 10 June – 1 August 2014
5	5 January 2015	4 December 2015	125	Double counters were introduced. Series 5 took breaks on 16–27 March, 4 May – 4 September, 23–24 September, 1, 7, 16 October and 9–20 November 2015
6	7 December 2015	21 October 2016	150	Series 6 took breaks on 21 December 2015 – 1 January 2016 and 23 May – 26 August
7	2 January 2017	10 November 2017	150	Series 7 took breaks on 20 January, 14–17 March, 22 March, 6–7 April and 31 May – 1 September.
8	8 January 2018	17 May 2019	165	Double counters started doubling the jackpot. Series 8 took breaks on 12–16 March, 9–13 April, 23 April due to the birth of Prince Louis of Cambridge, 28 May – 30 August and 10 December 2018 – 10 May 2019.
9	1 January 2019	9 December 2020	165	The mystery and double counters have been given new standout green and yellow colours respectively. Series 9 took breaks on 12–15 March, 1–5 April, 13 May–30 August, 9 December 2019–31 August and 14 September–8 December 2020.
10	1 January 2020	12 March 2021	165	Series 10 took breaks on 9–13 March, 23 March–11 September, 9–31 December 2020 and 20 January 2021 due to Joe Biden becoming new US President.
11	19 April 2021	1 June 2022	165	Filming started in March 2020, with the first 18 episodes recorded shortly before lockdown regulations took place. Production then resumed in late July 2020 with COVID-19 safety measures in place with the other 147 episodes using a new setup, these episodes first broadcast from 10 May 2021. This series started a week later than originally planned due to the death of Prince Philip. Series 11 took breaks on 4 June–27 August, 2 September, 13–27 December 2021 and 14 March–27 May 2022.
12	11 April 2022	2023	165	In this series, there are only 3 contestants per episode instead of 4 and the time limit in round 2 was increased to 45 seconds. This series still uses COVID-19 safety measures. Series 12 took breaks on 30 May–2 September, 6 September due to Liz Truss becoming new UK Prime Minister, 9–19 September due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and 21 November 2022–present.
13	2023	TBA	TBA

Lucky Stars

Series	Start date	End date	Episodes	Notes
1	9 June 2013	25 August 2013	12
2	5 July 2014	23 August 2014	8
3	15 October 2016	3 December 2016	8
4	3 September 2017	29 October 2017	8	No episode on 8 October 2017.
5	7 July 2019	22 September 2019	11
6	13 September 2020	29 November 2020	12
7	4 April 2021	16 May 2021	7	This series was recorded with strict COVID-19 safety measures in place, including social distancing of on-screen members and crew, and no audience present.
8	3 April 2022	24 July 2022	9	This series still uses COVID-19 safety measures. No episode on 17 April, 29 May, 5–26 June, 3 July and 17 July due to Britain looking for a new prime minister.
9	2023	TBA	9

Specials

Date	Title	Notes
19 December 2014	Text Santa Special
29 December 2018	Christmas Special
25 December 2019	Christmas Special
24 December 2020	Christmas Special	This episode was recorded with strict COVID-19 safety measures in place, including social distancing of on-screen members and crew, and no audience present.
2 September 2021	Soccer Aid Special	This episode still uses COVID-19 safety measures.
24 December 2021	Christmas Special	This episode still uses COVID-19 safety measures.
9 June 2022	Soccer Aid Special	This episode still uses COVID-19 safety measures.
17 December 2022	Christmas Special

Best Ever Finals

Series	Start date	End date	Episodes
1	12 March 2019	17 November 2019	5
2	10 March 2020	14 June 2021	12
3	15 March 2022	29 August 2022	8
4	March 2023	TBA	TBA

International transmissions

• Australia – the Nine Network first broadcast the regular series on 2 December 2019. Episodes air at 3:00 pm weekdays (except in Western Australia, where it airs at 4:00 pm weekdays), in direct competition with rival ITV-produced game show The Chase on the Seven Network. A repeat of the same day's episode is shown sometime after midnight the following day. For a brief period in January 2021, episodes also aired in prime time, at 7:30 pm Saturdays.
• Ireland – Virgin Media Two airs episodes Monday to Friday at 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
• New Zealand – TVNZ airs episodes of the original British version as well as its celebrity Lucky Stars counterpart Monday to Saturday at 10:00am and Monday to Friday at 3:00pm.

Merchandise

The official Tipping Point app for iOS was released by Barnstorm Games on 30 March 2014. The Android version was later released on 3 April 2014. An electronic board game based on the show was released in 2015 by John Adams under its Ideal Games brand. Another Tipping Point app was released in 2020 called Tipping Point Blast!

External links

• Tipping Point at IMDb
• Tipping Point on Twitter
• Tipping Point at UKGameshows.com