It is frustrating being insomniac.

You've all seen it. Quizarama on chanel 9 on late night television. The busty bikini girl telling you to ring a 1900 number, wobbles her breasts: "Call now, fast, immediately, as you will probably win $1000" Better call them, she may even wobble her breasts again if you call and make them happy.

Then the guy who points to the camera every 5 seconds assuring us that to be real guys, you obviously have to ring the 1900 number, and then you are "cool".

They ask questions like "Name the Prime Minister of Australia".

The question is not the point, they'll do anything to get you to dial the 1900 number.

Big Brother started this scam. They must make a fortune. Chanel 7 doesn't do it any more. Chanel 10 bought the David Letterman Show. That irritation is another story.

Is this gambling? And what about the kids that are still up. Will they use your phone thinking that they could win money. Imagine the shock when you get the phone bill.

The only good side is that it spares you from the other 1900 adverts. The one that has a strawberry in the bathtub and puts it down to where you can only guess. I wonder what the kids think?

Then there is "thin lizzy" which is a great laugh watching the Kiwis putting this make up on for no apparent reason. It is really only "natual glow" but they sent the other narrator away. Suburbia must boredom to hellish proportions if this is all they do.

So is this gambling, exploitation, fit for broadcasting? Have we really lowered our standards too far? Or are they going to bore us to death with informercials that preach with sickening mediocrity?

I actually thoroughly enjoy such programs. Quizmania would have to be one of the highlights in my TV viewing schedule. It was a sad day for Australia indeed when Midnight Zoo and the Uplate Game Show were taken off air. The games, puzzles and quizes were so enlightening, not to mention obviously entertaining (I mean, i never knew the name of our PM before. I always thought he was just one of the muppets). I suppose the only things missing from such exhilarating viewing is the incorporation of strawberries and bathtubs....

I also enjoy long walks on the beach, having my fingernails pulled out with pliers and itches on my testicles relieved with blows from knotted shipping rope.

Our media is doing a fantastic job at dumbing-down our society... keep it up!

Meliorator and Saintfletcher:

I think it is all part of a commercial television plot to create empty space or vacuum in our minds so we become more receptive to their repetitive and low target advertisements. Especially where they urge us to utilise more junk and follow the lead of cricketers, lowbrow footballers or golfers.

So much good could be done with television but unfortunately not much of this is done from the commercial television corner. I feel they should be forced to depict fat kids consuming potato chips and soft drink.

I emailed Niel Mitchell about the rip off " Quismaster". I never
received a reply. I also emailed channel 9 also no reply. This
program should be banned ; it is gambling.

Raiar

Good on you Raiar.

It is a pity that some people cannot see that gambling for some is a serious addiction. The double whammy of having sexploitation to sell an addiction, I would have thought, would be worthy of investigating more regulation.

Good thing I have U Tube to watch my favourite music videos. I can read but with insomnia or shiftwork: at night, it is not always the best time to concentrate, even if you can't sleep. This is the time when a person's better judgement is vulnerable.

I have only viewed about a half an hour of Quizmania a few times. By far it is the best show on commercial television. I am not being sarcastic, violence bores me, American sentimentality is sugary sickening, I had over dosed on sports years ago and can only tolerate a half hour of highlights a week. I dont watch much tv but the ABC and SBS seem to be the only channels interested in diversity and quality. Again Quizmania by far is the best tv show on commercial tv. Although its not good enough to hold my attention , why should commercial tv get rid of its best show?

From what I have seen Quizmania is not gambling , its gives prizes there is no betting, it is no different than any other game show. The confusion comes aqs its set looks like a poker machine. Maybe it is better to draw in Gambling addicts to watch tv and try and win prizes than have them go out and really gamble.

There is nothing offensive about the hosts, the few times I have seen the show there were no bikinis. I suggest to people , if you dont like a program dont watch it. There is always plenty to do around the house and millions of books to read.