h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Surely though, if they give three options and two of them are patently ludicrous then that isn't really a competition.

Patently ludicrous to you and me is one thing but your ordinary Joe in the street these days has probably never heard of Ghengis Khan, Chaka Khan (last seen 20 years ago) or Imran Khan (unless they're a cricket fan.

Don't get me wrong, in principle I agree with you. I once saw a children's progamme asking who starred in Terminator whils showing a clip of Arnie in that very part in the background!
It's just I suspect wording legislation correctly to get what you want will be a serious can of worms.

I think as well the 'remember to get permission from the person who pays the telephone bill' is a con as well.

I refuse to ring any premium rate number on general principle. If the call costs more than the going rate then they don't get any business from me. Simple really.
WHY is the call going to cost 50p a minute? Because it's another way to screw you out of money...

It's not the competition phone ins that bother me so much as the "voting" or "poll" ones. I refuse to take part in them - what a waste of money.

The one that really bothers me is the Channel 5 news "poll" where they ask a topical question like "Should Maxine Carr be released from prison" and then ask you to vote yes or no.

Who profits from these calls? Does any money go to charity? Why do people phone? I just don't get it!



Meanwhile...I am really looking forward to Angus Deayton's comments about the next Hells' Kitchen question (compulsive viewing btw - so bad it makes you cringe)