The Chase viewers were stunned last night (March 31) when the contestants in the show’s new family format were caught in record time after getting just five questions right.
The Lawrence-Harishs lost to Shaun Wallace, aka the Dark Destroyer, with a staggering one minute 18 seconds remaining, leaving host Bradley Walsh speechless.
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After a stunned silence, Bradley said: “That’s never happened before. Now, we’ve got to wait a little while for the news.”
Demi, one of the contestants, replied jokingly: “Today’s news: The Lawrence-Harish family are going home with nothing.”
The family was playing for £2,500 but managed to bungle questions on a range of topics, from Henry VII and Jerusalem to golf brands, the moons of Neptune and musical notes.
Viewers on Twitter blasted the disastrous performance.
One said: “That was the most god awful train wreck of an episode ever witnessed. I’d rather pour hot sauce on my genitals than watch another episode!”
Another wrote: “Why did the family on tonight seem proud of being so dense? Nothing to be proud of.”
A third asked: “How did they get on the show?”
That was the most god awful train wreck of an episode ever witnessed. I'd rather pour hot sauce on my genitals than watch another episode!! 🤭 😱#Thechase
— A U T U M N 🌿🍁🍂🌱 (@QueenRhone) March 31, 2019
#thechase Why did the family on tonight seem proud of being so dense? Nothing to be proud of
— Louise Allen (@darciebean) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/itsB33xox/status/1112414218450554880
But others could empathise with the Lawrence-Harish family and thought the nerves might have got to them.
Someone tweeted: “I can’t even believe how vile people are being, if that was me the nerves of just being on TV would freeze my mind alone. Remember it’s easy to answer questions, in your own time, in the comfort of your own home.”
Another echoed that sentiment, writing: “Just seen today’s The Chase. Fair play to them having a go, wouldn’t catch me on TV with my family.”
Just seen todays #TheChase fair play to them having a go, wouldnt catch me on tv with my family
— Steve A (@SteveA_3) March 31, 2019
Other viewers were left wondering why ITV is even bothering with a family version of the show.
A Twitter user said: “This family edition is a farce.”
A second wrote: “This is the downside of a family version. She’s out because she’s crap but she’ll still get something if they win. What’s the point?”
Someone else tweeted: “Don’t think this family format has legs…”
A fourth commented: “This family format doesn’t work at all.”
https://twitter.com/ValerieSaunder1/status/1112412550522695681
This is the downside of a family version. She's out because she's crap but she'll still get something if they win. What's the point? #TheChase
— Al Be Back (in 20 minutes) 🐙🧟♂️🐌 (@alan_mackie) March 31, 2019
Don't think this family format has legs…#thechase
— Vin Kelsey 💙 (@vckelsey6) March 31, 2019
This family format doesn't work at all. #thechase
— Andi (@Andi000211) March 31, 2019
Two members of the family, Demi and Kerrie, did manage to get into the final with a two-step head start on Shaun Wallace.
Read more: The Chase fans call out host Bradley Walsh for totally harsh move
But they gave just five correct answers and Bradley advised them not to look at the score board, adding: “People may not notice.”
What do you think of The Chase’s family edition? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.