The New Series

Sadly I missed the first 2 recordings because I was away on holiday.

We're now into our 5th recording (next week) and it's always such a delight to work on this series.

The show just keeps going from strength to strength and it is now a truly self perpetuating thing of delight, constantly fuelled by a team of highly enthusiastic and clever people (not me, the Production team and Qi elves, although I am highly enthusiastic) and superlative guests, fronted by one of the most intelligent beings on the planet, who is also enormously funny and charming.

I glanced over to the team in the Gallery the other day during a recording, and couldn't help noticing their beaming faces, almost constantly smiling, interrupted only by occasional huge belly laughs...not something you see on every production that's for sure, and something that makes you sit back quietly and reflect upon how fortunate you are to work on one of the finest TV quiz shows ever made.

If you don't have tickets to see the show (and hopefully there's still some left) I urge you to come down to a recording, where you'll be treated to hilarious moments, out-takes and little asides that don't make it on screen.

Series 4

Series 4 begins filming just after Easter, so book in quick to get tickets if you haven't already done so (it may even be too late!)

The set has just come out of storage, and is in the process of being given a dust down by a team of highly skilled scenic dusters.

Every inch of its surface area is painstakingly cleaned, sterilised and re-painted in readiness for a brand new series.

As its Series 4, based on the letter D, we are only allowed to use Dulux paint. The set previously having been rubbed down with D grade sandpaper, by a carpenter called David.

By late April, the precious cargo will be traveling by road in a specially commissioned (D reg) articulated lorry, from Shepherds Bush to the South Bank.

The driver, Dan is only permitted to travel on roads with the letter D in it, which does however create logistical problems for future series.

New Series

There's a new series (D) on the cards which starts filming end of April early May to be confirmed.

Anybody that's really keen on tickets to the show should head on over to www.applausestore.com.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

A view behind Alan's desk

Not exactly interesting, but a little peek behind the set.

A Series 2 audience waits...

Funny, it always looks so much bigger on telly!

New Qi Set Web Forum

Qi website supremo Chris Gray has very kindly started up a Forum post about the Qi set....pop over and have a good look.

http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=53859

The very first sketch

This is a scan of the very first rough sketch I made whilst dreaming up the idea for the set.

Also included is another rough sketch working out how I could get a Golden Section screen into a two-shot.

Ever Evolving

There are some subtle differences between the 'Q' desk on Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3.

Let me know if you spot them.

(Series 1 at the bottom, Series 2 middle and Series 3 top image)

Answers to follow.....

The Finished Product

Photos of the completed set for Series 1

The Set Construction

These pictures show the construction phase of the set build.

If I can dig them out, I'll try to post some of my construction drawings and designs.

Q.i - Inspirations

Here are a series of pictures that were part of the inspiration for my set design.

These were ultimately used on the 'rings' behind Stephen.

In no particular order of importance: The Rosetta Stone, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and The Golden Section, which was used elsewhere on the set.

Other images not shown are Newtonian scientific formulae and an Astrology Chart.

You might find that Quite Interesting.