12th June 2000
Hi all,
Ever cheated at "I Spy"? Come on, be honest, have you ever done it?
I personally believe that the ratio of players and cheats in the entire history of "I Spy" is 1:1. Even in an empty room where there is just a chair I'm sure someone would be tempted to cheat, as this conversation indicates.
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with C."
"Chair!"
"Errrr.... No!"
"Okay, cushion on the chair!"
"Errrr.... No!"
"Then what is it then?"
"Errrrr...... look up there, there's a crack in the paintwork. Crack! Yes, that's it!"
So why on earth should anyone care about this? Well I believe that a lot of radio stations employ the same tactic on these ridiculous "guess the sound" games. You know the type, most stations run them and they all run to a pretty generic format.
"Now it is time for our 'Guess the sound, name the place!' game. Remember the prize goes up £10 for every day that no-one guesses it correctly, and at present the jackpot is up to £4,260! That's amazing when you consider we started off at just £10! Now on the line is Jackie from Bradford. Hi Jackie!"
"Hi super-fab-DJ who I listen to even though you just play records and read funny stories from a newspaper!"
"Okay Jackie, here's the sound."
At that point a half-second clip of nothing-in-particular is played. It could be just about anything, as the radio station knows all too well.
"Errm, is it the sound of someone throwing a pebble into Lake Conniston?"
"Errrrr..... no! Sorry Jackie, thanks for trying!"
"Ok, thanks. I'll still keep listening even though I've now spent £3 calling a premium rate line and you've just patronised me when all my friends are listening! Bye!"
Where do they get these sounds from? Do they know themselves? I would not be at all surprised if all such competitions were actually just a scam.
And if the Radio companies say otherwise my name is not John Smith, and as a result the jackpot is now up to £20!
Have a good week,
Tony
Main Archives
