The Contestants

Six contestants. Different people every episode.

Or were they? There always seemed to be a certain pattern of people in a team. There was the Captain, usually something to do with computing or teaching. The Vice Captain would be in the fire service (or similar) and was bossier than the Captain. There would be the older contestant who just didn't seem to get what was going on and always got locked in (and left there!); and the youngest (usually a girl around 16/17) who knew exactly what to do but no-one would listen to because they were so young. The other team members comprised of two of the following:

• someone who mucked around a lot,
• the thick woman who couldn't get what to do and ends up locked in, (but usually bought out because she's a woman);
• the bloke who fancies Richard / Other Contestant and is constantly annoying;
• the know-it-all studenty type who pisses off the rest of the team,
• and the quiet, intense type who no-one notices but wins all the crystals.

I prefer the shows where the team don't do very well. I enjoy shouting at them for being stupid (yes, I know, 'I'd like to see you try…'), and I love the tension: will they win any more crystals? To have a chance of winning the prize the contestants needed at least 8 crystals. When they are in the last zone and have three crystals, you really feel for them. I think the shows where they win loads are a bit boring. Richard gets bored then as well though, so he starts making up bollocks again.

My favourite episode is from series 4, where the team win about four crystals overall, but get three team members locked in. This team were so much fun. They were out to have a good time, and they did. They decided that they'd started as a team, so were going to finish as a team and bought the three captives out. Leaving them with one crystal: that's five seconds of time in the Crystal Dome. Richard was pissing himself laughing counting down the time in the Dome. ..'Five, Four, Three, Two, One '

I couldn't stop laughing all the way through. I wasn't laughing at the team though, they were good sports and did try really hard. Richard was on top form that day as well, which makes the show more interesting.

I find the episodes where the Team are so intense and serious and win loads of crystals a bit boring.