Only Connect 2008
What is Only Connect?
Only Connect is a television quiz show that premiered in 2008. The program features two teams, each consisting of three contestants, who compete against one another.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2008
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 481
- Runtime
- 29 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 15, 2008
- Last aired
- Jul 20, 2026
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC Four, BBC Two
- Genres
- Reality
- Updated
Where to watch
Free
Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 481 episodes and an average 29-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Only Connect is a television quiz show that premiered in 2008. The program features two teams, each consisting of three contestants, who compete against one another. The central premise of the series requires participants to identify the underlying connection between clues that appear to be unrelated. Success in the competition relies on a combination of general knowledge, lateral thinking, and patience, as the show is noted for its high level of difficulty. As a reality television program, it challenges teams to navigate these complex associations throughout the course of the game. The format emphasizes the mental agility of the players as they attempt to solve the various puzzles presented to them. By focusing on the relationships between disparate items, the series distinguishes itself as a demanding intellectual exercise for its participants. The show remains a notable example of the quiz genre, prioritizing analytical skills alongside traditional trivia. Through its specific gameplay mechanics, Only Connect tests the ability of contestants to synthesize information under pressure.
Should you watch it?
“Two teams of three compete to identify connections between seemingly unrelated clues in this challenging quiz show.”
- tests lateral thinking
- rewards patience
- highly unique format
- extremely difficult
- demanding pace
Watch it if you enjoy testing your knowledge and lateral thinking skills against complex puzzles.
The show is a standard reality quiz program suitable for general audiences.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Only Connect — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is Only Connect worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 15 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Lapsed Psychologists v Knitters Sep 15, 2008
- E2 Crossworders v Birkbeck Alumni Sep 22, 2008
- E3 County Councillors v Ombudsmen Sep 29, 2008
- E4 Science Writers v Travel Writers Oct 6, 2008
- E5 Edinburgh Scrabblers v Solent Scrabblers Oct 13, 2008
- E6 Urban Cyclists v Country Walkers Oct 20, 2008
- E7 Bankers v Bookkeepers Oct 27, 2008
- E8 Cricket Supporters v IT Supporters Nov 3, 2008
- E9 County Councillors v Science Writers Nov 10, 2008
- E10 Crossworders v Edinburgh Scrabblers Nov 17, 2008
- E11 Bankers v IT Supporters Nov 24, 2008
- E12 Lapsed Psychologists v Country Walkers Dec 1, 2008
- E13 Crossworders v Science Writers Dec 8, 2008
- E14 Bankers v Lapsed Psychologists Dec 15, 2008
- E15 Crossworders v Lapsed Psychologists Dec 22, 2008
Season 2 · 8 episodes
- E1 Cambridge Quiz Society v Oxford Librarians Jul 13, 2009
- E2 Mathematicians v Wordsmiths Jul 20, 2009
- E3 History Boys v Rugby Boys Jul 27, 2009
- E4 Chessmen v Charity Puzzlers Aug 3, 2009
- E5 Mathematicians v Cambridge Quiz Society Aug 10, 2009
- E6 Chessmen v Rugby Boys Aug 17, 2009
- E7 Chessmen v Mathematicians Aug 24, 2009
- E8 Cambridge Quiz Society v Rugby Boys Aug 31, 2009
Season 3 · 15 episodes
- E1 Archers Admirers v Music Lovers Apr 1, 2010
- E2 Polymaths v Strategists Jan 11, 2010
- E3 Choir Boys v Brasenose Postgrads Jan 18, 2010
- E4 Philosophers v Hitchhikers Jan 25, 2010
- E5 Neuroscientists v Rugby Fans Feb 1, 2010
- E6 Exeter Alumni v Gourmands Feb 8, 2010
- E7 Insurers v Gamblers Feb 15, 2010
- E8 Booksellers v Bowlers Feb 22, 2010
- E9 Archers Admirers v Exeter Alumni Mar 1, 2010
- E10 Brasenose Postgrads v Hitchhikers Mar 8, 2010
- E11 Neuroscientists v Strategists Mar 15, 2010
- E12 Gamblers v Bowlers Mar 22, 2010
- E13 Archers Admirers v Gamblers Mar 29, 2010
- E14 Hitchhikers v Strategists Apr 5, 2010
- E15 Gamblers v Strategists Apr 12, 2010
Season 4 · 16 episodes
- E1 Epicureans v Courtiers Sep 6, 2010
- E2 The Wrights v Urban Walkers Sep 13, 2010
- E3 Radio Addicts v Taxonomists Sep 20, 2010
- E4 Brit Poppers v Geocachers Sep 27, 2010
- E5 Fantasy Writers v Bridge Players Oct 4, 2010
- E6 Mensans v Bloggers Oct 11, 2010
- E7 Mountain Men v In-Laws Oct 18, 2010
- E8 Alesmen v Pool Sharks Oct 25, 2010
- E9 Epicureans v Bridge Players Nov 1, 2010
- E10 Wrights v Bloggers Nov 8, 2010
- E11 Radio Addicts v Brit Poppers Nov 22, 2010
- E12 In-Laws v Alesmen Nov 29, 2010
- E13 Epicureans v Wrights Dec 6, 2010
- E14 Alesmen v Radio Addicts Dec 13, 2010
- E15 Wrights v Alesmen Dec 20, 2010
- E16 Epicureans v Radio Addicts Dec 27, 2010
Season 5 · 16 episodes
- E1 Social Networkers v Vegetarians Aug 15, 2011
- E2 Edwards Family v Inorganic Chemists Aug 22, 2011
- E3 Analysts v Editors Aug 29, 2011
- E4 Joggers v Technologists Sep 5, 2011
- E5 Fantasy Footballers v Antiquarians Sep 12, 2011
- E6 Listeners v Steel City Singers Sep 19, 2011
- E7 Rowers v Linguists Sep 26, 2011
- E8 Rock'n'rollers v Trade Unionists Oct 3, 2011
- E9 Social Networkers v Antiquarians Oct 10, 2011
- E10 Rowers v Listeners Oct 17, 2011
- E11 Edwards Family v Trade Unionists Oct 24, 2011
- E12 Analysts v Technologists Oct 31, 2011
- E13 Listeners v Antiquarians Nov 7, 2011
- E14 Analysts v Trade Unionists Nov 21, 2011
- E15 Listeners v Trade Unionists Nov 28, 2011
- E16 Analysts v Antiquarians Dec 5, 2011
Frequently asked questions
What is the goal of the show?
Teams must find the connection between seemingly unrelated clues.
How many people are on a team?
Each team consists of three contestants.
Is the show difficult?
The program is described as fiendishly difficult.
What skills are required?
Success requires a combination of knowledge, patience, and lateral thinking.
What genre is the show?
It is classified as a reality quiz show.