The Einstein Factor
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Defunct | 22 November 2009 |
| Fate | Cancelled |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Peter Berner (host), Barry O'Brien (producer), Ian Duncan (executive producer), Shaun Levin (executive producer) |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC1) |
The Einstein Factor was an Australian quiz show aired on ABC1, hosted by comedian and media personality Peter Berner. It debuted in 2004 and ran for six seasons until its cancellation in 2009, with the final episode broadcast on 22 November 2009. The program was scheduled Sundays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. The show was developed by producer Barry O'Brien and produced by Sparkz, with Ian Duncan and Shaun Levin acting as Executive Producers.
Overview
The series sought to discover contestants who "possess deep expertise in one area and broad knowledge across many others," featuring participants who brought forward a personally chosen subject each week. The show gained popularity partly due to Berner’s witty hosting approach.
A hallmark of the program was the Brains Trust—a trio of celebrity "experts" who competed alongside the contestants. Regular panelists included Barry Jones, Berner’s radio colleagues Tony Moclair and Matt Parkinson, comedians Tim Ferguson and Michael Veitch, musician Red Symons, scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, former Temptation Grand Champion Stephen Hall, as well as actor, historian, and musician Alice Garner.
Show format
In the initial round, Berner posed up to 15 questions focusing on each contestant's chosen specialty. This segment concluded either once all 15 questions were answered or after 90 seconds elapsed. The subjects were often highly specific and challenging, including themes such as Stargate SG-1, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ned Kelly, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Björk, Michael Collins, and WWII aircraft. Each correct response awarded 100 points. Beginning in 2005, a "bonus" true/false question was introduced, offering contestants the option to answer for 100 points or defer to the Brains Trust for a chance at 200 points, with no penalty for incorrect answers.
During round two, participants selected from nine thematic categories that frequently had indirect connections to their actual topics—for instance, a heading like "Rock and Roll" could pertain to either geology or music. Each contestant picked two categories (resulting in six questions total), which all players and the Brains Trust then answered. Contestants had five seconds to respond to multiple-choice questions before the Brains Trust deliberated. If the Brains Trust answered correctly, those contestants who also answered correctly received 50 points; if the Brains Trust erred, correct contestants earned 100 points. In season six, each contestant chose only one category per round while the Brains Trust selected one as well.
The third round involved 15 questions directed at both contestants and the Brains Trust—comprised of two questions from each contestant’s specialty alongside nine general knowledge inquiries. This buzzer-based segment had the Brains Trust sharing a single buzzer. Contestants earned 100 points for correct responses but lost 100 points for incorrect ones. The Brains Trust did not accumulate points but could tactically block contestants from scoring.
Play-Offs and Finals
A complete season of The Einstein Factor is divided into three segments, each containing 13 episodes, followed by a grand final, making up a total of 40 episodes. Contestants who win their initial heats progress to the "Play-Offs," and victors from these rounds move forward to compete in the "Series Final." The champions of the three Series Finals then battle in the "The Einstein Factor Grand Final" to decide the ultimate winner. Throughout the competition, contestants maintain their chosen specialized subjects. The usual format for the final third of the season, typically commencing in early to mid-August, is as follows:
- 3 heats
- 1 Play-Off
- 3 heats
- 1 Play-Off
- 3 heats
- 1 Play-Off
- 1 Series Final
- 1 Grand Final
| Seasons | Grand Final Air Date | Winner | Special Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2004-11-07 | Diana Burleigh | Gilbert and Sullivan |
| Season 2 | 2005-11-13 | David Campbell | Dr. Who: 1963–1989 |
| Season 3 | 2006-11-12 | Virginia Noel | Classical Greek Mythology |
| Season 4 | 2007-11-25 | Andrew McDonald | The Luftwaffe and its Aircraft 1936–1945 |
| Season 5 | 2008-11-23 | Paul Bahr | 1975 Australian constitutional crisis |
| Season 6 | 2009-11-22 | Andrew Whatham | The Life and Times of Wilhelm Canaris |