The Krypton Factor (1991) - Episode Seven

At its most basic level, The Krypton Factor was a nerd pentathlon in primetime, and this is what made it the king. There wasn’t even a prize! In what seems like blasphemy in this era of naked capitalism, contestants were prepared to be put through their paces, on national television, for little more than the sense of self-satisfaction and a statuette.

– TV quiz show fan Aaron Hawkins fondly remembers The Krypton Factor, The Spinoff, 30 July 2015

That's something we don't often see; David's stepped into the water, he must walk the plank again and of course it's still swinging. Steady at first. All this is taking time that he can ill afford to lose...

– Contestant David Marrison hits a rough patch on the assault course

The face of someone at the limit of endurance...

– Dougal Stevenson's commentary as Maureen Sullings tires on the last few assault course hurdles

A few signs of frustration, the 10 points have gone, the six points have gone, there's tension in the studio...

– Dougal Stevenson's commentary as Lisa Futschek hurries to finish her dodecahedron

The only thing more impressive than the Krypton Factor’s mental and physical challenges was the glue that held them all together. With a haircut you could set your watch to, and the clipped and measured intonation that only the NZBC could provide, Dougal was a rock. It made no difference whether he was watching an abstract puzzle being assembled, or a military assault course being conquered. In the two quiz rounds, he was all stern headmaster, the faintest hint of disappointment coming out to meet your incorrect answers.

– Aaron Hawkins on Krypton Factor host Dougal Stevenson, The Spinoff, 30 July 2015

It was entirely different because it had these disciplines and really you had to be totally on top of it, you had to focus, as of course you had as a newsreader; you had to focus very carefully on what you were saying, but you had to focus quite often on the contestants themselves. It was quite interesting really, it was very intriguing to see...you've got four people sitting in a very large studio with an audience looking at them and everything is very testing, if you see what I mean...and I found that an interesting discipline really. And the other thing is to try and sound as though you were keen for everybody to succeed...

– Dougal Stevenson on the skill set needed to be a good Krypton Factor host, Radio New Zealand, 18 February 2021