The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World: A pointless book written by the presenters of the hit BBC 1 TV show

BBC's Pointless #2

by Alexander Armstrong, Richard Osman

We've all had them, those pointless arguments that are seemingly impossible to solve. We've been round in circles trying to work out what came first, the chicken or the egg? Don't get us started on the debate of what we are all here for? And you're bound to have had sleepless nights pondering which ingredient you simply can't do without in a full English Breakfast - sausage or bacon. Well worry no more, here to help you solve some of life's biggest - and most pointless - conundrums are Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman.

So, does God exist? and what is the most pointless sport - ballet or darts? With a witty and intelligent collection of stand-up pieces, quizzes, cryptic brainteasers and pointless facts, Alexander Armstrong and his pointless friend Richard Osman will put the world to rights and finally answer the 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World....Ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2013

About the author

An English actor, television and radio presenter, and singer, best known as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller and as host of the BBC TV game show Pointless.

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fairly entertaining, entertaining enough that I read it in a day (two sittings (bc I fell asleep halfway thru (not the books fault (was it? (you'll never know))))) and questions I wasn't interested in the answers generally made me invested in what the answer would be, However I think the book has a target audience that I'm Not but not books fault bc I just picked it up at the library bc I saw one of the guys on tv and he was funny, but it's specifically targeted to British ppl (English? Idk what the Terms r) and also ppl who watch the show idontevenknowhattheshowaboutso 😎😎 but it was interesting read

[Geoffery Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare that I have to stop reading a book in a public place because I'm laughing too hard and the other passengers on the bus are giving me weird looks, but The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World had me in stitches from the get go. Even if you've never seen Pointless you couldn't fail to be amused by Armstrong and Osman's bickering chemistry, the ridiculously hard pop quizzes and answers to all the most important questions like which way round the loo roll should go on the holder and what's better to eat on a plane, chicken or beef. I didn't always agree with their answers, I still think cats are better than dogs, but their arguments are always winningly plausible: we have to have a Royal Family, otherwise Piers Morgan would be the one opening all the hospitals. The book loses a single star for being achingly current; it's obsessed with One Direction, Call the Midwife and half a dozen other trends which will render it not only a bit obsolete, but also fairly confusing in a couple of years. Just now though, it's spot on and hilarious.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, gave me a few laughs and I learnt some facts, but not really anything that'll stick in my head for long.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wanted to know how many cows fit into the average bedroom? Or indeed which is the best breed of cow? For the answers to these and many other non-bovine questions, look no further. So laugh-out-loud funny in places, it would be rude to read in public, yet filled with deeply insightful moments (is Postman Pat really happy?). My only criticism would be that it completely misses the mark when discussing the ultimate flavour of crisp (clearly it's cheese and onion).

I believe it's your turn to take the bins out.

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a three from me - although to be fair it is quite dated now and I did pick it up in a bargain bookshop .
I enjoyed it and it is perfect for dipping in and out of ( dare I say - the perfect toilet read) . Several of the chapters are funny , some not so much .
I have to say I preferred Richards to Alexander’s but I still preferred Richards novel. ( and can’t wait for the next one).
The quiz’s that are mixed in at intervals are disappointingly nothing like pointless - firstly in format and secondly they are too bloody difficult , I was struggling to understand some of the answers whilst looking at the actual answers !

[Russell Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be a cheap cash-in on Pointless, the popular TV show they host, however, it turned out to be a fun read. I enjoy the show, and like both Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman. Their personalities and fun writing styles shine through as they discuss many of the great debates of our age, such as which is the best flavour of crisps, or who is the best Dr Who. I would have liked a few of the debates to have been settled by them both, rather than individually, but hey, let's not do anything crazy like subtract a star for this.

[Matthew Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really funny in places (mostly in Richard's chapters), but trying too hard and a little offensive in others - not as consistent as the first one, basically. A largely accessible and fun read for the most part though.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even the pair acknowledge that this a Christmas gift book. Some of it's funny, some of it tries too hard, but the tone is good and the quizzes are fun throughout. The chapter on Does God Exist is worth a read.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, funny in places.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Gave my brain a break from fiction. Easy, light and fairly funny.

[Sohra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts even made my stern asian mom laugh.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok reviews of some of the world's most pointless arguments.

[AL · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was enjoyable sporadically, maybe it's for the viewers of pointless specifically

[Budd Margolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fast and many interesting thoughts and facts. Enjoying a break from the real world and news of gloom, boom and doom.

[Graham King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fun read, recommended for Pointless fans, those who enjoy stupid arguments, with the odd quiz thrown in. Equally suited for ploughing through cover to cover or just ducking in and out of!

[Justine Olawsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

When we were on a family trip to London last year, we all fell under the spell of a British game show called Pointless. It is a fun combination of trivia and strategy as 2-player teams try to come up with a correct answer that is very obscure. For instance, the category could be "Books by Bill Bryson" and the teams would scramble to figure out which book would not be named by anyone in a survey of 100 people (it's kind of the anti-Family Feud in that way). Anyway, it was a big part of our vacation and one we have fondly remembered -- even calling up episodes on YouTube when we need a little shot in the arm.

Jason was in London again for business last month, and he brought me back this book by the two hosts of Pointless. It is a fun, light-hearted read -- basically like an extended college bull session moderated by these two fellows, one of whom appears to be Neil Patrick Harris's English cousin. Inside, the burning questions that have tortured the world (some since its dawn, some since the day before yesterday) and have led to wars and divorce and the drinking of many, many pints of beer are conveniently argued and answered so that we can all move on to more important things. Some of the questions are so very British that this Yank could only read and smile vaguely and sigh.* And some of their resolutions are completely off the mark.** But, most are pretty darn hilarious, which makes this the sort of book that helps you while away an hour or two at the airport and then gets passed on to friends and family.


*For example, #38: How do we feel about Postman Pat? Who? What? Huh?
** For example, #97: Cats vs. Dogs And I am not just disagreeing because my cat is sitting on my lap right now doing mind-control with her purring.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, known as a duo from the quiz show 'Pointless', use this book to answer some of the most common arguments in the world. Questions like, how many cows fit in one bedroom? Or whose turn is it to take the bins out? But also, is god real? And, cats or dogs? And, every other question or so, you'll get a few quizzes to keep you entertained.
Fortunately, you don't have to be a fan of the show to love the book. And neither do you have to be British, although I can imagine it helps. You do have to love the British dry wit a bit. And among the tongue-in-cheek-humor, occasionally you'll find surprisingly good advice. (Yes, you should write that novel.) Anyone who has ever had a pointless, or perhaps not so pointless but still common, discussion needs to read this book. It won't disappoint.

[Ghada · Rating 5 out of 5]

It happened that I read couple of dark depressing books in a row and I really had to break the mood with some light reading. I guess I wouldn't have found a better choice! this was insane, hilarious in the most inappropriate way yet you can't help but laugh.
though I have to disagree with the cat vs dogs argument :)
let me be clear about it, it's amazing regarding the category I was seeking, it's not Patrick Modiano, it's not a soundproof thriller that is perfectly written, it's not a literature wonder..yet if you are seeking a hilarious book and a good laugh and you must be aware of the British culture to get the joke. .there you go, this is the book for you. argument settled.

[Daniel Gibney · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the Pointless hosts provide us with the definitive (in their opinion) answer to resolve many household disputes, from whether ghosts exist to whether the toilet seat should be left up or down. As any fan of the show would expect, there are facts and fiendish quizzes sprinkled between the two distinct senses of humour (Richard's more intellectual style complements Alexander's often coarser commentary). From a mild chuckle, through a snort of unexpected mirth, to a hearty guffaw, I experienced laughter of all kinds while reading this book.

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the last two Cbristmases I've bough a copy of the latest Pointless book for my husband because I wanted to read it myself. This year's is funny and clever, just like the show itself. Perhaps I'll just be honest from now on and admit that I'm buying future Pointless books for myself.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is pretty much exactly what you expect it to be. I read it in the bath, because I'm reading David Copperfield on Kindle, and didn't want to drop my Kindle in the bath. It's quite funny, and occasionally touching. I particularly enjoyed Alexander Armstrong's defence of Shakespeare.

[Kevinjwoods · Rating 3 out of 5]

surprisingly funny for a cashin of a popular quiz, interesting that they have taken the path of having a comedian write funny things rather than the usual idea of having questions that didn't make the cut of the tv show.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, fun read. I enjoyed it more than the previous Pointless book.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's becoming a tradition to read the Pointless book just after Christmas, and if anything I enjoyed this one even more than the last one. That may be because I argue a lot though!

[Claire Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me quiet for all of Christmas Day. Result.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice bit of fun and very amusing. I especially liked the little quizzes, and the creative writing by Armstrong.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much fun as the first one, but still a good read. I really liked the 'cats vs. dogs' one and the 'cows in the childhood bedroom' one.

[Evangeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this much more than its predecessor. I think this was due to a combination of knowing what to expect this time, but also generally better material.

[Fiachra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Very clever and funny in parts. It's the right level of witty and worth a read, especially if someone buys it for you.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very enjoyable, funny read indeed!