Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson lets rip with advice for Family Feud game show rival Grant Denyer

HARD Quiz host Tom Gleeson is one of TV’s funniest men, but he prefers when the mickey is taken out of him except when it comes to Tony Abbott and Grant Denyer.

NO-ONE is better than Tom Gleeson at a put-down.

The comedian won a legion of fans grilling celebrities including Karl Stefanovic, James Blunt and Steve Price for his Hard Chat segment on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.

Last year, the ABC took a punt on matching Gleeson’s acerbic style with a game show format. Hard Quiz was the result and it was an instant success.

Each episode of Hard Quiz features four contestants with expert knowledge in specialist subjects. Last year’s series included authorities on everything from Harry Potter to Seinfeld, the Beatles, wombats, Renaissance art and punk rock.

The Weekly with Kitty Flanagan, Charlie Pickering and Tom Gleeson. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

The contestants on Hard Quiz — genii or just plain weird?

Both. And I love them for it. They’re such great sports. They might be weirdos but they’re my weirdos.Hard Quiz is a celebration of these people and their expert subjects!

 Last year’s contestants were happy to give you a bit of lip back. Is that something you encourage?

I always tell the live audience that I enjoy taking the piss out of the contestants but I love it even more when they take the piss out of me. The season two contestants have really taken that ball and run with it. In some episodes I’m copping it from all angles.

Tom Gleeson enjoys it when contestants take the mickey out of him on Hard Quiz. Picture: ABC

Did you ever envisage you would be a successful quiz show host?

No but then again, I never even thought I would be on TV. Headlining the Sydney Comedy Store on the weekend was as far as my ambition stretched when I started comedy.

You’re also renowned for Hard Chat. Who is still on your wish list for a grilling?

Malcolm Turnbull. I’ve Hard Chatted an ex-PM (Kevin Rudd) and a potential future PM (Bill Shorten) but not a sitting PM. Tony Abbott would be fun too. If you’re reading this Tony, Hard Chat welcomes sniping and undermining with open arms.

Tom Gleeson with 2016 Hard Quiz finalists.

If you were a contestant on Hard Quiz, what would your special subject be?

Monty Python, Rolling Stones or quantum mechanics. Physics is a great subject to stop the other contestants stealing from you.  

You had everything from a Cold Chisel expert to a flags expert in season one. What are some of the loopy expert fields we can expect on this year’s series?

So many to choose from! Thomas the Tank Engine, Cassowaries, The Bangladesh Cricket team ... there are people that are really into these things! 

Do you have Hard Quiz fans coming up to you in the street — and how would you describe them?

Expansive. They never stop me for a quick chat.

If Grant Denyer’s Family Feud was more interesting he would not have to dance so much says Tom Gleeson. Picture: Mark Stewart

What could you learn from Grant Denyer and what could he learn from you?

I could learn from Grant that if I was happy to compromise on quality I could record 10 episodes in 2 days. Grant could learn from me that if his game show format was more interesting, he wouldn’t have to dance around so much.

Hard Quiz, ABC, Wednesday, 8pm