Rajan’s demeanor was described as “cheerful and relaxed” by the Telegraph
Amol Rajan was hailed by critics when he presented his first episode of BBC Two’s quiz show University Challenge.
Rajan is only the third presenter in the history of the quiz after Bamber Gascoigne and Jeremy Paxman.
While introducing the new series, Rajan told viewers, “A few things have changed since the last series, but all the important things remain the same.”
The Telegraph said Rajan’s manner was “cheerful and relaxed”, while iNews said his arrival felt “seamless”.
The first episode of Rajan was watched by 1.9 million viewers – beating BBC One’s Extraordinary Portraits in the same time slot which achieved 1.22 million.
“Firstly, he looks like he’s really having just as much fun as the contestants and the really dedicated followers of the show. Second, he has the demeanor of someone smart and knowledgeable (which he is), but he doesn’t appear to be a know-it-all (which he is not).”
He added: “Quietly speaking and respectful of his young charges, (Rajan) is almost paternal in tone… But I’m sure the issues are tougher and more complex than in the Paxman era.”
Rajan previously hosted BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show and now presents the network’s flagship Today programme
Awarding the episode four stars, Anita Singh of the Telegraph said: “Rajan is more brash than Jeremy Paxman – the bright tie and pocket square, the shiny gold watch and jewelery – and, unsurprisingly, he didn’t seem all that enthused about the job. But he didn’t overdo it either.
“Also, the format doesn’t allow any presenter to impose themselves too much because they can’t do much except ask questions.”
However, Singh was one of several critics who mentioned that Rajan looked short in stature compared to Paxman. “The first episode started with the host behind his desk looking weirdly tiny, like we were watching Honey, I Shrink the Kids,” Singh said.
Mark Lawson of The Guardian agreed, writing: “The Paxo chair appears to have been retained, which, given Rajan’s shorter stature, leaves very visible leather headrests. A less steep seat might make it look more comfortable at the desk.”
Lawson praised Rajan’s delivery. “The presenter was much slower than the speed of his morning radio show and was very precise … He showed how seriously he took the role by significantly adapting his presentation style to this new challenge.”
But he still only awarded three stars to the episode overall. “He was a close fourth – but that’s a gig measured by endurance, not debuts,” Lawson explained. “Gascoigne lived 25 years, Paxman 29.”
“When the Manchester and Trinity Cambridge players asked a question, he didn’t argue,” Stevens noted. “And when he had to bring five points to a team, he sounded genuinely sorry.
Jeremy Paxman left University Challenge earlier this year after almost three decades of presenting
“Once or twice, when the students were stumped for answers, he did growl, ‘Come on!’ but his heart wasn’t in it.” He sounded much more sincere when he showered approval on both sides.
“He has to impose his own style, of course. It wouldn’t make sense to perform a Paxo tribute full of irony and mockery.”
Paxman stood down from his last edition of the program in May, saying he was “looking forward to watching” future series with viewers at home.
His departure came two years after the 73-year-old revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“Rajan certainly seemed to foster a friendlier atmosphere, although many of the questions (at least for me) remained terribly difficult.
“True, he looked smaller in the big black chair than Paxman, and didn’t have the same vaguely terrifying demeanor. But in a smart suit, orange tie and matching silk check, Rajan set his own tone, which was somewhere between “tough but fair supervisor” and “study buddy”.
Rajan is well known for presenting BBC Radio 4’s Today program and his own interview series on BBC Two.
Melanie McDonough of The Spectator wrote: “The whole thing was fine. Amol was more cheerful than scary. He lacks Jeremy Paxman’s endearing incredulity and lacks the long nose to look down on people, which is nobody’s fault.’
“Nobody liked the slate effect screen,” she said. “What you want in a quizmaster are real cards that you can deploy to good effect when you’re annoyed. You can’t hit the screen. It also means there is less eye contact with the teams.”
Nick Duerden of iNews concluded: “It’s traditional to feel a little scared when change befalls a safe and comfortable program. But Rajan’s arrival felt seamless and so, really, nothing has changed.
“His University Challenge remains a show that’s almost impossible to get into, but it’s curiously nourishing to just sit and watch, often in incomprehension, mostly in awe.”