'Tipping Point' contestant goes viral after epic Homer mix-up

Tilly Pearce

Watch: Tipping Point contestant makes hilarious blunder

A Tipping Point contestant his unwittingly gone viral after confusing famed Greek author Homer with the Simpsons patriarch.

Host Ben Shephard stifled a giggle on Monday’s episode after seeing the mishap unfold during the quiz, which is inspired by arcade coin-drops.

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Speaking to Manchester school teacher Dom, he asked: “In his epic poems, Homer often refers to nectar as the drink of the gods and which other substance as their food?”

<p>A contestant on ITV's Tipping Point quiz show confused his Greek poets with his animated sitcom dads, and host Ben Shephard could not hide his enjoyment of the mix up.</p>
A contestant on the Tipping Point quiz show confused his Greek poets with his animated sitcom dads, and host Ben Shephard could not hide his enjoyment of the mix-up. (ITV)

The correct answer is ambrosia – but Dom, not thinking of the Odyssey poet, instead went with Homer Simpson’s beloved treat.

He responded: “I know he likes doughnuts. I think I’ll go with doughnuts please, Ben.”

Shephard looked dumbstruck for a moment, gathering his thoughts before passing the question over to quiz rival Lindsay.

<p>A contestant on ITV's Tipping Point quiz show confused his Greek poets with his animated sitcom dads, and host Ben Shephard could not hide his enjoyment of the mix up.</p>
Ben Shephard looks shocked at the Tipping Point error. (ITV)

But Lindsay was also none the wiser, and added: “I would have said doughnuts as well. Beer and doughnuts. Yeah, right up Homer’s street.”

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With that the Good Morning Britain host couldn’t help but laugh – just as Dom realised his error.

Unfortunately, it was too little, too late for both of them, and they were told the answer was incorrect.

The clip soon made the rounds on Twitter, and has been hailed as “the greatest wrong answer in the history of the show”.

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Another fan hailed the series as a whole “the gift that keeps on giving”.

D'oh! (20th Century Fox)
Homer Simpson on The Simpsons. (20th Century Fox)

Even Paul Sinha from The Chase got involved, and wrote: "Matt Groening. Please create an episode where Homer writes doughnut based epic poetry.

"That way in years to come, people will look back on that Tipping Point clip and wonder what the fuss was about."

All together now… D’oh!

From RDF Television TIPPING POINT On ITV Pictured: Presenter Ben Shephard. Presented by Ben Shepard.. Tipping Point is a show centred around an extraordinary machine filled with counters worth thousands of pounds. A game of knowledge, skill and tactics; players must answer questions to win turns on the machine. Get a question wrong and the machine won't pay out, resulting in the player with the least amount of money at the end getting eliminated. The last player standing goes head to head with the Tipping Point machine and they'll be focussed on just one counter the golden jackpot disc. Again, answering questions for the right to play the machine, they'll win a big cash sum if they can make it release the jackpot counter. For further information please contact Peter Gray 0207 157 3046 peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) RDF Television and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/term
Presented by Ben Shephard, Tipping Point is centred around a machine filled with counters worth thousands of pounds. (RDF Television)

The Simpsons might not be the pinnacle of Greek literature, but it has certainly had a long-lasting effect on the world as a whole, marking its 33rd birthday next year.

Over the course of its run, the show’s slogans and quotes have been picked up by the world at large, and it also isn’t afraid of touching on harder hitting subjects.

Read more: Ben Shephard fights back the giggles over Tipping Point contestant's answer

The latest episode was praised for its discussion of breast cancer, with Marge and Lisa going to speak to the doctor.

<em>The Simpsons</em> has been running for 33 years. (Fox/Disney)
The Simpsons has been running for 33 years. (Fox/Disney)

However, in recent years it’s become best known for its uncanny ability to mysteriously predict major world events.

This includes its mayor skipping towns in times of crises to go on holiday, Donald Trump as president, the pandemic, and Richard Branson heading into space.

The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.

Watch: 'The Chase' presenter Bradley Walsh plans to retire 'in a couple of years'

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