Government-Critic Quiz Show Canceled Despite Watch Rates

Kelime Oyunu, a popular quiz show prepared and presented by Ali İhsan Varol has been cancelled by Show TV administration after a question that seemed related to Turkey’s corruption probe. 

“Familiar expression for those who corrupts,” Varol asked a participant in the latest episode. The answer turned out to be “eater”. 

According to official watching rates of December 20, 2013, the show was listed as number 54 in the Top 100. 

While only 9 programs entered the top 100 list from Show TV, Kelime Oyunu became number 4 out of 9. 

“One of the most good-mannered and proper TV quiz shows has been cancelled…Such a shame…I volunteered to be a guest…it was my favorite show. It didn’t feel appropriate,” wrote famous comedian Cem Yılmaz on twitter. He had been announced as the guest star for the NYE episode. 

According to Medyatava, a popular media gossip site, Show TV also cancelled the programs “Moda Takibi” and “Hayata Dokunmak Lazım”. 

Previously episodes on Gezi 

Previously, the show included quiz questions related to Gezi Resistance, stirring controversy. Some of the questions included: 

* Oleoresin capsicum or a weapon that attacks the mucus walls in eyes, nose, mouth and lungs: Tear gas. 

* A social microblogging site that has been defined as “headache” by authorities: Twitter

* An institution under the protection against censor according to Turkey’s Constitution: Press 

* An invidivual who has gathered all powers around him: Dictator 

* Democracy resprirator: Gas mask 

* The word that expresses the power usage of those who lost control: Unbalanced (EKN/BM)