The Governess, better known as Anne Hegerty, faced a surprising defeat last week on the Australian version of the popular quiz show, The Chase. Contestants Murray Fraser, Monica Lenaz, Ben Quinn, and Helen-Mary McMeekan secured a historic win, taking home a record-breaking $141,000. This victory surpasses the previous record of $129,000 set earlier this year in May.
Appearing on the morning show Sunrise on Tuesday, Hegerty broke character to discuss the unexpected outcome. “The money is not coming out of my pay packet, but we don’t like losing, obviously,” she told hosts Nat and Shirvo, highlighting the competitive nature of the Chasers. “The frustrating thing is I used to like trigonometry! I probably could’ve answered whatever that question was,” she added, reflecting on the missed opportunities during the game.
Behind the Scenes of a Record-Breaking Episode
Hegerty was joined by fellow Chaser Mara Lejins, also known as the Smiling Assassin, who provided insight into the challenges faced during the show. A significant factor in their loss was the number of pushbacks the team encountered. In The Chase, a pushback occurs when the Chaser answers incorrectly, allowing the competing team to answer the missed question, thereby gaining an advantage.
Lejins explained the pressure Chasers face under these circumstances. “It’s really hard, because as a Chaser, no-one is cheering for you. No-one wants you to win,” she said. “It can feel really overwhelming. You get something wrong and you have all this momentum then it just stops all of a sudden, especially if it’s something that you realise you know.”
“When we lose, sometimes we can come off as bad sports. But we aren’t, in my rational brain I’m really happy for them (the competing team) and it’s great, but we’re very competitive and it’s our job.” — Mara Lejins
Strategies and Insights from the Chasers
Hegerty emphasized the importance of maintaining focus during the game. “The thing is you have to stay completely focused in the moment,” she explained. “If you just got something wrong, whether it was because you were an idiot or because it was something you literally didn’t know, chuck it away, just focus on what Larry is saying, just look at Larry, and just simply answer the next question.”
Lejins shared her own strategy, adhering to a three-second rule. “You have to be tactical. I usually have a three-second rule. If it’s something I think I will know, I will give myself three seconds,” she said, underscoring the importance of time management during the final chase.
Anne Hegerty’s Experience in Australia
While Hegerty is widely recognized for her role on The Chase, she has also enjoyed her time in Australia outside of the studio. “I’m not much of a sightseer,” she admitted. “When I’m not working, I like to sit in the hotel and chill and go on the Internet and play quiz games and read stuff on Wikipedia and generally be the world’s most boring person.”
However, she fondly recalled her first visit to Australia, where she took the opportunity to explore Melbourne. “When I was the very first year that I came to do The Chase Australia, we were in Melbourne. I had something like a three-week gap (between filming). So, I thought ‘well, I really must go and see things’. I went to the Botanic Gardens, went to the museum, went to the library, went to the zoo and saw Phar Lap and everything.”
As The Chase Australia continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling quizzes and competitive spirit, the recent record-breaking win serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game. Fans eagerly await the next episode, curious to see how the Chasers will respond to this unprecedented challenge.
