The Governess, also known as Anne Hegerty, faced an unexpected defeat on the Australian version of the popular quiz show The Chase last week. Contestants Murray Fraser, Monica Lenaz, Ben Quinn, and Helen-Mary McMeekan secured a record-breaking win of $141,000, surpassing the previous record of $129,000 set earlier this year in May.
Appearing on the morning show Sunrise on Tuesday, Hegerty broke her usual stern character to discuss the team’s impressive victory and her own loss. “The money is not coming out of my pay packet, but we don’t like losing, obviously,” Hegerty confessed to hosts Nat and Shirvo, highlighting the competitive nature of the Chasers.
Inside the Record-Breaking Episode
The episode was marked by a series of pushbacks, a critical element in the final chase where the competing team can capitalize on the Chaser’s mistakes. Hegerty, alongside Mara Lejins, known as the Smiling Assassin, faced multiple pushbacks, a situation that can be challenging for any Chaser.
Lejins explained the pressure Chasers face, “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.”
The Strategy Behind the Chase
Hegerty shared her strategy for maintaining focus during the high-pressure environment of the show. “The thing is you have to stay completely focused in the moment,” she said. “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 added her own tactical approach, adhering to a “three-second rule” to avoid wasting time. “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 explained.
Behind the Scenes with Anne Hegerty
Despite her competitive persona on the show, Hegerty has become a beloved figure in Australia. She spoke candidly about her time in the country, admitting she’s not much of a sightseer. “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,” she joked.
However, Hegerty fondly recalled her first visit to Australia, which included exploring Melbourne’s cultural landmarks. “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.”
Looking Ahead
The record-breaking win on The Chase not only highlights the skill of the contestants but also the unpredictable nature of the game. As Hegerty and her fellow Chasers continue to face off against knowledgeable contestants, the show remains a thrilling competition for both participants and viewers alike.
With the competitive spirit and strategic gameplay, The Chase continues to captivate audiences, promising more exciting episodes and potentially record-breaking moments in the future.
