The Governess, also known as Anne Hegerty, faced a surprising 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 managed to secure 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 discussed the team’s victory and her unexpected loss, breaking from her usual stern persona. “The money is not coming out of my pay packet, but we don’t like losing, obviously,” Hegerty told hosts Nat and Shirvo, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Chasers. “The frustrating thing is I used to like trigonometry! I probably could’ve answered whatever that question was.”
Understanding the Game Dynamics
Hegerty’s appearance alongside fellow Chaser Mara Lejins, known as the Smiling Assassin, provided insight into the challenges faced during the show. A key element of the game is the “pushback,” which occurs when the Chaser answers incorrectly in the final chase, allowing the competing team to answer the missed question correctly and gain an advantage.
Hegerty experienced several pushbacks during the episode, leading to her defeat. Shirvo inquired if facing multiple pushbacks is the “worst possible scenario” for a Chaser. Lejins responded, “It’s really hard, because as a Chaser, no-one is cheering for you. No-one wants you to win.”
“So, 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,” Lejins added.
The Competitive Edge
Hegerty emphasized the importance of maintaining concentration, explaining her strategy for dealing with incorrect answers. “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 shared her own approach, adhering to a “three-second rule” to keep the game moving swiftly. “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, highlighting the need to avoid wasting time.
Life Beyond the Quiz Show
Despite the competitive pressure, Hegerty has embraced her time in Australia, although she admits to being more of a homebody. “I’m not much of a sightseer,” she confessed. “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, Hegerty fondly recalled her first visit to Australia, where she took the opportunity to explore Melbourne during a filming break. “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),” she recounted. “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 Hegerty continues to captivate audiences with her sharp intellect and engaging personality, her latest experience on The Chase Australia serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of quiz shows and the enduring appeal of competitive spirit.
