Episode 23 Beat the Brain

Hello, fellow brains. It's Brain.

I'll be testing our team with some tough questions today.

Have a go at a couple I've created exclusively for you at home.

What's cooking? What veg is in the pot?

Here's one more.

What is the common link between these four pictures?

Do you think you got them right?

I'll reveal the answers at the end of the show.

In the meantime, let's see

if our team wins today's jackpot

as they battle to Beat The Brain.

Right on time, here's the man we've all been waiting for - John Craven.

Well, thank you very much and welcome once again to

Beat The Brain, the show that tests your mind with challenging puzzles

and formidable games, so let's meet our resident Queen of Tease.

-How are you today, Brain?

-I'm very well just being close to you, John.

Always bowled over by you.

Well, sorry to say this,

Brain but I know some people who would like to knock you for six.

-Oh!

-Let's meet our team. Please introduce yourselves.

I'm Matt, a supply chain manager.

I'm Neil. I'm a self-employed plumber.

I'm Karl. I'm a commercial manager.

I'm Paul. I'm the team captain and I own a childcare businesses.

APPLAUSE

Welcome, everybody and Paul, as the team captain,

-have you chosen a name for the team?

-Yes, we have, John.

-We're called the Pie-chuckers.

-The Pie-chuckers? Why on earth is that?

Well, we're all from the same cricket club,

Torrisholme cricket club in Morecambe,

and pie-chuckers is a derogatory term

for a very average style of bowling.

Well, I wonder how you're going to fare

when you have to play against the Brain.

Let's find out, shall we?

Here's how it works. The show's Brain is divided into six Zones.

Logic, Memory, Orientation, Observation, Language,

and Multi-tasking.

The Brain will select four of those six Zones for you to play

and Paul, as the team captain, you must decide which

member of the team you think is best to play in each of those Zones. OK?

You'll face a series of questions in your Zone,

with each correct answer adding three seconds

to what we call your Brain Bank and the more time you build up,

the better chance you have of beating the Brain

in today's big final and walking away with a jackpot of £3,000.

-So, Pie-chuckers, are you ready?

-ALL: We're ready.

Right. Well, let's find out which Zone comes first

and who will be playing it.

Brain - Zone, please.

-Memory.

-It's Memory. So Paul, talk me through who you are going to choose.

-I'm struggling to remember who was...

-LAUGHTER

..who was going to sort of take this first.

Well, the team apparently thinks I'm going to take this one first,

which doesn't look good, as I couldn't remember that!

-That is ominous.

-Absolutely.

-Right, come and join me, Paul.

APPLAUSE

-Good to see you.

-Yeah.

Now, you are a businessman.

-What kind of business is it that you have?

-I run childcare businesses.

I've got children's homes, and children's schools and also myself

and Karl own children's nurseries with my other director, Louise.

And you don't think your memory's all that hot?

Well, I thought it was all right, but obviously I couldn't

remember what we'd said today, so it doesn't bode well, does it?

Well, let's see how you do with them, shall we?

You play two games in this Zone. You have three questions with

three seconds each. So Brain, what's the first game?

-Hello, Captain Paul.

-Hello.

-I hear you're a fan of that wonderful singer, Jim Reeves.

-Yes, for my sins.

Well, welcome to my world, Paul. Here's the first game.

What's cooking? You'll see different ingredients being added to a pot.

You must tell us how many of each went in.

To help you out, have a trial run.

-So... Was it A, B, C or D, do you reckon?

-OK.

There was three carrots, one onion,

and therefore two peppers, I think.

-Right. So that must be D, then, is it?

-That's my guess.

-Yeah.

Let's see if you're right.

And you are. That was a very good start. Pity it was just the test.

-Unfortunately, yes!

-No seconds awarded at that one.

-Are you ready to play it again properly?

-I am indeed.

-Right.

-Off we go.

-Your game starts now.

-Right. How many?

-Right.

I only memorised two of them, but fortunately,

I had three peppers, I had two onions, I presume

-therefore there was one broccoli and the correct answer is B.

-B.

Is that right?

And it is. You're playing the game well.

-Yeah.

-Early days.

-Ready for the next one?

-Absolutely.

-Right.

What are you saying in there?

-Therefore I got three onions, and two carrots.

-Yes.

I didn't look at the broccoli, so hopefully,

-there's only one which is answer A.

-Answer A.

You're playing it really well,

because you're memorising at least two of them out of the three.

-Yeah, I know my limitations.

-Let's see if you're right.

-No, you weren't.

-No. Oh.

-So it didn't quite work, did it?

No, it didn't at all, no. No. That will look good(!)

Third question coming up.

-Right.

-Hmm. It's a little bit tricky there.

They catch you out, because just when you think it's finished,

another one pops down, so what are you saying?

-I certainly got three broccoli.

-Yeah.

-There's two answers which have got three broccoli.

-Mm-hm.

-How many red peppers?

-Erm, I don't think there was four.

I'd didn't count, but I don't think there was four red peppers so I'm going to have to go for D.

Going for D. Is that right? Is Paul right?

And you are. Yes.

-Yeah.

-So are you ready for the next game?

-I am.

-Right, Brain.

-Bring it on.

-Here's your second game, Captain Paul.

Identity crisis. You will see four named pictures.

The pictures will disappear. One will come back. Tell us what its name is.

To get your eye in, have a trial run.

It was a turkey.

I only got to look at three,

but I think I did get to look at that and I think it's Beethoven.

Beethoven the turkey, is it? Let's see.

-Oh, no. It was Bach.

-Oh, dear.

If you're going to get one wrong, that's the one to get wrong,

-isn't it?

-Are you ready to play for real?

-I am, yes.

-Right.

-Game, please.

-Please remember, I can only accept your first answer.

-OK.

Your game starts now.

Who is a duck?

Well, fortunately, I did get that one right

and the duck is called Winston.

Winston the duck. Is that right?

It is. Well done. Next one, please.

-Dad's Army.

-Big fan of Dad's Army, actually.

And I'm hoping that that is Godfrey.

You think that that might be Godfrey, is it?

Yes. Jolly good. One more to go.

-I just saw it right at the very end.

-OK.

If I got a rugby question wrong, I would really be struggling,

-basically..

-Yeah.

-..as an ex-rugby player. I think that's Wilkinson.

-Wilkinson.

-I won't say the first name in case...

-Wilkinson the croc.

-And it is. Well done. Pretty good going there, Paul.

-Very surprised.

-You must be feeling pretty pleased.

-I'm very pleased.

-As the captain.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah. I don't think the Brain is too pleased, I do?

-No.

Not pleased at all.

I hate to say this, Paul,

but every second counts in the final and you've just

upped your chances by adding 15 seconds in that Zone,

which means Pie-chuckers have 15 seconds in their Brain Bank.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done, Paul.

-Thank you very much.

Go and join the rest of your team.

Now it's time to find out our next Zone and who is going to take it on.

So Brain - Zone, please.

-Logic.

-She's chosen Logic, Paul, so who is going to play in that Zone?

I think we're going to send Neil to do Logic.

Neil, come and join me in Logic.

APPLAUSE

-Good to see you, Neil. Now, you're a plumber, aren't you?

-I am, yes.

What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?

-Have you got a little hour for me?

-I could slot you in, I think, yeah!

-Is it a logical sort of job, plumbing?

-Yeah, it is. It's very methodical. You know what I mean?

-I think I'll plough my way through these and I think I'll do quite well.

-Well, let's see how you do.

Brain, please reveal the first game that Neil is going to be playing.

-Hello, Neil.

-Hello.

-Here's your first game.

What four?

I will show you a series of four pictures

and your challenge is to find the common link.

To give you some practice, Neil, have a trial run.

-So what do you reckon is the common link?

-What do you see?

I see a cow, a church,

an altar, a bell,

-and a silhouette like somebody's head.

-Pointing to a head.

-Yeah.

Yes, that's a head. A cow, a bell, an altar.

A cow. Would you like to know the answer?

-I would love to know the answer.

-OK, here it comes.

Ah, boy. Cowboy, altar boy,

bell boy, and...

-Yeah, very good.

-Head boy.

-Not quite the head boy at the moment.

-No, no.

Well, three more to come.

You only have 45 seconds to answer three questions.

Your game starts now.

Ice cube, sun.

Salad. Smile. Or a face.

-And...I'm going to pass.

-OK.

Cream.

Calendar, throat, paint and...

Oh, boat or a...

-15 seconds left. You can pass.

-Yeah, I'll pass.

-Pass on this one.

Fruit.

Last one.

Beans. Box.

Bin and hand.

-Running out of time now. Sorry.

-Sorry.

-Out of time there. Sorry, Neil.

-Terrible.

-What is the answer?

-Bag. Beanbag, punch bag, handbag, bin bag.

-Yeah.

-Different brains for different games.

-Yeah.

And that one didn't turn out to be yours

-but the next one could well be right up your street.

-Yeah.

Shall we find out what it is? Brain, the next game, please.

-I got you there, Neil.

-You did.

-Well, here's your second game.

Rock, paper, scissors.

Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper and paper beats rock.

You need to identify all three missing items. Have a trial run.

Winner in the first one would be rock.

The winner in the second one would be paper

-and the loser would be...scissors?

-Scissors, you think.

Rock, paper and scissors? Is that correct? It is indeed. Yeah. Yeah.

-That was the test. Ready for the real thing?

-Yes, please.

Can we have the game, please?

You have only 45 seconds to answer three questions correctly.

Your game starts now.

That's...I would say, scissors.

Paper. And rock.

-Scissors, paper, rock.

-Yes.

Right, onto the next one.

Er, paper, rock, scissors.

Paper, rock, scissors.

Yes, correct. 25 seconds to go.

And rock,

Er...

rock, scissors.

Rock, rock, scissors. Yes. Well done. So you redeemed yourself on that game, didn't you?

-I didn't think there was going to be two rocks, that was all. I was a bit...bit worried.

-There you are.

-Yeah.

-Well done, Neil. Yeah. So you feel a bit happier now?

-I feel a lot happier.

How do you feel, Brain, are you happier?

He did indeed redeem himself, because Neil, you added nine seconds

in that Zone, which means in total,

Pie-chuckers have 24 seconds in the Brain Bank.

That's very good, halfway through, Neil. Good to see you.

If you rejoin the other cricketers.

Right, let's find out which Zone is coming up next

and who's going to take it on.

Brain - Zone, please.

-Language.

-Language. Paul, who are you going to go for in this one? Two players left.

Karl has offered to fall on his sword,

-so to speak, and do Language for us.

-So come and join me, then, Karl.

Maybe reluctantly, in the Language Zone.

APPLAUSE

Good to see you. I'm sure Brain is going to like that shirt of yours.

Multicoloured shirt! So how do you feel about taking on Language?

It wasn't the subject that I wanted to come up for.

However, as you say, I've fallen on my sword,

-so I'm on a hiding to nothing, really.

-Oh, right. Well, don't forget,

there are another 18 precious seconds on offer in this Zone.

That's three seconds for every correct answer.

So Brain, reveal exactly what the first game is going to be for Karl.

-Hello, Karl.

-Hello, Brain.

-Here's your first game.

Backwords. I will give you a word, Karl. You need to spell it backwards.

You can warm up by having a trial run. Cello.

O, L, L, E, C.

Well done, yes. You didn't seem to find that too hard.

Ooh...bit. This time.

-Spell-check is my friend now.

-Me, too!

Let's see how you do with our spell-check as you play the game.

Please remember, once you've set a letter, you cannot change your mind.

Karl, your game starts now.

Echo.

-O, H, C, E.

-O, H, C, E.

-Yes, well done. That's correct. Onto the next one.

-Leisure.

E, R...

U, I, E, L.

-No, I'm afraid that was a bit wrong there, wasn't it?

-Sorry.

-Off we go with the next one.

-Germany.

Y, N, A, M, R, E, G.

Yes, I think that's right. I just spelt it the wrong word back...

-And you're right. Yes, well done. So not too bad.

-I'll take that.

-Shall we see what's in store for game two?

-Please.

-Please, Brain.

Not DAB, Karl - not DAB at all! Second game.

Out of this word. What word is missing from all three others?

Have a trial run.

What do you think that could be?

It's obviously a three-letter word, cos there are three spaces.

-Old.

-Old, are you saying? Let's see if that's right.

No, it's lad. Palladium, bladder, malady.

No. Yeah. I've really fallen on my sword here.

-Favourable question, please.

-There's time yet. A few more questions.

You might get them all right. You never know. Fingers crossed.

Here we go. Can we have the game, please?

You only have 45 seconds to answer three questions.

Your game starts now.

-Any idea?

-Set.

Set.

Yes. Correct. Next one. 28 seconds left.

-Bar.

-Sorry?

Sorry, bar.

-Bar? Let's see.

-Bar. No. Er...

No, that is wrong, I'm afraid.

On we go.

-Quickly. Guess.

-See. No.

Out of time, I'm afraid. Out of ten. What was the answer?

That was tag. There we go.

-You didn't want that Zone, anyway, did you?

-No, I didn't.

-You know, you were brave to take it on, considering, I think.

-Terrible.

-Wasn't he brave, Brain?

-Ha-ha! Yes, he was.

Karl, you added nine seconds and that Zone, which means

Pie-chuckers have 33 seconds in their Brain Bank.

Well, that's not bad at all, Karl, you know.

It's a pretty good score at this stage, so well done, you,

and rejoin the team. I think it's your turn, now, Matt. The last man.

Would you like to come and join me

and find out which of the three Zones you'll be playing?

-Quite a bit resting on you at the moment.

-Yes, there is.

-You OK?

-Yes, I'm fine.

-Yes. Well, let's get down to business.

I work it out that we have Multi-tasking, Observation,

and Orientation still to come. So which one don't you want?

I'm quite happy with Observation and Multi-tasking

if I would be able to get a choice.

Well, let's see what happens.

Let's find out which Zone the Brain is going to choose for you.

Brain - Zone, please.

-Observation.

-It's Observation. Are you happy with that?

-Hope so.

See how it goes. We'll find out, yeah.

Brain, please reveal the first game that Matt will be playing today.

-Hello, Matt. Hello, Matt.

-Hello, sorry!

-Are you with us?

-Just about, yes.

-Here's the first game.

Traffic lights. Count the number of times each light comes on.

Have yourself a trial run.

-How many times did they flash?

-Er, well, I think 15.

15, you're thinking?

Is that a good thought?

It is indeed, yeah.

-Well done. Ready to play for real?

-Let's give it a go, yeah.

-Right.

Brain, let's play the game.

Please remember, I can only accept your first answer.

Your game starts now.

-How many times?

-16.

16, you think.

Yes, you're correct. Onto the next one.

-Er, a little harder towards the end.

-A bit faster.

-I think 18.

18, you reckon.

Yes, you're right. Well done.

And here comes the last one.

-I lost this one throughout.

-Have a guess then.

I'm going to guess 15.

15, you say. Is that right?

It is!

Not a bad guess!

-A pretty good opening bat so far for you, Matt.

-Yep, yep.

-Ready to see what she bowls at you next?

-Yes, please, yep.

-Can we have the next game?

-Here's your second game.

Out With A Bang.

Matt, tell me the order in which the balloons pop.

Here's a trial run to help you get a feel of the game.

Which order?

Er, white, yellow, red.

White, yellow, red. Is that correct?

It is indeed. White, yellow, red. So, straight on, shall we?

Yes, please.

Please remember I will only accept your first answer.

Your game starts now.

-Yellow, red, blue.

-Yellow, red, blue.

Yes, that's right. On we go, next one.

-Red, white, blue.

-Red, white, blue.

Yes, well done. They were much quicker that time. Next one, please.

-White, red, blue, yellow.

-White, red, blue, yellow.

Yes! Well done.

-That's a fantastic score there, Matt.

-Yep, happy with that.

That's equivalent to getting a century, do you think,

-on Beat The Brain?

-I would take five wickets over a century,

-but, yeah, really happy with that.

-Well done.

-He did well, didn't he, Brain?

-I'm in such a bad mood.

You added 18 seconds in that zone.

This means, Pie-chuckers,

you have finished with a total of 51 seconds in your Brain Bank!

Well done. Rejoin the team, Matt.

That's a very good overall score by the Pie-chuckers.

Now, we've finished the individual Zones

and it's now time for our team to try to beat the brain one last time

and take home some really serious cash in today's final.

Well, Pie-chuckers, you ended up with 51 seconds in your Brain Bank.

If you can each answer two questions correctly within that time,

you'll win today's jackpot of £3,000.

If you can't, there's still a chance to win some money

because the Brain has given you two more minutes to get those

eight correct answers, but it comes at a price.

As the time counts down, so does the money, falling by £25 a second.

The more time you take, the more it costs you,

and if you take too long, well, you'll be left with nothing. OK?

-Paul, as captain, you've chosen the order of play.

-I have.

-So, what's your thinking behind that?

-Height order.

Height order!

-Almost!

-Nearly!

Matt says he's taller than Karl, he doesn't quite look it to me

but he insists so!

So, it's a simple as that, the way you're going to play. Good.

Well, it's time to get serious. Let's start today's final.

Over to you, Brain.

You'll only face questions from the games you've already seen today,

but for every game in the final I will only accept your first answer.

-Pie-chuckers, beat me if you can.

-That's the challenge.

As always, we'll start with the player on the left,

which is you, Neil.

I need two correct answers from you before I can

pass on to the next player and so on down the line.

Good luck. Let's start the final.

What's the missing word?

Pass.

-Remember the image and name.

-Go on.

Peggy.

Yes!

Oyster.

R-E-T-S-Y-O.

Yes! Paul.

13.

No.

What's the winners and losers?

Scissors...

..scissors, paper.

Yes.

What's in the pot?

A.

Yes! Karl.

Yellow, blue, white.

Yes.

-What's the connection?

-Package.

No.

What's the missing word?

Pass.

Remember the image and name.

George.

No.

Stone...

No.

Blue, white, yellow.

Yes! Matt.

Ginger.

Pass.

What's the connection?

Jump.

No.

Ten.

Yes!

-A.

-Stop the clock.

Well done! You were getting close to the wire there, 45 seconds left.

You have won £1125!

Congratulations again, and they certainly bowled you over,

-Brain, didn't they?

-Absolutely.

If I had a face, there'd be a little pie on it.

Well done, you boys!

Well, congratulations once again, Pie-chuckers.

Thank you at home for watching, I hope you enjoyed it.

I hope you enjoyed playing along.

For now though, it's time to say goodbye from the Pie-chuckers...

Goodbye!

-From the Brain...

-Goodbye!

And from me. See you again next time.

I gave you two special games of your own to play

at the start of the show, but how did you do? Here they are again.

What veg is in the pot?

The answer is... D.

And here is the second game.

What is the common link between these four pictures?

The answer is musical instruments.

Don't forget, you can make your mind more mighty

by playing along next time on Beat The Brain.