Episode 64 Eggheads

These people are amongst the greatest quiz players in Britain.

Together they make up the Eggheads, arguably the most formidable quiz team in the country.

Question is, can they be beaten?

Welcome to Eggheads, the show where a team of five quiz challengers pit

their wits against possibly the greatest quiz team in Britain.

You might recognise them as they are Goliaths in the world of TV quiz shows. They are the Eggheads.

And taking on our quiz champions today are The Midweek Marauders.

They have a combination of players from teams

that take part in the Pencoed Rugby Club quiz every Wednesday night. Let's meet them.

Hi, my name's Martyn.

I'm 45 and I'm a payment processing operator.

Hi. I'm Phil. I'm 45 and I'm a company director.

Hi, I'm Nathan. I'm 20 and I'm a broadcast journalism student.

Hi, I'm Derek. I'm 66 and I'm a retired industrial chemist.

Hi, I'm Paul.

I'm 48, I'm a software engineer.

Welcome to you, Midweek Marauders.

-This is after the Wednesday night quizzing, is it?

-That's right.

Martyn, I believe you're the quizmaster. Any tips?

For yourself?

-Yeah.

-There's two rules to my quiz.

The first rule is the question master is always right and the second rule is if in doubt, refer to rule one.

I agree with you on that.

Now, let's play the game. Every day there's £1,000 worth of cash up for grabs for our challengers.

However if they fail to defeat the Eggheads, the prize-money rolls over to the next show.

Midweek Marauders, the Eggheads have won the last nine games,

which means around £10,000 says you can't beat the Eggheads.

Let's see how the categories fall for you.

The first one coming up is arts and books. Who'd like to play this?

It'd be me then, won't it?

-Paul.

-Yeah?

-Paul.

OK, Paul. And any Egghead you like, opening round.

-Barry.

-I don't mind. Barry's fine.

Barry, please.

Let's have Paul and Barry, into the question room, please,

just to make sure you can't confer with your team-mates.

Paul, do you want to go first or second?

I'd like to go first, please.

Good luck, Paul, here you go.

The pilgrims in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are on their way to visit the shrine of which martyred saint?

I believe that Thomas Becket was killed in Canterbury.

I'm not quite sure about William Tyndale.

I think that was to do with religion as well.

I don't know nothing about St Alban.

So on that basis, I think I'll go for Thomas Becket.

Thomas Becket in Canterbury Tales...

is the right answer. Good start.

Well done, Paul. Barry.

Nancy and Peggy Blackett and John, Susan, Titty and Roger Walker

are all characters in which children's book?

The Blacketts and the Walkers were families in Swallows and Amazons.

That's the right answer. Back to you, Paul, for a second question.

Boule de Suif is an 1880 work by which

French writer, considered by many to be the father of the short story?

This is one that I don't know.

I have heard of Honore de Balzac.

I don't know anything about Guy de Maupassant or Emile Zola.

So I think I will go for Honore de Balzac.

No, it's not. Do you know, Barry, of the other two?

It's Guy de Maupassant.

Something tells me that the story for Boule de Suif

was made into a film.

It may have been Stagecoach, but Kevin will be able to tell me.

OK. Let's refer to Kevin. Boule de Suif?

It is. The original story is set during the Franco-Prussian War.

There's a coach of passengers making their way through the countryside

and Boule de Suif is the nickname of a woman

who's on the coach who's a prostitute.

-What does Boule de Suif translate as?

-Ball of fat, she's a fair size.

Oh! OK.

There we are. OK, Barry,

your second question. Wyndham Lewis was a founder member of which artistic movement?

Kitchen Sink is normally associated with John Bratby.

He certainly wasn't a Dadaist but Vorticism,

which came in in the '20s, was associated with Wyndham Lewis.

OK.

You're right.

That's correct. So, two to you. You've got to get this then, Paul.

Jacob Wrestling With The Angel is the subtitle of which

Paul Gauguin work, now in the National Gallery of Scotland?

Well, Faaturama doesn't tell me much...

The Vision After The Sermon obviously has got a religious connotation,

so on that basis, I'll go for the Vision After the Sermon.

Logical...and correct.

The Vision After The Sermon. Well done, Paul. A tricky one that.

Had to get it and did.

Barry. The Red Wheelbarrow, famous for its distinctive style,

is a 1923 poem by which writer?

It doesn't sound like Walt Whitman and 1923 would be too late for him.

I'm not sure it sounds like Ezra Pound as well,

but William Carlos Williams certainly had a distinctive style

so on stylistic basis alone, I will go for William Carlos Williams.

William Carlos Williams is correct. But bad luck for you, Paul.

The second question just caught you out.

No place in the final round.

Would you both, please, come back and join your teams?

After the first exchanges, The Midweek Marauders are one brain down for the final round.

The Eggheads are all there. Our next subject is science.

Who'd like to play this one?

-It's a no-brainer.

-No-brainer.

-Derek will.

-OK, Derek!

-Derek, please.

Our chemist there. Who would you like to play?

It can't be Barry.

-Can we have CJ, please?

-Of course. That all right with you, CJ?

-It's one of my favourite subjects.

-Yeah!

Let's have Derek and CJ into the question room.

So, Derek, how long did you work in the chemical industry for?

All my life, basically. 40 years.

Let's hope we get some chemical-based questions for you.

Do you want to start or not, Derek?

I'll go first please.

Good luck.

Here is your first question.

Which insect is peculiar for the behaviour of the female

in often eating the male during or after mating?

Well, I was hoping to see Black Widow come up.

Obviously it's not a spider.

But I've seen on various wildlife programmes

the praying mantis eating its mate.

OK, going for mantis?

Definitely.

It is the right answer. Well done. Good start, Derek.

CJ, in zoology, how many toes does a hoof described as cloven have?

I think that's the hoof that has the split down the middle,

so that would be two.

Cloven-hooved - have you checked your feet recently?

Er, no.

It is the right answer. Two toes.

Derek...

The plantar fascia is a ligament in which part of the human body?

P-L-A-N-T-A-R and fascia - F-A-S-C-I-A.

I don't actually know for sure,

but thinking about the derivation, plantar is flat,

fascia is face,

and of those muscles, I'd say jaw.

It's actually in the foot.

Plantar, I suppose there is...

Derek led astray there by fascia, thinking facial.

Man is a plantigrade animal because he walks upright on flat feet.

The fascia is on the instep, in the front of your foot.

Does that.

OK, nothing there for Derek.

And to rub it in, the next question is a chemical one. Will CJ get it?

In chemistry, the mass number refers to the total number of what in an atom?

In chemistry, the mass number

refers to the total number of what in an atom?

I hope that's the electrons.

No, it's not.

The nucleons is the right answer.

So it stays all square.

Derek.

Which type of radiation has the highest penetration levels?

Which type of radiation has the highest penetration levels?

Er...

I think on that...

It's not Alpha.

I think it's...Gamma.

-Gamma?

-Gamma, yeah.

It's the right answer, well done, Derek.

In the lead.

So, CJ has to get this.

Which star with the name from Latin for "ear of wheat"

is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo?

This is the sort of thing I should know and I'm not sure about this.

I don't think it's Spica.

I know Antares

is a very bright start...

I haven't heard of Acubens.

I think "ares" refers to ear

and I think it's a bright star.

I hope it's in Virgo, so I'll go for Antares.

It's Spica.

So, Midweek Marauders come back.

A victory for Derek. Well done, Derek.

A tough round and you've won out. You're playing in the final round.

Please rejoin your teams.

It's all square. Both teams have lost one brain from the final round.

We move onto our third head-to-head.

This one is sport and I'm sure the Marauders will love this one.

Sport?

Martyn, Phil or Nathan remain to play.

I'm going into bat for this one and I would like to offer Chris, please.

He looks delighted(!)

LAUGHTER

OK! Let's have Martyn and international mastermind Chris into the question room, please.

First set or second set for you, Martyn?

I'd like to take the first set of questions, please.

Here you go.

Which football team, thanks to a solitary Xabi Alonso goal,

ended Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home league record in October 2008?

OK. Not a bad start.

Arsenal have got a lot of foreigners in their team

and obviously Xabi Alonso is a foreign name.

Manchester United are trying to be more home-based

as far as their players are concerned.

But I know that Mr Alonso, Senor Alonso,

plays for Liverpool.

I thought you were going to go for Arsenal,

who, of course, beat them not long after that at home.

Liverpool is the right answer, yes.

Good start, Martyn. Just giving me a full answer, weren't you?

Chris. Here's your first question.

Which cricketer became the highest runs scorer in Test match history in October 2008?

I think it's...

It's not Kevin Pietersen, he's not been at it long enough.

I don't think it's Mike Hussey.

I think I remember reading it was Sachin Tendulkar,

who's been playing as long as...

long enough to be the biggest runs scorer in Test history.

-Sachin Tendulkar.

-OK.

Yes, that's the right answer, well done. I saw Martyn there.

I think he knew that one.

I know he knows that one!

Martyn, second question.

How many Australian Open singles titles did Pete Sampras win

during his career?

Right, OK. Tennis is one of the subjects that perhaps isn't my forte.

Unlike CJ, who probably knows the answer.

I know he's won a sack full at Wimbledon,

which were played on grass.

Purely on the basis that it's not a grass and I think it's a hard court

in Australia, I might be wrong, I'm gonna go just for the two.

Yeah, well done, Martyn. A lot of reasoning, you got the right answer.

Two - very good answer.

-Out of interest, CJ, how many Wimbledons did he win?

-You had the three totals up there.

-Seven Wimbledons, five USs, two Australians.

-Seven Wimbledons, wow.

Second question for Chris. Will Carling represented England

at rugby union over 70 times typically playing in which position?

He's a big, beefy chap, isn't he?

Flankers tend to be more whippet-like,

so they can zoom up and down the flank.

Centres are a bit gnome-like, aren'tthey ?

So because he was a big, beefy chap, I'll say full back.

I'm sure he filled in there,

-but he's a centre.

-Is he?

-Yeah. A centre.

So, Martyn, if you get this question right, you've won the head to head.

For how many years did Jesse Owens' 1935 long jump world record stand?

For how many years did Jesse Owens' 1935 long jump world record stand?

I remember Bob Beamon breaking the world long jump record

at the Mexico Olympics in 1968.

Then it was broken obviously in 1960 by someone. 25 years.

25 years, Dermot.

25 years, OK.

And it is the right answer. Well done, Martyn.

Martyn has got a comprehensive victory over Chris.

Martyn, you're playing in the final. No place for you, Chris.

Would you both please come back and join your teams?

Well, the Marauders have started marauding.

Two Eggheads out and they've lost one brain themselves from the final round.

Our last head to head before that final round now is film and television.

Phil or Nathan remain.

-Film and television.

-I'll be playing that.

Phil, straight away. Which Egghead would you like to play?

-Judith, please.

-Or Kevin.

-It's Judith.

Let's have Phil and Judith into the question room, please.

Phil, you had no hesitation going for this one.

Is this the category you wanted?

I'm a couch potato really, so that's the one I'm going for.

OK, well, let's see how you do. Do you want to go first or second?

First, please.

Good luck, Phil.

A 2008 TV series featured the explorer, Bruce Parry, travelling along which river?

I didn't see this particular show.

I seem to recall a show being on BBC2 about the Amazon,

so I shall go for that answer. Amazon.

And it is the Amazon. That is the right answer. Well done, Phil.

Judith, which Monty Python film ends with the song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life?

I think that is The Life Of Brian.

You'd be hard pressed not to have known that by this time,

having spent so much time with Chris, wouldn't you?

It is the right answer, The Life Of Brian.

We're not going to get a line from it, Chris.

One each, Phil.

In which 1961 film does George Peppard play a character called Paul Varjak?

Right, I know The Misfits was Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe,

I can't remember if George Peppard was actually in that.

Barefoot In The Park, I believe was Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.

I may be wrong on that one.

But I definitely know George Peppard was in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

If that's the right year, I don't know,

but I'll go for Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Sounds logical to me. It's the right answer.

Breakfast At Tiffany's.

Ooh, knows his film. Well done, Phil.

In which TV soap did Norman Wisdom play fitness fanatic Ernie Crabbe

in 2004 at the age of 89?

It was before my EastEnders stint,

so I don't know whether he was in that.

I don't know that Coronation Street were very keen on fitness, were they?

Norman Wisdom.

I don't know what Family Affairs...

I've never seen Family Affairs. Um...

I think it might be Coronation Street.

Coronation Street?

I'm sort of slightly feeling dodgy about EastEnders.

So, what are you going for?

I think I might go for EastEnders after all that.

It's probably Family Affairs.

How do you keep up with EastEnders when you're in France?

Is it on BBC World?

I've got a sort of satellite arrangement where I get it.

OK. But you didn't start watching it till after 2004?

No, only the last couple of years.

Which would have helped you noticing that Norman Wisdom wasn't in it.

-It's Coronation Street.

-Oh, how annoying. I just changed.

You changed in the middle, before it was lit up.

You hesitated and switched to EastEnders, which is great news for Phil.

You just need to get this then, Phil.

Where was the actor, Christian Bale, born?

Where was the actor, Christian Bale, born?

Christian Bale is from Ammanford in Wales.

Being Welsh, I know that.

I just hope that's right now, cos I know he lived there.

A good Welsh lad.

Yes, he is. He's Welsh.

Couldn't have been better for you, could it?

Just eased you through. No need for another question, Judith.

You're playing in the final round, Phil. Please rejoin your teams.

This is what we've been playing towards.

It's time for the final round which, as always, is general knowledge.

Those of you who lost your head to heads can't take part in this round.

So, Paul from the Midweek Marauders and Chris, Judith and CJ

from the Eggheads, would you leave the studio, please?

So, Martyn, Phil, Nathan and Derek, you're playing to win The Midweek Marauders £10,000.

Barry and Kevin, you're playing for something money can't buy, the Eggheads' reputation.

As usual, I'll ask each team three questions in turn.

This time, the questions are general knowledge and you can confer.

Midweek Marauders, the question is are your four brains better than the Eggheads' two?

Midweek Marauders, do you want to go first or second?

We'll go first, please, Dermot.

First question to you then, Midweek Marauders.

The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on which day?

The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on which day?

It's not Monday.

-Definitely not Saturday.

-It's Friday evening.

Friday, Dermot.

-You all agree?

-Yep.

Right answer, yes, Friday. Good start.

Eased them in there. OK.

Eggheads, in the traditional nursery rhyme, who do the three blind mice run after?

In the nursery rhyme, who do the three blind mice run after?

The farmer's wife,

who cut off their tails with a carving knife.

Brutal really, isn't it?

It's the farmer's wife.

It is the farmer's wife.

Eggheads get one there.

OK, Midweek Marauders.

Who wrote the lyrics for the musical, Evita?

Who wrote the lyrics for the musical, Evita?

Evita is by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Tim Rice wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Did he?

-Shall we go with that?

-It's not the other two, so it must be Tim Rice.

Tim Rice, Dermot.

Lyrics for Evita are by Tim Rice.

It's the right answer. Two to you.

Eggheads, in Renaissance and Baroque arts, what is the Italian word for the figure of a pudgy male baby,

typically naked and winged, found in many paintings and sculptures?

In Renaissance and Baroque art, what is the Italian word

for the figure of a pudgy male baby, typically naked and winged,

found in many paintings and sculptures?

Essentially the same sort of thing as a cherub - its a putto.

It's the right answer, Eggheads.

So, it's 2-2. Midweek Marauders, then.

Mitching is another term for which activity?

Mitching is another term for which activity? M-I-T-C-H-I-N-G.

It's something that we used to do quite a lot,

Friday afternoons. It's truancy.

-It's a Welsh term actually, mitching.

-It's truancy.

They used it in Northern Ireland where I was brought up as well.

So you know that very well. Heard of it, never really did it myself.

Truanting, fell nicely for you there.

Three out of three. So, Eggheads, you've got to get this.

After China was conquered in the 17th century, what were

Chinese men required to wear as a sign of servitude until the advent of the Republic in 1912?

It's a pigtail.

A pigtail it is. Eggheads, it's all square.

We go to sudden death then, Midweek Marauders, which means, as you know,

we remove those multiple choices and I have to hear an answer from you.

What is the currency of Hungary?

What is the currency of Hungary?

F-O-R-I-N-T.

Have they changed to the euro?

No. They're not in the euro, it's the forint.

-Are you sure they're not in the euro?

-Yes.

Zloty is definitely Poland.

-I'm going with that.

-Zloty is Poland.

I'm going with forint then.

-The currency of Hungary?

-The forint.

Forint.

Derek, you were adamant about that.

Not joined the euro yet?

-No.

-Have you done business with them?

-Been there?

-I've been there, yes.

Right answer. Forint, correct.

OK, Eggheads.

Which Radio Four entertainment programme first broadcast in 1977, has been chaired by Barry Norman,

Barry Took, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig?

Which Radio Four entertainment programme first broadcast in 1977,

has been chaired by Barry Norman, Barry Took, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig?

-Can't think of any other candidates?

-Absolutely.

It's the News Quiz.

The News Quiz is correct.

So, on we go. Another question for each team.

Midweek Marauders,

what is the name of the oldest independent railway in Britain,

originally set up to carry slates from mines in North Wales?

What is the name of the oldest independent railway in Britain,

originally set up to carry slates from mines in North Wales?

Are we going with that, Ffestiniog?

It's this Ffestiniog Railway, Dermot.

It couldn't have fallen better for you, could it?

The Ffestiniog Railway is correct. Well done!

Right to go first. A nice couple of questions suited them down to the ground, right on their patch.

OK, Eggheads.

The word "shampoo" is derived from which language?

The word "shampoo" is derived from which language?

I seem to remember it was Persian origin.

In fact I'm sure it was of Persian origin.

Any other candidates?

The only possible other candidate, I suppose, would have been an Indian language. I don't think it is.

-It was my first thought as well.

-OK.

I'm just pondering the idea whether it might be China or something.

It was both our first thoughts.

OK, hopefully we won't regret it.

-Both our first thoughts were Persian, so we'll say Persian.

-OK.

Shampoo is derived from...

..Hindi. Midweek Marauders, you've won!

I knew that!

You knew that as well. We can't give you an extra grand.

Ten grand will do.

Double bubble, surely.

Just on that, Eggheads, that wasn't even second on your list, Hindi.

-It was second on my list.

-Chinese.

-Third on yours.

-Third on Kevin's.

Well, bad luck, Eggheads.

No, not bad luck. You were beaten fair and square.

Beaten in the head to heads. Beaten in the final round. How does that feel then, Marauders?

-Fabulous, thank you.

-Is it worth coming down the rugby club for a few drinks?

You're more than welcome. And the rest of them.

CJ's local, if he wants to come over on a Wednesday night.

Absolutely, join the quiz.

What are you going to do with the money? Any ideas about a holiday?

I'm a student so you can guess where mine's going.

Well, it will come in very useful. I must say as well, just looking at you,

a message goes out to other teams preparing to play the Eggheads.

Your preparation was excellent. You knew the quiz inside out.

You knew the individual strengths and weaknesses of the Eggheads inside out and you had a game plan.

You were prepared to adapt that game plan when it went wrong with Paul, when he lost that.

-We hadn't prepared for Barry.

-Ah, well, there's always a variable, isn't there?

Congratulations again to you, Midweek Marauders.

Thank you very much for taking our money.

You are officially cleverer than the Eggheads and you've proved they can be beaten.

Join us next time on Eggheads to see if a new team of challengers will be just as successful.

Until then, goodbye.

Well done, guys.

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