Episode 109 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.

The question is - can they be beaten?

Welcome to Eggheads where a team of five quiz challengers

attempt to beat possibly the greatest quiz team in Britain.

They have won some of the country's toughest quiz shows. They are the Eggheads.

And challenging our resident quiz champions today

are The Berlin 5. This team have known one another

since their days at secondary school

and take their name from a legendary holiday to the German capital two years ago. Let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Paul, I'm 24 and I'm a physiotherapy student.

Hi, I'm Dan, I'm 24 and I'm a civil servant.

Hi, I'm Dave, I'm 24 and I'm a pushback driver.

I'm Thomas, I'm 24 and I'm a recruitment consultant.

Hi, I'm Chris, I'm 24 and I'm an optician.

-So, Paul and team, welcome.

-Hello.

And Berlin two years ago, dare I ask what happened?

It's best if you don't. That's part of the legendary thing about it.

-How many of you went out on this trip?

-Five of us.

And how many came back?

-About four and a half!

-Four and a half?!

-Yeah.

And are you allowed back to Berlin or indeed Germany?

We haven't actually tested that yet, but hopefully.

-You quiz together?

-We do indeed.

-Are you serious quizzers?

-As serious as you can call us by looking at us.

-So who's the captain in the quizzes? How does it work?

I'm the team captain pretty much by default, rather than skill.

He's the best at organising things, so we just leave it all up to him.

Berlin 5, let's see if you get over the wall today. Every day, £1,000 is up for grabs for our challengers.

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

The Eggheads have won the last 11 games,

so that means £12,000 is at stake today.

-That'd get you back to Berlin.

-Yeah, it would.

Not that you should be doing that! The first head-to-head battle is on Sport.

Which one wants this?

-I think you're up, Paul.

-We've discussed this before and it's generally my category.

OK, Paul. And which Egghead looks as if they would flounder on Sport?

-Who do you think?

-Judith?

-Yeah.

-We'll go for Judith.

-You're so original!

There's this regal sort of dismissal by Judith, but you've got to play.

From the Eggheads versus Paul from The Berlin 5 on Sport.

To ensure there's no conferring, take your positions in the question room.

OK, so you're on Sport. Multiple choice questions and you can choose the first or second set, Paul.

I'll try and set a good precedent and go first.

Good luck to you.

Lord's cricket ground is in which part of London?

Well, this is a bit of a bad one for me.

I'm good on sport, but cricket is not one of my best subjects.

I don't think it's Earls Court.

St John's Wood and Tooting, it's flipping a coin for me, really,

to pick between them because I just don't know.

For some reason, St John's Wood jumps out at me a bit more,

so I think I'll go for that.

St John's Wood is the right answer. Well done.

Judith, you nearly had the advantage on the first question.

-You were longing for that.

-I was praying.

-It's not going to be that easy.

The 2005 Grand National, Judith, was delayed by 25 minutes to accommodate which event?

Well, the Papal visit was in 2010.

Not the Live Aid concert. 8, I mean.

Prince Charles's wedding.

Prince Charles's wedding is correct. To Camilla.

Back to you, Paul.

For over ten years, Don Revie was manager of which football club?

I think I know this one.

I remember he had many arguments with Brian Clough at the time

when Brian Clough managed Nottingham Forest.

And I think Don Revie was manager of Leeds United.

-Absolutely. Have you seen that brilliant film?

-Yeah.

-The Damned?

-The Damned United.

-It's fantastic. Leeds United is correct.

Judith, at which Olympics

was Linford Christie disqualified after two false starts in the 100 metres final?

I think Atlanta is too far back.

Linford Christie...

I think it might be Seoul.

Seoul is your answer. Is she right? Anyone here know?

-I think it's Atlanta.

-Atlanta is the answer, Judith.

So you've fallen behind.

We go back to Paul. If you get this one right, you're in the final.

How many Formula One Grand Prix races did Nigel Mansell win?

This is a bit of a toss-up, really, for me.

I'm not too sure. I'm not a big Formula One fan.

But I know Nigel Mansell was a bit of a legend. He did pretty well.

I think the rule of thumb is to punt down the middle.

I think I'll go for 41.

41 is incorrect. 31 is the right answer.

Judith, your question.

If you get this wrong, you'll be out.

Luc Alphand, who won the 2006 Dakar Rally,

was previously a champion in which sport?

Well, this will have...

I don't know, so I'll just try and think what is most likely.

I imagine he would have to be quite young because of the endurance.

If it was skiing, he probably would have just gone on doing that.

I wouldn't associate swimming with a driver.

I have a feeling it might be surfing

This is where you should have deployed the Keppel technique.

-No, not again.

-You should have gone down the right.

Skiing is the answer and you've been knocked out. There we go, Paul.

-How about that?

-I'm surprised.

First blood to The Berlin 5.

-Not a bad start.

-Not a bad start at all. You will be in the final, Paul, and Judith will be in the sin bin.

Do, both of you, come back and rejoin your teams.

So the challengers have lost no brains from the final round whilst the Eggheads have lost one brain.

The next subject is Film & TV.

Which of you would like this?

-Film & Television, what do you think?

-Who's it going to be?

-Does anyone fancy it?

-I don't fancy it at all.

-I'll take it.

-Dave, do you fancy it?

-Yeah.

-Dave, OK. Against which Egghead? It can't be Judith.

-Who do you think?

-I think we should try and eliminate Kevin earlier.

-Is that possible?

-Do you want Kevin?

-Yeah, we'll go for that.

He's got that inscrutable look. You can't tell what he's thinking.

OK, so it's going to be Dave from The Berlin 5 against Kevin from the Eggheaded 5.

To ensure no conferring, please take your positions in the question room.

-So, Dave, Film & TV...

-Yeah.

-You described yourself as a pushback driver. Is that something to do with airports?

-It is, yeah.

When aircraft are ready to depart from their gates, they can't reverse

so we have to push them back into a position where they can move under their own power.

-If they start being able to reverse, that's bad news for you.

-Definitely.

-You've got to hope they don't invent the reverse gear.

-Yeah, definitely.

And Film & TV, I'm just thinking films which involve planes or airports, there are so many of them.

There's Die Hard and United 93.

That would be brilliant to get questions on any sort of aircraft films.

OK, so you've got the basics to beat Kevin, I think.

-Yeah.

-If it goes the right way. Three questions, Film & TV.

We're hoping for airports and aircraft and you can choose the first or second set of questions.

I'll follow Paul and go first, please.

Here we go. Dave, good luck.

Who played Pop Larkin in the TV series, The Darling Buds Of May?

I've never seen the programme.

But I know that David Jason was in it.

So I'm going to take a punt and say David Jason.

David Jason is quite right. Well done.

Kevin, the Soup Dragon was a character in which children's TV programme?

I don't think it appeared in either of the others. It's The Clangers.

The Clangers is quite right.

Back to you, Dave.

The 2005 film Jarhead was set during which conflict?

I definitely know this. I've seen the film a couple of times.

And it's definitely the Gulf War.

The Gulf War is right. Kevin, your question.

Who directed the 1970 film adaptation of E Nesbit's The Railway Children?

It was a very good actor, of course, in his own right - Lionel Jeffries.

Lionel Jeffries is the right answer. It's two each. Cracking on here.

Dave, in which film did Glenn Ford play a gambler called Johnny Farrell?

I really don't know.

I haven't seen any of those films,

so I'm going to take a guess at...

I'm going to go down the left and say The Big Heat.

No, that's wrong, I'm afraid. Anybody on this side?

-Anyone at all?

-Gilda.

-Gilda.

Gilda is the right answer.

So, Kevin, with this,

you can take the round.

What was the name of the Coronation Street character played by Joanna Lumley in 1973?

Well, bizarrely enough, I think I do know it.

It's just one of those trivia facts that gets into the system.

I think it's Elaine Perkins.

Barry is nodding.

Chris is nodding. The correct answer is Elaine Perkins.

Well done, Kevin. You are in the final round. Dave, sorry.

One trip and it's fatal in this situation. So, bad luck, you're not in the final.

Both of you come back and rejoin your team-mates.

So, a bit of a knock there. Any change in tactics?

-No, no. Dave did well, to be fair.

-Yes, absolutely.

You took on a very, very tough person to beat there.

-Definitely.

-Just to go in the booth with Kevin is in its own way brave.

So the challengers and the Eggheads have both lost one brain.

The next subject for you is Geography.

I can't guarantee Berlin will come up.

-If it does, we probably wouldn't know anything about it.

-We don't remember any of it.

Do you want to take Geography?

- I'm no good at Geography. - I'm really bad at Geography.

-I think between you, my choice is Chris.

-I'd say Chris.

Chris on Geography, OK. Against which Egghead? Not Judith or Kevin.

-Chris and Chris?

-Chris with Chris?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Chris versus Chris.

-All right.

So, from The Berlin 5, Chris, and from the Eggheads, the other Chris.

Chris v Chris on Geography, please go to the question room now.

-Chris, you are an optician?

-That's correct.

-You're testing people's eye and building their glasses?

It's more building glasses and repairs, things like that.

-Do you wear glasses yourself sometimes?

-I do.

I'm wearing contact lenses now. I'm down to shapes and colours without them.

What's your subject in the quizzing when you quiz with your friends?

-My subject would be more Music.

-Geography, you seem to have drawn a blank on?

-It's not a strong point.

Let's see how we go. Three questions.

-You can choose the first or the second set.

-I'll take the first.

Good luck. What is the county town of Hampshire?

OK. I'm going to have to say I'm not entirely sure.

I'm trying to think it through.

I'm going to have to say Winchester.

Nicely done. It is Winchester. You would've known that, Kevin.

-Possibly, yeah.

-Because you live there.

Chris, other Chris... Chris H, shall we say?

What type of building in Liverpool is popularly known as Paddy's Wigwam due to its distinctive architecture?

If you want a cathedral, we've got one at each end of Hope Street

and Paddy's Wigwam is the Catholic cathedral.

Cathedral is the right answer.

Chris, your question.

What is the name of the north-south road across Australia which connects Darwin and Adelaide?

I've never been to Australia. It's a place I would very much like to go

I've been looking into it recently.

And again I'm not entirely certain, but...

I'm trying to think which one I can get out.

I'm going to have to go with Albert Highway.

Anyone been to Australia?

-Any offers on this?

-I should know it because I've driven on it!

I think it's Albert Highway.

It was obviously part of your Berlin weekend. It's the Stuart Highway.

Stuart Highway is the answer. So, Chris, back to you.

You can take the lead. The city of Kampala lies close to which major lake?

Well, that's in Uganda, isn't it?

Lake Malawi's too far south. I don't know Lake Turkana.

But Kampala is, if not actually on, near Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria is the right answer. You need to get this right, Chris.

-OK.

-Here's your question.

Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in which US state?

Again I'm trying to think which I can nominate out.

And...

I didn't think it was California.

I'm going to say Texas.

Nicely done. Texas is correct. Chris, get this and you've won.

Which country's main airport is situated on Hulhule Island?

Well, it's not the Bahamas.

I don't think it's the Seychelles.

It sounds more sort of Bali Hai way than the Seychelles, so I'll go with the Maldives.

I'm afraid, from your point of view, he is right.

It is the Maldives. That means you're in the final.

Both of you please come back and rejoin your teams.

So the challengers have lost two brains from the final round whilst the Eggheads have lost one.

The last subject before the final is Politics. Good or bad?

-This is Dan.

-The civil servant. OK. Against which Egghead, Dan?

It's Pat or Barry.

-Em...

-Pat or Barry?

-It's a bit of a toss-up, really.

-Go for Pat.

-Pat, yeah.

Dan from the Berlin Five versus Pat from the Eggheads. Smiling, worryingly!

Please go to the Question Room.

-Dan, we've got you down as a civil servant.

-That's correct.

-Working in what line?

-In the Job Centre, mainly.

-From Ireland?

-Yeah, from Cork.

I know you like your history and your politics and were hoping this round came up.

Yeah, I was, but I might regret that now.

Let's see how we go. Good luck. Three questions in turn.

-Dan, choose the first or second set.

-First.

All the best to you, Dan.

Who did Margaret Thatcher succeed as leader of the Conservative Party in 1975?

OK, I know this.

It's definitely Edward Heath.

It definitely is. Well done.

Pat, over to you.

What is the surname of the twin sisters Angela and Maria, elected to the Shadow Cabinet in 2010?

I think they're from somewhere in the Merseyside, Wirral area

and they are the Eagle sisters.

They are indeed. Angela and Maria Eagle. Labour MPs.

Over to you, Dan. The Orange Revolution is a name give to political events that took place

in which former Soviet republic?

OK, I'm not too sure on this one.

I don't think it's the first one.

I think it's the Ukraine. Go for the middle.

Ukraine is correct. Playing well.

Pat,

which member of the Mitford family was the wife of the British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley?

My first instinct is it's Diana, but I'm not entirely sure.

Unity and Jessica...

Diana... I think I have to go with Diana.

Diana is the correct answer, Pat. Well done. OK, Dan,

this is a tough battle you're engaged in here.

Which institution did Hillary Clinton say had turned down her application to join

on the grounds that she was too old, couldn't see and was a woman?

Hmm.

I don't think it's the Church of Scientology.

When I first thought about it, Harvard came into it straight away.

But now I see US Marines there.

I think I'll go for US Marines.

-US Marines is your answer?

-Yeah.

-It's right. Three out of three.

If Pat gets this wrong,

you're in the final. Which political adviser wrote The New Machiavelli:

How To Wield Power In The Modern World?

They're all... prominent advisers or spin doctors.

Jonathan Powell was, I think, a very close personal secretary to Tony Blair.

Derek Draper was involved, I think, in Labour politics.

And Alastair Campbell has written loads of diaries on his time as Tony Blair's Press Officer.

The New Machiavelli...

I think Jonathan Powell has published. I'm not sure what it was.

Alastair Campbell has had a whole succession of memoirs.

I'm in trouble here. I think I'm going to have to just pick one and hope for the best.

I'm going to go for Jonathan Powell.

Jonathan Powell is correct. Three each.

It's never straightforward.

The multiple choice section is over. We go to Sudden Death.

-I don't give you options here.

-OK.

-Here's your question.

From 1957-1963, John George Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of which country?

I don't know this,

but for some reason I'm thinking of Canada, so Canada.

-Your answer is Canada?

-Yeah.

-It's correct.

Lovely work. How did you get it?

-I thought it sounded a bit French, so I thought French...Canada.

-Sure. Pat, if you get this wrong,

you're out. Who was the last Prime Minister of the French post-war Fourth Republic?

Oh, dear. Let's see if I can get my republics in order.

They're currently in the Fifth Republic, which I think was kicked off by Charles de Gaulle.

So who would the last... Who was de Gaulle's predecessor as ruler of France?

Or, in fact, did de Gaulle... Is the Fifth Republic after de Gaulle? Is it something he concocted?

I'll have to assume that when he came back to France the Fifth Republic started then

and he became top dog. So I have to go before de Gaulle.

I'm struggling, really. I have a name in my head, Rene Coty, but I'm not at all sure of it.

I'll have to go with Rene Coty.

Rene Coty is your answer. It's Charles de Gaulle, Pat.

Charles de Gaulle is the answer.

You had the information there.

Yes, poor technique.

-Let me just check. Rene Coty was before...?

-He was President.

-OK.

Pat, you are not in the final. Dan, very well played.

If you both come back to us we will play that final round.

So this is what we've been playing towards - the final round on general knowledge.

But those of you who lost

won't be allowed to take part in this round, so Dave and Chris from the Berlin Five

and Pat and Judith from the Eggheads, please leave the studio.

So Paul, Dan and Thomas, you're playing to win £12,000.

Chris, Barry and Kevin are playing for something money can't buy - the Eggheads' reputation.

I shall ask each team three questions on general knowledge. You are allowed to confer.

Paul, Dan and Thomas, the key question is are your three brains better than the Eggheads' three?

-First or second?

-I think we'll stick with tradition and go first.

Here we go. What type of flowers are particularly associated with Dame Edna Everage?

-Anyone know this?

-No.

-I can see it in my head,

-but I can't...

-I'm thinking tulips.

What would she...? Chrysanthemums? Really?

-Tulips came to my mind.

-Gladioli. No one's going for gladioli.

She's Australian, isn't she? So would there be one

-that's Australian, or...?

-Tulips aren't Australian.

-Why do you think tulips?

-I don't know. What do you...?

I think chrysanthemums. Just in he back of my head I've got her saying it.

-It's a word you don't forget.

-Want to do an impression?

-No!

-You think that?

-It's good logic with chrysanthemums.

-Definitely not gladioli?

-No. You can rule that one out.

-You hope!

-Yeah.

-Down the middle, then?

I think our final answer is chrysanthemums.

-Chrysanthemums.

-Just based on how it sounds.

OK. Difficult one this if you're not...

Probably of a certain age.

Who's an Edna Everage fan here?

-Not a fan, but...

-We enjoy her.

-What's the flower?

-Gladioli.

-Gladioli.

The other performer who performs with gladioli is...?

-Morrissey of The Smiths.

-Oh, yes, of course.

To take the lead. What is the technical name of the colour of the Golden Gate bridge?

-- International Orange.

-Must be.

-- It's painted orange.

-Are we happy?

-Yeah.

It's the most famous orange bridge in the world. International Orange.

International Orange is right. Back to you, Berlin Five.

Berlin Three. Walter Frederick Morrison, who died in 2010 aged 90,

is credited with inventing which popular toy?

-I've got no idea.

-Yo-yo jumped at me.

Space hopper jumped at me.

-It could be any one of them.

-I'm not pushed for any, really.

Walter Frederick Morrison, aged 90 in 2010.

Any big upheaval of the three of them in 2010?

We're basically saying... When were they invented?

Which one came first?

If he died when he was 90,

he probably invented it in the '60s or '70s.

I'd say it was a bit earlier on. I'd say '50s, '60s.

-Inventing.

-The space hopper's been around for a bit.

-The frisbee's been around longer.

-And the yo-yo forever.

-So space hopper?

-Space hopper.

-I think we'll go with space hopper.

Space hopper is your answer.

It's frisbee.

It's frisbee. OK, Eggheads, if you get this right

you've taken the contest. Belgian Kriek beer is flavoured with which fruit?

-Are we all happy?

-Yeah.

Well, Kevin and I do a lot of quizzing in Belgium and we've sampled a fair few beers.

Kriek beer is flavoured with cherry.

Belgian Kriek beer is indeed flavoured with cherry.

Congratulations. You have won.

Sorry, Berlin Five.

-It was tough at the end there.

-Bad start.

-Edna Everage.

Yeah...

Thanks for coming in. The Eggheads have done what comes naturally.

Their winning streak continues. You won't go home with the £12,000,

so the money is rolled over. Eggheads, very well done.

Who will beat you? Join us next time to see if some new challengers can defeat the Eggheads.

£13,000 says they don't. Until then, goodbye.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012

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