Episode 139 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, the show where a team of five challengers

attempt to beat possibly the greatest quiz team in Britain.

They've won some of the country's toughest quiz shows.

They are the Eggheads.

Taking on our quiz champions today are:

This quintet features two sets of old school friends,

brought together by a shared love of quizzing,

and now test their brain power at least once a week at various pubs in London.

Let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Naomi, I'm 29. I'm head of public affairs for a charity.

Hi, my name's Roshni, I'm 28 and I'm a women's-wear buyer.

Hi, my name's Tim, I'm 29 and I'm a coordinator.

Hi, I'm Vinny, I'm 29 and I'm a mobile services manager.

My name's Tim, I'm 27 and I'm a maths teacher.

Naomi and team, welcome. Great to see you.

Team Whatever, why Whatever?

It was a name we came up with because it's a word we all use a lot.

This is something that means

-"Forget it. Not interested!"

-I think that's right.

-Any of you say that? No, you don't, do you?

-I do!

You then truncate it to "whatev".

It's just easier, because we're very lazy, as well.

Research says that kids, even younger than you, say "meh".

I've used that for ages.

-You're down with the kids, CJ!

-I've heard Lisa Simpson using it in The Simpsons.

-Meh.

-Meh!

So if it all goes wrong this afternoon, just "Meh"!

What do you think of that, Judith? I can sense disapproval of shortening words like that.

-No. Why not?

-Would you say "meh"?

-I will from now on.

We believe you!

You're aggressive quizzers, I gather.

-Sometimes.

-We like to think so.

So, you go round pubs in London?

Yes, we have a couple of favourites in our local area in north London,

but we do try new ones now and then.

OK, and strengths and weaknesses? No, don't say!

You need to keep that secret. Good luck today.

Every day, there's £1,000 up for grabs for our challengers.

If they fail to defeat the Eggheads, the money rolls over to the next show.

So, Team Whatever, the Eggheads have won the last 14 games,

which means £15,000 says you can't beat them today.

-How about that?

-Sounds good.

-Would you like to try?

-Let's have a go.

The first head-to-head is on Arts & Books.

Who wants this?

-Is it Roshni?

-Oh.

-I think it is.

-Well, it's definitely not me!

Roshni. OK.

-Is it you?

-I suppose so!

Against which Egghead? You can have any one of them.

You compiled the dossier.

I'm not sure which one. Go for Pat.

-OK. Pat, please.

-Roshni on Arts & Books.

What happened to the dossier? It just seemed to evaporate, then?

-Pat from the Eggheads. Arts & Books, Pat. How about that?

-It's all right.

Sounds suitably threatening.

To ensure there's no conferring, please take your positions in the Question Room.

-So, Roshni, good luck.

-Thank you.

Tell me how Team Whatever got together.

Naomi and I went to school together

and Tim and Vinny went to school together

and Vinny and Tim went to university,

and we all kind of met up in London and we enjoy quizzing.

Fantastic. OK. You're against Pat. Arts & Books.

Three multiple choice questions. Choose the first or second set.

I'd like to go first, please.

Good luck.

In 2005, Lucian Freud's portrait of which model was sold for over £3 million?

OK, art isn't my strongest subject,

but I'm pretty sure I know this.

I'm going to go with Kate Moss.

Nicely done. It is Kate Moss.

All right, Pat, here's yours.

Nicci Gerrard and Sean French became famous for writing novels together under what name?

I think they write very successful crime novels or thrillers

and I think they write as Nicci French.

Nicci French is the right answer.

Over to you, Roshni. See if you can take a lead.

"Ram's Head, White Hollyhock and Little Hills"

is a work by US artist, born in 1887?

OK, erm, like I said,

art isn't my strongest subject, especially American artists.

Although I have heard of Georgia O'Keeffe

and I know she does paintings of flowers, florals,

so I don't think it's her.

I think I'll go with Selma Burke.

Selma Burke is your answer. Pat, do you know this?

I would've gone for Georgia O'Keeffe.

Hollyhocks are flowers.

She did lots of studies of desert cactus flower.

-He's right!

-Oh, no!

-How annoying!

You almost had the clue there.

-It is Georgia O'Keeffe.

-Disappointing.

Pat can take the lead.

The poem "When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom'd"

was written after the assassination of which president?

My first thought was Lincoln, but I'm troubled by the fact

that we've got Walt Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!"

a famous poem written about Lincoln's assassination.

It could've been written about Kennedy. Erm...

I think I'm going to assume that two poets were moved to write

because of the assassination of Lincoln.

Is the right answer. Lincoln. And it was Walt Whitman.

-So he wrote two poems.

-He did!

-As astonishing as that may be!

-He was a workaholic!

That's a busy day for a poet!

Roshni, your question. You need this one.

What was the name of the leading Imagist poet

who published using her initials of HD?

Right, erm,

I did study English at university

but we never covered Imagist poets.

Unfortunately, I haven't heard of any of them.

Erm, I'm going to have to go with a guess again

and go for...

Erm, let's go for Harriet Dunlop.

The correct answer is Hilda Doolittle.

Roshni, sorry. That's Pat's round.

No way back for you. And you won't be in the final.

Pat will. But it's still early days.

Both of you, come back and we'll play on.

The challengers have lost one brain from the Final Round.

The Eggheads have lost no brains.

The next subject is Geography. Who would like this?

TEAM CONFER

Because no-one's really good at geography, I'll take the bullet.

-OK.

-Tim's going to fall on his sword for us.

-Did we say Daphne?

-CJ.

-Was it CJ?

We'll take on CJ and hope it's all on the British Isles!

You have been studying Eggheads!

Tim from Team Whatever versus CJ on Geography, and maybe even English geography.

Please do take your positions in the Question Room.

Tim, what are you up to at the moment?

I'm working in London during the week, but staying in a hotel.

I'm a coordinator.

I get to go back home to Leeds on the weekend, which is nice.

-You're coordinating, what, building?

-It's a construction and utilities firm.

I'm working on a contract which is putting up street lights in Barnet and Enfield.

They're putting them up, not taking them down?!

They take them down and then put the new ones up!

Do you have to count the number of lights?

No. They're putting less lights up

because they're better for the environment

and the new lights have more coverage,

so it will save the local councils in the long run.

OK. Good luck. I'll ask each of you three questions in turn.

Whoever answers the most correctly goes through to the final.

Tim, first or second?

I'll go first, please.

Here we go. Good luck.

The Great Barrier Reef is situated in which sea?

I said before if I had a geography round,

I wouldn't want seas or lakes,

so this isn't the best question to start of with.

I'm not sure, so I'm going to have to go for the Tasman Sea.

-Let's see if CJ knows.

-I'm afraid it's the Coral Sea.

Coral Sea is the right answer. Sorry.

I suppose it's made of coral,

-but then it seems too obvious.

-It does.

I understand why you swerved from that. CJ, your question.

Let's hope he gets some English geography.

Which island lies directly north of Sardinia?

That is Corsica.

Corsica is the right answer.

Back to you, Tim.

What type of geographical feature is Nanga Parbat in Pakistan?

I'm not sure, but going by the landscape of Pakistan,

I'd go for mountain.

Very good. Mountain it is. You're right.

OK, CJ, your question.

The French city of Nantes stands on the estuary of which river?

I don't really know, but, er...

I know cities that stand on all of those rivers.

Marseille is on the mouth of the Rhone,

but an estuary doesn't necessarily mean that.

I really don't know this.

Is Nantes something to do with the Loire Valley?

I'm not at all sure, so I'm going to take a blind guess at the Loire.

The Loire is correct.

JEREMY LAUGHS

How does he do that?

You need this answer right, otherwise you're knocked out.

How many of the Faroe Islands are inhabited?

Again, I have no idea which...

It is geography, so it's not my strongest, so I'll go...

..I'll plump for 8.

Let's see if the Eggheads know. Faroe Islands?

-We're plumping for 8.

-You would say 8?

-What would you say, CJ?

-8.

-17 is the right answer.

-THEY GROAN

Sorry, Tim. He's taken it off you.

CJ is through on Geography!

My goodness. We should have a plaque and a photo!

Both of you, come back here and rejoin your teammates.

The challengers have lost two brains from the Final Round. The Eggheads have lost none so far.

The next subject is Film & Television.

Who would like this?

That's mine, isn't it?

Who against?

-OK, Tim against whom?

-THEY CONFER

-Was it Judith?

-I don't think we had a particular weak one down.

-Tim, who would you like to take on?

-Judith?

-Do you want to take on Judith?

-Yes.

-Done.

-Go for it, Tim. Good luck.

-It may not look like it, but, Judith, you love EastEnders.

-I do.

You've got the popular culture as well as the high culture.

Only EastEnders.

-I don't know the cast's names, either.

-We'll see.

Tim from Team Whatever against Judith from the Eggheads.

To ensure there's no conferring, please take your positions.

-Tim, you're a maths teacher.

-That's right.

But doing Film & TV in this round, so you've managed to fit in some TV viewing.

Marking homework! I can watch a bit of TV whilst I'm doing that.

Any likes and dislikes in the cinema?

I'll watch anything, any films.

I love Charlie Chaplin and all those kind of things.

I'll ask each of you three questions on Film & TV.

-Tim, the first or second set?

-I'll go first, thanks.

Here's your first question.

Who played Jerry Leadbetter in the TV sitcom The Good Life?

The Good Life is the allotment one.

And I know it's not David Jason

and I'm pretty sure it's not Leonard Rossiter.

He rings a bell for something else.

So I'm going to go for the middle, Paul Eddington.

And you've got it absolutely right. Paul Eddington. Well done.

Judith, in the 1957 film An Affair To Remember,

the lovers, played by Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, agree to meet where?

They met on the Empire State Building.

They did in the remake, as well.

The Empire State Building is right. Well done.

What was the name of the character played by Jean Marsh

in the TV drama series "Upstairs, Downstairs"

first broadcast in 1971?

That is a programme that I have never watched.

Er...

None of them ring any bells.

I'm thinking, er, I'm thinking Rose Buck. I'm not sure why.

So I'm going to go for Rose Buck.

You did well not to say you weren't born then. You were born at least ten years later.

-Oh, at least!

-In?

-1983.

'83!

But you got it right. Rose Buck is the right answer.

Well done.

Judith, which British TV series won international Emmy Awards

for Best Drama in 2006 and 2008?

Erm, I think I don't know.

I think it might be Life On Mars.

-Have you seen it?

-I think I might have seen an episode.

Life On Mars is the right answer. It is good. You'd enjoy it.

I think it had started by the time I was alerted to it and I didn't get into it.

-It's politically-incorrect policing.

-Yes.

OK, Tim. You're doing well so far. See if you can throw her off.

Which French film director was married to the actress Candice Bergen?

Candice Bergen? Er...

I don't recognise her name.

The only two directors that I recognise are Francois Truffaut

and Louis Malle. Er...

The one I'm tempted to go for is Francois Truffaut.

I think he's a bit more...

I'm not sure. I'll go for Francois Truffaut.

He is better known, but he's not right.

-It was the other one. Louis Malle.

-Damn.

So a chance for Judith to take the round.

If you get this wrong, we go to Sudden Death. Here's your question.

Who wrote the screenplay for the 2007 film Atonement?

Atonement? It was a novel by Ian McEwan, wasn't it?

I wonder why he didn't.

Erm, I don't think it was Julian Fellowes.

I don't think it's his sort of thing.

I think it could be either Tom Stoppard or Christopher Hampton.

Which? Trusty right, Christopher Hampton.

-You've done the Keppel technique.

-Yes.

-You haven't done it for a while.

-I only do it when I'm desperate.

Her new thing is a swerve to the right suddenly.

You've got it absolutely right. The technique has served you well!

Tim, sorry, she knocked you out!

She's good at that! Judith, you're in the final.

Both of you, come back to your teams and we'll play the next round.

The challengers have lost three brains from the Final Round,

the Eggheads have lost no brains.

The last subject is History.

-Is this any good?

-THEY LAUGH

-Vinny or Naomi. Who wants it?

-Crikey!

Is it more important to have Vinny in the last round?

-Yes. I would rather have Vinny.

-OK.

-It's you, is it?

-I'll take it.

It doesn't mean you'll get knocked out. You could be in the Final.

-Who are we going against?

-Daphne or Kevin?

-Daphne?

-ALL: Yes.

-We'll go for Daphne, please.

-OK.

Naomi from Team Whatever, Daphne from the Eggheads.

To ensure there's no conferring, please go to the Question Room now.

-Naomi, you've got a really interesting job.

-I do, yes.

I'm head of public affairs for the British Humanist Association.

We work on behalf on non-religious people in the UK.

Do people actually convert to Humanism?

-Do they go Humanist?

-It's not about converting to Humanism.

Humanists are atheists or agnostics

and want to live a positive and ethical life.

-What do you think, Daphne?

-I'm all for that!

No, no, I mean, I believe in living a Christian, ethical life.

OK. Well, we've found a meeting of minds there.

Let's leave it there.

Three questions on history. Naomi, do you want the first or the second set?

I'll take the second set, please.

She's pounced and reversed the tables on you, Daphne! Here we go!

John Wesley was the principal founder of which religious movement in the 18th century?

He was the founder of the Methodists.

And they actually celebrate the day in May

when he actually converted to Methodism.

-Right!

-Yes.

Methodist is the right answer. Well done.

-I can't help feeling that was your question.

-Quite!

Here's yours. Battle Abbey was built on the site of which battle?

I know there is a place called Battle.

And I think it's near Hastings.

But Bosworth also rings a bell.

I'm trying...

It feels like it's somewhere in the south.

And I thought Battle was somewhere near Kent.

I'm not sure where Bosworth is. My geography's not very good.

But Hastings is in Sussex, down south,

so I'm going to go for Hastings.

Hastings is the right answer. Well done. Nicely done.

Here is your next question.

What was the name of the fund established in Britain in 1704

to aid poorer members of the clergy?

That was Queen Anne's Bounty.

Queen Anne's Bounty is correct.

She's stolen the lead. See if you can keep up.

The woman known as La Pasionaria

became an international figure during which conflict?

Well, La Pasionaria sounds quite Spanish.

Erm...

The Korean War had lots of,

er, obviously, kind of...

..and Vietnam, erm, American influence.

I can't see why that name or that person

would be particularly related to those two wars,

so I would go with the Spanish Civil War.

The Spanish Civil War is correct. You're playing well!

Daphne, here's your question.

The decision to mount an Allied invasion of Sicily

was made at which World War II conference?

Oh, dear! Er...

I don't think it's Yalta because that's later.

Erm...

Oh, dear. It's either Casablanca or Tehran.

Erm...

Tehran.

-Eggheads?

-Casablanca.

-Casablanca, says Kevin!

Casablanca is the right answer.

So if you get this right, Naomi, you will be in the final.

You will have knocked Daphne out, which is not easy to do.

Which saint was known as the Apostle of the Indies?

Which saint was known as the Apostle of the Indies?

Hm...

This is a bit more tricky.

Erm...

I'm going to rule out Thomas Aquinas.

I just don't think...

That doesn't seem familiar to me in that context.

Initially, what struck me was Ignatius Loyola,

although I haven't heard that saint.

Francis Xavier does sound...

Mm. It really would be 50-50 here between those two

if one of them is the right answer.

I'm going to go for Ignatius Loyola.

Ignatius Loyola is the wrong answer. It was Mr Xavier.

So you were halfway there.

We go to Sudden Death.

No multiple choice. It gets a bit harder.

In 1896, Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex

became the first building to be bought by which organisation?

Oh, that was the National Trust.

National Trust is the right answer.

OK, Naomi.

In 1799, Prince Edward Augustus, who went on to become the father of Queen Victoria,

was created the earl of where?

Erm, I'm trying to think of a famous earl, earls.

Erm, the Earl of...

..Wessex?

It's not. It's Dublin. It's the Earl of Dublin.

You've been knocked out. I'm sorry.

Daphne, you will be in the Final Round, as will all the Eggheads.

Do, both of you, please come back to us now.

So this is what we've been playing towards. Time for the Final Round, which is general knowledge.

Those who lost your head-to-heads won't be allowed to take part.

Naomi, Roshni, and the two Tims from Team Whatever,

would you please now leave the studio?

Vinny, you are playing to win Team Whatever £15,000.

Pat, Judith, Kevin, CJ and Daphne,

you're playing for the Eggheads precious reputation.

I will ask each team three questions in turn.

This time, the questions are all general knowledge. You are allowed to confer.

Vinny, is your one brain better than the Eggheads' five?

-You don't need to answer. Do you want to go first or second?

-Erm...

The closest we've come to winning a round is when Naomi chose second,

so I'll go second, as well.

Best of luck to you, Vinny. OK, Eggheads, your question.

French Lop and Flemish Giant are breeds of which creature?

EGGHEADS CONFER

They're rabbits.

Rabbits is the right answer.

-Did you know that?

-I think I just shot myself in the foot.

-Because you knew that one?

-Yes.

Lingfield Park Racecourse is in which county?

I don't think it's in Devon.

And I don't think...

..it's as far south as Surrey.

-I'm going to go for Cambridgeshire.

-You're going for Cambridgeshire.

-Eggheads?

-ALL: Surrey.

-Surrey is the right answer, Vinny.

-Oh, well.

-Cambridgeshire's wrong.

OK, Eggheads, you're in the lead. Here's your question.

Which soft drink is a major ingredient

of a Cuba Libre cocktail?

It's cola, I think.

-Cuba Libre is rum and cola.

-Rum and coke.

-OK?

Cola.

Cola is right.

So you've got to get this one right, otherwise it's over.

Which European dictator was known as The Genius of the Carpathians?

Which European dictator was known as The Genius of the Carpathians?

Take your time.

I've never heard that nickname

in relation to Tito or Ceausescu.

But to be fair, I've never really heard of Svoboda.

The Carpathians are around Romania.

I think Ceausescu was in charge in Romania.

Or I could be completely wrong!

I'm going to go with Ceausescu.

-You're absolutely right.

-Whoo-hoo.

-Brilliantly done.

A little shred of Romania and you were there. Well done.

OK, Eggheads, if you get this right,

the contest is yours.

Craig-y-Nos Castle in Wales

is the former home of which opera singer?

-It's Patti.

-Patti.

-Adelina Patti.

-She lived in Wales.

-Yes.

-Definitely.

I've never heard of Nellie Melba or Jenny Lind having lived in Wales.

We're going to go for Adelina Patti.

-Do you think they've got it right?

-Most probably.

-They do look right.

The answer is Adelina Patti. You have got the right answer.

Congratulations, Eggheads. You have won.

It's when the first one's wrong, and they're starting...

-If I'd gone first and got that one about -

-The rabbits.

Yes, those rotten rabbits!

Well, Eggheads, you are ferocious when you are sat together like that.

I'm going to move back a bit.

Well done. Bad luck to you, Team Whatever and Vinny.

You held up the end well. They were all egging you on.

Commiserations. The Eggheads have done what comes naturally and their winning streak continues.

I'm afraid that means you won't be going home with the £15,000.

That money rolls over to our next show.

Eggheads, congratulations. Who will beat you?

Join us next time to see if a new team have the brains to defeat the Eggheads.

£16,000 says they don't.

Until then, goodbye.

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