Episode 142 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.

Their pedigree is well known as they've won some of the toughest quiz shows.

They are the Eggheads. Taking on the might of our quiz Goliaths today:

This team of friends quiz together at their local pub in Derby.

Let's meet them.

Hi. I'm Brian, I'm 54 and I'm a civil engineer.

I'm Frank. I'm 58. I'm an environmental health officer.

Hi, I'm John. I'm 53 and I'm an environmental health officer.

Hi. I'm John. I'm 60 and I'm a retired environmental health officer.

Hi. I'm James, I'm 28 and I'm a civil servant.

Brian and team, welcome. I sense you are quite serious quizzers.

-Yes, we quiz together most Tuesdays.

-As a team or against each other?

-As a team.

-Just pub quiz, you know.

-What is it about quizzing that you like?

-Just the challenge, basically.

-And the beer!

-The challenge and the beer!

And not necessarily in that order!

And specialist subjects? Do you have strengths and weaknesses in the team?

-They've got strengths, I've got weaknesses!

-OK.

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

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

Now, Mersey Mission, the challengers won the last game

so that means the jackpot is £1,000.

£1,000 says you can't beat the Eggheads.

-Would you like to try?

-Yes.

-The first head-to-head

is on the subject of music. Who'd like this?

It's either going to be James or John.

-I don't mind having a go.

-OK.

-James on music.

-Which Egghead, James?

-Who do you think, Brian?

-Daphne, possibly?

-I'll take on Daphne.

-That smile of Daphne's is alluring.

-Is it?

Many sailors have crashed on those rocks!

So James from Mersey Mission versus Daphne on Music.

To ensure no conferring, take your positions in the Question Room.

-James, how are you on music?

-I'm OK if it's the last ten or 15 years.

-But anything behind that, I might struggle a bit, but I'll give it a go.

-OK.

Good luck. Three multiple choice questions on music.

-Would you like the first or second set?

-I'll go first, please.

Good luck.

The singer Marvin Gaye was most associated with which genre of popular music?

Right, OK.

I know that he's associated with Motown, coming out of Detroit.

So I know it's not rap. It's not country. It's soul.

That's my final answer.

Spot on. Soul is right, James. Well done.

Daphne, your question.

What was the title of the 1988 UK number one single for Yazz and the Plastic Population?

Um, I think it's The Only Way Is Up.

Is that right?

-You have to sing it to get the point.

-Oh, no, no, no.

-And dance!

I could clear the studio if I started singing!

The Only Way Is Up is the right answer.

Your question, James.

Which musical features the songs If The Rain's Gotta Fall and All In The Cause of Economy.

Musicals isn't my specialist subject.

I think I'll have to have a guess at this one.

I'm going to go for Chess.

-I'll ask Daphne cos she will know.

-Half A Sixpence.

Half A Sixpence is the right answer.

Daphne, here's a question more towards the music that you like.

Which heavy metal lead singer is nicknamed The Air Raid Siren?

Um...

Gosh.

Well... I'll pick the one I've never heard of. Rob Halford.

It's wrong, Daphne. James, you can have your revenge. Do you know?

-Is it Bruce Dickinson?

-It is Bruce Dickinson.

So still level. Third question to you, James.

Richard Sarstedt recorded the 1961 UK number one single

Will I Ask You under which name?

Again, a little bit before my time. I should have swatted up

on music before the 1980s, I suppose.

I'll have to take a guess. I'll go down the middle. Georgie Fame.

-Georgie Fame. Do your fellow quizzers know?

-Eden Kane.

Eden Kane is the answer, James. Sorry, you got that wrong.

I love that '60s music, but I can't place the tune.

(SINGS FIRST FEW LINES)

OK. Got it. Thank you. Well done.

Most people say no when I try that! Daphne. You get the round if this is right.

Who composed the theme tune Calling All Workers

for the BBC radio programme Music While You Work

that ran from 1940 to 1967?

Oh, dear!

Um, right. Another guess.

Um, Eric Coates.

I want to know how you do these guesses! You're never wrong!

Eric Coates is the right answer.

-Every time she does it. Sorry, James.

-It's OK.

Daphne has done what comes naturally and taken the round. You won't be in the final.

Please both come back and rejoin your team-mates.

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

The next subject is Politics. Who'd like Politics?

-It's going to be John O.

-OK. Against which Egghead? It can't be Daphne.

-That's a nasty one.

-Chris?

-I'm tempted to go for Barry.

-OK.

Fair enough. OK. I'll go for Barry, please.

So John O from Mersey Mission, and Barry on Politics.

-Been having a bad run, Barry?

-Yes, but it's all going to end, now!

-Something to prove.

So Barry from Eggheads on Politics. To ensure no conferring, please go to the Question Room.

John, you are a great bird watcher?

Yes, I like to get out and do a bit of bird-watching.

It's not just studying them in books,

it's collecting your own moments when you have seen the birds.

There's nothing like seeing a bird in the wild that you've looked at in a book

that you're able to identify. It's a good feeling.

Any particular moments that made it worthwhile?

Little things you remember, when you see your first kingfisher.

-Things you don't forget.

-Do you share that interest?

Not in birds, but I like to be out in the fresh air.

-Are we supposed to be impressed?

-Depends which bit of fresh air you're in!

So three questions on not birds, not even science. It's Politics. How did that happen, John?

Three questions. First or second set?

I'll go first, please.

First question. Good luck.

In 1999, Hilary Benn became an MP for the Leeds Central constituency

representing which party?

I think Hilary Benn was Tony Benn's son.

So I'm fairly certain it's going to be the Labour Party.

Labour is the right answer. Well done.

Barry.

-I haven't been counting. Have you been knocked out a few times?

-I've lost the last three in a row.

-OK.

Since 1994, which London building has been the HQ of the UK security service known as MI5?

Well, as it's that huge modern building on The Thames,

-I'll go for Thames House.

-Thames House is the right answer.

John, your second question.

In which European country did women get the right to vote in 1971?

I thought Switzerland was one of the earliest ones.

I might be wrong.

France and Germany sounds, um...

I think I'll take a flyer and go on France.

France is wrong. It's Switzerland, John.

Barry,

your chance to take the lead.

In 1985, the civil servant Clive Ponting

was acquitted of breaching the Official Secrets Act

by leaking official documents about which issue?

Well, the Belgrano was sunk in the Falklands War, in 1982.

So in 1985, it must be the sinking of the Belgrano.

The sinking of the Belgrano is right.

Eggheads lead two-one.

John, you've got to get this right.

In 1804, which founding father of the United States and former treasury secretary

was killed in a duel with the then vice-president Aaron Burr?

I don't know this one either, so I'll have to have a guess.

I think I'll eliminate Benjamin Franklin.

So it's 50/50.

I think I'll go for...

Go down the middle. I'll have Alexander Hamilton.

-You know, Barry?

-It's correct.

-Correct.

Seems like a classic quizzers' question. Anyone know any more?

-What was the duel about?

-He insulted him, I think about the way he was campaigning.

He insulted him and it was a very personal slander.

He challenged him to a duel.

Barry, if you get this right, you're in the final

and you can put that difficult phase behind you.

Who became Britain's first female cabinet minister

when she was appointed Minister of Labour in 1929?

All fine female politicians.

But the first female Minister of Labour was Margaret Bondfield.

Barry, you're right. Margaret Bondfield. You're in the final at long last!

John, sorry he's knocked you out. Please both come back to the studio.

Brian, any reflections at this point?

It's not looking too good, but you know!

-We're still alive and kicking.

-It could be better.

We've got the spirit of Istanbul here!

I'm pretty sure the last team lost the first two

and they won the contest. They ended up with only two in the final.

So it can be done. The challengers have lost two brains from the final.

You'll hope to knock an Egghead out before the final.

The next subject is Sport.

Who would like this?

-I think Jay was down to do Sport. He's been. We'll have John.

-John.

-Yeah.

-John. OK. Against which Egghead?

He probably knows what's coming, but we'll go for Chris.

-Yeah, pal.

-OK.

John from Mersey Mission against Chris, herumfing!

-From the Eggheads.

-I won the last one!

-Right.

-He's very proud of that, as well. Back in the late '90s, no?

To ensure no conferring, go to the Question Room.

John, I'm sensing a strong team on sport here.

Depends on what sport it is. Like most people, I have a good general base of sport.

-Stronger on some than others.

-Are you the red or the blue side?

I'm the only one on the blue side.

I'm the only one with loyalty and sense to follow a team even if they don't win trophies.

Does it annoy you, because you come from Liverpool,

people think you must be a supporter of Liverpool FC?

That's the consensus from a lot of people outside. They think you support Liverpool.

Good luck. Three questions on Sport, in turn.

John, choose the first or second set.

The first set, please, Jeremy.

Your first question, John.

The kit normally worn by the Australian national rugby union team

is referred to by which two colours?

It's these colours I get confused with South Africa as well

for cricket and rugby union.

But out of those options, I'm fairly certain it's green and gold.

Green and gold. Not the one that Chris is wearing?

-No.

-That's a different rugby team!

Green and gold is the right answer.

Chris, your first question.

Cristie Kerr of the USA and Ai Miyazato of Japan

became famous as leading female players in which sport?

Well, the second one sounds Japanese.

Snooker's pretty big in the Orient these days.

Don't think tennis is, much.

They sound like a pair of lady golfers, so I'll say golf.

Amazing deduction! Yeah, golf is right.

John, in 2010

in which event did athlete Christian Malcolm win medals

at the European Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games?

I'm a big fan of athletics.

Most of my life I've followed British athletics.

Christian Malcolm is one of the British sprint relay team,

-so the 200 metres.

-Well done.

A lot of people would trip up on that. It's the 200 metres.

Athletics is a bit of a blind spot, Chris, for lots of quizzers.

Yeah. Stupid waste of energy!

Sorry I asked! OK, your question.

In December 2010, it was announced that which country

had won the FIFA vote to host the 2022 World Cup finals?

Ah, yes.

There's all sorts of apprehension

about playing in 40-degree heat, isn't there, in Qatar.

-So it's Qatar.

-Qatar is the right answer.

OK, your question, John.

Which flat racing jockey often described as one of the tallest in his profession

is nicknamed The Window Cleaner?

I can't imagine it's Richard Hills

because him and his brother are twins, so the same height.

Richard Hughes was originally a jump jockey

so I imagine he was taller and heavier than most flat jockeys

so on that assumption, I'll go for Richard Hughes.

Very good. Right. Richard Hughes.

Calling a lot of information to mind.

I can see the Eggheads. A fleeting sign of approval.

Look at CJ. That is his "I am impressed" face.

-It's gone now. It's passed!

-You had it for a second.

OK, Chris, if you get this wrong, you're out.

Keke Rosberg won the 1982 Formula 1 drivers' championship

whilst competing for which team?

Well, he's a Finn, isn't he?

I don't think it was Williams or Tyrrell.

-I think it was Colin Chapman's mob from Cheshunt. Lotus.

-Lotus.

-Do you know, Eggheads?

-I thought he was Williams.

Williams is the right answer. Chris, you're out.

John, you're in the final round!

Please both come back and rejoin your teams.

So the challengers have lost two brains from the final,

but the Eggheads have now lost one brain. Well done.

So, the last subject is Geography.

Then it's the final. Who wants Geography?

Well, our best two players will be in the final if I go for Geography.

Our best two players will be in the final. I'll take Geography.

Is he being overly modest here?

He's telling the truth!

So you're doing Geography, against which Egghead?

-CJ or Pat?

-Well, we know CJ confesses to not knowing British geography.

-So we'll take CJ, please.

-He'll be pleased(!)

The shows he's seen were a year ago! I've been working hard. You may want to reconsider!

At least you've been picked, cos people have been ignoring him!

Brian from Mersey Mission against CJ, at last back in the booth

on Geography.

Please go to the Question Room.

So we've got two marathon runners now.

-CJ and Brian, you run marathons?

-I've done a few. Not for a few years.

-Tell us which countries.

-New York, Prague, a couple in Monaco.

I've done Blackpool as well!

How about you, CJ?

I've only done one outside of this country, Amsterdam.

-Are you going to do some more?

-I'll see.

The last two I did were the London marathons in '09 and '10.

In both of them, I injured myself badly.

Especially in '10 I was supposed to get well under three hours.

I really mucked up my right foot and only managed 3:25

-and couldn't walk for two months afterwards!

-Did you trip over your own ego?

No, in that case I'd have fallen and killed myself!

We'll ask each of you three questions on Geography.

-Brian, first or second set?

-First, please, Jeremy.

See if you can get into the final.

The River Douro that flows into the Atlantic near Porto, rises in which country?

Well, if it's rising in the Atlantic in Portugal,

I'm hoping it rises in Spain. Could be France, but I'll take Spain.

Spain is the right answer. Well done.

CJ,

which river flows through the city of Durham,

forming a meander that encloses the cathedral and castle on three sides.

Uh, the Humber is over there, isn't it?

On the east coast.

The Ribble...

Is The Ribble Leeds?

Oh, dear. Now, Durham's up somewhere

on the north-east-ish coast.

I think The Wear's up there as well, cos of Tyne and Wear.

Um, so...

If Durham's up there and I think The Wear's up there,

I'll try The Wear.

Is it fair to say you made heavy work of that?

-Is it fair to say I know nothing about English geography?

-The Wear is the right answer.

-Have you been to Durham?

-No.

-I was a student there. It's a beautiful city. Brian,

what term is used to refer to a rock fragment

that has been moved to its present location by a glacier

and thus differs from the local bedrock?

Ooh, erm...

I was kind of hoping rain would come up there!

Freak, erratic or peculiar.

It's not a term I'm familiar with.

I'm going to go for... I'll go down the middle and go for peculiar.

Peculiar rock.

A few days ago, the word "peculiar" was a correct answer to something.

Here it's not, I'm afraid. Erratic is the right answer.

Now a question for our own erratic!

In which country was the province of Flevoland established in 1986?

CJ?

I haven't heard of it.

If it was Austria, I presume it would be pronounced, "Flavolant".

I've lived in the Netherlands for some time

and I haven't heard of it there.

So...

Possibly ill-advisedly, I'll rule out Netherlands.

Belgium has a lot of different places, doesn't it,

with all the different groups that live there.

I don't know this. I'll try Belgium.

Belgium is wrong. It was in the Netherlands. Flevoland.

Brian, that's helped, hasn't it?

-Indeed.

-Question three. You're equal. If you can get this right, put some pressure on CJ.

Which state of the United States is divided into parishes

rather than counties?

Again, it's something I know the answer to.

Basically because Rhode Island is the smallest of the three

and the smallest of all the states.

I'll go with Rhode Island on the strength it's not big enough to have counties!

CJ, which do you think it is?

I don't know. I'd have gone for Rhode Island too. But I don't know.

-It's Louisiana.

-Daphne?

-Louisiana.

Louisiana is the correct answer, Brian.

So CJ has a chance to take the round on Geography.

CJ, Wiesbaden is the capital of which German state?

Oh, dear! Oh, dear!

John McEnroe was born there.

Oh, dear!

Wiesbaden's there.

So...

I'm not going to go for Brandenburg.

Apologies if heads have hit the table.

I don't think that's in the right place.

But I don't know where Saarland or Hesse are.

This is going to be a bit of a blind guess. I'll try Hesse.

You've got it right. It is Hesse.

Brian, that's bad luck.

It seems unfair, but he's done you on Hesse.

You won't be in the final. CJ will be. Come back to us now.

We will play the final round.

This is what we've been playing towards.

Time for the final round, as always general knowledge.

Those of you who lost your head-to-heads won't take part

in this round. Brian, John O and James from Mersey Mission

and Chris from the Eggheads please leave the studio.

Frank and John J, you're playing to win Mersey Mission £1,000.

CJ, Daphne, Barry and Pat, you're playing for something money can't buy.

You're trying to restore the Eggheads' reputation.

I will ask each team three questions in turn.

The questions are all general knowledge and you may confer.

So, Mersey Mission, are your two brains better than the Eggheads' four?

-Would you like to go first or second?

-First, please.

Good luck. Who was the star of the series of public information films

that advised drivers to "clunk-click every trip"?

I remember this. Jimmy Savile, wasn't it?

-"How's about that, then, boys and girls?"

-Yep.

Definitely go with Jimmy Savile.

Jimmy Savile is correct. Well done.

Your question, Eggheads.

What was the name of the social research project started by Charles Madge,

Humphrey Jennings and Tom Harrison in 1937?

Mass Observation.

-I think it was.

-Definitely.

-Yes.

-OK?

That was Mass Observation.

Mass Observation is the right answer. One each.

Back to you.

Which author of the novel Tulip Fever

wrote the screenplay for the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?

One of the first two options would be my guess.

I don't know. It could be Margaret Forster.

Do you think it was Margaret Forster?

-OK?

-You're the skipper. Go.

-Margaret Forster.

-Margaret Forster.

-Do you know?

-Deborah Moggach.

Deborah Moggach is the correct answer, guys.

You got it wrong.

Eggheads, back to you.

A chance to take the lead for the Eggheads.

Before the First World War, Vernon and Irene Castle

achieved worldwide fame in which role?

-Ballroom dancers.

-Yes?

They were ballroom dancers.

How did you all know - you're right by the way -

how did you all know that?

I've seen film of them dancing.

OK. Very early black-and-white film.

I don't know how you know this stuff.

OK. Get this one right. Put some pressure on.

Then hope for Sudden Death. Anything could happen.

Here's your question.

The Scotsman James Hutton

born in 1726 has been accorded which accolade?

I don't think it's surgery, do you?

-No.

-Not medical.

Not modern surgery.

It was the time of the Enlightenment

-so it could be... Probably not journalism.

-No.

So surgery or geology?

-Surgery. Go on.

-Right.

Surgery, Jeremy.

Your answer is surgery. I thought you'd ruled out surgery?

We did initially. But we talked ourselves into it.

The answer is that he's the founder of modern geology.

50/50, wasn't it?

It was 50/50. No way back for you.

Eggheads, congratulations. You have won.

I don't even want to ask if you knew the answer to that.

-Yes.

-Yes, indeed!

-No manners!

-His books were absolutely unreadable.

It wasn't until somebody followed him that his ideas gained currency.

-Right.

-He's an important name in the Enlightenment.

He's mentioned in Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything.

-You got the Enlightenment.

-We knew it was that period.

-Yes.

Bad luck.

They do have off days, but you caught them on an on day!

There are quite a lot of good days, to do them credit.

So commiserations. The Eggheads have done what is beginning to come naturally to them.

They reign supreme over quiz land.

You won't be going home with the £1,000 so that rolls over to our next show.

Eggheads, congratulations. Who will beat you?

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

£2,000 says they don't. Until then, goodbye!

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