Episode 65 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 quiz challengers

pit their wits against possibly the greatest quiz team in Britain.

They are the Eggheads.

Challenging our champions today are The Family Connection from Swansea.

Quizzing forms the backbone of what this family team like to do

when they get together, be it down the pub, playing along with shows on the telly,

or digging out the Trivial Pursuit at Christmas. Let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Jan. I'm 61 and I'm a retired civil servant.

Hi, I'm Mike. I'm 63 and I'm a retired auto electrician.

Hi, I'm Dave. I'm 34 and I'm a graphic designer.

Hi, I'm Dawn. I'm 37 and I'm a civil servant.

Hi, I'm Paul. I'm 54 and I'm a compliance manager.

Jan and team, welcome to you.

-Thank you.

-And Family Connection because you're all family?

-Yes.

-Run me through the relationships.

-My husband, Michael, son David,

-my daughter Dawn and my cousin Paul.

-OK.

So if it goes wrong here, there's going to be a family row!

-Yes.

-On my head, yes.

-Right.

And what do you think of facing this team in three dimensions, for once?

-Is it scary?

-Yes.

It's scary when you see them on the television. Even more scary now!

I wonder what it's like to see them in real life. I imagine it's traumatic!

£1,000 of cash up for grabs for our challengers. If they fail to defeat the Eggheads, the money rolls over.

So I can tell you, Family Connection, that the Eggheads have won the last 11 games.

So that means £12,000 says you can't beat them.

-So it was worth coming.

-Definitely.

The first head-to-head battle is on the subject of music.

Who would like that?

-I would like music, please, Jeremy.

-A very decisive Dawn.

-Who am I going to take on?

-Against which Egghead?

-I think I'd like to take Chris, please.

-Chris.

-OK.

Dawn from Family Connection versus Chris from the Eggheads. Please take your positions in the Question Room.

-Dawn, I know you love your music.

-Yes, I do.

-You went to see Kasabian?

Yes, that was the last gig I went to, in November. Absolutely brilliant.

So favourite bands? What do you like?

I love a bit of everything. I love the Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers.

I like the old classics. Rolling Stones, Beatles, as well.

X Factor and all that stuff, what do you think?

-Fair play to them, but it's not my thing.

-Chris, you probably agree? Britain's Got Talent? X Factor?

Nah, not my thing, really.

Let's see who comes out on top here.

I'll ask each of you three questions on music in turn.

Whoever answers the most questions goes into the final. The other person is knocked out.

-You know how it works.

-Yes.

-Dawn do you want the first or second set of questions?

I'll take the first set, please, Jeremy.

Here we go. Good luck.

Dave Arch and his orchestra are regulars on which TV programme?

Ooh, um...

The Graham Norton Show usually has different bands playing live.

What I can think of.

I'm not sure if I recall any bands on Dragons' Den.

But I do know when I have watched Strictly Come Dancing,

they do have an orchestra in the background.

So I think, process of elimination, I'll go with Strictly Come Dancing,

please, Jeremy.

Brucie would be pleased! Quite right. It's Strictly.

One point to Family Connection. OK, Chris.

Which Blur song contains the lyrics "City dweller, successful fella,

"Thought to himself, 'Oops, I've got a lot of money.'"

"City fella, got a lot of money, Bought himself a country house."

Spot on. Country House. Well done.

Dawn, your question. "Sweet Home Alabama"

was a 1976 hit for which band?

I love this song. I do know it.

I'm not sure which band it is,

so I'm going to try and do a process of elimination again.

I don't think it's The Moody Blues, so I'll take that one out straightaway.

Um, I think I'm going to choose Jefferson Airplane.

-Oh, you got it wrong.

-I wasn't sure.

-It was that amazing guitar riff.

Da-da-da-da-da-da-da!

It's Lynyrd Skynyrd. I'm never sure how to pronounce it. Is it "Leonard"?

The man was Leonard Skynyrd, but they pronounce it "Linnard".

-He was a riposte to Neil Young's song, Southern Man.

-That's right.

He mentioned Neil Young in the song, rebutting him

-and singing the praises of Alabama.

-You're right. OK.

There's a bit of rock history from Pat, Dawn. Sorry, you got it wrong.

Chris,

Who was the first X Factor winner to have a Christmas number one single in the UK?

Dumpy-dumpy-dumpy-dum!

Surely that was That's My Goal by Shane Ward?

-Where did that come from?

-Left-field, somewhere!

I thought you wouldn't even be on the pitch with that one!

Quite right. Shane Ward. That's My Goal.

Dawn, you need this one. What sort of music would you like to come up here?

-Ideally speaking?

-Something I know the answer to!

-Something by Kasabian.

-Something by anything I know!

OK. Shostakovich's 12th Symphony

subtitled The Year 1917,

was dedicated to which political figure?

I'm not sure.

I was going to say I was going to go for the Russian,

but I can't narrow it down.

I'll go with the Judas and go down the right and say Stalin, please.

What do your team mates think?

-We're thinking Lenin.

-Yes, Lenin.

-Yes, it was Lenin.

-So, I'm sorry.

-OK.

-Chris has knocked you out on Music.

-I know.

-I'll never live it down!

-Kasabian trumps the Shostakovich!

-Of course! Every time!

-Exactly.

Chris, you'll be in the final. Dawn, you won't.

Please come back and rejoin your teams.

As it stands, the challengers have lost a brain.

The Eggheads haven't. But it's very early days. The next subject is Politics.

Who would like this one?

-I'll take it.

-Do you want to take it?

-I'll have a go.

-OK, Mike.

-I'll have a go.

-Who do you fancy over there,

in a manner of speaking?

Go for Barry, I would, but...

-Barry? All right?

-Yes, yes.

-Barry, please.

OK. Mike from Family Connection versus Barry.

To ensure no conferring, go to the Question Room.

-We haven't mentioned golf, Mike.

-No, Jeremy, I tend to bore people with golf.

I'm such a fanatic with it. I love the game.

So you play twice a week or something?

Yes, twice a week, regular.

I've got a good bunch of friends I play with.

And I play with my wife as well.

On the golf course, of course!

And we've won a couple of competitions together.

And a couple of mixed opens, which we play regular.

And the Ball and Chain, which is, as it states, ball and chain.

My wife is with me when I play them.

OK. I don't know how it'll help with politics, but let's see.

Three questions on politics. Mike, first or second set?

I'll go first, please, Jeremy.

Here's your first question. Good luck, Mike.

What word, from the French meaning "desk"

is used for a political official?

Desk. Bureaucrat? Executive?

Alderman?

I think I'll go for bureaucrat.

Well done. Bureaucrat is, of course, correct. Bureau is desk.

Barry,

what title is given to a government minister

who's not appointed to any specific department?

I think I might like to see a few ministers without passport!

But I believe the answer is Minister without Portfolio.

Minister without Portfolio is quite right.

Mike,

which country house was the home of the prime minister, Lord Rosebery,

and later headquarters for the Natural Law Party?

Dorneywood? Um...

I've never heard of that, to be honest. Let's have a think here.

I'll try Dorneywood, please.

That's the wrong answer. The answer is Mentmore Towers.

-OK.

-Not Dorneywood.

Barry,

what name is given to the introductory statement to the US Constitution

which describes its basic principles?

Ah.

Normally an introduction is the prologue, but I believe this is the prelude.

-It's preamble.

-Oh!

OK. So he's let you back in, Mike, it's one point each still.

Your third question. In 2011, which politician, the governor of Texas,

forgot his own policies in a television debate?

Now, then. Um...

I've seen some of this on the telly, but whether it's the same bloke or not, I don't know.

Mitt Romney, is it, I think I'll pick.

It's actually wrong, Mike.

It's a fellow called Rick Perry.

So, if you get this right, Barry, you take the round.

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson became president of which country in 1996?

That's a fine Scandinavian name

and you've given me three fine Scandinavian countries to choose from!

Icelandic names, if they're male, always end in "-son".

And if they're female, they always end in "-dottir".

So on that basis alone, because it ends in -"son" I will say Iceland.

Iceland is the right answer, Barry. Well done!

So you've come through triumphant!

After a couple of difficult games.

Sorry, Mike, you've been knocked out. Please, both of you, come back to us here.

So, the challengers have now lost two brains from the final round.

The Eggheads have not lost a brain yet. On we go.

The next subject is Arts & Books.

-Who'd like this?

-Ooh.

That's an interesting noise of despair, slightly!

-What do you reckon?

-I don't know.

-How are you on books?

-I'll have a go.

Paul wants to go.

-You want to go?

-Paul?

Paul against which Egghead? Who would you like? Daphne, Dave or Pat?

-Pat.

-Pat?

-Yeah, OK.

-Yeah, Pat.

-So it's going to be Paul from Family Connection

against Pat from the Eggheads. To ensure no conferring,

please go to the Question Room.

OK, Paul, let's see if you can take an Egghead down.

I'll ask each of you three questions on Arts & Books in turn.

Paul, you can choose the first or the second set.

I'll go first, please, Jeremy.

Here's your first question.

What is the usual subject of a life drawing?

I don't think it's an ocean.

And I recall knowing somebody

who posed for life drawings.

So on that

I would say it would be a nude figure.

Nude figure is the right answer.

When you say, "I recall knowing somebody who posed,

-is sounded like it might be you!

-I couldn't comment, Jeremy!

Times were hard when I was a youngster!

Here's your question, Pat.

Which novel opens with the line

"The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow

"with a pond of clear water in it."

It doesn't remind me of Winnie-the-Pooh.

I'm not sure I can recall the first line, but I don't think that's it.

The Call of the Wild is a bit more bleak.

I would fancy that Black Beauty would spend her time in a meadow.

I think I'll have to go for Black Beauty.

Black Beauty is the right answer. Well done.

OK. Over to you, Paul.

What name is given to the genre of literature

which often uses an alternative Victorian setting

combined with elements of science fiction or fantasy?

The answer is I don't know.

I was drawn to Neo-Gothic.

But I can't recall that with science fiction.

So I'm going to go, following Dawn, straight down the middle, Steampunk.

Steampunk is your answer. Has he got it right, team?

-Yes, you have got it right! Well done!

-Well done, Paul!

All right. Over to you, Pat.

Which singer's death features in the title of a play by Edward Albee?

Edward Albee.

He's mainly known for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I'm not sure how Bessie Smith died.

Whether it was from natural causes or her life on the road.

Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday burnt out.

Billie Holiday, I think, just had a semi-tragic life

and faded away with poor health

caused by her lifestyle.

It's a toss-up between Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. I'll say Billie Holiday,

but it's just a guess.

Interesting, OK. Billie Holiday.

You're wrong. It's Bessie Smith, actually, the one you ruled out.

The play is called The Death of Bessie Smith,

by Edward Albee.

So, this is interesting.

Paul, if you get this one right, you've gone through.

In the 1870s, which artist was a teacher in Ramsgate and Isleworth?

Well, I'm thinking about Van Gogh

and what I know about Van Gogh.

I can't remember any connection with him

with this country, really.

Um, I don't know.

As I say, I don't think it was Van Gogh

so that's going to leave me with Cezanne.

That's my answer, Cezanne.

-It's wrong. It's Van Gogh.

-Ah, terrible!

Pat, you get this wrong, you're out.

"Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You, My Lads!"

is a ghost story by which writer?

Um, my first instinct is MR James.

I think he specialised in short stories and he was very celebrated

for spooky short stories.

Sheridan Le Fanu was a good deal earlier.

HP Lovecraft is an American chap with a very oblique fantasy angle to his material.

I think it's MR James.

-Is he right, Daphne?

-Yes.

-You were egging him on.

He can't see you, of course!

Yes, you're right. MR James it is.

So we go to Sudden Death.

Paul, it gets a bit harder. Not multiple choice now.

-You have to give me the answer. Ready?

-Yep.

-Here's your first question.

"Yay, slimy things did crawl with legs upon the slimy sea",

is a quotation from which 18th-century poem?

The only thing that comes to mind there would be...

The only thing I can think of that's got something to do with the sea

would be The Ancient Mariner.

-Is that your answer?

-That's all I could think of, Jeremy.

Spot on, Paul. Well done.

Absolutely right. Good play.

OK. Pat under pressure now. Get this wrong, you're out, Pat.

Mary Yelland is the main character in which Daphne du Maurier novel?

What did she write?

Rebecca. The main character there is...

Jamaica Inn. The Birds.

The Birds. Hmm.

I'm not sure. I think I'll have to go for The Birds.

It's funny because you said the right answer and then moved off it.

-It's Jamaica Inn.

-Ah.

So, what about that? Well done, Paul.

On Sudden Death you take the Egghead apart. Pat, you won't be in the final round.

Please both come back and rejoin your team mates.

The challengers have lost two brains. But the Eggheads have now lost Pat from the final round.

And the last subject before that final is Geography.

Who would like this?

-Who's travelled?

-I'll do it.

-It's you, isn't it?

-I'll go for it.

-David will go for it.

If you want me to go for it, I'll go for it.

-Cos Paul is here as well.

-It's up to you.

-I'll go.

-I'll go for it.

-David wants to go for it.

David is doing Geography. Against which Egghead? It can be Dave or Daphne.

Ooh!

Daphne's smiling sweetly as if she wants to come on!

Do you want to play this, Daphne?

-I'll go for Daphne.

-Right.

How about that? Dave, you escaped being chosen.

-That's...

-It's unusual, isn't it?

-Yes, it is. People like to see what you're made of at the moment.

Anyway, it's Dave from Family Connection versus Daphne from the Eggheads on Geography.

Please go to the Question Room now.

-Dave, a sense that a lot's riding on this.

-Yes, a bit of pressure, but...

-Against Daphne

on Geography. Three questions. First or second set?

I'll go second, for a change.

Daphne, your first question.

The US research station at the geographic South Pole

is named after Amundsen and which other explorer?

I think that's Captain Scott.

Scott of the Antarctic is the right answer. Well done.

Dave, back to you.

The winged lion of San Marco

is a famous symbol of which Italian city?

Well, I haven't been to any of them.

Doesn't help.

Um... I think I'll go for Turin.

-Anyone on this side?

-Venice.

-Venice it is.

Venice it is.

Your second question, Daphne.

Which is the largest land-locked country in the world?

I think...

I think it's Kazakhstan.

-Kazakhstan is correct.

-Oh, good.

-OK, Dave. Your question. She's put you under pressure here.

-Yes.

-If you get this one wrong, I'm afraid it will be curtains.

-OK.

What type of geographical feature are the Buttertubs in the Yorkshire Dales?

Again, it's not a term I'm familiar with.

Purely cos you can stack them, I'll go for stacks.

It's a tricky one, this. It's potholes.

-OK.

-Dave, I'm sorry.

-OK.

You've been knocked out by Daphne

who got two points out of three. There's no way back.

So you won't be in the final. Daphne will be.

Please both come back and we will play the final round.

So, this is what we've been playing towards.

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

I'm afraid those of you who lost your head-to-heads won't take part in this round. So,

Mike, Dave and Dawn from the Family Connection

and Pat from the Eggheads, please leave the studio.

-So we've got the cousins, now.

-Yes.

-Your parents are siblings?

-Correct?

-Yes, fathers, two brothers.

-Two brothers. OK.

You're playing to win the Family Connection £12,000.

Dave, Daphne, Chris and Barry are playing for something that money can't buy,

the Eggheads' reputation.

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

The questions are all general knowledge. You're allowed to confer.

So, Family Connection, the question is are your two brains

better than the Eggheads' four?

-Would you like to go first or second?

-You choose. You're captain.

-First?

-Yeah.

-First, please.

Here we go. Good luck. What humorous name is given to a senior citizen

who uses the internet?

It's definitely not white webber. I've never heard of that. Have you?

-Silver surfer.

-And it's definitely not nanny netter.

Though it sounds very good, cos it's the net.

-But silver surfer. We're...

-We've heard of silver surfer.

Silver surfer is right answer. Well done.

Eggheads, over to you.

The word "wanderlust", meaning a desire to travel, comes from which language?

CONFER QUIETLY

-All happy with German?

-Yes.

We've had a discussion and we believe the answer's German.

German is the right answer. Wanderlust!

SPEAKS GERMAN

OK. Here's your second question.

What was Conway Twitty's only UK number one single?

Well.

I know Glen Campbell covered It's Only Make Believe.

-That's how I first got into that song.

-Yeah.

He was more of a ballad singer, so I don't think It's Only Rock and Roll.

No. I think that came later as well.

And It's Only Love, I don't think I've even heard of that.

-It's Only Make Believe.

-Yeah, shall we go with that?

Jeremy, It's Only Make Believe is our answer.

-It's Only Make Believe is the right answer. Well done.

-Thank you.

OK. So you're in the lead. Let's see where this goes.

Eggheads, see if there's a bit of dissension, a bit of argument.

The French physician and astrologer known as Nostradamus

was born in which century?

16th.

ALL AGREE

Yep, we believe that to be the 16th century.

16th century is correct. Well done. Two each.

£12,000 up for grabs. All on the third question now.

Which novelist married Alexander McCorquodale in 1927

and, after her divorce, his cousin Hugh in 1936?

I don't think it was Catherine Cookson,

because she was... There was that film where she was ill,

and she and her husband had been married for years.

Agatha Christie. I think it was Barbara Cartland.

The thing I'm thinking with Barbara Cartland is the surname McCorquodale is aristocratic.

-Yeah.

-That's where I go with Barbara Cartland.

-I think she's been married twice.

-Yes.

-I'll leave it you, Captain.

Barbara Cartland I'd go with.

But like I say, it's a matter for you.

I'm thinking of the dates as well.

-It would be her era as well, wouldn't it?

-Yeah.

Yes, we'll go with Barbara Cartland, Jeremy.

A sure-footed performance. Right again.

-Is it Barbara Cartland.

-Well done.

Interesting. You've got three out of three.

You could not have asked more of yourselves.

It's now down to the Eggheads to blow it and give them £12,000 by getting this wrong.

Let's see if you do. Who wrote the screenplays for the films

Million Dollar Baby and Crash, both of which won Best Picture Academy Awards.

QUIET CONFERRING

The other two don't ring any bells.

It's not a million dollar question, but it's a £12,000 question.

Um, we're going to go with, after discussion, Paul Haggis.

The correct answer is Paul Haggis.

Good work, team.

You so nearly took them.

OK. Sudden Death. It's three-three.

You did really well there. Just keep the pressure on.

Bit harder now. I don't give you alternative answers.

Which American manufacturer and aviator produced more than 20 films

including Hell's Angels in 1930

and Scarface in 1932?

-Howard Hughes?

-That's the only one I can think of.

-He was an aviator as well.

Yes, and he made films. That's the only one I can think of.

We both agree. The only one we can think of is Howard Hughes.

-Howard Hughes is correct.

-Thank you!

Let's see what happens now.

Eggheads, who played Henry Higgins opposite Kara Tointon's Eliza

when the 2011 West End production of Pygmalion opened?

Right. Recently.

2011. Henry Higgins.

Opposite Kara Tointon, the Strictly Come Dancing woman.

In 2011.

-Let's have a think.

-Someone with a very English accent, I would think.

Who's been recently doing things?

-Benedict Cumberbatch?

-No.

-No, it wouldn't be him.

I think it's somebody older.

-Yes.

-Oh, I can't think of anybody.

I can't think of anybody in Pygmalion.

-No.

-Um, let's have a think.

Oh, dear!

I can't even see in my mind who it's likely to be.

Or that I could throw in.

-Jeremy Irons?

-I need an answer, Eggheads.

-Jeremy Irons?

-What about Tommy Steele?

No, he must be 80-odd now.

It could be Jeremy Irons.

It's something. I haven't got a clue.

OK, we'll go with that. We haven't got a clue.

-But we'll go with Jeremy Irons.

-Your answer is Jeremy Irons.

I wonder if you know the answer.

We would have guessed Robert Lindsay, out of the ether.

-We wouldn't know.

-You're both wrong. The answer is Rupert Everett.

Congratulations, challengers, you've won!

That was really great play. You did not fluke it.

You kept the pressure on. A lot of people wouldn't get Howard Hughes.

-You really played well, didn't they?

-Good play. Excellent.

Well done.

With Howard Hughes, my mother used to take me to black and white films when I was small.

-Black and white films I'm OK with. Paul knew who it was as well.

-Sure.

And checking out back, Pat, did you know it was Rupert Everett?

-I didn't know Rupert Everett, no.

-So a completely clean sheet there.

-OK. You've won £12,000. How about that?

-Excellent. Well done.

-Thank you.

You've beaten the Eggheads. You're cleverer than the team here.

You've proved they can be beaten. Join us next time on Eggheads

to see if a new team of challengers can do what Family Connection did

and give us all a thrill. Until then, goodbye.

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