Episode 87 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.

And taking on our quiz champions today are The Sou'Westers,

all members of the same cricket club

who each summer tour the south-west of England looking for some competitive action. Let's meet them.

Hello, I'm Martin. I'm 65 years old, a retired bank treasury manager.

Hello, I'm Tony. I'm aged 65 and I'm a retired solicitor.

Hi, my name's Sam, I'm 25 and I'm a music teacher.

Hi, I'm Philip, I'm 60 years old and I'm a solicitor.

Hello, I'm John, I'm 63 and I'm a tax adviser.

-Martin and team, welcome.

-Thank you.

-So you tour as a cricket team?

Yes. The only cricket we play together is one fortnight a year in the West Country.

We have an overseas tour every four or five years.

In fact, this year we've got one planned for Cape Town as well.

-Very nice. Will you schedule matches before you go?

-Yes, we have seven matches during our fortnight's stay.

-That'll be good. This is a different kind of fixture.

-Very different.

-Some hard bowling maybe.

-That's right. Mind you, most of us are past the best of our cricket careers.

-You mean they are as well?

-I wasn't implying that.

-What we lack in energy, we've got in experience.

-They do know a lot. Do you quiz together?

-Not really because we don't live very close to each other.

We're all within the Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk area, but we don't quiz together.

Good luck. If this is your first moment not doing cricket, but doing quizzing, you may need it.

Every day, there is £1,000 of cash up for grabs for our challengers.

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

So, Sou'Westers, the Eggheads won the last game,

which means £2,000 says you can't beat them today.

-Shall we get cracking?

-Yeah.

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

Who's the History buff?

-That'll be you, Philip, I think.

-Is that me?

-Yeah.

-I'm happy to do that.

-Philip, OK.

Choose any Egghead on History.

-What do you think?

-Have a go at Pat.

-Pat, do you think?

-Yes, Pat.

I'd like to go for Pat, please.

OK, Philip from The Sou'Westers versus Pat from the Eggheads on History.

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

-So, Philip, you are a quizzer, I understand?

-A bit of an amateur one, but I thoroughly enjoy quizzing.

-You've been a solicitor for a long time?

-Afraid so. 38 years, I think, so it's man and boy, a little bit.

-You're a very young-looking 60 if you don't mind me saying.

-You're very kind.

-Where did you last quiz?

I last quizzed in Dubai because Sam, as you may know, is my son.

There are two other boys, one of whom lives in Dubai, and we quizzed with him a little while ago.

This is History. Three multiple choice questions. You can choose the first or second set.

I'll go first, please, Jeremy.

Here is your question. Guy Fawkes was sentenced to death for which crime?

Guy Fawkes was probably guilty of all of those things at various times.

I'm sure he was a liar,

but I think that he was guilty of high treason,

so that's my answer, Jeremy.

And high treason is right. Well done.

First answer to the challengers. OK, Pat, your question.

What name was given to the church officials whose job was to distribute money to the poor?

Echoes of Canterbury Tales there - the Pardoner and the Summoner.

A pardoner would concern himself with the pardoning of sins, presumably.

I'm not entirely sure what a summoner would do,

but "almoner" sounds like "alms", alms for the poor.

I'll go for "almoner".

Almoner is the right answer. One each. Back to you, Philip.

The noblemen with lands on the England-Wales border, appointed by the King to keep order,

were known by what title?

It's not one I know, this one, Jeremy.

I don't think it's Remembrancer, so I'm going to discount that.

I'm hoping that it may be something to do with the Marches,

so I'll go with Marcher Lord.

You're right. It is Marcher Lord.

Something to do with the Marches, help us understand that.

The hills are sometimes called Marches, so I think that's why I went for that one.

I don't know if it's the right explanation, but it's mine anyway.

OK, Pat, what was the name of the Emperor who came to the throne of Germany in 1888

and reigned for less than a year?

Oh, man! That's not much time at the top - one year.

Ernst, Sigismund or Friedrich.

I'm afraid I don't know this.

1888, so he could have been between Wilhelms

and various others.

He would be known as Emperor Ernst,

Emperor Sigismund, Emperor Friedrich...

No, none of them really ring any bells.

No, I'm reduced to a complete guess.

I'll guess Friedrich with absolutely no confidence.

-You've guessed right...

-Oh!

..which I guess is a bit annoying for the challengers.

Friedrich is right. Did you just like the sound of it, Pat?

I was a desperate man. I could have gone anywhere.

Philip, your third question.

Who led the Roman army that defeated Boudica and the Britons?

I really ought to know this one as I live in Colchester,

a Roman town, but I'm not sure of the answer.

I'm going to discount Posthumus

and I'm pretty sure that the answer is Paulinus.

I'm not absolutely sure, but Paulinus is my answer.

You really are a quizzer. You're quite right. It is Paulinus.

OK, Pat, let's see if he's knocked you out.

Which Belgian city was the capital of the Merovingian Dynasty

and birthplace of the Frankish king Clovis I?

Hmm... Charleroi has got "roi" on the end, meaning "king",

which is perhaps relevant. I don't know.

I don't know where Clovis was born.

I'm reduced to guessing again. My luck will eventually run out.

I'll go for Tournai this time. This is a dangerous way to carry on.

-That's another guess?

-Yes.

-Do you think he's right, Philip?

Yes, it's what I would have gone for.

It seems very unfair, but you are right, Pat. It's Tournai.

Guessing your way to Sudden Death here, so three each...

Hang on in there, Philip. Your team would like to have you in the final.

-It's Sudden Death now. It's a bit harder. I don't give you alternatives. OK?

-Yeah.

In 1842, Mary Todd married which future US President?

American history is not my strength. Um...

I'm going to go for George Washington.

-Anyone on your team know?

-Abraham Lincoln?

-Abraham Lincoln is the right answer.

It's going to be painful if we lose you.

Pat, which major historical figure convened the hand-picked legislative group

known as Barebones Parliament in 1653?

1653, um...

That's post-Civil War.

Who would it be? Is it in the middle of the Protectorate?

The Civil War sort of petered out towards the end of the 1640s

and the Protectorate ran for quite some time, maybe a decade, maybe 15 years afterwards.

So my first thought is Oliver Cromwell, he being very much the top dog of that time.

'53, I don't think that Charles II...

He was back in '66, but I don't think he would have been back in '53.

I think I'm going to have to go for Oliver Cromwell.

If you've got this right, you will be in the final.

-Will you feel slightly guilty?

-I won't sleep tonight, Jeremy.

The correct answer is Oliver Cromwell.

Philip, sorry, you've been knocked out by our Egghead who did a couple of amazing guesses,

but also some knowledge there too.

That was a real clash of titans on History. Philip, you won't be in the final. Pat, you will.

Please, both of you, come back to us here.

Philip, bad luck. You played really well there.

Thank you. I think he was toying with me. I think he knew the answers. He was just playing he didn't.

I don't think you've ever lost a History round, Pat, have you?

-I've never come as close as that to losing one.

-That is certainly true.

Kevin, who's not here today, has never got a question wrong in History

in over 1,000 shows of Eggheads, so that would have been one to see.

Sorry about that. You're not in the final, Philip.

The challengers have lost that one brain. The Eggheads haven't lost any so far.

Next, it's Music. Who would like to do Music?

-I think we have a music teacher.

-It's going to be me.

-Sam, OK. Sam against whom?

-Who do you think? Chris?

-Yeah, have a go at Chris.

-I'll take Chris.

Sam, from Sou'Westers versus Chris from the Eggheads on Music, please go to the question room now.

Sam, you mentioned you were a music teacher.

That's correct, yes. I teach in a secondary school at the moment in Ipswich.

-Do you have to be able to play music to teach music?

-I think it helps, yeah, certainly.

-I play a number of instruments. Five was the last official count, so I'm fairly musical.

-Wow!

Amazing. You learnt them from a very young age?

Yeah, my dad and mum started me off on the violin when I was four,

then I picked up the clarinet when I was nine,

and then got into noisy instruments, guitars and drums and things in my teens,

and studied Popular Music at Leeds University as my degree.

OK, Chris, that's quite intimidating.

It takes more than him to intimidate me.

I'll ask you three questions on Music in turn.

Whoever answers the most questions correctly is the winner.

-Sam, you can choose the first or second set.

-I'll go first, please.

Here we go. Good luck. The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is situated in which city?

The Franz Liszt, um...

I have to say it's not something that I've heard of.

In terms of its musical reputation,

I don't think much spectacular has come out of Athens,

so I'm going to discount that.

I think my hunch lies with Budapest probably,

although I don't know why, but I'm going to go with Budapest.

You've got it absolutely right. Well done. Budapest it is.

Chris, which British artist had the best-selling single and album of 2011 in both the UK and the USA?

Oh, yeah, she's been very big everywhere. That's Adele.

Adele is the right answer.

Back to you, Sam.

The Trolley Song features in which musical?

Again, I'm not particularly familiar with any of these musicals.

I've just done We Will Rock You at school

and that's far removed from any of them.

The Trolley Song... I don't know where I want to go with this.

Um...

I think, on a hunch because I have no basis to inform my decision,

I'm going to go with...

Meet Me In St Louis.

OK... I always ask Daphne the musical questions. Is he right?

Yes, it was a very good Judy Garland film.

A Judy Garland film. Well done, Sam. You're right. OK, Chris...

The pianist Richard Clayderman was born in which country?

He's French, so it's France.

France is correct.

OK, Sam...

In 1967, the Beatles double-A side single featuring Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane

was kept off the UK number one spot by which artist?

1967...

I would probably go Tom Jones.

Tom Jones... Anyone know, anyone know?

-Engelbert Humperdinck.

-Engelbert Humperdinck is the answer.

You've given Chris a way in here to take the round.

Which composer's only song cycle is An Die Ferne Geliebte completed in 1816?

1816's a bit early for Brahms.

And I think it's a bit early for Bruckner,

so I have to go with Beethoven.

-Has he got it right, Sam?

-I think he probably has, yes.

Chris, you're right. You've taken the round. Sam, sorry - I know that's painful!

I sense it. I feel your pain. Come back to us and we'll play the next round.

As it stands, the challengers have lost two brains. You're playing a good game, but it's not happening.

The Eggheads have lost none. Let's see if you can turn it around. Arts and Books.

Whose is this?

-I think that's me.

-OK, Tony. Against which Egghead? It can't be Chris or Pat.

-I think Daphne, perhaps, if she'd be willing.

-Thank you.

-Even if she's not willing.

-It's compulsory? I thought it was negotiable.

-No, no.

Tony from the Sou'Westers versus Daphne on Arts and Books.

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

OK, let's see how we go here.

-Three questions in turn. Tony, the first or second set?

-I think I'll go second, please.

Maybe this will turn the tide.

Daphne, who wrote and illustrated the children's books Where The Wild Things Are and In The Night Kitchen?

An advantage to being a gran and a great gran.

Yep, Maurice Sendak.

Maurice Sendak is the right answer.

-Does that mean he wrote it as well?

-Yes.

It's almost just an illustration. It is wonderful.

OK, Tony. What name is given to the series of horror fiction novels by the US writer RL Stine?

I've been caught out at the first attempt here.

I have not read any of these. I'm not familiar with them.

So I'm picking...

Putting myself in the mind of an editor or editorial team,

I think out of those options I would go for Nail Biters.

Let's see if your team know.

-It's Goosebumps.

-Goosebumps.

-Oh...!

-The horror fiction novels by RL Stine.

OK, Daphne, which Noel Coward play is about a divorced couple

who discover they're both on honeymoon with their new spouses in the same hotel?

Well, I think Plaza Suite is Neil Simon.

Separate Tables is Rattigan.

So it's Private Lives.

Private Lives is the right answer.

So you need to get this one right, Tony.

Which detective features in the story A Scandal In Bohemia?

Yes, again I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that particular novel.

I...have read a number of Hercule Poirot novels by Agatha Christie,

but sadly I don't recognise that title. I have no real knowledge about Albert Campion,

so although I don't recognise it as a Sherlock Holmes title, I'll plump for Sherlock Holmes.

It is Sherlock Holmes. Yes, well done.

-Has it been put on TV with the latest...?

-The new series did it.

Did it? OK, Daphne. Your question.

Which event was painted several times by Canaletto during his time in London?

Oh, crumbs.

Now this one I do not know.

Well, it wouldn't be Trooping the Colour.

That's much later.

Lord Mayor's Show...

Chelsea Flower Show... Lord Mayor's Show.

If you've got this right, you're in the final.

It is the Lord Mayor's Show. Well done, Daphne. Sorry, Tony.

Knocked out by our Egghead.

Both of you please rejoin us here in the studio.

-Well, what do we do now - get out the cricket bats?

-Change the batting order, I think!

It's not lost, for sure. It's not lost, I promise.

-Numbers 10 and 11 are at the crease.

-Absolutely!

The challengers have lost three brains, the Eggheads haven't lost any to this very strong team.

The last subject is Sport. Is this good for you?

It ought to be, but we won't promise anything!

-It's you, is it?

-Yes.

-You can choose Barry or Judith.

-I'll have a go at Judith, please.

So Martin from Sou'Westers versus Judith on Sport.

Please go to the Question Room now.

-Martin, you spent 22 years as a banker.

-That's right, I did.

-You've chosen Judith on sport.

-Yes.

-Tell us why that was.

I don't think she's too keen on it!

-I did suspect that. Are you giving off the impression of not being keen on sport, Judith?

-Clearly!

I used the word "keen", not "good".

That's tactful of you, but "good" might be the word.

OK, let's see how we do and we'll comfort Judith if she's knocked out.

-Three questions on sport in turn. Martin, the first or second set?

-I'll have a go at first, please.

Here we go.

Which sport is featured in the BBC programme known as TMS?

Em, well, as a cricketer I ought to know that one.

It stands for Test Match Special. Therefore the answer is cricket.

Absolutely. Well done. Cricket is the answer.

Judith, stick check

and sweep check are terms used in which sport?

I don't think it would be netball.

I think that's ice hockey.

Ice hockey is the correct answer. Well done.

Over to you, Martin.

In July, 2011, who was announced as the first British athlete to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games?

I know they're all swimmers,

but I believe it's the long-distance swimmer Keri-Anne Payne, who was the first one to qualify.

Yeah, very good indeed. Keri-Anne Payne was the right answer.

Maybe it's going to happen now.

Who knows? See whether Judith suddenly brings out her sporting knowledge.

In which county is the Thruxton motor racing circuit, Judith?

Thruxton. I think I've driven past it. I think it's also a little airport.

I have a feeling it's in Hampshire.

Hampshire is right. Two out of two.

That's not so bad, is it?

-So far.

-OK, third question. The Arkle Challenge Trophy is a horse race run annually

at which course?

This is another favourite sport of mine. I know this quite well

because I have attended Cheltenham on more than one occasion.

-It's Cheltenham.

-Yes, indeed. Cheltenham is correct.

Very sure-footed with your three questions.

Total knowledge on all three.

Let's see what happens now.

Which boxer, who fought for the world heavyweight title in 1975, is said to have inspired

the character Rocky Balboa?

I haven't heard of any of them!

So... it's a matter of...guessing.

I have absolutely no idea.

I think I'm going down the right. Cleveland Williams.

It's Chuck Wepner, Judith.

So you've got that wrong and you're out of the contest.

Martin, well done.

You will be in the final. A bit of a breakthrough for the challengers here!

If you come back to us, we'll play it.

So this is what we have been playing towards. It's the final round, which is general knowledge.

But those of you who lost

won't be allowed to take part. So Tony, Sam and Philip from the Sou'Westers

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

-Martin and John, welcome to the final. Glad you made it?

-Yes!

You're playing to win £2,000.

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

I will ask each team three questions in turn. They're all general knowledge and you can confer.

So, Sou'Westers, the question is are your two brains better than the Eggheads' four?

-You don't need to answer that. First or second?

-First, please.

Good luck. First question. How many knaves are there in a standard pack of playing cards?

Well, the knaves are also known as the jacks and there are four suits,

so I think we'll go for four.

Very good. Four is the right answer. Four knaves, four jacks.

Eggheads, the word pram is a shortened version of which word?

Perambulator?

We're all happy with perambulator,

-so that's our answer.

-It's right.

Second question.

The Roderick Thorp book Nothing Lasts Forever was the basis for which film of the 1980s?

-I have no idea. Do you?

-No.

-Right.

-Nothing Lasts Forever.

-I don't think it's Black Rain.

I think that's more recent.

-So Lethal Weapon or Die Hard.

-It sounds like Die Hard.

-Nothing Lasts Forever.

-OK, shall we go for that?

We're going to go for Die Hard.

Die Hard is your answer. It's right!

Very good.

Eggheads, by convention, the holder of which other Cabinet position is also Minister for the Civil Service?

-Prime Minister, everybody?

-Yep.

All happy with Prime Minister?

We all believe the Minister for the Civil Service is the Prime Minister.

And it is. Well done. Two each.

Now put the frighteners on them.

Get the third one right. Take the initiative. Here we go. It'll make up for those contests

we were saddened by earlier when your colleagues were knocked out.

The plays of which German dramatist provided the basis for four operas by the Italian composer Verdi?

-No idea.

-Well, I think Goethe was a poet.

He did Faust, didn't he? The other two I haven't heard of!

Schiller certainly wrote plays and they were the basis for operas,

perhaps by Mozart or Beethoven.

Wedekind I don't know. So I think it's Schiller or Goethe.

-I'm not sure.

-No. Well, you have a go. You make the decision.

-I've made three decisions today!

-We'll go for Goethe or Schiller. What do you think?

If Goethe inspired one opera, he's likely to have inspired others.

-Let's go for Goethe, then.

-Goethe?

-Yeah.

We'll go for Goethe, Jeremy.

Let me check with the Eggheads.

-Schiller.

-Schiller.

Ah, see.

If you get this one right,

you've taken the contest. Maeshowe is a Neolithic site on which island group?

That's Orkney. Definitely. I've been there.

We're fortunate in that Chris has actually been there.

He assures me that's the Orkneys.

Maeshowe is indeed on Orkney.

Eggheads, congratulations. You have won!

-It's that third question.

-John was veering that way as well, but he wasn't adamant enough

-so there we are.

-We made a decision.

-Yeah, I was listening carefully

-and for a moment you favoured Schiller.

-We knew that there was one with Verdi and Faust.

But John said Schiller did write a lot of plays that became operas.

It's been great to have you. The three back there doesn't really tell the story.

-It's been a fun day. Fantastic.

-Great stuff. Commiserations.

The Eggheads still reign supreme over quizland.

You won't be going home with the £2,000, so the money rolls over.

Eggheads, congratulations. Who will beat you?

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

£3,000 says they don't. Until then, goodbye.

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