Episode 11 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 Battle Squad Awesome

from Lincolnshire.

This team of friends share a passion for quizzing

and regularly attend local quiz events.

They're developing quite a reputation as they have not lost

since adopting their current team name. Let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Ben, I'm 38, and I'm a council visiting officer.

Hi, I'm Val, I'm 67 and I'm a retired health visitor.

Hi, I'm Martin, I'm 41 and I'm an employability teacher.

Hi, I'm Julie, I'm 40 and a personal assistant.

Hi, I'm Ricky, I'm 38 and I'm a supply teacher.

Welcome to you, Battle Squad Awesome.

Mentioning your current team name, how did you come up with that?

It was a combination of all of us.

We regard ourselves as a team of quizzing superheroes,

out to vanquish the evil opposition, so that is the battle part.

We have a number of players who often join us

and we are the elite players of the squad

-and we regard ourselves as a little bit awesome.

-OK.

Well, have you seen the cartoons they did a while back of the Eggheads?

They're superheroes, too, with their capes

and wearing their underpants over their trousers. Some of them still are doing that!

OK, Battle Squad Awesome, best of luck to you today.

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

However, if they fail to defeat the Eggheads,

the prize money rolls over to the next show.

So Battle Squad Awesome, the Eggheads have won the last 11 games.

That means £12,000 says you can't beat them today.

Let's start, shall we, with our opening round.

The first head-to-head,

Battle Squad, is going to be on the subject of Film & Television.

Who are you going to send into battle?

-VAL:

-Ooh.

-JULIE:

-Who did we decide?

-This is me, do we think?

-That's Ben.

-Yes.

-Off you go, Captain Clark.

As captain, I will put myself forward.

-OK, Ben, choose an Egghead, any one of the five.

-Who do we think?

-I think you should take on TKD.

-ALL AGREE

-TKD, please.

-TKD.

Tremendous Knowledge Dave, OK.

Against Ben from Battle Squad Awesome.

It's getting an awfully long introduction here, isn't it?

Let's have Ben and Dave into the question room, please.

So, Ben, from Battle Squad Awesome, what kind of films do you like?

All those superhero movies that have been out?

I am rather partial to those, and thrillers and the Bond films, as well.

OK. Do you want to go first or second in this round?

I will go first.

Best of luck, Ben, here is your first question.

What is the usual name for a filmed audition to decide

if an actor is suitable for a film role?

Well, I've heard that phrase bandied about in the past.

I don't think it's star test.

And I'm fairly confident I can eliminate set test.

So my answer would be screen test.

OK, and you've passed that test. It's the right answer.

Yes, first question successfully under your belt.

Dave, which comedy character is the star of the 2013 film subtitled Alpha Papa?

I think it's alliterative and it's Alan Partridge.

Alan Partridge is the right answer. Yes.

Alpha Papa.

OK, second question for you, Ben.

Ruth Watson was the first person to have what television title?

Well, I've heard of all those titles.

I don't think it's Queen Of Shops.

I only her a very limited knowledge of the Hotel Inspector.

Supernanny is ringing more bells with me, so I will say Supernanny.

OK, Supernanny for Ruth Watson.

One or two muted groans from Battle Squad Awesome. It is what?

-ALL: Hotel Inspector.

-It's the Hotel Inspector, Ben.

I think it was the other one you were toying with.

You ruled out Queen Of Shops. That is Mary Portas. So nothing there.

How will Dave do with his?

Dave, what is the subtitle of the 2004 reimagining

of the film Dirty Dancing?

-Surprisingly, this remake or sequel passed me by(!)

-I wonder why!

Obviously, I was looking forward to it, waiting all those years(!)

I don't like the look of Mexico Mornings.

Nothing against Mexico in the morning,

but just the title I'm talking about.

Vegas Days would probably suit me,

but I'm having a go at Havana Nights.

Reimagining of Dirty Dancing in 2004,

Havana Nights.

You got it, Dave. So you have that lead.

We need Ben to get this one.

Which actress received the first

of her not Oscar nominations for her role in the film Edward, My Son?

Well, I can safely say I have never heard of that film.

And I haven't heard of two of those names on that list.

So I will go with the one I have heard of, which is Elizabeth Taylor.

Dave, have you heard of Edward, My Son?

No, but I'd hazard a guess at Deborah Kerr,

because she had a lot of Oscar nominations

without picking up the statuette, so that would be my answer.

OK, that would've been your answer, but Ben's is Elizabeth Taylor.

Who's right?

Dave. It's not Elizabeth Taylor, it is Deborah Kerr.

Which means we are shutting this round down for business, Ben.

You have lost your place in the game.

You won't be playing in the final round. Dave, you will be there.

Would you both please come back and join your teams.

First scalp to the Eggheads.

It means Battle Squad Awesome have lost one brain from the final round.

The Eggheads are all there. Our second round today is Science.

So who would like to play this from Battle Squad Awesome?

THEY CONFER

-Val?

-Yes.

-Stay with us, Val.

-Oh, sorry.

-You need an opponent. I'm sure you'd like one.

-Yes, I'd like one.

-Who were we going to have?

-I think our plan of action called for Chris.

No, Chris is really good at science!

He'll be good at anything!

-Pretty much.

-It'll have to be Chris, then, because they say so.

-I like Battle Squad Awesome having a plan of action, which you would do.

-Oh, yes.

And the plan of action involves Val taking out Chris on Science.

Let's see if it happens. Would you both still please go to the question room.

Val, you like that of science, do you?

I suppose, as a former health visitor, you know the medical side of things.

Well, I do a little.

I can't say I'm really good at science, but I was chosen to do it!

Oh, yes, I forgot about that. The plan. All right.

-Val, would you like to go first or second?

-I'll go first, please.

All right, good luck, Val. Here is your first question on science.

In meteorology, which of these is a type of cloud?

That's cum... SHE LAUGHS

Cumulo... I can't read.

I'll say it for you. Cumulonimbus.

-Yes. Cumu...

-That one in the middle?

Yes. The one in the middle. Yes, thank you.

You've got it, you knew it. It's the right answer.

OK, Chris,

what is the technical name for an insect's feelers?

They're the antennae, Dermot.

Mandibles are jaws, oviducts are egg-laying apparatus

and antennae are feelers.

Yes, indeed, they are. So one to you. All square.

Val,

the now extinct eohippus was an early form of what type of creature?

The now extinct eohippus. E-O-H-I-P-P-U-S.

It's certainly not an elephant and I don't think it's a dog.

I am sure, from the word, that it's a horse.

Ah, yes, with the "hippus" in there.

Yes, the right answer, well done. Horse. You have two.

Chris, what is the name for the number of electrons

that an atom either gains or loses

when it forms a bond with another atom?

If an atom gains or loses electrons, it is ionized,

so it's ionization number.

Ionization number.

Not according to the answer I have here, Chris. It is oxidation number.

Oxidation number. Well.

It's great news, Val. You seem to have got there very quickly,

but you have a chance here to get through to the final round

and play for this £12,000 today.

Just got to give me a correct answer here.

The Fielden Chair of Pure Mathematics is a post at which university?

Oh, I really don't know this.

Er, and I don't know how I can guess it, really.

Or logically work it out, but I'll go for Manchester, actually.

It's the right answer, Val. Manchester. The Fielden Chair.

I wonder if any of the Eggheads can explain the connection.

Who was Fielden, who is Fielden?

All I know is there is a Fielden Park in Manchester,

but I can't believe it is anything to do with that.

OK, further research required.

We don't need any further research on this score sheet.

Very good to look at from your point of view, Val,

you're through to the final round, playing for £12,000.

And no place for Chris in that final round.

Would you both come back and join your teams, please?

OK. A great performance - let's reflect on that - by Val.

It means, as it stands, Battle Squad Awesome

have lost one brain from the final round,

but the Eggheads have now lost one, as well.

It's all square as we head into round three. This one is Geography.

Who from Battle Squad would like to play this?

-Martin, Julie, or Ricky?

-It's going to be me.

-OK.

Martin, choose your Egghead, remembering that David

and Chris have played.

You can only choose from Pat, Judith or Barry.

-JULIE:

-I want Barry.

-You love Barry, don't you?

Yes, so, OK. I'll have Judith.

I'm going to go for Judith.

OK, it's your Geography and to play this one, Martin and Judith,

could I ask you both to go to the question room, please.

The game has swung back and forth so far, Martin.

Let's see if you can keep up the momentum of Val's victory.

Would you like to go first or second?

I would like to go first, please.

Good luck, Martin, Geography. First question.

In Edinburgh, what name is given to the collection of streets

that extends from the castle to Holyroodhouse?

Oh, I've had the pleasure of going there quite recently,

so I'm glad to say it is the Royal Mile.

OK, you have witnessed it for yourself. It is the right answer.

The Royal Mile. Judith,

Picardy is a region in which part of France?

Well, I live in the south-west and so I drive from the north,

through Piccadilly... Pica... Picardy, I mean!

So it's in the north.

In the north, Picardy.

-So it's, what, Pas-de-Calais and all those Channel areas?

-Yeah.

OK. North is the right answer. OK. Picardy is in the north of France.

Martin, the city of Amritsar is in which Indian state?

I am going to have to go on my history knowledge here.

I think this was a very disputed region, area.

And, therefore, I am going to have a stab at Punjab.

OK, yes, you've got it. That's the right answer, Punjab.

It contains the city of Amritsar. Judith, your second question.

Bluff is another name for what type of geographical feature?

I think it is a kind of cliff.

-A bluff.

-Going for cliff?

-Yup.

That's the right answer. Yes, well done. Two-all.

Both quizzing very assuredly.

Martin, third question.

Cape Farewell is the southernmost point of which territory?

I'll probably kick myself. I have a map of Australia at home.

I'm going to have to have a guess at Tasmania.

OK, Cape Farewell, you think,

down there in Australia, in Tasmania to be precise,

but it's not.

Yes, if you had that map you might have been able to check it.

Do you know, Judith?

I would have said Tasmania, too.

-It is, other Eggheads?

-Greenland.

-Greenland.

-Why is it in English?

-So miles out.

Why is it in English?

-Yeah, Eggheads?

-English sailors, presumably.

-English sailors.

-Perhaps.

Well, Martin didn't get that.

Judith, a chance to swing it the Eggheads' way. Your third question.

Falling Water, the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,

is in which US state?

Well, I don't think it's in California.

I'm sure it's not if I...

I have a feeling it's in Pennsylvania.

Well, Falling Water is in Pennsylvania.

It's the right answer, Judith.

Judith on real form of late and that's another victory for Judith,

this time in Geography.

Bad luck, Martin, it has swung the Eggheads' way.

It means you won't be in the final round.

Would you both please come back and join your teams?

I just which I could react a bit more quickly,

because then I could be in Eggheads, And all this glory for Cape Farewell.

Danish, quite easily, Kap Farvel.

Obviously, you hear that.

And in the native language, of the native people there,

Uummannarsuaq.

-LAUGHTER

-Oh, definitely would have got that(!)

-You can't say that when you've had a few drinks.

-Absolutely. OK.

Right, as it stands now, Battle Squad Awesome have lost

two brains from the final round, the Eggheads have lost one.

This really is nip and tuck, so far.

Our last head-to-head before the final round,

this will sort out the configuration in that final round.

It's Sport.

And two of you left from Battle Squad Awesome, Julie or Ricky.

Battle Squad Awesome battle plan hasn't worked so far! LAUGHTER

-I'll do it then, shall I?

-Yes. Yes, I think that's best.

-I'll throw myself to the Lions, so to speak.

-Oh, bless you.

-OK.

Ricky, who would you like to play from Pat or Barry?

Neither.

LAUGHTER Um...

OK, eeny, meeny, miny, moe...

-Barry.

-Barry.

Barry, OK. Let's have Ricky and Barry into battle, please,

into the question room.

Ricky, if you follow what's happened so far,

this should be a good round for you, because the Eggheads struck first,

you struck back, the Eggheads hit back and now... OK, right, Ricky.

-Do you want to go first or second?

-I'd like to go first, please, Dermot.

Good luck. It's Sport. Your first question, Ricky.

The 2013 Wimbledon tennis champion Marion Bartoli

was born in which country?

Oh. Marian Bartoli.

Doesn't sound Polish. Doesn't sound Australian.

I think I remember it, I think she's French. I'm going to go with France.

Yes, she is. That's the right answer. Born in France.

Barry, which official

has overall responsibility for the race-day preparation

at a racecourse?

I love those options, they're wonderful.

-But it has to be the clerk of the course.

-Secretary of the jumps!

I wish that was the title. It is the right answer, Barry. You have one.

Ricky.

In Formula 1 racing,

what colour flag tells a back marker he should let a faster car pass?

Ah. Not a big Formula 1 fan, I must admit.

I don't think it's yellow, I think that is something else.

Green or blue? Green or blue?

I am going to go with...

..blue. Blue for my final answer.

Martin is very happy. He knew it.

Blue is the right answer. Well done.

All right. Barry.

Jay Townsend is best known as a commentator on which sport?

Ah, I haven't heard of him. Jay Townsend.

Well, I watch golf occasionally and he hasn't come to mind.

I also watch snooker and he hasn't come to mind.

So I'm going to for rugby league.

-DAVE:

-No.

-OK, rugby.

Well, a loud exclamation from Dave.

-Is he wrong, Dave?

-Well, I watch a lot of golf, so it's golf.

-It's golf, Barry.

-Oh!

-You must have missed it while you're watching.

-I must've missed him when I was watching golf.

-Right.

Well, there we are. An open goal.

You've just got to negotiate this one

and you are in the final round, Ricky.

Which cricket team defeated England in the final

of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy?

Well it wasn't Pakistan, it was a team playing in blue.

Both Sri Lanka and India play in blue,

so I am going to plump for India.

Blue seems to be your lucky colour in this round.

Blue flags for Formula 1 and blue outfits for India

as they beat England.

It is the right answer. You are in the final round.

Would you both please come back and join your teams?

And we've reached the point we have been playing towards.

It is 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 be allowed to take part in this round.

Ben and Martin from Battle Squad Awesome

and Barry and Chris from the Eggheads, would you leave the studio, please?

So Val, Julie and Ricky, you are playing to win Battle Squad Awesome £12,000.

Judith, Pat and Dave, you are playing for something

which money can't buy - the Eggheads' reputation.

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

This time, the questions are General Knowledge.

Anything can come up and you are allowed to confer, that is the really big difference.

Battle Squad Awesome, the question is -

are your three brains better than the Eggheads' three?

Val, Julie and Ricky, how do you want to handle this? Do you want to go first or second?

I think first has proved very good for us so we'll go first, please, Dermot.

OK, it is the final round. £12,000 potentially waiting for you.

First question.

Which of these male names is also a slang term for an argument?

Which of these male names is also a slang term for an argument?

Well, I used to have a dog called this and the answer is Barney.

Funnily enough, so did I.

Not an uncommon name, it must be said, for a dog.

And I won't argue about that answer.

It's the right one, yes. Barney.

OK, Eggheads.

In 2013, it was announced that which author would replace

Charles Darwin on the Bank of England £10 note?

In 2013, it was announced that which author would replace

Charles Darwin on the Bank of England £10 note?

-Jane Austen.

-I think it's Jane Austen.

-I think they're putting a quote from Pride And Prejudice on, as well.

-Are they?!

There was a big kerfuffle.

Churchill was in the mix and finally it's Jane Austin.

But a quote from Pride And Prejudice as well.

I declare there is no pleasure so great as that of reading -

something like that.

-Oh, right. Good one.

-Oh, right.

We think that is going to be Jane Austen.

You are right. Well done, Eggheads.

You have one and we go back to Battle Squad Awesome. Good start.

Let's build on that. Second question.

Which King was born in 1470,

after his mother had taken sanctuary in Westminster Abbey?

Which King was born in 1470 after his mother had taken sanctuary

in Westminster Abbey?

Yeah, go for it.

It's not Edward VI, because that's 16th century,

and, well, I know it's Edward V.

Well, we all do, don't we?!

-You do, I don't!

-Edward V.

-Edward V.

Yes, you don't need to go on with the other explanations.

The right answer always suffices.

It is correct. Edward V. Well done, you.

OK, Eggheads, your second question.

In its national anthem, which country describes

itself as the land of the free and the home of the brave?

In its national anthem, which country describes itself

as the land of the free and the home of the brave?

-USA.

-JUDITH SINGS

At the Super Bowl, they finish on those words.

-Yes.

-Yes.

We think that is the USA.

The United States.

-Singing it there, Judith.

-I wasn't really.

-If you are Beyonce, you have to mime it.

-Yes, that was appalling.

And Jennifer Hudson, as well. Who is a fantastic singer

but it turned out was singing to a pre-recorded track.

-Where did she do that?

-At one of the Super Bowls.

OK, USA is the correct answer, from the Eggheads.

It is all square at two-all.

Third question to you, Battle Squad Awesome.

Who wrote the classic Gothic horror story Uncle Silas?

Who wrote the classic Gothic horror story Uncle Silas?

-I don't know who.

-Right, OK.

It is one that's passed me by.

-Gothic horror would tend to suggest Poe.

-Well, it would...

But Sheridan Le Fanu wrote some...

-I don't think it is.

-I thought George du Maurier was...

OK.

I've read a lot of Poe and remember that coming out.

-I don't remember that, either.

-I don't know about...

-Well...

-The name rings a bell, but I don't know why.

I'd be surprised if it is Poe.

-I hate to say it, but I think it might be Sheridan Le Fanu.

-I do, too.

I think du Maurier was more than actor. Was he not more of an actor?

No, I don't know. I don't know about that. I honestly don't.

Du Maurier would be my gut instinct.

Over to you, whatever you want.

It would be awful if we've dismissed Poe and it is Poe.

Well,

I think it might be Sheridan Le Fanu.

-I think it might be him, as well.

-You two think it is, so do it.

-Oh.

You two think it is.

Well, we think it's Sheridan Le Fanu. Fanu.

-OK that's your answer.

-Yes.

-What do you think, Eggheads?

-I don't know.

-I might have gone Sheridan Le Fanu, was well.

-OK.

The answer is Sheridan Le Fanu.

-Oh, well done, guys.

-You got it.

And as the Eggheads probably know already, born and died in...

Ireland.

He specialised in Gothic paranormal sort of books.

Real first name wasn't Sheridan. It was...?

Surprised at you Eggheads again.

Joseph. Listen, you've got some serious business to do here.

You need to get this right, or you've lost your winning record.

Which seaside resort in East Yorkshire

was well known for a pottery which closed in the year 2000?

Which seaside resort in East Yorkshire

was well known for a pottery that closed in 2000?

All I've got to go on - I've heard of Hornsea Pottery, have you?

You've heard of a Hornsea Pottery?

I thought I'd heard of Hornsea Pottery, but I could be...

-That is the one that is ringing a bell.

-Is it?

-But...

Rings a distant bell with me

but it may have nothing to do with pottery.

-Oh.

-If you've heard of a Hornsea Pottery,

that sounds promising.

-Ask him to repeat the question.

-Can we have the question again, please?

Which seaside resort in Yorkshire was well known for a pottery

that closed in 2000?

Why have you got an inkling about...?

I don't, it's the faintest of echoes.

If I had to answer on reflex I'd have done that,

but with no confidence.

If you have an idea there is a Hornsea Pottery, that's better,

no question about it.

Because Hornsea is in East Yorkshire, isn't it?

Is it? I don't know.

-I thought of Bridlington.

-Oh, dear.

-What do you think?

-You are going to have to come up with a decision.

You are completely divided on this.

What answer are you going to give me, Eggheads?

Have you heard of Hornsea Pottery?

I thought I'd heard of Hornsea Pottery. I'd go.

If you heard of Hornsea Pottery, I think that's the best we have.

OK, we're going to have to take something of a gamble.

Dave has heard of Hornsea Pottery, so we're going for Hornsea.

-It's all his fault!

-OK.

And poor Barry there,

your Yorkshire correspondent's, he's doing his nut there. He knows.

Does he?

-But it is Hornsea.

-Well done, Dave.

Barry now wiping the beads of sweat from his brow.

That was close.

They were split three ways on that, but it was that inkling of Dave's.

He had heard of Hornsea Pottery.

OK, we go to sudden death and that means it's an awful lot harder.

If you need a guess, you have to conjure up the options yourself.

We are not giving you any. And this for you, Battle Squad Awesome.

In the Peanuts cartoon strip,

what is the first name of Charlie Brown's sister?

In the Peanuts cartoon strip,

what is the first name of Charlie Brown's sister.

She's not a pleasant girl, is she?

Go for that.

I have a niece with the same name and her name is Lucy.

The first name of Charlie Brown's sister

is not Lucy.

-No.

-DAVE:

-Sally.

-Sally. from the Eggheads.

-Lucy is the friend, isn't she?

Not the friend, it's the one who keeps giving him trouble

-all the time.

-Yes, his sister is Sally. Well,

That's a turnaround.

The Eggheads were staring defeat in the face

and now have a chance to take the game.

Eggheads, which car company made the Silver Wraith,

a model first manufactured in 1946?

Which car company made the Silver Wraith, W-R-A-I-T-H,

a model first manufactured in 1946?

-Rolls-Royce, yeah?

-The Phantom. All these paranormal things.

-Yes.

So Rolls-Royce? That was Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce.

I've only one thing to say to you, Eggheads -

Uummannarsuaq!

You've won. It's the right answer.

Bad luck, Battle Squad, well played today.

A really even game, as we saw in those head-to-heads

and very tight in the final round.

Just one slip-up.

The Eggheads were in to clinch it.

Thank you very much indeed for giving them such a close game.

Really good to see you, Battle Squad Awesome.

But those Eggheads have done what comes naturally to them and their winning streak continues.

I'm afraid you won't be going home with the £12,000.

That means the money rolls over to the next show.

Eggheads, congratulations once again. Who can beat you?

Join us next time to see

if a new team of challengers have the brains to defeat the Eggheads.

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