Episode 88 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, well,

we think they are possibly the greatest quiz team in Britain.

They are the Eggheads.

Hoping to get one over on our quiz champions today

are Quiz Family Robinson.

Team captain, James, and his dad, John, are the Robinsons.

And to complete the quintet,

they've recruited what they hope are their brainiest friends.

Let's meet them.

Hi, I'm James and I work as an administration assistant.

Hello, I'm John. I'm a recently-retired company director.

Hi, I'm Steve. I'm a catering manager.

Hi, I'm Richard and I'm a community psychiatric nurse.

Hi, I'm Ryan and I'm a geography teacher.

So, James, team, welcome.

-TEAM:

-Hello.

-Good to see.

So, you've basically got a pretty powerful quiz unit together here?

I think so, yeah.

And have you got certain subjects you all have divided up?

Yeah. We've eventually managed to work out,

over a nice dinner last night,

what subjects we're all specialists at.

But I think we're a bit top-heavy on certain subjects,

-so basically we're hoping those come up and others don't.

-OK.

Now, every day there is £1,000-worth of cash up for grabs

for our Challengers, I know you know that.

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

we carry it onto the next show.

And Quiz Family Robinson,

the Eggheads have won the last dozen games,

so it's £13,000 for you to win today.

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

So, who would like this? Is this covered by your grid?

Well, we do have one specialist-ish, don't we, Ryan?

I wouldn't say a specialist but I'm more than happy to go for it.

-OK, Ryan. You're a geography teacher, Ryan?

-Yes.

Any Eggheads that you'd particularly like on Science?

-THEY CONFER

-I think maybe Pat.

-Yes, Pat.

We're going to try and take out some of these world champs and...

..the first one is going to try and be Pat.

Right. So, it is Ryan, from Quiz Family Robinson,

trying to take down Pat first from the Eggheads on Science.

To ensure there's no conferring,

please take your positions in our famous Question Room.

OK. So, Ryan, do you want to go first or second?

Erm, I'll go first please, Jeremy.

And here we go with your first Science question.

Which of these names is often given to areas of the internet

that are not indexed on the World Wide Web?

Erm, that I believe is the dark web.

Dark web is the right answer, well done.

Pat, over to you.

The adjective interdental

refers to the spaces between which parts of the body?

These are spaces that can grow alarmingly larger as you grow older.

I think it's teeth.

Teeth is your answer and it is correct. Well done.

OK. Back to you, Ryan.

Rift Valley fever, which can affect both humans and animals,

was first identified in a country on which continent in 1931?

So, when you said Rift Valley,

that immediately put Africa in my mind.

I've not heard of the fever

but going on the basis that it's Rift Valley, I shall say Africa.

You are right.

That's the perfect Science question for a geographer, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Africa is the answer.

OK, Pat, your question.

Otoplasty is a term for surgery on which part of the body?

Well, when you go to a hospital

and you see that there's an Otorhinolarynjectomy -

or whatever the proper term is - department

and I think that's ears, nose and throat.

So, I think it's ears.

Ears is right. Well done. 2-2.

Ryan, back to you.

In genetics, the term phenotype refers to what aspect of an organism?

So, it's phenotype, which is P-H-E-N-O-T-Y-P-E, all one word.

There's phenotype and genotype,

which are ringing some bells from A-level biology,

which I ended up dropping.

So...

Observable characteristics, I think,

is definitely either phenotype or genotype.

I'm really not sure on this.

I should know it.

At one point I will have known this.

I'm going to plump for observable characteristics.

OK. I like the phrase, "At one point I will have known this."

That's good, no one's said that before.

But you still know it. Observable characteristics is right, Ryan.

-Well done.

-Get in!

Good.

And you got there through knowledge.

OK, your question, Pat. Hanging on by your fingernails here.

The energy known as dark energy is generally thought to make up

approximately what percentage of the universe?

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

-HE SIGHS HEAVILY

-This is a bit tricky.

This is quite a difficult question, Jeremy.

This isn't a straightforward question.

They think that the universe is made up of observable matter,

dark matter and dark energy.

It's not going to be 30%.

If dark energy is 70,

then we only... We have to squeeze dark matter and observable matter

into a mere 30 and that seems just a bit snug.

I'm going to, on the basis of 20% observable, 30% dark matter

and 50% dark energy, so, 50%.

OK. Kevin, you went, "Oh!" like that.

I think it's 70.

You're on the right track but just the wrong proportions, Pat.

70% is the right answer, you've got it wrong.

You've been knocked out on science by a geographer.

-Well done, Ryan!

-Get in!

So, well done, you're in the final. Please come back to us, both of you.

We'll play on.

So, Quiz Family Robinson have not lost a brain.

You've already taken out a big brain from the Eggheads

and this is looking good now.

The next subject is Sport.

-Is that good?

-A very, very good one.

That was one that we all wanted, didn't we?

OK, who's feeling confident now?

He can go up on books and I can go up on sport now

-and keep him for the classical stuff.

-Yeah, OK.

-OK?

-Yeah.

-OK, we're going to send Steve in.

OK. Before you go, just choose an Egghead, Steve. Anyone but Pat.

I'm thinking Judith. We'll target Kevin on another round.

JEREMY LAUGHS

We're not supposed to divulge secrets, Ryan.

This is serious.

This is serious. OK.

We'll go with Judith.

So, it is Steve, from Quiz Family Robinson,

versus Judith, on Sport.

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

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

-I'll go first please, Jeremy.

And here we go with your first question.

The footballer Eden Hazard joined which English club in 2012?

He's in my fantasy league team. I believe he plays for Chelsea.

Chelsea is the right answer.

OK. Your question, Judith.

The Vuelta a Espana is a major annual event in which sport?

I think that's cycling.

Hm, you're right. Cycling it is. Well done.

Steve, your question.

Well-known for his catching ability,

Odell Beckham Jr is a professional in which sport?

Well, I don't really follow American sports.

But I believe I've heard the name.

I'm more likely have heard the name watching American football.

So, I'll go American football.

You're right, it is American football.

So, two points to our Challengers.

Judith, what is Andy Murray's middle name?

Oh, what is the most Scottish sounding of those?

Andy Berry Murray, that's a merry sound.

Andy Barron Murray.

Andy Bastian Murray.

Andy Barron.

I think it might be Andy Barron Murray.

-Andrew Barron Murray is the right answer.

-Oh, is it?

-Yeah.

Well, that's pure guess.

Steve, your question.

Which venerable sporting institution was founded in 1754?

-Which one? 1754.

-1754?

Yes, indeed.

Now, they're all quite old clubs, obviously

and they're all well-known.

I would rule out the All England Club

just on the date alone.

I love my cricket.

I'm just basing it on the date,

golf has been played in this country for, I don't know,

a bit longer so, my answer is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

Well, the logic is good, you've got it right. Well done, Steve.

-Three out of three.

-Great work.

-This team is playing well.

Judith, to stay in.

The cricketers Matt Prior, Luke Wright and Ed Joyce

have represented which county team?

Erm, they don't sound very Yorkshire but on the other hand...

..I suppose anybody can play for Yorkshire.

I always think Yorkshire likes its own, though.

Erm, I'm going to say Sussex.

-Dammit.

-Yeah, you're right.

-Magic right.

Yeah, the magic right. OK.

So, three out of three

and after those questions the scores are level, we go to Sudden Death.

It gets a bit harder, Steve. I don't give you alternative answers.

-Here we go.

-OK.

The 3m springboard is one of the competitions

in which Olympic sport?

Well, it'd have to be...

The only sport I can think of with a springboard is diving.

Diving is right.

Judith, in 1987,

a man known as Konishiki

became the first competitor born outside Japan

to achieve the rank of ozeki, in which sport?

Well, I should imagine it must be wrestling

because it's so unlikely, if you know what I mean.

And what is your answer?

Well, I mean the wrestling they do in Japan, Japanese wrestling.

I can't accept it.

You've got to say the word sumo in there.

There's lots and lots of wrestling that's not Japanese.

-Oh, that's the word I forgot - sumo wrestling.

-Yeah.

It was sumo wrestling. Sorry, Judith, you've been knocked out.

-And I got it right.

-You've been...

I broadcast to the nation that I got it right.

You've been bounced out on the mat by Steve.

So, come back to us.

This is getting lively. We'll play on.

So, as it stands,

Quiz Family Robinson have lost no brains from the final round.

They're really storming ahead but be careful

cos often at this point, the Eggheads suddenly gather themselves.

The Eggheads have lost two brains. The next subject is Film & TV.

-Good?

-Well, we were going

to put Steve in for that round,

so we're going to have to change our plans now. OK.

Save yourself for the final round.

THEY CONFER

I'm not particularly good at Film & TV.

Right, are we going to send you in then?

I'm not very good at Film & TV

-but it looks like I'm going to be the one.

-Yeah.

-OK. So, John, who's your father, James.

-Yes. Indeed, yes.

John, would you like to take on an Egghead?

-Try Kevin.

-Yes, I think we'll try Kevin.

OK, is this the turning point?

Now, John, from Quiz Family Robinson, versus Kevin, from the Eggheads,

on Film & TV.

Let's see if the Eggheads can pull one back.

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

So, John, Film & TV against Kevin. Would you like to go first or second?

I'd like to go first please, Jeremy.

And here is your question.

In Only Fools And Horses,

what name did Trigger often mistakenly call Rodney?

I'm not absolutely sure.

I've got a feeling it was Dave.

Yes, it's Dave.

Great show. OK, Kevin.

When used in conjunction with music and film,

the letters OST stand for Original WHAT?

So, this would probably be relating to an album of music from a film,

that sort of thing, so, soundtrack.

Soundtrack is correct.

John, over to you.

What was the title of the sequel to the Yul Brynner film Westworld,

which was released in 1976

and featured Brynner's gunslinger character in a cameo role?

I'm not absolutely sure. It's not my strongest subject.

Tomorrow's World I remember as a BBC television programme,

if it's the same one.

I'm not so sure about Another World.

I would guess Future World.

And you've got it right - Futureworld.

Have you got a question wrong yet?

-No.

-Nothing wrong yet.

Kevin, which English actor played the lead role

of the body language scientist Cal Lightman

in the US TV drama Lie To Me?

Hm, now, that's not one I'm aware of...

..unfortunately.

I don't see it being Ray Winstone.

As I say, I don't know it,

so it could actually be either of the others.

My first instinct was Gary Oldman but I'm...

I have... No, it's 50-50.

So, I'll stick with the first instinct and say Gary Oldman.

OK. Gary Oldman is your answer. Eggheads?

-EGGHEADS:

-Tim Roth.

-Tim Roth.

I always get 50-50s wrong, or virtually always.

Oh, a little rumble of anticipation. You mustn't let this chance go.

So, John, get this right, you're in the final,

you've knocked out Kevin.

In 2010, Joanne Froggatt took on which role

in the TV drama series Downton Abbey?

It's a very good question for me

as I've never seen Downton Abbey at all.

A choice of the three, I will say...Anna Smith.

Team-mates, is he right?

I don't know but I'm sure it's not Mary Crawley

but I think it is Anna Smith.

-It is Anna Smith, well done.

-Yes!

LAUGHTER

Wow, you've got the rub of the green today.

Exact equivalent questions there and Kevin didn't go for Tim Roth

and you did go for Anna Smith.

So, there we go, there must be something in the air here.

-Well done, John.

-Thank you very much.

-This is looking very impressive now.

Took on an Egghead. Not just an Egghead, THE Egghead.

You've knocked out Kevin.

-Please both of you return to us and we'll play on.

-Oh, great.

Well, well, well.

Quiz Family Robinson have lost no brains,

the Eggheads have lost three.

One more round before the final and the subject - Politics.

-ALL:

-Oh!

-Right.

-So, Richard or James?

-Are we going to change tactics or not?

I'd put you up for Politics,

but I'm willing to keep him till the end.

-I'd be of the opinion you could go you versus Lisa.

-Yes.

-All right? OK?

-I don't know what...

-OK.

Right, the captain's going in.

All right, the captain is going in with his tin hat on, against...

-Did you say Lisa or...?

-Have a West Yorkshire derby, I think.

All right. So, James from Quiz Family Robinson versus Lisa.

This is a big moment in the contest now.

Please go to our Question Room.

So, Politics, James. Do you want to go first or second against Lisa?

Well, as my mum always says, go first.

And here is your first question.

In January 2015, which comedian announced plans

to stand against Nigel Farage in that year's general election?

I believe he decided to do it under his guise of the Pub Landlord

and it's Al Murray.

Al Murray is correct. Good stuff.

Still not got a question wrong, our Challengers.

Lisa, the left wing political party known as Syriza

became the leading party in which European country

after its January 2015 general election?

Syriza, led by Alexis Tsipras.

They are the leading political party in Greece.

Greece is correct, Lisa. Well done.

James, back to you.

Which country is known by the nickname

the Graveyard of Empires

because of the number of failed invasions

and occupations that have taken place there?

I think it's had different invasions by the British and Soviets,

amongst others. I think it's Afghanistan.

It is Afghanistan. You're right.

Lisa, what does the G stand for in GOP,

the abbreviation that is the nickname of the US Republican Party?

Goodness.

Um, you don't really associate green with the Republicans

in any sense, do you?

I will go for grand.

Grand is correct. I think Grand Old Party.

Yeah, grand is the right answer.

OK, James, back to you. Third question.

Who was the first UK Chancellor to break with tradition

and not use the red Gladstone dispatch box on Budget Day?

Right, let's see. Hmm.

I'm trying to think. I have a recollection of seeing

an old clip of a Budget Day TV show on BBC

and I think it was in the '80s,

which would mean it was Geoffrey Howe,

but I'm not sure yet. Hang on.

This could be where our luck runs out. We'll see.

Oh, dear.

It was the first thought that came to my head, so it could be wrong.

So, sorry, guys, for this, but I'm going to say Geoffrey Howe.

It's the first question you've got wrong.

-James Callaghan is the answer.

-Fair enough.

OK. So, may be a significant moment. If Lisa gets this right,

she's in the final and the Eggheads will have two in the final round.

Here we go, Lisa. Which US president was known as the Great Communicator?

-And I know that.

-Ah! Yes!

And I know that and I can't remember.

I'm having a Ryan moment. I used to know this.

JEREMY LAUGHS

Um, I'd be inclined to rule out Reagan over Kennedy and Clinton.

-Um...I don't know. I will go for John F Kennedy.

-Ooh.

How interesting. I thought you'd just go straight there.

-It's Ronald Reagan.

-Yeah, didn't know that.

So, two out of three for you both. We go to Sudden Death.

Bit of a let off there.

Maybe proves that your team's luck is in, James.

-You're still in it.

-Let's hope so.

Here's your question.

Which Conservative politician is popularly known as IDS?

That would be the leader between 2001 and 2003, Iain Duncan Smith.

Iain Duncan Smith it is. Well done.

Lisa, in 2010, who said he had more chance

of being decapitated by a Frisbee than becoming prime minister?

I don't know. How very annoying.

Um...I really don't know.

I mean, I would love it to be Gordon Brown,

but it doesn't sound like something that Gordon Brown would say.

It could be BoJo or someone like that.

No, I really, really don't know.

-So, sorry about this, Dave, mate.

-Yeah.

-I'll go for...

Could be Boris.

Let's assume that, you know, we're sort of in bat

and Gordon Brown's realised what's about to happen to him

and say Gordon Brown.

Yeah, I see what you're... You'll be annoyed when I tell you who it is.

It's the most obvious answer.

-Boris Johnson.

-It is BoJo.

-Didn't work.

-So, Sudden Death, Lisa...

-That's all right.

-..and you died suddenly.

And, James, you're in the final round.

I think I also read that Boris also said in that one

that he said he also had more chance

of being blinded by a champagne cork as well.

HE LAUGHS James, you did well there.

Got the first wrong answer,

but you stayed in and we now play the final round.

So, this is what we have been playing towards.

It is time for our final round after quite a momentous game.

It's General Knowledge,

but I'm afraid those of you who lost your head-to-heads

won't be allowed to take part. Normally, I turn this side,

but, actually, none of you is having to leave us.

Nobody from Quiz Family Robinson. It's all Eggheads leaving us.

Pat and Lisa and Kevin and Judith,

would you please now leave the studio?

So, James, John, Steve, Richard, Ryan,

you've done something that's very rare

in the history of Eggheads.

I think we've done about 1,500 programmes in total.

Only nine has this happened,

where they've been reduced to one player.

-But of the nine, they won seven.

-Ooh.

-So, you're not there yet.

If you do win, £13,000 on the table.

Dave, you are playing to protect the reputation

of the four who have fallen and your own as well.

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

This time, the questions are all General Knowledge.

You can confer.

-It doesn't help you much, my friend.

-No.

So, Quiz Family Robinson, the question is,

can you, with your five brains,

defeat this one with the tremendous knowledge?

And do you want to go first or second?

Do you want to go first or second?

We'll stick with the tried and tested format

of going first, please, Jeremy.

Well, all the best. It's been a fantastic game so far.

Let's see if you can win the £13,000. Here is your first question.

Still Standing: The Savage Years

is a 2012 memoir by which performer and TV presenter?

He was Lily Savage, wasn't he? So, I'm going to say Paul O'Grady.

-Definitely.

-All agree?

-Are we agreed on that?

-So, Paul O'Grady was Lily Savage?

-Paul O'Grady.

Yeah, he was. Yeah. Yeah.

We're going to go with Paul O'Grady, Jeremy.

Paul O'Grady is quite right.

Well done. Lily Savage, as you say. Lovely guy.

Dave, the Sussex town of Hove

lies to the west of which larger town

with which it forms a city and unitary authority?

Um, that's Brighton and Hove. Brighton.

Brighton is right, Dave. Well done.

How is it, playing on your own there?

Well, it's a unique experience, but, you know, let's see how it goes.

It will just come down to how the questions fall,

at the end of the day.

It might come down to their superior knowledge.

You never know. HE CHUCKLES

OK, Challengers, Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando

have both won Oscars for playing which character?

Is that Corleone?

I think it was Corleone cos they've both been in The Godfathers.

Yeah? Corleone? They're both Godfathers.

I can't see any other answer.

-If we're all thinking...

-Corleone?

-Yes, OK.

Team decision - Vito Corleone.

And the team decision is quite right. Vito Corleone it is. Well done.

Two out of two. Dave, onto you.

What is the capital, Dave, of Togo?

I think Lusaka's Zambia. Ljubljana's Slovenia, I hope.

Lome's Togo, anyway.

Lome is, indeed, the capital of Togo. Well done.

And you're absolutely right about the other two as well.

OK, third question.

Bhumibol Adulyadej was formally crowned king

of which country in 1950?

-Shall we get a spelling on that?

-Spell, yes.

First name, it's not quite what you'd expect.

B-H-U-M-I-B-O-L. Bhumibol.

And then Adulyadej - A-D-U-L-Y-A-D-E-J.

-It's Thailand.

-Yeah?

-He's the guy who wears the pink.

He was in the hospital a few years ago.

He was all dressed in pink and everyone wore pink in Thailand.

-Right.

-And he's very, very old.

I'd have gone for Thailand, but I didn't know it.

When I heard the spelling of the name, definitely.

-Yes, Thailand.

-Right, we'll go with James.

We're going to go for Thailand, Jeremy.

Thailand is correct. THEY CHEER

So, in the whole game so far, you've only had one wrong answer.

-I can't even remember what it was now.

-The...

-Oh, James Callaghan.

-James Callaghan with the Budget Box.

Phew! So, three out of three. £13,000, they're playing for.

If Dave gets this one wrong, they've taken the contest

and probably overwhelmed the Eggheads.

IF Dave gets it wrong. He's not got it wrong yet.

Who played the role of George Smiley's nemesis Karla

in the TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

and Smiley's People?

Right, um, I'm not sure of this at all.

I'm going to put myself out of my misery.

I'm not going to go for Donald Sinden.

I'm not going to go for Ian McKellen.

I'm going to go down the middle for Patrick Stewart.

OK, if you've got this wrong, then the contest is over

and they've taken the £13,000.

But it's not over. You've got it right.

Well done. Patrick Stewart it is. Your team-mates behind you...

It's such an unusual situation.

Your team-mates behind you are cheering you on. Lisa especially.

Dave has got three out of three as well. We go to Sudden Death.

£13,000, we're playing for and I don't give you alternative answers.

MAL is the international car registration mark

for which country?

Well, it's a toss up between two, isn't it?

-Malta or Malaysia.

-Or Mali.

-Oh, didn't think of that.

-I think Malaysia's MAS.

-My first thought was Malta.

-Oh, dear.

-Could be any of those.

I'm pretty sure it's not Malaysia, so we'll rule Malaysia out.

Playing the question, it possibly is Malta,

-if you think Malaysia isn't the answer.

-I'm sure...

I would think Malaysia is MAS.

Do you think there's any logic or way

that when they assign these,

they start with maybe European-centric ones,

-so Malta would then take up MAL?

-That's what I was thinking.

That is one thing I did wonder about.

Shall we all vote, then? OK, so, who says Malta?

That's unanimous. On our heads be it, guys.

-So, we agreed Malta, then?

-Yeah.

-OK.

We're going to go for Malta.

This is an incredible contest, I must say.

The ninth time we've been down to one Egghead.

You've only had one question wrong so far.

MAL, the international car registration mark.

You're wrong.

-It's Malaysia.

-Oh, no! Sorry, team.

No, that's fine. Unanimous.

You did rule it out quite firmly. If there's any consolation,

it wasn't a three-two split or anything.

-You were absolutely certain...

-Yeah.

-..it was Malta.

-Yeah.

That was my fault, though.

So, only the ninth time the Eggheads have been down to one.

I did mention the slightly worrying statistic

that they only ever lost two from this position,

but they now have a chance to win with just Dave here.

With this one question, the Eggheads can suddenly snatch it away.

Dave, here's your question. Take your time.

What is the German name for the state of Bavaria?

Right. I've got a word in my head, so I've just got to quantify it.

Right. I can't really.

I'm going to outthink myself if I go on.

I'm going to go for the word Bayern.

Bayern.

So, if you've got it right, Dave, the contest is over

and the Eggheads have won against all the odds

and the jackpot is snatched away from our Challengers.

If you've got it wrong, we play on in Sudden Death.

-It's a brutal contest, this.

-Mm-hm.

-On this occasion...

..the Eggheads have been up against it, but have won.

Bayern is the answer. We say congratulations, Dave.

-The triumph is yours.

-Well played. What a game.

Wow!

I thought you'd get that cos of football,

but you had some tough ones on the way there

with no-one to confer with, so, really well done.

No, but what a contest and what a great team.

-One of the best teams we've played.

-Probably one of the best contests

in the history of Eggheads. No question. Just for sheer...

There was no way of knowing who was going to win

and you played brilliantly.

I'm sorry the jackpot isn't yours, but I was going to say it's a detail.

I'm sure it's not.

But you played brilliantly.

Commiserations to Quiz Family Robinson.

What a great show that was.

The Eggheads have done what comes naturally to them.

Your winning streak continues. I think we can still say that.

It does mean our Challengers won't be going home with the £13,000,

so the money rolls over to the next show.

Eggheads, congratulations.

If you can win with one left, who will beat you?

And, Dave, very impressive by you.

You showed tremendous knowledge there.

Join us next time to see if a new team of Challengers

can do what they did or maybe even slightly more.

Doesn't happen very often, does it? Till then, goodbye.