Episode 102 Eggheads

These five 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.

You might recognise them as they're goliaths

in the world of TV quiz shows. They are the Eggheads.

And taking on the might of our quiz goliaths today

are the Belle Vue Aces, the team are all speedway fans.

They meet up regularly at Belle Vue racetrack in Manchester,

so let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Brian, I'm 67 and I'm an advertising contractor.

Hi, I'm Mike, I'm 65 and I'm a forensic accountant.

Hi, I'm Tina, I'm 42 and I'm an actress.

Hi, I'm Colin, I'm 58 and I'm an insolvency practitioner.

Hi, I'm David, I'm 56 and I'm a company director.

So Brian, it's speedway that brings you together?

Yes, we're all, via the website, we're all speedway fans,

but we communicate with each other via the website, the unofficial website.

But you've got interesting business connections.

-You're an advertising contractor.

-Yes.

-Selling ads on cinema tickets.

Yes, cinema and supermarket,

so when you go into any cinema we contract companies to advertise.

Next to you, forensic accountant, insolvency practitioner,

on the end we've got David,

who has a company that rescues other companies.

Correct.

So Tina, what are you doing in the middle of this team as the actress?

I'm the odd one out!

But I've watched Belle Vue speedway since I was about nine years old,

so I've followed the Aces for many, many years

and that's what joins us all together.

Let's see if you can overtake the Eggheads today.

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

However, if they fail to defeat this amazing team to my right,

the prize money rolls over to the next show.

So Belle Vue Aces, the Eggheads have won the last two games

which means £3,000 says you can't beat them.

The first head-to-head battle will be on the subject of Politics.

Challengers, which one of you wants to play this category?

I think we'll be nominating Mike.

Mike, said with complete certainty. I sense a game plan here?

-Well...

-For this one round!

We were hoping Politics was first so...

You've done well - nine categories, you got the first one.

-Who do you want to play against?

-CJ.

CJ from the Eggheads against Mike from the Belle Vue Aces.

Good luck to you both.

To ensure there's no conferring, please now go to the Question Room.

Good luck.

I'm going to ask you three multiple choice questions on Politics.

Whoever answers the most questions correctly wins the round

and Mike, you can choose whether you have the first or second set.

I'll go first.

Someone whose political allegiance changes between elections

is commonly known as what?

That is going to be a floating voter.

It is a floating voter, well done.

CLAPPING

CJ, a survey of how electors have voted,

taken as they leave the building is known by what two word name?

If you're leaving, you're exiting, so it would be an exit poll.

It is indeed. Thank you.

One each. Back to you, Mike.

How are the business papers of the House of Commons known?

Well, they're certainly not white papers.

I'll go for early day motions.

-Your answer is early day motions.

-It is.

That's wrong. It's vote bundle.

CJ, in 2002, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

became President of which South American country?

I don't think it's Colombia,

because I think that's Evo Morales, I think his name is.

I don't know about Paraguay, but I'll go for Brazil for Da Silva.

Brazil is correct. Well done, CJ.

Your antennae doing well for you there.

So your third question, Mike, and you need this.

Which British political philosopher wrote two treatises of government

in 1690 in which he attacked the theory of the divine right of kings?

I'm certainly not sure on this one.

I think I'd choose Thomas Hobbes.

Your answer is Thomas Hobbes.

-If you get this wrong, you will not play in the final round.

-Mm.

It's actually John Locke, Mike.

So, CJ, well done.

You've got two, Mike got one. Mike, you were beaten by our Egghead.

-Yeah.

-Please both of you rejoin us here in the studio.

As it stands, the challengers have lost one brain from the final round.

The Eggheads have lost no brains. Our next subject, Arts and Books.

Belle Vue Aces, Arts and Books.

-Do I sense Tina thinking? No? Who's gonna do that?

-Not Tina.

-No, it's er...

-David.

David. OK, against whom?

-David, who do you think?

-Who would you like to play?

-I'll go for Chris.

-Chris.

-Chris?

-Chris gets chosen for Arts and Books incessantly.

-Mm.

Chris, we can't work out the reason.

People think you haven't read anything.

People think being an ex-train driver, what do I know about the finer things of life?

You do spring some surprises though.

All right, David, from the Belle Vue Aces

against Chris from the Eggheads, what a contest we have here.

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

David, are you ready to get this thing going for your team?

-Yes.

-Multiple choice questions, first or second set?

I'll go for the first.

David, which imaginary beings created by JRR Tolkien

are half-human size with hairy feet and a name meaning hole dwelling?

Right, well, Tolkien, that was Lord Of The Rings.

I've seen the films.

And I believe it's the hobbits.

Spot on, well done.

CLAPPING

Chris, Three Men In A Boat is the comical account

of three men's journey up which river?

It's up the Thames with Montmorency, the dog, the River Thames.

Quite right.

David, you're doing well. You're in there.

Which best-selling author wrote the novels The Carpetbaggers

and Where Love Has Gone?

Yes, I don't know Where Love Has Gone.

Er, I think Mario Puzo was The Godfather, wasn't it? I think.

I'm gonna go for Harold Robbins.

I'm so glad you did, you're right. Well done.

Chris, which Spanish artist painted the celebrated Pinturas Negras,

or Black Paintings, directly onto the walls of his house?

I don't think it was El Greco,

because he was a classical old master who painted on canvas.

Goya did do some pretty dark stuff at the time of the Napoleonic wars.

But I don't think he was that, I won't say eccentric,

but off the wall, to coin a phrase, so I'll go with Joan Miro.

You're wrong, it was Goya.

He was off the wall, or on the wall!

So if you get this right, David, you've knocked him out!

In 1976 the Tate caused outrage by exhibiting a sculpture

of 120 fire bricks by which artist?

I remember it being exhibited.

I don't remember the artist.

I suppose David Smith is an artist, but doesn't sound like one.

Er...

I think I'll go for David Smith.

OK, David Smith is your answer, it's wrong. It was Carl Andre.

OK, Chris, your third question.

Who wrote the lines,

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive?"

It's not Shakespeare.

I believe it was Sir Walter Scott.

You're right. Walter Scott is the answer.

So, after three questions each the scores are level.

We now go, brace yourselves, to sudden death.

I'm not going to give you three answers.

I'm going to want the answer from you.

Your question, David.

Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell is a play by which writer,

born in 1929?

I...

I can't recall his name.

Probably wrong but I'll have a stab at John Osborne.

-No, it's Keith Waterhouse.

-Ah.

A famous journalist.

Yeah.

Chris, to take the round,

Tropic of Cancer is a controversial book by which author?

Henry Miller.

Yes, you're right.

Chris, you won and that means David

can't join his team in the final round, but Chris can.

Please both of you come back, rejoin your team mates.

The challengers have lost two brains from the final round.

The Eggheads have lost none.

The Eggheads are doing well. We can say that officially.

The next subject is Music.

Which of you wants Music?

-Well, I think you.

-I think that might be me!

-Yes, I think it's going to have to be you.

-It looks like that's me.

-Against whom?

-Oh, gosh! I'll have Kevin.

You're taking on Kevin?!

Oh, you're brave.

Tina, from the Belle Aces versus Kevin from the Eggheads,

to ensure there's no conferring, please leave the studio now.

Three questions on Music in turn, multiple choice.

Tina, you can choose the first or second set.

I'll go first, please.

Tina, in which decade was Mouldy Old Dough a UK number one hit single

for Lieutenant Pigeon?

Well, I was put in this round because no-one else wanted it

and I'm the youngest and I don't remember it.

I was around in the '70s and the '80s so I'm gonna say the 1960s.

'60s is wrong. It's the '70s.

But gosh, I've got no memory of that song. What on earth is that?

It was a number one hit, Jeremy, in about 1972, thereabouts.

It was supposedly done in someone's bedroom or sitting room,

one of those very much self-designed efforts

using his mum's tape deck and that sort of thing.

Almost ragtime piano and every five or six bars,

somebody on the track goes, "Mouldy Old Dough".

OK, got it.

Tina, not knowing that is something you can be proud about it, OK?

Your question, Kevin, first question to you.

"It's been seven hours and 15 days since you took your love away"

are the opening lines of a 1990 UK number one single for which singer?

I think that's from Nothing Compares 2 U, so it's Sinead O'Connor.

Absolutely right. Do you know who wrote that?

-Prince.

-Prince.

OK, Tina, here we go.

Which singer famous for his proficient whistling

had hit singles with Durham Town and The Last Farewell?

Well... If it was a good reason that I didn't know the last one,

I'm not sure it's a good reason that I think I know this one.

I like Neil Sedaka, so I know it's not him.

In my younger days I used to sit with my grandparents

watching Val Doonican rocking on his chair,

so the answer is Roger Whittaker.

Well done, Roger Whittaker.

You'd never have someone nowadays

famous for proficient whistling, would you? It just wouldn't happen.

Kevin, The Neon Bible is the second album by which band?

I think that's Arcade Fire, Jeremy.

-Arcade Fire.

-Arcade Fire is right.

Two points to one, so Tina, we're rooting for you here.

Get this one right, you're still in it.

The piece of music known as the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

comes from which oratorio by Handel?

Mm.

I don't know it.

I don't know a great lot about the Queen of Sheba either.

If I did, that might help me.

No, I don't think I can do an educated guess,

so I'll just plump for...

Solomon.

So that is what you describe as an uneducated guess?

-Yes.

-You should try them more often.

-You're right.

-Great!

If you get this right Kevin, you'll survive to play in the final round.

Here's your third question.

Which American singer released an album

called 'The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?'

the proceeds of which went to pay his 16 million tax bill.

No, don't know that.

Doesn't really sound like Snoop Dogg, not enough swearing.

So...

Potentially, if you don't know it and I don't,

then it could be either of the others,

so I'll go for Willie Nelson.

-That's your answer?

-Yeah.

You're right, Kevin. It is Willie Nelson.

Well, you were beaten by our Egghead,

so you can't play, Tina, in the final round.

Kevin, you can. Do both please come back and rejoin your teams.

As it stands the challengers have lost three brains from the final round

while the Eggheads still haven't lost any challengers.

You need this round. It's gonna be Sport.

-Who is your sporting person?

-I think that's probably me.

OK, Brian, advertising contractor.

Who is their non-sporting person?

I think it's got to be the lovely Judith.

Brian from the Belle Vue Aces

against Judith from the Eggheads on Sport,

do please leave the studio, take your positions now.

Brian, multiple choice round.

You can choose the first or the second set of questions.

I think I'll take the first.

Ashley Cole left which football club to join Chelsea FC in 2006?

Well, I know it wasn't Charlton, because they're my second team

behind Manchester City

and I don't think he ever played for West Ham United,

but he certainly did play for Arsenal.

He did and made a lot of Arsenal fans cross when he left.

Well done.

Judith on Sport,

who captained England in the 2006-2007 Ashes tour?

Well, I don't think it's Matthew Hoggard.

2006-7, that's two years ago, one year ago,

I think I'm going to say Andrew Flintoff.

-Flintoff is your answer.

-Mm.

-You're right.

-Oh, phew!

-One each.

Back to you, Brian. Which British runner successfully appealed against

a lifelong Olympic ban in 2007 for missing three drugs tests?

I don't think it was Sam Ellis, so I'll eliminate him.

I also will strike out Marlon Devonish

and go for Christine Ohuruogu.

Christine Ohuruogu is correct, well done.

Well done.

Judith, upon coming out of retirement in 1980,

Muhammad Ali was beaten by which boxer?

I hate boxing questions.

Aren't they easier? Cos you've only got two people in a boxing match.

I know, but they fight a huge number of bouts, don't they?

I mean matches, whatever they're called.

It was either Larry Holmes or Joe Frazier.

Larry Holmes.

-Is right!

-No!

-Yes!

-Gosh.

-Golly gosh.

My talent for guessing is coming back.

Yes, you're right, it's deserted you recently. It's made its comeback.

That doesn't bode well for the Belle Vue Aces.

Let's see, third question, here we go, Brian.

See if you can make it a perfect three.

Peter Gade, Bao Chunlai and Simon Santoso

are famous names in which sport?

Well, I don't know any of the names.

Um...

I'm leaning towards table tennis.

And I will go for table tennis.

You've gone for table tennis.

-Any Eggheads know the answer here?

-Badminton.

How do you know that, Kevin?

I've heard of the first two, I don't know the third name, Santoso.

Peter Gade's Danish, what was the second?

-Bao Chunlai.

-Yeah, the Chinese, as in many racquet sports,

that sort of thing, they're quite dominant.

-None of them are household names really.

-No.

-Maybe they will be one day. You're wrong. Sorry, Brian.

-OK.

So, Judith, if you get this right we're going to see

you playing in the final round.

It's so exciting.

What will that be like? Can you imagine it?

Jeremy, don't let's exaggerate, I have played in it once or twice!

OK. I'm being cheeky!

Here's your question.

Who won an individual silver medal for show jumping

on a pony called Stroller in the Mexico 1968 Olympics?

I think Pat Smythe had finished by then.

I remember the pony.

I mean, it was a tiny little thing and jumped these enormous jumps.

I think it then flashed its tail as it went over,

if I'm thinking of the right one.

I think it might have been Marion Coakes.

This is the picture in my head.

This tiny pony jumping enormous jumps

and then it used to flash its tail.

We've all got the picture now and you are right as well, Judith,

so well done. You're going to be taking part in the final round.

Brian, I'm sorry, you were beaten by our Egghead. They do do that a lot.

As a result your team will really look rather depleted in the final round.

Please both of you come back and join your team mates.

This is what we've been playing towards.

Time for our final round, as always, General Knowledge,

but I'm afraid, I don't mean to rub it in,

those of you who lost your head-to-heads won't participate in this round,

so Brian, Mike, Tina and David from the Belle Vue Aces,

would you please leave the studio.

Colin, you're playing to win the Belle Vue Aces £3,000.

Judith, Kevin, CJ, Daphne and Chris,

you are playing for something which money can't buy.

And that is the reputation of the Eggheads.

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

This time the questions are all general knowledge

and you are allowed to confer.

Colin, the question is, is your one brain better than their five brains?

You can choose first or second set of questions.

I will go second.

So Eggheads,

what is the name of the business model which promises

that once you pay a joining fee

you can earn large amounts by recruiting new members?

-Pyramid scheme.

-Yes, yes.

That's a pyramid scheme.

The number of people who've stopped me and tried to get me to join one.

Pyramid scheme is right, well done. Colin, your first question.

In 2002, Harrison Ford became romantically linked

to which actress?

I'm laughing because my wife would kill me,

because, whichever one it is, she was extremely jealous.

And I can't quite remember which one she was extremely jealous about.

I seem to remember he was on a canal boat in Cheshire.

I'm going to say Calista Flockhart.

-Your wife will be pleased, because it is.

-Thank you.

You're right, they came past your neck of the woods in a barge.

Yeah, but too late for my wife to get there.

Had she known!

A lot of press on them, on this quiet barge holiday. Well done.

One point each. Eggheads...

What name is given to rebated fuel used in agricultural vehicles?

Red diesel.

What name is given to rebated fuel used in agricultural vehicles?

Red diesel. Red diesel.

Jeremy, they dye it red, so it can't be used elsewhere.

Ordinary motorists can't use it.

It stains your fuel injectors and everything

-so they know you've been using it.

-You're right.

You take the lead, so back to you, Colin.

In America, the Parental Advisory labels warning of explicit lyrics

are sometimes known as the tipper sticker

after which politician's wife?

Tipper, Tipper, Tipper... Tipper Carter, Tipper Perot.

I seem to remember a Tipper Gore.

I'll go for Al Gore.

She exists, you're right. Tipper Gore is Al Gore's wife.

Well done!

Two points each. It's tight as could be.

And, of course, at this point about...not long ago,

with the Eggheads full of confidence,

you crashed and burned on a simple question.

Let's see what happens now.

What is the name of the swimming race

that takes place on Christmas morning

in the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park?

Kensington Gardens.

That's the Peter Pan Cup.

So you're not gonna get it wrong just to entertain us.

-No.

-The Peter Pan Cup, you're right.

-Because he could get his right.

You're quite right.

So, you need this, Colin.

If you get it wrong, your team will have lost the contest.

This is your third question.

Which 20th century cartoonist

was celebrated for his The Man Who... series of cartoons?

Which 20th century cartoonist was celebrated for his

The Man Who... series of cartoons?

Yeah, I think Vicky was famous in the Express

or one of the papers during the war.

Sidney Strube, I'm not sure, I'm not sure.

But I can see that man.

-I think I'm going to try to go for HM Bateman.

-Is that your answer?

-Yes.

-Knowing that if it's wrong, you're out? The whole team is out?

-That's showbiz.

-You're still in. You're right, well done.

How about that, Belle Vue Aces? He's doing well for you, isn't he?

You've had your three multiple choice questions,

we now move to sudden death and we start with the Eggheads.

Which type of shoes are named after the merchant and shipping reformer

who, in 1876, instigated the line which indicated the maximum depth

to which a ship could be loaded safely?

-That would be plimsolls.

-Plimsolls is correct.

Named after Samuel Plimsoll.

-He was an MP.

-Indeed.

Your question, Colin. To keep it alive.

Finnish and which other language

are the two national languages of Finland?

Finnish and...

Two national languages of Finland.

It could be English, because they like English

as a common language there but I can't really see it.

Would they have had Russian after the problems they had with Russia?

Did they use to be part of Norway?

I shall say...Russian.

You think Russian was spoken with Finnish

as a national language of Finland?

You're wrong. It was Swedish.

-Because they were under Swedish rule for some time.

-Yeah.

-Sorry about that, Colin.

-It's all right.

Dashed hopes at the end.

The Eggheads have won.

Commiserations to our brilliant Belle Vue Aces.

It's been lovely to have you.

The Eggheads have done what comes naturally.

They still reign supreme over quizland

and I'm afraid you won't be going home with the £3,000,

which means the money rolls over to the next show.

Eggheads, congratulations!

Who will beat you? Particularly when there's five of you in a row.

It really is frightening.

Join us next time to see if the new challengers

have the brains to defeat the Eggheads.

£4,000 says they don't.

Until then, goodbye.

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