Episode 107 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, where a team of five challengers

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

They've won some of the country's toughest quiz shows. They are the Eggheads.

Taking on our awesome quiz champions today

are the Senior Moments.

The team have been friends for 50 years,

after studying at Peterhouse, Cambridge, during the '60s. Let's meet them.

Hello there. I'm Michael.

I'm 66 years of age and I'm a retired teacher.

Hello, I'm John. I'm 66 and a retired maritime arbitrator.

Hi, I'm Peter. I'm 66. I'm a semi-retired education advisor.

Hello, I'm Brian.

I'm 67, a one-time lecturer.

Hi, I'm Mike. I'm 66 and I'm a retired actuary.

Michael, you are team captain.

-I am, yes.

-You thought about that for a moment.

-Yes.

-That's not one of the questions. Don't worry, you can confer, if you want.

We're a very democratic side.

-You actually almost competed together on the first series of University Challenge.

-Yes.

We were all keen and ready and raring to go

as young fellows would and they changed the format of the programme.

So... For years and years and years it's been a knockout situation,

but in those days, it was just A against B, C against D, etcetera.

So we found ourselves sort of pushed down the queue.

Also, in those days, they did not have rather mature looking people

who you get on, say, the Open University teams nowadays.

-They had to be bona fide undergraduates.

-Which you were.

-And we'd all graduated by then.

-So, you had a chance and they came back...

-They took it away.

-Here we are, how many years later?

-45.

-And life has just gone like that?

-Absolutely.

When we remember.

Good luck. I hope we can make amends.

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

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

So, the Eggheads have won the last seven games,

which means £8,000 says you can't beat them today.

The first head to head battle will be on Food and Drink.

Tell me, which one of you wants to take that?

And against which Egghead.

-Who do you recommend?

-You're always eating.

-Yes, I know.

-John's the stoutest.

-Well, that's true, yes.

You think it's got to be me cos I'm the stoutest.

The stoutest player. Is that...?

I don't know if I am the stoutest. I think they've picked on me as a scapegoat.

It's one of the categories we would prefer not to have seen!

-At least it's up first.

-It is. So I can get it over with.

OK, John. So, it's you against which one?

I'll try Chris. He looks like me, as if he eats well.

Hang on. Where's the logic? Never mind.

John, from the Senior Moments, against Chris.

To ensure there's no conferring, take your positions in the question room.

John, multiple choice, three questions. First set or second?

I'll go first, please.

What ingredient is used to thicken and bind a hollandaise sauce?

I'm not absolutely certain.

I don't think it's suet...

..and I'm fairly certain it's not rice flour.

I'm going to go for egg yolk.

You are right, John.

Nice one. Off the blocks.

Chris, the large rooted variety of chicory,

developed in Holland in the latter half of the 18th century,

has commonly been used as a substitute for what?

It's not sugar - that's the sugar beet.

Years and years ago,

you used to be able to buy coffee and chicory essence

which you added boiling water to,

to make a revolting cup of brown liquid.

So, it had chicory in it.

It wouldn't be tea. It's coffee.

You're right, Chris. The answer is coffee.

Question two, John.

Scotch Bonnet is a variety of which cooking ingredient?

I have absolutely no idea.

This is why they chose me as the scapegoat on this round.

Basil's obviously a herb and pepper's a condiment.

And I can't think that those would be called Scotch Bonnet.

Because they both come from foreign countries.

I'll go for mushroom.

Mike, you're nodding sagely.

I would suggest the same.

-Yeah, and you would have been wrong too.

-Oh!

-It's pepper.

Next question, Chris.

The cocktail brandy Alexander comprises cognac, creme de cacao,

a nutmeg garnish and which other ingredient?

Now, I've seen a literary reference to the Alexander...

a creamy Alexander. So, logically it would be cream.

Yes, you are right again.

Two points to the Eggheads now.

Challengers, need to get this right, John, or you'll be out.

-Here's your question. Ready?

-I am.

The highly rated and expensive wine, Patris, is made almost entirely from which grape?

Well, I'm meant to know a little bit about wine.

It's from the Bordeaux region, from the northern bank.

And the cabernet sauvignon grape is grown more on the southern bank.

So, I think, I'm going for Merlot.

You're right.

Well, done, John. 2-2.

But with this, Chris, you can take it.

What type of food is the French croque-en-bouche?

Croque-en-bouche.

Doesn't sound, sort of, romantic enough somehow

to be a French dessert.

And it doesn't really sound like a soup. It's something in the mouth.

I'd go with smoked meat, with no great hopes of success.

I'll say smoked meat.

Judith lives in France. Have you had this recently, Judith?

-Am I allowed to say what I think it is?

-Yes.

I think it's a pile of profiterole made into a sort of cake.

And so it's a dessert.

It is a dessert. Chris, sorry.

But it stays at 2-2. Sudden Death, we move to now.

I will not give you multiple choice. I want an answer from you, John.

Here's your first Sudden Death question.

A processed form of which cereal comes in grades, including pinhead, rough, medium and fine?

I'd have to have a guess, I think, at wheat.

No, the answer is oats.

So, Chris, this is yours for the round.

Savoury ducks is another name for which food,

associated with the north of England, consisting of meatballs

made with pork offal, spices, breadcrumbs and onions?

They wouldn't call them this in the USA, but they're faggots.

They are indeed faggots.

Called savoury ducks, because the little balls resemble small birds.

Chris, you've taken it. Well done.

John, you were beaten by our Egghead.

You can't help your team in the final round.

Both of you, come back to the studio.

The challengers have lost one Brain from the final round. The Eggheads have lost no Brains.

Next subject is Film and TV. Who wants this

and against which Egghead?

Film and TV.

Film and TV.

No, no volunteers.

I'll go for that one.

Michael, sudden moment of absolute energy there.

-Yes?

-I'm glad you noticed it.

-Who do you want?

I'd like to pick Judith.

So, Michael from the Senior Moments, versus Judith from the Eggheads.

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

I'm going to ask each of you three questions on Film and TV in turn.

Michael, first or second set of questions?

First, please.

Which singer played the title role

in the original, 1960 film version of Ocean's Eleven?

Bing would probably have been too long in the tooth by then.

And Elvis was bouncing around and wiggling his hips and that.

I'll go for Frank Sinatra.

Great stuff, Michael. You got it right.

Judith, your first question.

In Eastenders, what's the maiden name of Stacey, played by Lacey Turner?

She's a Slater, isn't she?

I'm not asking. With conviction, she's a Slater.

-This is your favourite show?

-I'm addicted to it at the moment.

You're right. It is Slater.

Second question, Michael.

Potsie and Ralph Malph

were characters in which TV comedy series of the '70s and '80s?

I'm drawing a bow at a venture here and going for Happy Days.

Must be 25 years ago. You're right. Happy Days it is.

Judith, RTE is the state broadcaster in which country?

Radio Television Espana, maybe.

Spain.

I don't believe you got that wrong. It's Ireland.

-Oh, no!

-Radio Television Eireann.

Eireann. It could have been Spain, couldn't it?

Yeah, it could have been.

Michael, this is looking good now.

Judith has stumbled. Your third question will give you the round.

Who did director Peter Bogdanovich cast, as the female lead,

in his films The Last Picture Show, Daisy Miller and At Long Last Love?

Sally Field?

-You asking or telling?

-Sally Field.

You're wrong. Cybill Shepherd.

So, Judith, off the hook

-and on the spot.

-As usual.

Victoria Woods' spoof soap opera,

Acorn Antiques, was set on the outskirts of which fictional town?

If you get this one wrong, you're a goner.

Yup. And it's going to have to be a pure guess.

Which one sounds the best?

Derbyville, Leedston...

Manchesterford sounds so clumsy, I can't believe it's that one.

I'm going to chance my arm and say Derbyville.

You've lost your arm, because... and I follow the logic.

I thought, it couldn't be right.

-But it is Manchesterford.

-That is a very...

It's a very clumsy name.

-Sorry.

-It's all right.

-Man-CHEST-erford.

Man-CHEST-erford was the name, according to CJ.

It's still clumsy.

It is clumsy, but it's true.

-I believe you.

-Sometimes the truth is clumsy.

-I believe you.

-You won't be seeing us in the final round.

Michael, well done. Well done, Senior Moments.

You've taken on an Egghead and emerged triumphant.

You're on your way. Do, both of you, come back to the studio.

The challengers have lost one Brain from the final round.

Eggheads have also lost one Brain. Next subject is Geography.

Who will be playing in this round

and who would you like to take on?

Either of us. Shall I go?

-Yes.

-OK. Right, now, who shall I take on?

-Peter against whom?

-CJ, I think.

-CJ. Yeah.

CJ on geography. Nice one, OK.

Peter, from the Senior Moments, against CJ.

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

So, Peter, first or second?

First.

Said in a very decisive way and we like that.

Which Asian country is located at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula?

Well, it's actually Singapore.

One of the few south Asian countries I haven't been to,

but I can work it out by a process of elimination.

And you're right, it is Singapore.

OK, CJ, the Sea of Galilee is a large inland body of water

in which country?

It's in Jordan, Jeremy.

-Nope.

-Isn't it?

-No.

-I thought it was.

-It's in Israel.

I didn't even think about that. I thought it was.

Maybe not thinking about it was the problem.

This is looking good, Peter.

Your second question.

The Princess Royal's residence, Gatcombe Park, is in which county?

Most of the Royals seem to inhabit Gloucestershire

and that part of the world.

I'll go for Gloucestershire.

You're right, it is Gloucestershire.

I'm trying to work out your logic.

Was it that that's where Royals seem to be hanging out?

They cluster for protection, don't they?

-They cluster. They go round in gangs.

-Yup. Party.

OK, CJ, let's see if the panic mounts.

Yonkers is a town just north of which US city?

I'm going to jump straight in. Maybe I'll get it wrong again.

But I think it's New York.

You're right. Confidence returning.

So, Eggheads 1, Challengers 2.

Your third question now, Peter.

If you take this, you've won the round and knocked CJ out.

What is the present day name of the country formerly known as Nyasaland?

Well, it's not Namibia.

Because that was South West Africa.

I'm pretty sure it's Malawi.

That's right. Well done.

You've taken the round.

You've knocked out CJ. Taken on an Egghead and emerged triumphant.

Good news for the Challengers. Peter, you can play in the final round.

Both of you, come back to the studio.

The Challengers have lost one brain from the final round.

The Eggheads have lost two brains.

Our last subject is Sport.

Peterhouse people, who from Senior Moments

will be playing in the Sport round?

-Toss up. What does the captain say?

-Make a choice.

-Do you have a coin to toss?

-It's only two of you left here.

-Right, do you want to give it a go?

-Yup.

-Yup.

-Mike?

-I'm the sacrificial volunteer.

-All right. Come down from Thurso to play, correct?

-Mm hm.

-How far is that?

-Far enough to learn an awful lot of sporting facts.

-I'm sorry I didn't think about doing it.

-Not so great. Who do you want to play?

I think, I'm going to pick Daphne. Daphne's been smiling at me throughout the programme.

I feel there must a reason.

-She wants to be chosen.

-Yes.

Mike from the Senior Moments, against Daphne from the Eggheads.

To ensure there's no conferring, take your positions in the question room.

Multiple choice questions. First or second set, Mike?

I'll go first, please.

In March 2008, which footballer won his 100th international cap for England against France?

Well, now.

I'm able to say I've heard of all of them.

A good start.

I believe David Beckham has just celebrated a 100th something

and it must have been his England cap.

I shall go for David Beckham.

Superb, Mike. You're right.

Daphne, in the sport of golf, how many shots under par

is a hole in one, on a par three?

Logically, it must be two, mustn't it?

There's a par three and you hit it in one. Two?

That's your answer, right? You're supposed to take three shots

and you take one. Three minus one.

-Oh, good, that's right?

-Two.

No trick questions.

Mike, the Epsom Derby is restricted to what kind of runners?

I remember, as a tiny child, telling my mother

I wanted to go in for the Derby, because I was three.

I would remember that

because the Epsom Derby must be for three year olds.

Ha-ha-ha! Lovely, yes. I'm so pleased you're right.

Well done.

Daphne, in 1977, who became the first male British tennis player,

of the Open era, to appear in a Grand Slam singles final?

It could be any of them.

But I will say...

..I will say...

Mark Cox. I don't know.

Mike, out of interest, do you know?

John Lloyd.

-Yeah.

-Was it John Lloyd?

-It was.

-You're wrong, Daphne.

-I know. I knew I would be.

-OK.

Question three for you, Mike.

If you get this right, you've smashed another Egghead

and you will take your place in the final round.

Who was the world snooker champion between 1964 and 1968?

Dear me! That was before colour TV.

I seem to remember John Pulman as a billiards man,

rather than a snooker man.

And Fred Davis was certainly a big name. So was Ray Reardon.

I've vaguely got Ray Reardon later than that.

Fred Davis.

Well, that is wrong, I'm afraid,

because John Pulman was a snooker man.

-Was he?

-And he was world snooker champion in those years.

So, you now have the chance, Daphne, to pull it back.

Since 1985, the Greyhound Derby has been held at which venue?

I think that's Wimbledon.

You are right. It is Wimbledon Stadium. Well done.

Two points apiece. After three questions each, scores level, we move to Sudden Death.

To make it that bit harder, the questions will not be multiple choice.

Mike, the Englishman Bob Nudd MBE is a four-time world champion in which sport?

Oh...dear!

I have, I'm afraid, never heard of Mr Nudd.

MBE or otherwise.

-Englishman?

-Yup.

The Englishman Bob Nudd is a four time world champion in which sport?

Weightlifting. For no reason other than it came suddenly into my head.

-I love the suddenness of your... wrong answer.

-Stance.

-Your guesses.

-That is wrong.

-I thought it might be.

-It's angling.

-Angling? Well.

-Yup. Bob Nudd is an angler.

Daphne, can you take the round?

Which South African driver won the 1979 Formula One world championship, driving a Ferrari?

Jody Scheckter?

-Astonishing performance, Daphne. You're right.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-It's the only South African I could think of!

Well done.

Mike, you were beaten by our Egghead, but that was tight.

You can't help your team in the final round.

Would you both rejoin your team-mates?

This is what we've been playing towards. The final round.

It's General Knowledge, gentlemen.

Those who lost your head to heads

won't be allowed to take part. John and Mike, from the Senior Moments,

and Judith and CJ, from the Eggheads, would you please leave the studio?

Michael, Peter and Brian, you're playing to win the Senior Moments £8,000.

Kevin, Daphne and Chris, you are playing for something money can't buy -

the Eggheads' reputation.

I'll ask each team three questions in turn.

The questions are General Knowledge. You can confer with each other, but not with those behind you.

Senior Moments, the question is are your three Brains better than the Eggheads three?

-Michael, Peter and Brian, first or second?

-First.

Senior Moments, the portrait of which American President is printed on the front of a US dollar bill?

It's so long since I've seen one.

I think it's George Washington, but...

I have a feeling it is.

George Washington seems the obvious answer, as being THE man.

-Yes.

-Yes, I think we're inclined towards George Washington.

You're right.

-Easy to come a cropper on a question like that.

-Absolutely.

Eggheads, what word of Yiddish origin refers to the stage routine of a stand up comedian?

-Shtick.

-Shtick.

That is his, or her, shtick, Jeremy.

Shtick. You're quite right. One each.

Your turn. What name is given to any language

that is used as a means of communication between speakers of different native languages?

-I think the middle one.

-It is, yes.

-Lingua Franca.

Lingua Franca, it is. Well done.

Next question to you, Eggheads.

The French city of Limoges is famous for the production of what?

-Porcelain.

-It's a famous centre of production for porcelain.

It is for porcelain. Oh, we're cracking through these now!

Your third question, Senior Moments. Get this right, you really put the pressure on them.

What normally runs through a ship's hawsepipes?

Well, you talk about the hawses, don't you? Which are the anchors.

-Yes.

-The anchor cable, I'm sure.

-We reckon it's the anchor cable.

-Because you talk about the...?

The hawses.

-Which are?

-Steel cables.

-Cables.

Perfect. You're right. Anchor cable.

So, you've pushed them. Eggheads, if you get this wrong,

the prize money goes to the challengers

and you suffer another dent to your reputation.

During World War II, Karl Donitz

was in charge of which aspect of Germany's military machine?

He was the commander of the U-boat force.

Submarines.

-Submarines is correct.

-At the end of the war,

he succeeded Hitler as the supreme German leader.

-He was Fuhrer for a few days.

-After the suicide?

-Yup.

After three questions each, the scores are level.

We now go to Sudden Death.

These questions are not multiple choice.

You can be wiped away in an instant here, Challengers. So watch out.

Which former manager of The Spice Girls devised the Pop Idol TV format with Simon Cowell?

-No idea.

-I don't know any managers, or anybody.

Not since Brian Martin.

Is there any sort of person we can guess, at all?

George Bernard Shaw, perhaps?

Probably not, actually.

-George Bernard Shaw?

-No. That's not serious.

Can't even think of an appropriate name.

-I'm sorry, we're going to pass.

-Have to pass?

-Yup.

Are you sure? You want to take a stab at it? Anybody?

Nothing. You want me to accept a pass?

-Afraid so.

-Yup.

Eggheads, do you know the answer?

-Simon Fuller.

-Simon Fuller is the answer.

-Never heard of him.

So, Eggheads, now the initiative passes to you.

If you get this right, you have won

and the money is snatched away from our Senior Moments over here.

Who was the Greek god of storms and winds?

Who was the Greek god of storms and winds?

For the contest.

Is it Aeolus?

Well, winds is, yeah, winds is Aeolus, isn't it?

So, I think storms as well.

Yes, I think Aeolus.

And there were various other gods of the directional winds.

West wind and so forth. But Aeolus was the god of the winds.

Because they kept it in the back, didn't they, on the Odyssey and opened it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

You froze. Now you've got an answer?

No. In Greek mythology, there were various deities who had aspects of wind.

The god of the west wind, north wind, east wind and so forth.

And somebody like Poseidon could also be involved in brewing up storms.

But the god of the winds generally, who kept the winds in a bag, was Aeolus.

So, we're going for Aeolus.

It was Aeolus, the Greek god of storms and winds.

Well done, Eggheads. A tight contest, but you've won.

Commiserations to our challengers.

The Eggheads have done what comes naturally to them.

You won't be going home with £8,000. But it was so close! For a moment, you looked...

They were actually on the verge of packing it in. The money rolls over to the next show.

Eggheads, congratulations. A great performance.

Who will beat you?

Join us next time, to see if the new challengers have the brains to defeat the Eggheads.

£9,000 will say they don't. Till then, goodbye.

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