Episode 109 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 quiz challengers

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

You might recognise them as they've won some of the toughest quiz shows.

They are the Eggheads.

Challenging our resident quiz champions today

are Monte's Elephant from Kent.

The team is a combination of two pub quiz teams who compete

in the Thanet Quiz League in Ramsgate

as the Montefiore Arms and the Elephant and Castle.

Let's meet them.

Hi. I'm Trisha. I'm 65 and a retired conveyancer.

Hi. I'm Ashley. I'm 58 and I'm an IT project manager.

Hi, I'm Ingrid. I'm 51 and I'm a housewife.

Hi, I'm Gary. I'm 52 and I'm a train driver.

Hi. I'm Lorraine. I'm 46 and I'm a medical programme implementer.

Welcome to you, Monte's Elephant. I was going to ask where the name comes from

-but it must be the two pub names.

-Yes, it is.

-The Montefiore...

-And the Elephant and Castle.

Half of you go to one, and half to the other.

-Yes.

-Nice pubs?

-Oh, yes. Got plenty of beer in!

We're the Elephant. Got the ears for it!

-I'm not an Elephant.

-Who are the Elephants?

We're the Elephants, up the far end.

-It's your birthday, Trisha? Happy birthday.

-It is. 21 again.

I hope the Eggheads give you a present, make things easy. Though they never do!

What will you do if you win?

Um, travel, I think.

-To where?

-Mexico or Japan.

-OK. Good luck to all of you.

Every day, there's £1,000 cash up for grabs for our challengers.

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

So, Monte's Elephant, the Eggheads have won the last nine games,

which means £10,000 says you can't beat them.

The first head-to-head battle is on the subject of music. Music?

Do we have an Elephant or a Monte?

THEY CONFER

Probably Lorraine.

All right, then. OK.

-OK.

-Lorraine, not in the conversation, then you were chosen!

-Yeah! I'm shocked.

-Yeah, I do music.

-OK. Against which Egghead?

Um, I will go against CJ.

OK, so it's Lorraine from Monte's Elephant versus CJ from the Eggheads.

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

Lorraine, on your birthday last year, what happened?

-I got kissed by Donny Osmond.

-Was that accidental or were you looking for it?

It was accidental. I was in the audience and he asked if anybody had any questions.

My sister said, "It's my sister's birthday."

-He ran up and gave me a big kiss.

-Let's see if he comes up in Music.

You choose first or second set, Lorraine.

Um, I think I'll go first, please.

Lorraine, the simple piece of music known as "Chopsticks"

is usually played on which instrument?

Ah. Well, I've never played an instrument apart from a recorder when I was a lot younger.

Um, I don't think it's the violin.

And I'm pretty sure it's not the flute

cos my sister used to play that.

So I'm gonna go for piano.

Absolutely right. Do we have any pianists in Monte's Elephant?

Yes, Trisha.

The tune goes...

-# Dee-dee-dee... #

-It doesn't go like that!

It doesn't go like that!

# Da-da-da dah-dah Dah-dah-dah #

That one. CJ,

"Definitely Maybe", released in 1994

was the debut album of which group?

-That was Oasis, Jeremy.

-That's the correct answer.

Lorraine, here's your next question.

Which Grammy-award-winning singer won the first series of American Idol

in 2002?

Ooh, a bit of relief here.

Rihanna my youngest daughter is a massive fan of.

And Christina Aguilera my older daughter used to be a fan of.

So I'm gonna go for Kelly Clarkson.

Kelly Clarkson is quite right. Well done.

Pressuring CJ.

What name is given to the musical instrument in the form of a pipe

which has a plunger rather than fingerholds

so it slides from note to note?

I think that's a Swanee Whistle.

Correct.

Number three. You're doing well, Lorraine.

Which British composer wrote Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis?

And here my mind goes completely blank.

I really haven't got a clue

so by the fact that I'm going to go eeny, meeny, miny, mo,

I'm gonna go for Edward Elgar.

I wish you'd gone one more "mo"

and given us Ralph Vaughan Williams cos that's the right answer. You've two points.

CJ can still come a-cropper.

And frequently does!

The Anvil Chorus is from which Verdi opera?

The problem is something occurs to me straightaway.

That's one of the options. But I've had this question before in a quiz

and I'm trying to think back to the answer!

-Was it a pub quiz?

-No, it was part of the professional British circuit.

Um, I'm going to plump for Rigoletto.

Is that the answer you gave in the professional quiz circuit?

I did if it's right, and I didn't if it's wrong.

Because it's wrong.

It's Il Trovatore.

He's let you off the hook, Lorraine!

Scores are level. It's sudden death to make it that bit harder.

Not multiple choice.

Here we go, Lorraine. Who sang the first line on Band Aid's 1984 Christmas UK Number One single

Do They Know It's Christmas?

I'm thinking of two.

I'm gonna go alphabetically and go for Bono.

That's wrong. It was Paul Young.

CJ,

get this right and you've won the head-to-head.

Who in March 2008 became the first British woman

to top the USA singles chart

for more than 20 years?

The last person to do it was Kim Wilde

and this time with Bleeding Love I think it was Leona Lewis.

Leona Lewis is the right answer, CJ. Well done.

Bad luck, Lorraine. Kept him hanging on.

Beaten by our Egghead so as a result you can't help your team in the final round.

Please both come back to the studio.

The challengers have lost one brain from the final round.

Eggheads have lost none.

Lots to play for. Next subject is Sport.

Who wants Sport and against which Egghead?

-It has to be Gary.

-The only one with a chance.

-Nobody else.

-Go for it, boy.

-It's got to be me cos I'm so sporty!

Who do you want to play?

Who looks unsporty?

Chris or Daphne?

You're searching out the fellow train driver.

-Yes, that's an idea!

-Or Judith?

Yeah, Judith, then. Judith.

OK. Gary from Monte's Elephant versus Judith from the Eggheads.

Please take your positions in the question room.

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

-I'll leave the station first.

Pulling out now!

Which Irish Rugby Union player was nicknamed

"Uncle Fester" by his team-mates?

Well, it's not my strong suit, rugger.

But Uncle Fester, as I remember, was bald-headed,

and out of those, Willie John McBride had a good head of hair,

and so did Mike Gibson. But Keith Wood is bald.

So by that sort of warped logic,

I'm gonna go for Keith Wood.

Keith Wood was Uncle Fester, you're right.

Brilliant logic, actually.

The Eggheads would be proud of you with that one.

Judith,

which tennis player was crowned BBC Sports Personality Of The Year

in 1997?

I think probably Jeremy Bates had stopped by then.

So either Greg Rusedski or Tim Henman.

I mean, Greg Rusedski is actually Canadian, isn't he?

Maybe it was to celebrate him becoming English for the purposes of tennis.

Um...

On the other hand, everybody loves Tim, don't they?

I think I'm actually... I'm going to go for Tim.

-Going for "Tiger Tim" Henman.

-Yeah.

-You're wrong. It was Greg.

-Oh!

Second question, Gary.

How many full-time England football managers has David Beckham played under?

Well, he would have been with Kevin Keegan, Sven...

Um, Sven's assistant. I can't think. McLaren.

Obviously the latest one.

It's five or six. I don't think it's seven.

I'm gonna... I'm gonna say six.

-Six is your answer?

-Yeah.

-You're just one out. It's five.

It's five. Sorry about that.

Judith, here's your next question.

How many American Football teams are there in the NFL?

I haven't the foggiest!

Um, down the middle. 22.

Wrong. 32.

So,

Gary, which cricketer attracted a record bid of 1.5 million

in the Indian Premier League's 2008 player auction?

I don't really know anything much about cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar is a big name

so I'm gonna go for Sachin Tendulkar.

Wrong again. It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Bad luck.

OK.

Judith, what nationality is Martin Lel,

who won the men's London Marathon race in 2005,

2007 and 2008?

This I should know. I did know that he won the marathon.

I think he's a Kenyan.

-Is that your answer?

-Yes. Has to be.

-You're 100 per cent certain?

-Not in the least certain.

-I can tell.

But you're right. He was Kenyan.

We now go to sudden death. First you, Gary.

Which famous jump is named after the jockey who rode the horse Conrad

in the first Grand National in 1839?

I think I would guess on this.

The famous jump I know was one that was named after Captain Becher.

So I would probably say Becher's Brook.

It was, indeed, Captain Becher.

And it was Becher's Brook.

Judith,

which squash player announced in 2001 that he was defecting

from his native Scotland to represent England

in international competition?

I know the name of one squash player

and I'm not sure I'd even get that right.

He's been a squash champion a number of times.

I have no idea about minor squash players.

Um...

Do you want to give us a clue who you're thinking about?

Well, I was thinking about Amir... I think it's Amir Khan or something.

He was Pakistani, I think.

The one I'm thinking of. I don't know.

McTaggart comes to mind.

What, the name of a Scottish person?

Exactly.

-So Amir McTaggart?

-No, not Amir McTaggart!

I'm just inventing it.

-Should I take any of those answers?

-Ian McTaggart. Why not? You never know!

Ian McTaggart!

Oh, dear. No, that's not true. It's not right. It's not correct.

It was Peter Nicol, not Ian McTaggart.

Judith, you're wrong.

How about that? Well done, Gary.

It was a tough round. He took on an Egghead and emerged triumphant.

Good news for Monte's Elephant. Gary can play in the final round.

Both please come back to the studio.

The challengers and the Eggheads have lost one brain each

from the final round.

Our next subject is Geography. Who wants Geography?

THEY CONFER

-You go on your travels.

-Geography.

-Try that.

-Have a go at that.

So it's you, Trisha. Which Egghead?

-I'll have a go with Chris, please.

-OK,

Trisha from Monte's Elephant versus Chris from the Eggheads.

Please take your positions in the question room.

Here we go. First or second set, Trisha?

I'll go first, please.

Trisha,

the seaside town of Weymouth, popularised as a bathing resort by George III

is in which English county?

It's certainly not Kent, cos that's where I'm from.

And it's not Norfolk, so I'd say Dorset.

Like it. Snappy. You're right.

Chris, Nepal is bordered by China and which other country?

It's up in the Himalayas at the top end of India.

It's India.

You're right. It is India.

One apiece. Back to you, Trisha.

What does the letter C stand for in the name

of the Australian territory abbreviated to ACT?

Well, I don't think it's Capital.

Culture. Could possibly be Culture.

So it must be Australian something Territory, mustn't it?

So...

I'll say Cattle.

I'm afraid you're wrong.

Eggheads?

-ALL: Capital.

-Australian Capital Territory.

-It's called Australian Capital Territory.

-Yes.

There we are, Trisha. Sorry about that. It wasn't Cattle.

Chris, what is the term for a sharp, narrow mountain ridge or spur?

Well, a drumlin is a small hill.

Cwm is Welsh for valley, so it wouldn't be a ridge.

So it's got to be an arete.

Arete or arete is the correct answer.

Trisha,

the Langkawi Cable Car, the longest free-span, single-rope cable car in the world,

is located in which Asian country?

Um...

It's something I'm not sure of

cos I haven't been to any of those countries yet.

-It's on your list to do, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

I think not Malaysia.

Could be Hong Kong or Japan.

I would say Japan.

Japan is your answer. Gary, you flinched there.

Do you know the answer?

Well, we think it's Malaysia.

Yeah, it is Malaysia. That's the end of our round

because you can't come back from there, Trisha.

Chris, congratulations. It means Trisha will not appear in the final.

Do come back to the studio.

OK. The challengers have lost two brains from the final round.

The Eggheads have lost one brain over here.

We have our last subject now before we go to the final round.

Film and Television.

THEY CONFER

I don't do nothing but watch telly all day!

You'll be fine in this round!

OK, Ingrid.

-Who do you want to take on?

-Oh, gosh!

-Who looks like they've never been in a cinema?

-Kevin.

It's Ingrid from Monte's Elephant against Kevin.

Please take your positions in the question room.

Ingrid, first or second set?

I'd like to go first, please.

Ingrid,

Jabba the Hutt is a character in which series of films?

Jabba the Hutt is a character in which series of films?

Well, it's not Mission: Impossible cos that's Tom Cruise.

Rocky, it's not that. It's Star Wars.

Star Wars is correct.

OK, Kevin,

in which country was the TV drama series Prisoner: Cell Block H set?

A masterpiece of television drama,

and it was set in Australia.

You're so right. Well done. One-all.

I still maintain that show had the best theme tune ever on TV.

You'll have to hum it, now.

-#

-You used to bring me roses

-#

-I wish you would again.

-#

OK, Ingrid. Over to you. Sorry for that moment of madness!

Which actress has starred in remakes of King Kong, Funny Games and The Ring?

I don't know.

I think I'd know if it was Nicole Kidman.

Or Kate Hudson.

I'm gonna go for Naomi Watts.

-Your team just went "Yes!", like that.

-Ooh.

Lorraine, you went "Yes" cos you know she's right.

She is right. Well done, Ingrid.

Brilliant.

The spirit is with you!

Kevin, Mummra, spelt M-U-M-M-R-A,

was the chief villain in which animated 1980s TV series?

I'm sure both CJ and Chris might know this

but I haven't got a clue.

Did they have a chief villain in The Smurfs? I don't think so.

Evil Father Abraham, or something.

I know nothing whatsoever about Thundercats. It's just a title.

It means nothing to me. I know precious little about mutant thingies.

I'll say that.

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. I really don't know.

CJ's head has hit the desk.

This is a rare moment. You know the answer over here?

-Thundercats!

-Thundercats, they say. Kevin, you're wrong.

Know nothing about it.

Well, Ingrid...

-Tell me about it!

-If you get this right you knock out one of the greats.

Please let it be on Corrie!

-OK, here we go.

-Right.

-This doesn't happen very often.

-No.

Anthony Minghella's 2008 TV movie,

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency,

was the first BBC drama shot entirely on location in which African country?

I really, really don't know.

Um... Zambia.

Ouch!

-Ow.

-Botswana.

Kevin,

which British actress played the role of Carla Jean Moss

in the Oscar-winning film No Country For Old Men?

That was Kelly MacDonald, Jeremy.

Yes. Well done, Kevin.

Two-all after three questions.

We move to sudden death.

Ingrid,

what is the surname of the fictional professor and defender of the Earth

who's been played on TV by Reginald Tate, John Robinson,

Andre Morrell, John Mills and Jason Fleming?

I'll know it as soon as it's said.

I can remember John Mills in it,

I think.

No, I don't know. I can't think of it.

Just need the surname. Give us a guess.

Jackson.

Quatermass.

-Quatermass! I knew it!

-Oh, bad luck.

Kevin, you get this, you win the round.

In which 1978 TV drama did Bob Hoskins play Arthur Parker,

a cowardly and dishonest sheet-music salesman?

In the Dennis Potter series, Pennies From Heaven.

Quite right, Kevin. You don't miss much.

Ingrid, I'm sorry. You had a good chance,

but he's pretty unbeatable most of the time.

Well done, Kevin. Do come back to the studio, both of you.

Really close. Really well played, Ingrid.

-Thank you.

-Bad luck you can't play in the final round.

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

As always, it's General Knowledge.

Those of you who lost your head-to-heads can't take part.

So that's Ingrid, Trisha and Lorraine from Monte's Elephant

and Judith from the Eggheads.

Please leave the studio.

Well done on getting this far, guys.

You're playing to win Monte's Elephant £10,000.

Kevin, CJ, Daphne and Chris,

you're playing for something money can't buy - the Eggheads' reputation.

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

It's all general knowledge.

You are allowed to confer.

Monte's Elephant, the question is, are your two brains

better than the Eggheads' four?

Ashley and Gary, would you like the first or second set of questions?

We'll go first. We've been first every round.

Your first question. Which car manufacturer produced the Testarossa?

That was the famous red-head.

Red you associate with Ferrari,

so we'll say Ferrari.

Boys have got to get that one right!

Ferrari is correct. Well done.

Eggheads,

which telecommunications company was founded by Akio Morita

and Masaru Ibuka in 1946?

The Japanese one of those three!

The only Japanese one out of those is Sony.

Right answer. Well done, Eggheads.

Monte's Elephant,

the Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem played international rugby

for which country as a teenager?

I think he's the guy in No Country For Old Men.

Something tells me Argentina.

-They like...

-They play rugby.

-They play rugby.

I don't think it's Spain.

I think...

-It's common sense.

-Argentina would be a good bet.

A good bet, yeah.

Yeah. We're not quite sure,

but Argentina seems like a good guess.

-Is that your answer?

-Yes.

-It's wrong. I'm sorry. It's Spain.

Next question is for the Eggheads.

Which organisation was founded by Dr Chad Varah in 1953?

Which organisation was founded by Dr Chad Varah in 1953?

The Samaritans.

-The Samaritans.

-Is the correct answer.

There's a moment when they hear the question,

if they've got it, they just look so unbearably smug!

-Oh, we don't!

-Welcome to my world!

I was just looking at CJ, Daphne. Don't worry!

Third question. You need this.

According to the Bible,

who was forced to help Jesus carry his cross

to his execution?

According to the Bible, who was forced to help Jesus carry his cross? Take your time.

That name sprang even before they came up, for some reason.

Was it Simon of Cyrene?

It rings a bell, doesn't it?

I'm not any way near sure,

but the only thing... Who was Barabbas?

Wasn't he crucified at the same time, Barabbas?

Perhaps. But maybe he helped him.

So was it Simon of Cyrene?

What are you thinking?

-Not sure.

-We think Barabbas was crucified at the same time

and therefore he'd have his own cross to bear.

Or whether it was Simon... We don't think it's Joseph Caiaphas,

for reasons we can't explain!

-Cos we've never heard of him!

-That's one problem!

Simon of Cyrene.

-That's your answer?

-Yeah.

You're right!

Still in with a chance. Was Barabbas released instead of Jesus?

-Yes.

-That's what happened? So he was out of the picture by this point.

Now it gets exciting.

As if it wasn't already.

Eggheads, the BND is the federal intelligence agency

of which national government?

Got to be Germany.

-That is Germany.

-Do you know what it stands for?

-Um...

-Bundesnachrichtendienst.

How do you know that, Kevin?

-He's an Egghead!

-It is the Bundesnachrichtendienst!

He is an Egghead, and the Eggheads have won.

Just neck and neck and then "Bang!" at the end.

Commiserations, challengers.

The Eggheads have done what comes naturally to them.

I'm afraid you won't be going home with that precious £10,000.

That money will now roll over to our next show. Eggheads,

congratulations. Who will beat you?

We'll wait and see. Join us next time

to see if the new challengers have the brains to defeat this lot.

£11,000 says they don't. Till then, goodbye!

Subtitles by Moira Diamond Red Bee Media - 2008