Episode 126 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.

You might recognise them as they are Goliaths in the world of TV quiz shows. They are the Eggheads.

And taking on the might of our quiz Goliaths,

are the Deeping Airheads.

They are members of Deepings Tennis Club in Lincolnshire.

They've won numerous pub quizzes between them, including the coveted Deeping pub quiz.

So let's meet them.

Hi, I'm Kate, I'm 60 and I'm a retired IT analyst.

Hello, I'm Faith and I'm 57 and I'm a registrar.

Hello, I'm Alan, I'm 54 and I'm a construction site manager.

Hello, my name's Adrian. I'm 61 and I'm an accountant.

Hello, my name is Terry. I'm 49 and I'm a rotor winder connector.

Welcome Deeping Airheads.

Welcome to you, Kate.

-Hello.

-You quiz together?

-Yes, quite frequently.

And Deeping is a place, that's right?

Yes, it is a small town in South Lincolnshire.

-But it's also a tennis club, Alan?

-Yes, we have a thriving tennis club

and we are all either current members or former members of the club.

You all hang out around Deeping?

-You could say that.

-And have a deep knowledge of quiz matters?

-Please say yes to that.

-Yes.

-Of course.

-OK, phew!

Every day there is £1,000 worth 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.

The Eggheads have won the last five games,

which means £6,000 says you can't beat the Eggheads.

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

Which of you wants this?

Faith said geography.

-Go for it.

-It is me, apparently.

-Faith, registrar, civil funeral celebrant?

-That's right.

Let's see if you can bury this lot.

-I will do my best.

-Who do you want to face?

Geography, well they all look as if they know their way around.

-You'd be surprised.

-Go for Judith.

Judith it is.

Good stuff, OK. Faith from Deeping Airheads versus Judith from the Eggheads

and to ensure there's no conferring, please take your positions in the Question Room.

So Faith, I am going to ask you three multiple choice questions.

-You can choose the first or second set.

-I'll go first, please.

Faith, New Brunswick is situated on the eastern coast of which country?

I think I know this.

New Brunswick...

I'm not absolutely sure.

I think it is something to do with Scottish immigrants,

although they have been probably been to other two countries as well.

But I think it is Canada.

And you are right. Well done. First point to the Deepings.

Judith, Latvia has a coastline on which sea?

I think it is the dreaded Baltic.

I get so muddled up with all those Baltic countries.

I always get their capitals in the wrong place.

But I think it is the Baltic.

The dreaded Baltic is right. Well done.

-That is the official name - the dreaded Baltic Sea.

-Yes!

Faith, in which European city would you find the cathedral of St Salvator?

It doesn't sound very French.

I don't know the answer to this one.

I think probably not Madrid.

So that leaves me with Paris or Bruges.

I haven't heard of it in Paris.

So I'm going to go for Bruges.

Good logic, you're there, well done. Bruges is correct.

-Oh, Judith, I can see you worrying there.

-I am.

In your floral top.

In which ocean are the Society Islands located?

There is a saying, "When in doubt about islands,

"locate them in the Pacific."

The Society Islands, did you say?

The Society Islands, where are they?

I think they are in the Pacific.

This saying that we have never heard. Is that a quizzers' saying?

I have heard somebody say it and when in doubt,

when confronted with an animal, when in doubt say it's an antelope.

OK, what is your answer?

-Pacific.

-And it is right, well done.

-There you are. It works.

-It does work. Well done.

We are wise to that now, though.

Back to you, Faith. St George's is the capital of which island in the West Indies?

St George's...

I can't say I'm very sure about this one.

I seem to... I have a feeling it is Grenada,

but why I am not really sure.

But I am going to go for Grenada.

It is correct, Faith, good play.

Going with your instincts there.

Judith, if you get this wrong you are not in the final round.

-Are you ready?

-I am ready.

The Black Hills are a range of mountains in South Dakota and which other US state?

This is having to know what's next door, isn't it?

To South Dakota, did you say?

South Dakota and which other state?

I'm trying to visualise the map.

I think it is Montana.

I would have guessed that as well,

because they are both there up at the top of the map.

But it is Wyoming.

-Oh how annoying.

-So you are wrong.

So that means you won't be joining us in the final round, Judith.

Faith, you will. Congratulations, challengers -

first blood to you. Please come and rejoin us here in the studio.

Challengers, you are doing well.

You have lost nobody. The Eggheads have lost one brain

and that is the precious brain of Judith.

Our next subject is sport.

Which of you wants this?

This is the subject we were all dreading.

Although we are all tennis players, none of us wanted to do it.

-Did you say you were going to do that, Kate?

-I will give it a crack.

Yes, OK.

-Kate?

-Me, yes.

-Brave.

Who do you want to go against?

Who is the non-sports person?

-You can't take Judith.

-Unless you want to try Barry...

-just to find out.

-We will try Barry.

Try Barry just to find out?

That is a good strategy, other people will benefit

if he is very good. I suspect he is. But anyway good luck to you, Kate.

Kate from Deeping Airheads versus our new Egghead Barry.

To ensure there is no conferring, please take your positions.

Good luck to you both.

Three questions - multiple choice questions in turn.

Kate, first or second set?

First please.

Kate, excluding the reds and the cue ball,

how many coloured balls are there on the table at the start of a frame of snooker?

By a process of elimination I am sure it is not eight or ten.

So I will go for six.

Six is correct. Well done.

You can get confused counting them in your mind.

You certainly can.

Barry, SW19 is the postcode for which famous London sporting venue?

Wembley Stadium is up in the north west.

Crystal Palace isn't in SW19, but the All England Club, or Wimbledon,

is in SW19, so the answer is The All England Club.

You're right, Barry, well done.

Kate, which footballer was voted the 2008 PFA Player of the Year?

I am not absolutely sure,

but...because Ronaldo is...

generally thought to be such a great player I will go for Ronaldo.

It is a very good guess and a very good way to work it out.

You are quite right. Well done, Kate.

Barry, the Calcutta Night Riders and the Delhi Daredevils are teams in which sport?

Calcutta and Delhi don't sound as if they were playing

rugby league, which is a sport from where I come from.

They may be hockey, but I'm reasonably certain they would

be cricket teams. The answer is cricket.

The answer is cricket, Barry. Well done. Two apiece.

Kate, if you get this, you put the pressure on him.

How old was Fred Davis when he reached the semi-finals

of snooker's Embassy World Championships in 1978.

I'm not sure again.

I think he was older than 54.

And 84, I think it just a wee bit too old.

I will go for 64.

You're right again.

Brilliant use of deduction here.

You are a retired IT analyst, Kate?

-That's true, yes.

-It's showing.

Barry, if you get this wrong, you are not in the final. Here we go.

Which demonstration sport made an appearance at the 1908 London Olympics?

Gosh, I know I'm getting on in years,

but 1908 is even a bit far back for me.

I can't imagine how anybody could play mounted rugby.

And water tennis sounds too improbable to be true.

But bicycle polo sounds just about feasible, so I will go for that.

They all look incredible to me,

but you are right, it was bicycle polo in 1908.

So scores level after three.

Equal top scores and we go to Sudden Death.

Kate, your question first and remember no multiple choice here.

Kate, here is your first question.

The Soviet sportsman Boris Onischenko, famously denounced as a cheat by Jim Fox,

competed in which multi-event sport at the 1976 Olympics?

Well I can't...

..I will go for triathlon, but I'm sure it is not.

The answer is modern pentathlon.

It was the fencing.

I had a fencing memory, but that wouldn't be the answer, because it was part of the pentathlon.

He was wired to register hits when no hits were actually made.

Pretty much the most spectacular example of cheating we have seen

in the Olympics, short of any drugs stuff.

So, Barry, your chance to take the round.

Which female US Olympic athlete, nicknamed the Black Gazelle by the press,

was a triple gold medal winner in the 1960 Games,

despite having worn a leg brace as a child?

The only US female athlete I know that suffered from polio in her youth

was Wilma Rudolph. I wasn't aware she was called the female gazelle,

but my answer is Wilma Rudolph.

Known as the Black Gazelle, but you got it right. Wilma Rudolph is the answer.

Well done. A tough round for you both

and the Eggheads have just got it by a hair's breadth.

Kate, you won't be playing in the final round.

Please both come back to the studio.

The challengers and the Eggheads have lost one brain each

from the final round. Next subject is Film & Television.

Which of you wants this?

Not Alan.

I think that... Alan we are saving for the final round. Because he is quite clever.

Why?

Terry says he doesn't know anything about films and television.

I don't know much about television, because I don't watch any of the soaps. Or the reality programmes.

So I will have a go.

Against whom?

I think it it's all right with the rest of team,

I will take on my favourite Egghead, which is the man with the haircut.

CJ, you're somebody's favourite.

-I always knew there was somebody out there.

-Breaking news, everyone.

It is Adrian from Deeping Airheads, against CJ from the Eggheads with the haircut.

To ensure there is no conferring,

please take your positions in the Question Room.

Good luck with this. Film & Television.

Three multiple choice questions. First or second set?

Well, the team tactics right at the beginning were to go first, so I will continue with that.

Good luck to you both.

Adrian, "Super, smashing, great,"

is a well-known catchphrase from which UK game show?

I have never heard Anne Robinson say

anything like that and I don't suppose she would.

I don't think it's Blankety Blank.

But I have got a funny feeling that, what was his name, Mr Bowen,

would have said it on Bullseye. So I will go for Bullseye.

It is Jim Bowen, yes, he did say that. Bullseye. Well done.

CJ, which film starring Michael Caine ends with the line,

"Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea"?

You will be amazed to learn I've never seen any of those films,

but in this case it is The Italian Job.

In this case you are right. Have you not seen The Italian Job?

I don't watch films, you know that.

I know, but it is a great movie and such a British film as well.

Do you drive a mini, CJ?

-Certainly not.

-OK, forget it.

Adrian, which Hollywood actor was sentenced to three years imprisonment

for tax evasion in April 2008.

Pass.

I don't remember hearing about it, or reading about it, but...

The Egghead idea is that when

you really don't know you go down the middle.

So I will have a guess at Jamie Foxx.

OK and you are an accountant, but you don't follow tax evasion stories

in other jurisdictions?

Not in my spare time, no.

The answer is Wesley Snipes.

Sorry to say.

CJ, your question. Who plays Dr Bruce Banner in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk?

Eric Bana played it in The Hulk,

the Ang Lee version, but this time it is Edward Norton.

You are right.

OK, you need this answer now, Adrian,

or I'm afraid CJ will have taken the round.

What is the name of Martin Sheen's character

in the film Apocalypse Now?

I'm afraid I have never seen the film so I will have to make another guess

and I will have a guess at Lieutenant Colby.

Lieutenant Colby is wrong.

It's Captain Willard - Martin Sheen's character in Apocalypse Now.

Which means, CJ, you have taken the round.

You will be in the final.

Adrian, I'm sorry. We won't be seeing you in the final.

Please come back and rejoin your teams.

The challengers have lost two brains from the final round. Eggheads have lost one brain.

The last subject is Music.

Is that the one you wanted?

-That is the one I wanted, yeah.

-Which of you wants this?

I will have a go, leave you there.

You feel better at music, Alan?

I'm no great shakes at it.

I will go for it. I would go for it.

-I would go for Chris.

-OK?

Yes.

Looks like I'm playing this -

with a bit of trepidation.

Against which Egghead?

Chris, I think.

Terry, from Deeping Airheads against Chris from the Eggheads.

To ensure there is no conferring, please take your positions now.

Terry, you were on Mastermind recently?

I was, yes.

-Subject?

-Real ale breweries. Something decent.

Wouldn't it be amazing if a question on that came up?

If it comes us up in music I will be well chuffed.

It does seem unlikely. Three questions, multiple choice. You can choose the first or second set.

We will carry on with first, I think.

Terry, which band formed in the wake of the demise of Joy Division?

I'm not rightly sure,

it is not really my sort of music, I'm a bit heavier rock as a rule.

I'm going to go for New Order.

But I don't know why.

New Order is correct, well done.

Chris, what was the title of the 1982 UK top ten hit single for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts?

That was I Love Rock 'n' Roll.

-Give us the next line.

-Stick another dime in the jukebox, baby!

I know you wanted to. You're right.

One each. Back to you, Terry,

the rotor winder connector.

Which instrument is young classical musician Nicola Benedetti most associated?

Again it is not very rocky this, is it?

I'm going to go violin.

Faith, do you think he is right?

-I think he is right.

-He is right. Well done. Two points to you.

OK, Chris, in 1995 what was the title of the first UK number one single for Oasis?

It is not Wonderwall, because that came later.

I have never heard Some Might Say,

so not being a fan of the Gallagher brothers

I will have to say Roll With It.

Which is wrong. Actually it is Some Might Say.

Bad luck on that.

Terry, get this right, you have taken the round and knocked Chris out.

The Coronation Of Poppea was the last completed opera of which composer?

Can you spell Poppea?

P-O-P-P-E-A.

I don't think it is Purcell. I'm going to go with Scarlatti.

Scarlatti is wrong. It was Monteverdi, in fact.

A chance for Chris to level things up.

If you get this wrong, Chris, you won't be in the final round.

Which member of Girls Aloud

featured on Will.I.Am's 2008 UK top ten hit single Heartbreaker?

There's been a running joke about me and girl bands

for the last four years. I know not the first thing about them,

except they are exclusively female.

However, the name Sara Harding is saying something

at the back of my mind.

So for want of anything better to say, I will say Sarah Harding.

-Usually you are the best guesser.

-Hm.

-Today it is not happening.

-No.

-It is Cheryl Cole.

Chris, you're not in the final round, because your challenger,

Terry, has more points in this round.

You took on one of the Eggheads, Terry. Well done - you emerged triumphant.

Great news for the challengers. Please come back and rejoin us.

This is what we have been playing towards. Our final round - General Knowledge.

I am afraid those of you who lost your head to heads

will not be joining us in the final round.

So, Kate and Adrian, from the Deeping Airheads

and Chris and Judith from the Eggheads, please leave the studio.

Well, Faith, Alan and Terry you are playing to win the Deeping Airheads,

what is it - £6,000?

CJ, Daphne and Barry you are playing for something that money can't buy - the Eggheads' reputation.

I will ask the teams three questions in turn.

The questions are all general knowledge.

You are allowed to confer.

Deeping Airheads, the question is, are your three brains better than the Eggheads' three?

Faith, Alan and Terry, first or second?

-Shall we continue first?

-Yeah.

-We'll go first again.

Best of luck to you guys.

According to the expression, "A nod is as good as a wink..." to a what?

It is a blind horse, is it?

-Definitely.

-Blind horse.

Is correct. Well done.

Eggheads, your question. The Left Bank is a renowned cultural area of which European city?

-It's where they have the book stalls.

-Yeah.

It's definitely - I'm not allowed to say definitely any more.

It is Paris.

Why are you not allowed to say definitely?

-Because...

-it didn't work in Are You An Egghead?!

It was with Valerie's question and he thought it was one thing

and I thought it definitely was that and it wasn't.

-So I never say definitely now.

-It didn't matter, though.

-No.

-It is definitely Paris. Well done.

-Yes.

-So one each.

Here we go, Airheads.

In early 20th century US slang the word Flivver

was used to mean a cheap what?

-Can you spell that word, please?

-Yes, I can. F-L-I-V-V-E-R.

Have you ever heard of that?

I have never heard of it.

A cheap flivver.

I don't think you'd give any name to a cheap house, would you?

Cars.

There wouldn't be too many about.

I would tend to go for novel.

I don't think you would call a cheap house anything. Just a house.

You think is this some sort of, you know, Mills & Boon type thing?

Yes, that is what I would go for.

-Are we agreed?

-Yeah.

I haven't heard of it, but novel would be my guess.

Novel.

Novel is wrong. It's car.

You are right. There weren't many around then, but enough, obviously.

Eggheads you have the chance for the advantage. Here is your question.

What type of organization is the Russian Spetsnaz?

It is the equivalent of the American Delta Forces - Special Forces Unit.

-According to my colleague Barry here...

-Your new colleague.

Yes. It is a Special Forces Unit.

Definitely, Barry?

-Definitely.

-You brave man.

You are right, well done.

So, Eggheads have two.

If you don't get this right, the game is over.

You need to get it right to hang on to chance of the £6,000. Here we go.

Which former Sunday Express editor frequently cited the small village of Auchtermuchty in Fife

as the paragon of Scottish values?

I think it is John Junor because he used to write a column

in the Express - whether it is the Sunday Express I don't remember.

It was always like,

"The ladies of Auchtermuchty would never agree with this."

Something along those lines.

-You're pretty sure?

-Yes.

We think it is John Junor.

Is the correct answer.

-Well done.

-Well done, Alan.

In and fighting.

But, Eggheads,

if you get this right, then you have taken the contest

and the money is snatched away from our good challengers.

Here is your question.

The Ancient Greek orator Demosthenes

supposedly improved his elocution by placing what in his mouth?

Oh dear, here it comes again. Definitely pebbles.

-Definitely?

-Definitely.

-So not olives or cheese?

-No, no.

-Are you certain?

-Definitely pebbles.

Demosthenes improved his elocution by placing pebbles in his mouth.

You are right, Eggheads, you've won.

Oh, Faith, Alan, Terry, sorry to see you go.

We are sorry to go but we must.

Bad luck. The Eggheads have done what comes naturally to them.

Their winning streak continues.

I'm afraid you won't be going home with the £6,000 - the money rolls over to our next show.

Eggheads, congratulations.

Who will beat you?

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

£7,000 says they don't.

Until then, goodbye.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]