Episode 127 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 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.

And taking on our quiz champions today are the New Year Revellers.

The team all quiz together every Sunday night at the Crown Pub

in Kirk Levington in Stockton on Tees.

They also enjoy murder mystery weekends and take their name

from their regular group New Year holidays. Let's meet them.

Hi. I'm Julie, I'm 42 and I'm a paediatric nurse manager.

Hi. I'm Rob, I'm 45 years old and I'm a quantity surveyor.

Hi. I'm Di, I'm 41 and I'm a research scientist.

Hello. I'm Martin, I'm 41 and I'm currently between jobs.

Hi. I'm Angela, I'm 41 and I'm a primary school teacher.

Welcome. You all know each other very well indeed, I gather?

We do. We've known each other for about 20 years now.

And Julie, you were engaged to Rob, who then married Di?

-I didn't marry Di, Rob married Di.

-Yeah, that's right, yeah.

Rob, can you explain?

THEY LAUGH

Yes, I suppose so.

Yes, I was with Julie for quite a while,

for about four years we were engaged and we used to know Di

with her ex-boyfriend and we used to go out as a foursome

and then, about a year later, after we decided to call it a day,

I met Di again and we got together

and we've been married nearly 20 years now.

You had quite a spontaneous wedding in a registry office,

-so you're looking for a honeymoon now, Di?

-We are, yes.

It's lovely how Robert proposed. He took me out on the Friday night

and said, "Will you marry me?" and I said, "Yes."

He said, "Tomorrow?" I said, "Yes!"

-But we didn't have a honeymoon.

-So if you win today?

-Oh, yes.

We're doing something really nice.

So, a tight-knit team you're playing today. And every day,

there's £1,000 worth of cash up for grabs for your challengers.

If they don't defeat the Eggheads, the prize money rolls over.

So, New Year Revellers,

the Eggheads have won the last six games,

which means £7,000 says you can't beat them,

-which would pay for a honeymoon and more!

-All for me!

The first head-to-head battle is on Film & Television.

Which of you wants this?

I fancy this, Di.

-I'll take it.

-Said very confidently.

-You've got to pick an Egghead now.

-Who shall I have? Kevin?

-Try the new guy.

-We'll try Barry.

-Try the new guy! How about that?

Barry, OK. Barry from the Eggheads and Di from the New Year Revellers,

please take your positions in the question room now.

So, Di, three multiple choice questions

and you can choose first or second set.

I'd like to go first, please.

So, here with go.

Jack Black provides the voice for the title character

in which 2008 animated movie?

I was reading about this coming down today on the train.

It's actually Kung Fu Panda.

It is Kung Fu Panda. Well done. Someone told me it's really good.

OK, Barry.

TV presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly

made their acting debuts on which children's TV show?

Something is telling me at the back of my mind that they were...

they certainly weren't in Press Gang,

but I believe they were in Byker Grove.

-That's your answer?

-It is indeed.

It's correct. Well done. One each.

Back to you, Di.

Which controversial actress was nickname Hanoi Jane?

That's a tough one. I wouldn't think it was Jane Seymour.

Something's drawing me towards Jane Greer. I'll try Jane Greer.

No, it's not Jane Greer.

It's Jane Fonda, because she was against the Vietnam War.

Barry, over to you.

Which character marries Mr Big

in the 2008 film of the TV series Sex And The City?

My wife's seen this and I don't think she's stopped laughing yet,

but unfortunately, I never went to see it with her,

so I'm not quite sure who it is, so this will be an out-and-out guess.

Eeny, meeny, miny, mo... we'll say Charlotte.

No, it's not Charlotte.

It's got to be the Sarah Jessica Parker character - Carrie.

So, chance for you to pull clear, Di, if you get this right.

Jean Warboys, played by Doreen Mantle,

was a regular character in which TV sitcom?

Well, I don't think it was the Vicar Of Dibley,

and it sounds like an old person's name, forgive me,

but I'll go for One Foot in the Grave, please.

And I'm pleased to say that Angela is nodding.

In fact, the whole of your team are, because it's right.

Barry, if you get this wrong,

-you're not in the final round.

-Yes, I know!

What instrument does Marilyn Monroe's character,

"Sugar" Kane Kowalczyk play

in the 1959 film, Some Like It Hot?

Oh, gosh! I have seen this film on more than one occasion

and I still can't remember!

I don't think she played the ukulele.

Is it the double bass or the saxophone?

I'm drawn to the saxophone for no reason at all,

other than I can't quite imagine Marilyn Monroe playing a double bass,

so I shall say saxophone.

Saxophone is wrong.

Ukulele.

-Daphne?

-The ukulele.

It was her instrument, Barry, it was the ukulele,

so Di, well done!

THEY APPLAUD

You took on one of the Eggheads, you emerged triumphant.

Good news for the Challengers

because you will play in today's final round. Barry won't!

Please, both of you, come back and rejoin us here in the studio.

So far, the Challengers have not lost

any brains from the final round.

The Eggheads have lost one brain. Next subject is Sport.

-Who's the sportsman or sportswoman?

-It looks like it's me.

-OK, Rob.

And I'll go against...Chris.

It's Rob from the New Year Revellers against Chris from the Eggheads.

You said "Chris" with conviction!

He never looks as though he enjoys sports!

Enjoys sport? I loathe, detest, abominate sport, absolutely!

Consign it to the remoter regions of sulphurous hell!

-He doesn't like it, either!

-Are you sure about that?

Sugar-coated! To ensure there's not conferring,

please take your positions in the question room.

Good luck. Three questions in turn, multiple choice.

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

-I'll go first, please.

Here we go. In golf, how many shots under par is a birdie?

Well, two is an eagle, three, I think, is an albatross,

so I assume it is one, and that's my answer.

-It is one. Well done.

-THEY APPLAUD

Chris, what nationality is the tennis player Lleyton Hewitt?

He's Australian.

Yes, he is.

-Do you like tennis?

-God, no!

The spectacle of two apparently rational beings bashing a ball

backwards and forwards over a net in accordance with some arcane set of

-rules is just completely out of my universe!

-Don't beat about the bush!

Rob, which world cup-winning flanker who was left with a permanent limp

after nine operations on his left knee,

retired from First Class Rugby in 2008?

Well, Lewis Moody is still playing, as far as I'm aware,

so it's between Neil Back and Richard Hill.

Richard Hill had some real injury problems

after the English World Cup victory, so I'll go with Richard Hill.

Yup. You're doing well. It was Richard Hill. Correct answer.

Chris, over to you.

Up to the end of the 2007/2008 season,

how many different football clubs had won the Premier League?

Well, there's only 16 clubs in the Premier League, aren't there?

I wouldn't say half of them have won it

and I think it's more than 4, so I'll go with 6.

Good guess. It's wrong, though! It was 4.

-Was it?

-Fewer than one might imagine.

Bad luck, Chris.

Rob, if you take this,

you've got the round and Chris has been knocked out.

Curt Schilling is a famous name in which American sport?

Not my cup of tea, American sport.

What's his name again, please?

Curt Schilling - C-U-R-T S-C-H-I-L-L-I-N-G.

Curt Schilling, Curt Schilling...

I'll take a bit of a stab. I've got a feeling it may be Baseball.

Where do you get that from?

It's from the fact that I know very little about baseball

and I don't really know their names.

I know more about ice hockey and American football

than I do about Baseball!

Well, it's very smart thinking, because you're right!

So, three in a row means

Chris can't come back - Chris, you've lost

and you won't join the Eggheads in the final round.

Rob, well done.

You'll join your team in the final round.

Could both of you come back to the studio now?

So, as it stands, the Challengers have not lost any brains

from the final round. The Eggheads have lost two brains now.

The next subject is Arts & Books.

Which one of you wants this from our New Year Revellers?

-It must be you, Julie!

-I think it's gonna have to be me, unfortunately!

Julie, brilliant. Now, you can choose

-anyone but Barry or Chris.

-What do you think?

I'll take Daphne on, please.

So, it's Julie from New Year Revellers

versus Daphne from the Eggheads. To ensure there's no conferring,

take your positions in the question room.

I'll ask each of you three questions on Arts & Books in turn.

Julie, you can choose first or second set.

I'll go first, please.

The painting or drawing of inanimate objects

such as fruit, flowers or bottles is known as what?

I don't think it's real life,

because I think that would be people, wouldn't it?

The high life? I don't remember the high life!

I'll go for still life.

I would have been worried if you'd got that wrong! Well done!

Daphne, here we go.

Klara Sessemann and the goatherd, Peter,

are characters in which children's book?

That would be Heidi.

Yes, you're right.

Second question to you, then, Julie.

Which American author wrote the political thrillers

Patriot Games, Clear And Present Danger and The Sum Of All Fears?

I've heard of all three of these authors

and I've seen the films as well.

I'm gonna go for Tom Clancy.

I'm not sure, but I'll go for Tom Clancy.

And you've got it absolutely right. Well done.

Daphne, your second question to keep up.

What literary term describes two successive lines of poetry,

usually of equal length and similar metre,

that complete a Shakespearean sonnet?

That sounds like a couplet to me.

Couplet is correct.

No trick in there. Absolutely right.

OK. Good luck with this one, Julie.

Which piece of art by Damien Hirst was initially refused entry to Japan

in 2008, due to the country's ban on British beef?

This is a difficult one. I've obviously heard of Damien Hirst,

but I haven't heard of these answers.

I'll take a bit of a guess and I'll go for Mother And Child Divided.

You and Daphne are uncommonly good at guessing,

and that's quite right, Mother and Child, Divided.

THEY APPLAUD

Are you all right, Daphne?

-Yes, thank you.

-Here's your question.

Get this wrong, you're out of the final.

You'll be sitting on the uncomfy chair! Here we go.

Which American satirist wrote the 1973 novel Breakfast Of Champions

which was later adapted into a film

starring Bruce Willis and Albert Finney?

I associate Breakfast Of Champions with Kurt Vonnegut,

but I wouldn't have described him as a satirist,

but I'll just go with Kurt Vonnegut.

Yeah, sort of a heavy-duty satirist, I guess he was,

but you're right, Kurt Vonnegut is the right answer. Well done.

So, three questions played.

We go, as you know, to sudden death now,

and to make it harder, it's not multiple choice. Ready?

Ready.

Don't be worried.

Who wrote the play Present Laughter, first performed in 1942?

I was hoping this would be about books, not about plays.

I can't think of any playwrights!

Oscar Wilde is the only one I can think of.

-Is that your answer?

-Oscar Wilde is my answer.

Someone in the previous game had a stab

at something similar, and they went for Oscar Wilde!

At some point, it will be the right answer,

but it's not now. it's Noel Coward.

So, Daphne, to take the round, to get yourself a place in the final,

and knock poor old Julie out.

What is the first name of Mr Pickwick,

the founder of the Pickwick Club

in the Dickens work known as The Pickwick Papers?

Do you know, my mind's gone blank!

-Samuel?

-Is correct.

-Thank God that came back!

See what I mean about her guessing? If it was a guess.

Probably knowledge!

Well done, Daphne, you are in the final round now.

Julie, you were beaten by our Egghead so you will not play

in the final round. Do both of you please come back and rejoin us here.

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

The Eggheads have lost two brains.

Last subject is Politics.

-That's me.

-It's got to be you.

-Back to me, then.

-Angela, OK.

-Against? You've got Kevin and Judith left.

-Judith.

Judith.

I'll take on Judith, please.

Angela from the New Year Revellers against Judith

from the Eggheads and just to ensure there's no conferring,

please take your positions now.

Angela, multiple choice questions.

-You can choose the first or second set.

-I'd like to go first, please.

-Good luck. Primary school teacher, right?

-That's right.

Which European head of state married Carla Bruni in February 2008?

I'm certain it's Nicholas Sarkozy.

-And you're right. Well done.

-THEY APPLAUD

Judith, which political party came third in the 2005 general elections?

-In which general election?

-2005.

Well, it's got to be the Lib Dems, hasn't it?

I mean, I'm baffled by this question. It's the Lib Dems.

You're baffled, but you've answered.

Correctly as well, well done.

Angela, how many children do Tony and Cherie Blair have?

Well, I think when he became Prime Minister, they had three children,

because I remember that picture when they were outside

10 Downing Street, and then they had a baby, which I think,

was that the first Prime Minister to have a baby

whilst being Prime Minister? So it must be four.

-And four is right, yeah.

-THEY APPLAUD

-Do you know the baby's name, on this side?

-Leo?

Leo was number four. OK, Judith.

Which political strategist, who played a leading role in securing

George W Bush's presidency, resigned as Deputy Chief of Staff in 2007?

I think that was Karl Rove.

You're quite right.

-Don't ask me why!

-It was Karl Rove.

Don't ask me any others about him!

-Nicknamed "Two Brains", I think!

-Oh, really?

-Or maybe three...

So, this one for you, Angela.

Get this right, you will put her under pressure.

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it,"

is a quote attributed to which British prime minister?

That's a bit of a tricky one.

I don't think it was Margaret Thatcher.

She had lots of very famous quotes, but I don't think it was her.

I think it was Winston Churchill, so that's going to be my answer.

And you're quite right. It was Winston Churchill.

THEY APPLAUD

Very good play, Angela,

because you've put Judith under pressure here,

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

Yousaf Raza Gillani became Prime Minister of which country in 2008?

Prime Minister?

Who has just had an election?

I don't know anything about the politicians in Bangladesh.

I think Pakistan has had an election, because wasn't that Benazir Bhutto

was assassinated, and then they had to put it off?

I think it's Pakistan.

Pakistan, you say? You're right.

Well done, Judith.

Three out of three. Well, done both of you.

So we move to sudden death.

Angela, your question.

Which Tory MP resigned from his post as Heritage Minister

after his involvement in a 1992 scandal?

Oh, I'll have to think about that one. 1992...

I don't think it was, but I'll say Ken Clarke.

-He'll appreciate that!

-THEY LAUGH

-It wasn't Ken Clarke. It was David Mellor.

-Oh, yes!

Onwards with Judith.

Here's your question, Judith.

The Battle of Orgreave was a pivotal confrontation

in which long-running political dispute?

Orgreave? How do you spell that?

O-R-G-R-E-A-V-E.

I think it's probably the Miners' Strike in Mrs Thatcher's time.

You're right, it was the Miners' Strike.

So that means, Judith,

-that you're through to the final round!

-Yippee!

Angela, I'm sorry.

-Oh, well.

-You got one wrong after a very steady and assured run,

but it wasn't quite enough. You were beaten by our Egghead.

Do please both of you come back to the studio.

This is what we've been playing for.

Time for our final round, General Knowledge,

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

won't be allowed to take part in this round.

That's Julie and Angela from the New Year Revellers

and Chris and Barry from the Eggheads. Please leave the studio.

Rob, Di and Martin, you're playing to win the New Year Revellers £7,000.

Daphne, Judith and Kevin, you're playing

for something money can't buy, the Eggheads' reputation.

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

This time, the questions are all General Knowledge. You can confer.

New Year Revellers, the question is,

are your three brains better than the Eggheads' three?

Rob, Di and Martin, would you like to go first or second?

First, please.

Here we go, and good luck.

In Mythology, the Griffin had the head and wings of an eagle,

and the body of what?

It's a lion.

-It's definitely not a horse, is it?

-I'm sure it's a lion.

-I thought lion before it came up.

-I thought it was the lion.

Yeah, stick to lion?

I think, I'm sure it's lion.

We'll go with lion, please.

-Lion is the correct answer.

-Thank you.

Eggheads, which member of the Royal Family

provoked outrage in 1995 when he asked a Scottish driving instructor

how he kept the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?

-It's got to be Prince Philip.

-Yeah, it's got to be.

I mean, Prince Edward and Prince Charles don't...

Prince Edward doesn't say memorable things.

Prince Charles doesn't say...

I can vaguely remember the remark, but not who made it,

but logically...

Yes. I think it's Prince Philip, because he's notorious for...

-Shall we go for it?

-Yeah.

Purely on the basis that it's the sort of remark

that would be associated with Prince Philip,

we'll go for Prince Philip.

Yeah, and poor old Prince Philip is the right answer.

True to type, some would say!

Second question.

Which American city is nicknamed Sin City?

What do you think? I don't think it's New York.

-I think it could be Los Angeles.

-I'd go with that. And you?

-I'll agree with you two.

-Las Vegas is more gambling.

We're not 100% sure, and we're fairly convinced it's not New York,

but we think we're gonna go with Los Angeles.

-Los Angeles is your answer?

-It is.

But it's wrong! It's Las Vegas. Bad luck.

Second question to the Eggheads, to seize the advantage.

Who was listed as the richest Briton in the British Isles

in the 2008 Sunday Times Rich List?

As opposed to somebody domiciled here? I think...

I think Westminster still.

I think The Duke of Westminster has been for a number of years,

he's been at about number three, but he may have fallen down the...

I thought Philip Green had gone off to Monte Carlo, anyhow!

I think it's the Duke of Westminster but I don't know for sure.

No, I'm not sure, either.

-It always used to be, yes.

-Well, we think of

the Duke of Westminster as being there in that sort of position

for some time. We don't know if he was there on the latest list,

but we'll go for the Duke of Westminster.

-Because he's local?

-Yes, and he hasn't gone off to Monte Carlo,

which I think Philip Green is domiciled or resident in Monaco.

Either way, you're right. It was the Duke of Westminster. Well done.

So, this is your third question,

and you need to get this right, or the Eggheads have taken the contest.

Which mountaineer wrote Touching The Void,

which described a near-fatal attempt to climb Siula Grande

in the Peruvian Andes in 1985?

-Over to you two.

-It definitely wasn't Chris Bonington.

I didn't think it was Chris Bonington, no.

I'm not sure about Doug Scott. I'll go for Joe Simpson, but...

-I've no idea.

-I'm not sure, but that would be my answer.

-Joe Simpson, yeah?

-Joe Simpson.

Well, we don't think it's Chris Bonington

and we're not too sure about the other two,

but an educated guess, we're thinking it's possibly Joe Simpson.

Is correct.

You're still alive. Well done.

So, Eggheads, two points,

Challengers, two, but Eggheads, you can win with this.

Benbecula belongs to which island group?

Benbecula is where Bonnie Prince Charlie crossed over from Skye.

Outer Hebrides, yeah.

It's the Outer Hebrides, Jeremy.

If this is right, the £7,000 is snatched away

-from the other team.

-Sorry!

-And think about that honeymoon

that she's been waiting for, for 20 years!

Outer Hebrides is correct.

Congratulations, Eggheads, you've won.

Commiserations, Challengers.

As you've said, I've got no honeymoon!

You played well. Has it been fun?

It's been good, good fun, enjoyable.

Eggheads did what comes naturally, their winning streak continues.

You're not going home with £7,000. That 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. £8,000 says they don't.

Until then, goodbye.