Episode 10 The Link

Hello.

I'm Mark Williams and welcome to The Link,

where knowing the answers is only half the battle.

To win this game, you have to find the link between the answers.

Three teams are hoping to make the right connections

but only one of them can be in today's final.

Let's see who's geared up, gifted and going places.

My name's Ian, I'm from Essex and I work in the travel industry.

-And this is my sister.

-My name's Claire.

I'm also from Essex and I work for a bank as a lending manager.

-And the link is you're brother and sister.

-Yes.

-Essex...

-Yeah.

It gets a terrible press, doesn't it, really?

-People are always on about the TOWIE end of it.

-Yeah.

How do you feel about that?

Well, I come from Brentwood, the home of TOWIE.

-And I work in Brentwood, the home of TOWIE.

-We hate it.

-What, TOWIE or Brentwood?

-No...Yeah, TOWIE.

-OK.

-Well, you're here to redeem the intellectual status of Essex.

-OK.

-Hopefully.

-Welcome. Mike and Ben. Tell us about yourselves.

I'm Mike, I'm a support worker from Lancaster and this is my friend.

I'm Ben, I'm an optical lab technician also from Lancaster.

-The link is you're friends.

-We are.

-Now, is it true, Ben, that you have a fear of oranges?

-It is.

-Has it been analysed?

-I try not to tell people,

which is maybe a bit silly on television.

Yeah, you shouldn't have told me, then, really.

-A bit of an error, that.

-Mike, as a specialist, can you help him?

-I think he's a bit beyond help.

-He's a bit beyond help! OK.

Mike and Ben, welcome.

Tammie and Jonny, tell us about yourselves.

I'm Tammie, I'm a teacher of psychology from Belfast

and this is my husband.

Also from Belfast, I'm Jonny and I'm an IT manager.

-And the link is you're married.

-We are indeed.

-So where did you meet?

-We met at university 15 years ago.

-Did you?

-That's quite a long time ago. How's it going?

-Great!

-That'll do.

Tammie and Jonny, welcome. Welcome all. Now, pay attention.

Here are six cash pods, containing amounts ranging from £125 to £2,000.

The more cash in the pod, the more links holding it.

What you have to do is cut the links holding the pods

until they drop into your bank.

And here's how you cut the links.

I'm going to ask you four questions

and you have to work out what links the answers.

If you can find that link from the first answer alone,

you will be able to cut four of those links.

If you spot it after the second answer, you cut three links.

Then two, then one. And of course, the link here is...?

ALL: US sitcoms.

"US sitcoms," they all chorus, rather beautifully.

Let's cut that link.

You need to bank as much as you can because the team with

the least amount of money at the end of this round will be going home.

Let's play The Link.

Here's the first question. For four links...

The name of which animal follows "grease" to complete an informal...?

-Mike.

-Monkey.

..to complete an informal name for a mechanic?

Monkey is correct. Here's your first clue. What's the link?

-Chinese New Year?

-Yeah, try that.

-Chinese New Year.

-We would like to try Chinese years.

-Thank you for asking so politely.

I will ask.

Is the link Chinese New Years?

No. Everyone back in play.

Your next question for three links...

According to the lyrics of the song, Yankee Doodle...

-Ben.

-Pony.

..Yankee Doodle comes into town riding on a...?

Pony. Correct.

-Monkey, pony, what's the link?

-It's a slang term for money.

-Slang term for money.

-Is the link slang terms for money?

The remaining clues were ton and Lady Godiva.

-Monkey, £500, pony?

-£20.

-£25.

Come on! Ton, £100. Lady Godiva, fiver.

You got that on the second clue which means you can cut three links.

How would you like to use your three links?

-We'll have the £500, please.

-On the monkey.

Are you ready? Stand by for four links.

Sofia Helin plays the role of Saga Noren

in the Danish/Swedish crime drama The...?

-Claire.

-The Killing?

Is incorrect. Tammie?

-The Heist?

-Is not right.

Mike and Ben, worth a go.

-The Crow?

-Is incorrect.

The correct answer was The Bridge.

So none of you have a chance to guess the link. Let's move on.

You're all back in play. For three links,

which band had a UK number one song in 1987 with China In Your Hand?

-Claire.

-T'Pau.

T'Pau. Correct.

-Bridge, T'Pau. What's the link?

-I'm pretty sure it's Star Trek.

-Yeah, Star Trek.

-Straight in with Star Trek. Is the link Star Trek?

The remaining clues were Spock, Enterprise.

-How do you want to use your three links?

-Two?

I think we're best having some money.

We'd like to get on the board

so we'll take the £125 and the £300, please.

Right, let's cut one link from the £125

which releases it into Ian and Claire's bank,

and two from the £300...

..liberating that money, giving you a total of £425.

Mike and Ben, £500, Tammie and Jonny, well, you know...

Stand by.

Your next question for four links...

Complete the title of the award-winning 2006 nature programme

narrated by David Attenborough.

-Jonny.

-Planet Earth.

Planet Earth is correct.

The first clue, what's the link?

-What about something like insects, like an earthworm?

-Yeah.

-Let's try that.

-We'll go for worms.

-Is the link worms?

No. Everyone back in play.

For three links, in chemistry,

what word is used for a solution that has a pH of seven... Mike.

-Neutral.

-..that has a pH of seven, is neither acidic

nor alkaline. Neutral's correct.

-Mike and Ben, what's the link?

-They're the wires in a plug.

-Earth, neutral, live and then I don't know what the fourth is going to be.

-Electric.

It could be a plug or electricity. More like electricity.

-We are going to go with electricity.

-Is the link electricity?

No, it's not. Everyone back in play. Stand by for two links.

A kirby grip is better known...

-Tammie.

-A hairpin.

A kirby grip is better known in the US as a Bobby what?

You said hairpin. We'll give you pin.

Earth, neutral, pin. What's the link?

Well, they're all the wires and the parts that come out of a plug, aren't they?

-So it's got to be plug? Plug, please.

-Is the link plug?

The remaining clue was...

Mike and Ben, you were getting there, weren't you?

But you didn't put it into words.

Tammie and Jonny, how do you want to use your two links?

I think we'll have to be a bit strategic here, and go for £2,000.

You're going to take two links off the £2,000. Let's do that.

Leaving four links remaining on £2,000,

five on the £1,000, and four on the £750. You're all back in play.

Stand by for four links.

In which University, founded in 1209...?

-Ian.

-Oxford.

Is incorrect. Jonny.

Cambridge.

..would you find the women's-only colleges

Newnham and Lucy Cavendish?

Cambridge is correct.

That's your first clue. What is the link?

It could be the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?

Yeah, that's a good one.

-Duke of Duchesses?

-Is the link Dukes and Duchesses?

Nope.

Everyone is back in play. For three links, your next question.

Formed in 1918, what is the oldest independent air force in the world?

-Ian.

-The RAF.

The Royal Air Force is correct.

What's the link?

Is it William? Is he in the RAF?

It's worth a go. I can't think of anything else. Prince William.

-It's the only thing I can think of.

-He's the Duke of Cambridge.

Could be. Yeah, go for it.

We'll say Prince William.

OK, is the link Prince William?

Oh, yes.

Yes, the link is Prince William.

You were edging there, weren't you?

The remaining clues were...

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Served in the RAF, went to Eton - who didn't? - and married Kate.

I went to a tough school. "Eton"? Damn nearly.

LAUGHTER

Right. How do you want to use your three?

Do you want to use two off the £750

-and one off the £1,000 to make that four?

-I like that.

-Two off the £750 and one from the £1,000, please, Mark.

-OK.

Two from the £750, let's do that first.

Leaving two. And one from the £1,000 pod.

OK. For four links, stand by.

Which MC had a UK top-five...? Claire.

-Hammer.

-..had a UK top-five hit in 1990 with You Can't Touch This?

It was indeed MC Hammer.

-What's the link?

-It could be tools. Or Hammer House of Horror?

-Movies, horror films? We are going to go for horror films.

-OK.

Is the link horror films?

No.

OK. Everyone back in play. Your next question for three links...

Which iconic seafront hotel...? Tammie.

-The Grand.

-..with over 200 bedrooms was opened in Brighton in 1864?

The Grand is correct.

Hammer, grand, what's the link?

-Get in there.

-Do you know it?

-Pianos! Hammer keys, grand piano.

-It's got to be. Piano.

-Ah, right! Is the link piano?

Very good, Tammie. No wonder you married her.

Right, the remaining clues were Liberace and ivory. As in tinkling.

How do you want to use your three links?

-We're going to take the £750, please, Mark.

-And?

-Let's go for the two in the hope that we get it.

-Why not?

-The £2,000?

Let's take one link from the £2,000 and two from the £750...

..releasing it into your bank.

Game-changing, you'll agree.

Tammie and Jonny now have £750, Mark and Ben have got £500,

Ian and Claire £425.

There is £3000 left on the screen so nobody is through yet.

Ready. Stand by. For four links...

Bara brith and brioche...

-Claire.

-Bread.

..are both types of which food? Bread. That's correct.

First clue. What's the link?

Well, there was a sitcom called Bread.

-There was a sitcom called Bread.

-There was a band called Bread.

A '70s American band called Bread. Um...

-Let's go for bands.

-OK.

-American bands.

Is the link American bands?

No. Everyone back in play for three links.

What type of swimwear is named after an atoll...? Ian.

Bikini.

..after an atoll in the Pacific?

Bikini. Correct. Bread, bikini.

What's the link, Ian and Claire?

Polka-dot bikini, bikini wax...

-Bikini line. Line! Breadline, bikini line.

-Love that!

-Let's do that.

-Line, Mark.

-Is the link line?

The remaining clues were...

Very good.

How do you want to use your three links?

I think we better take the 2,000.

Right, let's cut the links.

And a lovely turquoise sploosh there,

-winging its way into your bank.

-APPLAUSE

Which means you will be going through to the next round.

Mike and Ben have 500,

Tammie and Jonny, 750,

with 1,000 left.

You have to fight it out.

For four links, stand by.

The prime meridian at zero degrees longitude

runs through which European capital city?

London?

-London?

-London is correct.

London.

First clue, what's the link?

-It's capital cities? Olympic cities?

-Yeah, try Olympic cities.

Olympic cities?

Olympic host cities.

Is the link Olympic host cities?

Nope.

All back in play.

Next question for three links.

One of the founding members of Joy Division

and New Order is the bass player Peter...who?

-Ben?

-Gabriel?

Nope.

Peter who?

Anybody else?

No.

The answer is Hook.

London, Hook are the two clues that you do not have a chance to link.

Back in play, stand by, two links.

Kiefer Sutherland and...

-Tammie?

-Seven.

No.

Claire?

Julia Roberts.

No.

Mark and Ben, I suggest you listen to the whole clue.

LAUGHTER

Kiefer Sutherland and Corey Feldman

starred in which 1987 teen horror film?

-Mike.

-Lost Boys.

The Lost Boys

is correct.

London, Hook, The Lost Boys, what's the link?

Peter Pan.

Is the link Peter Pan?

-Yes.

-APPLAUSE

The remaining clue was...

Peter Pan, which begins in the Darlings' home in London,

includes the characters Captain Hook,

the Lost Boys

and a crocodile.

OK, how do you want to use the two links?

-Two off the 1,000, please.

-Funnily enough.

Let's cut them.

Right,

for four links...

Which TV series starring David Boreanaz

-was a spin off from...

-BUZZER

-Claire.

-Angel.

..from Buffy The Vampire Slayer was Angel, correct.

Angel, first clue. What's the link.

Underground stations?

Could be, or something to do with Christmas.

-No, Underground stations sounds good, though.

-OK.

-Yeah, Underground stations.

-Is the link Underground stations?

No.

Everyone back in play.

Your next question for three links -

in the novel Life Of Pi,

Richard Parker is a Bengal...

-Ian?

-Tiger.

..variety of which animal? Tiger.

Angel, tiger, what's the link?

There's not an American football team called the Angels, is there?

LA Angels and the something Tigers?

-Yeah, they'll be baseball, I think.

-Or basketball.

-What's the link?

American baseball teams.

Is the link American baseball teams?

No.

Everyone's back in play. For two links -

what was Florence Nightingale's profession?

Mike.

-Nurse.

-Nurse is correct.

Angel, tiger, nurse.

What's the link?

Nurse shark.

There's an angel fish.

Shall we take types of fish?

Fish or shark?

Is there a nurse fish?

-Go with fish.

-What's the link?

We would like to go with fish.

Is the link fish?

Nope.

Everyone's back in play.

Your next question for one link -

5 Years Time is the title of a UK top-ten hit by Noah And The..?

-Ben?

-Whale.

Noah And The...what?

Yeah, Noah And The Whale.

Angel, tiger, nurse, whale. The link?

Shall we try shark this time?

Sharks?

-Is the link sharks?

-I do apologise.

-It's all right!

APPLAUSE

Yeah.

Yeah, you so should have listened to him.

But you were so gracious to apologise.

How do you want to use your link?

-Take one off the 1,000, please.

-I would definitely do that.

OK, you know the situation.

For four links...

The job title of the head of the United Nations is Secretary...

-Ben.

-General.

..is Secretary General, correct.

First clue. What's the link?

-Army ranks?

-Army ranks.

Electric companies?

It wouldn't be ranks. It sounds a bit too obvious. General...store?

Stores.

Is the link stores?

Nope.

Everyone back in play.

Your next question for three links -

which word goes before Dancer

in the title of a 198..?

-Tammie?

-Private.

..in the title of a 1984 UK top-30 hit single for Tina Turner?

Private is correct.

General, private, what's the link?

-Army ranks?

-They are army ranks, aren't they?

Can you think of anything else, though?

Because we don't want to go for the too obvious and not win it.

It's got to be army ranks.

-Yeah.

-Army ranks, please, Mark.

-Is the link army ranks?

APPLAUSE

The remaining clues were...

What are you going to do?

-Obviously.

-Erm, I think we'll take the one link off the 1,000, please.

Let's do it, then.

£1,000...

..blushingly arriving in your account.

Tammie and Jonny have £1,750 in their bank,

Ian and Claire, £2,425.

We knew they were going through.

We now know Tammie and Jonny are as well,

but we also know that Mark and Ben aren't.

With £500, creditable performance,

-made slightly bitter by the fact you said army ranks.

-I know.

Story of the game, really. Said the answer, gave something else.

-You were a good team...

-Thanks.

..and had things gone another way, I wouldn't be saying...

..goodbye, Mike and Ben.

APPLAUSE

Ian and Claire and Tammie and Jonny,

you're still in the game. Ian and Claire, you banked £2,425.

Tammie and Jonny, you banked £1,750.

That money is now in these two cash pods,

each held by seven links.

The first team to cut all the links and release their cash pod

takes their money through to the final round.

The other team will be out.

Now you can be as brave, as cautious as you like,

because you decide how many links you want to cut.

I'm going to ask you to identify a person, place or thing

from a series of clues and you tell me whether you want to play for one,

two, three or four links,

but the more links you play for, the fewer clues you'll receive.

We'll start with the team who has brought

the most money through to this round,

which is Ian and Claire.

The first question is asking...

..what am I? Ian and Claire, how many links?

-Two or three?

-Oh, two or three?

-We'll go for two links, Mark.

-Going for two links?

Here are your clues.

What am I?

Oh, is it? It's not the Tower of London.

-Could be Hampton Court.

-It's not that old, is it, Hampton Court?

-If it's Edward the Confessor...

-What am I?

-Tower of London?

-Must be the Tower of London.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, we'll say the Tower of London.

Am I the Tower of London?

No.

Tammie and Jonny, you now have a chance to nick a link.

You will see the remaining clue

for the chance to cut a single link from your cash pod

and here it is.

Westminster, cos it overlooks the Thames.

But two chambers where the new laws are debated,

where do they set laws?

Is it the House of Lords or the House of Commons?

-What am I?

-Isn't it the House of Lords that the laws are debated?

House of Lords, do you want to go for that?

-Hold on.

-Answer.

-Yep, we'll go for the House of Lords.

OK.

Am I the House of Lords?

Sorry.

No. The link was...

..the Houses of Parliament.

Or the Palace of Westminster.

You named one of the two chambers,

but the Houses of Parliament was the link we needed,

so no links removed, but we stay with you,

Tammie and Jonny, for the next question.

It will be...

what am I?

How many links?

We'll go for three links, please.

-No, two links. Three clues, two links.

-Three clues.

For two links...

-Just checking with Tammie there.

-LAUGHTER

..here are your clues. What am I?

Well, I'm woeful with volcanoes. Became a US state in '59?

-Hawaii? But is Hawaii..?

-Yeah, that might be right, actually.

I think I've heard of a volcano in Hawaii.

-Hawaii, please, Mark.

-Am I Hawaii?

Whoa-ho!

The remaining clue was...

That's probably one of the best sentences

I've ever heard, though, Tammie.

"I am woeful with volcanoes."

LAUGHTER

I think I might write that down. OK.

Let's cut your two links.

Leaving you with five.

Ian and Claire, you still have seven.

Your question will be asking...

..who am I?

-How many links?

-Shall we go for three this time?

-Yeah.

Yeah, we'll go for three links.

For three links, here are your clues. Who am I?

-It's definitely Usain Bolt.

-Usain Bolt.

-Usain Bolt.

-Am I Usain Bolt?

APPLAUSE

Trained in Birmingham, I'll have you know.

Yes, the remaining clues would have been...

OK, then, let's cut your links.

Four plays five.

Tammie and Jonny, your question will be asking...

Who am I? How many links?

We're going to go the same again, Mark, and have two links, please.

For two links, who am I?

Hmm...

-That's, erm...

-Oh, what's her name?

-An actress, then?

-It wouldn't be...

Sophia Loren or someone like that?

-No, I think more of an English classic...

-Who?

-..actress.

-Who am I?

-Born in '45...

-Mirren. Helen Mirren?

No. She's not got a Russian...

-I know, but I think she...

-But someone with a Russian father.

-Answer.

-She was voted one of the sexiest women.

-No, I don't think so.

-I'm going to go with that.

-Go on.

-Run out of time.

-Oh.

Ian and Claire, you now have a chance to nick a link.

Here is the remaining clue.

-It's Helen Mirren...

-Yep.

-It's Helen Mirren.

-Sorry.

-Am I Helen Mirren?

APPLAUSE

I am. Right, Ian and Claire,

you've nicked a link.

Let's cut it from your pod.

And it's now your turn.

Your question will be asking...

What am I? How many links?

Well...

-Can't do it next.

-No.

Shall we take two?

We'll take two links, please, Mark.

For two links, here are your clues.

What am I?

We think it's orang-utan.

Orang-utan.

Am I a orang-utan?

APPLAUSE

The remaining clue was...

OK.

Let's cut the links.

Leaving one.

Tammie and Jonny,

you still have five links.

So your question will be asking...

What am I? How many links?

Two links, please.

OK. For two links, here are your clues.

What am I?

Silver? Got to be silver.

Yeah?

Silver screen, I suppose.

Good thinking. Yeah, silver, please, Mark.

Am I silver?

Oh, yes.

-APPLAUSE

-Right, the remaining clue would've been...

OK, let's cut those links.

Ian and Claire, your question will be asking...

who am I?

How many links would you like?

-Just the one, I think.

-One, please, Mark.

One, please, says Ian.

Who am I? Here are your clues.

Yeah, yeah, it's got to be Richard Curtis, isn't it?

-Cos he was in... Yes, yeah, must be.

-We think it's Richard Curtis.

Am I Richard Curtis?

APPLAUSE

I am.

Let's cut your final link.

APPLAUSE

Hurtling into your bank, £2,425 nestling there.

Well done, Ian and Claire,

you're through to the final round

and that cash goes with you.

Tammie and Jonny, sadly not to be.

Think we could've got Helen Mirren there at the end.

-Cos you said Helen Mirren and Tammie said no.

-Yeah.

You might want to discuss that later! But you were great.

-Thank you very much.

-BOTH: Thank you.

Tammie and Jonny, thanks for playing The Link.

Goodbye.

APPLAUSE

Ian and Claire,

you are today's finalists.

You've brought through £2,425

and we're adding £2,000 to that.

Making your maximum win today £4,425.

APPLAUSE

Any thoughts about how you'd spend it if you win it?

Well, my car is held together by rust at the moment,

-so I'd put some money towards a new car, I think.

-Claire?

Well, unfortunately I was diagnosed with cancer a little while ago

so I had to cancel my holiday,

cos I had to go and have chemotherapy.

-So I want to relive that holiday.

-You want to have a holiday.

-Yes, definitely.

-OK. I wish you luck.

To take that money home,

you have just 60 seconds to find six super-links.

At each level, you need to identify the link between ten one-word clues.

As soon as you think you know the answer, buzz in and we'll stop

the clock. If you're right, you can take that money home.

But choose to play on and your team-mate will tackle

the next super-link.

But if you're wrong, play stays with you,

we will restart the clock and you will face a new set of clues.

Run out of time and you leave without any fiduciary currency.

-Who's going to play first?

-Shall I? I think I am going to go first.

OK, Claire.

The clock will start when you see the first clue.

Stand by.

Cocktails.

Is the link cocktails?

APPLAUSE

Manhattan. And the remaining clues...

Correct. That puts you on...

..£125.

Ian and Claire, with 52 seconds remaining, you now have a choice.

You can take that money and go or you can play on.

-We'll play on.

-Good. Ian.

Your turn now. You're on your own.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears. Stand by.

Trees.

Is the link trees?

Yes!

APPLAUSE

And the remaining clues...

Ian and Claire, that puts you on...£300.

With 46 seconds remaining, you can take that money

and go or you can play on.

-I think we've got plenty of time so we'll play on.

-Good.

And Claire, your turn now, you're on your own.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears.

Composers?

Is the link composers?

Yes!

The remaining clues were...

Good. You are now on...

..£500. Ian and Claire, you now have a choice.

You can take that money and go, with 39 seconds remaining,

-or you can play on.

-Play on?

-We'll play on.

APPLAUSE

Ian. You're on your own.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears.

-Wizards.

-Gandalf...

Is the link wizards?

Yes.

APPLAUSE

Ian and Claire, that puts you on...

£750 with 25 seconds remaining.

Are you going to take the money and go or play on?

-We've still got 25 seconds. Yes. We will play on.

-OK, Claire.

-APPLAUSE

-Good.

You're on your own. The clock will start when you see the first clue.

-Claire.

-Golfers.

Is the link golfers?

No. It is not. The correct answer was...

golf. Because the remaining clues were...

And balata is what they make balls out of. Claire...

..you have to play on and face a new super-link.

18 seconds left. The clock will restart when the first clue appears.

Are you ready?

Prisons.

Is the link prisons?

Yes.

APPLAUSE

The remaining clues were...

So, that puts you on...

..£1,000. With 11 seconds remaining on the clock, you now have a choice.

You can take that money and go. Or you can play on.

What do you think?

If we play on and you don't get it, it's all your fault.

OK, thanks for that.

It's tight but on the other hand, we're the quadrupling...

more than quadrupling the money.

And 11 seconds will get you most of the way down the board.

Only get one go at it. But...

-It's up to you.

-Shall we do it?

-It's up to you because you're answering.

-I'll go for it.

APPLAUSE

I knew you would.

Ian, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Stand forward.

You're on your own.

Can you win today's top prize?

With 11 seconds remaining on the clock, we'll restart

when the first clue appears. Are you ready?

Ian?

Erm...

Bones.

Is the link bones?

GROANING

-So close.

-Muscles.

Oh, muscles! Muscles!

The remaining clues were...

-Yeah, that's what I'd have got.

-So, play stays with you.

And you face a new super-link. With one second left.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears. Stand by, Ian.

Er... Little House On The Prairie.

Is the link Little House On The Prairie?

Computer viruses.

-The remaining clues were...

-I knew it was computers(!)

-Yeah(!)

Nothing would have given me

greater pleasure for it to have been Little House On The Prairie.

Well, Ian and Claire, I'm afraid that is wrong

so you're leaving with nothing.

APPLAUSE

Oh, well...

-I would like to be sending you off on a holiday, Claire.

-Oh, well.

-But it's not going to happen.

-Never mind. We had fun anyway.

-Have you had a good time? Apart from that?

-Apart from that, fantastic.

-Thank you.

-Ian and Claire, thank you for playing.

APPLAUSE

Join us next time when three more pairs will be trying to make

all the right connections on The Link.

See you, then. Goodbye.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE