University Challenge

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... and a saucer of milk for my friend.

Most uncharitable of me ... but, nonetheless ...

[ardcarp]

Some good classical music questions tonight. Especially impressed with Merton getting Flying Dutchman Overture after about 2 seconds! (Orfeo, which they didn't get, was a pretty old recording. Sounded a bit like my old Archiv LP. Anyone know?)
Clearly Merton was a cracking team team, but thought Oxford Brooks put up a good show.

[Dave2002]

I veered towards Monteverdi, but couldn't say I recognised it. Then they mentioned Purcell - so I plumped (incorrectly) for that.

The Flying Dutchman was instantly recognisable. Good contest - with Oxford B languishing behind, but put on a terrific spurt towards the end - though
not enough to catch up. Very well done - both teams.

[Richard Tarleton]

Some good classical music questions tonight. Especially impressed with Merton getting Flying Dutchman Overture after about 2 seconds!

0.23 seconds, according to the brilliant blog that MrGG drew to our attention to last week (I got it just before he did )

[ardcarp]

Good blog. Yep, 8.30 is just fine for me. (Why does it feel better to watch what is after all a recorded programme 'live' rather than on catch-up?)
Might start a new thread on music you can identify in less than 30 seconds.

[LMcD]

I veered towards Monteverdi, but couldn't say I recognised it. Then they mentioned Purcell - so I plumped (incorrectly) for that.

The Flying Dutchmanan was instantly recognisable. Good contest - with Oxford B languishing behind, but put on a terrific spurt towards the end - though
not enough to catch up. Very well done - both teams.

Same here! The return of the regular competition has come as a great relief after the general crassness of the Christmas specials.
Another classic 'Pointless' clanger last night. When contestants were asked to name members of the 2016 cabinet, up popped Nigel Farage. (I suppose it could be argued that he was there in spirit)

[BBMmk2]

Was there a reason why none of the music questions were actually played out first?

[Richard Tarleton]

I caught the end of Only Connect at 8.29 - there was Gail Trimble - remember her? The Human Google - of the Oxford team that won, but was later disqualified for a rule infringement.

[Nick Armstrong]

I veered towards Monteverdi

I thought Purcell immediately, then veered like you, but finally plumped for Purcell (it sounded to me like all that weird stuff in Fairy Queen...)

Got all the other music questions though, and tied with the Merton bloke on the Wagner...

Did ANYONE get or even understand that odd 'letters/geography' question? It was along the lines of 'by reference to population, if T is Liverpool and L is Nottingham, what is E?'.... The brain-box from Merton obviously worked it out as Leeds - but what on earth was the question getting at...??

[vinteuil]

.

... wasn't it double letters in the name? Sheffield, Leeds... so I think it must've been O in Liverpool, T in Nottingham

.

[Nick Armstrong]

.

... wasn't it double letters in the name? Sheffield, Leeds... so I think it must've been O in Liverpool, T in Nottingham

.

It can't have been that obvious can it? Sure I would have got that. I'm sure I remember 'T' with 'Liverpool'...

Going to watch again....!


.

EDIT: I take it back - you're right, vinmousseux: double letters!

I can't have been listening properly!

[mercia]

I would change the seating arrrangement so that the person to the left of the captain doesn't get ignored so much. Put the captain at either end, its not as if the discussion has to be whispered for fear of being overheard. Some of the questions are ridiculously long, they often start off in total obscurity until the last few words give some clue to the answer. Its the question setter showing off.

[Nick Armstrong]

I would change the seating arrrangement so that the person to the left of the captain doesn't get ignored so much.

Mind you the Oxford Brooks right-hand bookend was virtually silent throughout, irrespective of seating... The motorsport bloke from Belgium engineered their fight-back practically single-handed.

[Nick Armstrong]

I was annoyed that of all the family trees from novels, I could identify all the novels, but remembered only one of the family surnames (Flyte). Good question, though...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I was annoyed that of all the family trees from novels, I could identify all the novels, but remembered only one of the family surnames (Flyte). Good question, though...

That was the only one that I couldn't remember (thus creating the sad spectacle of bloke alone shouting "Brideshead! Brideshead!! BRIDESHEAD!!! ... yeh, 'Flyte'; that's what I meant!" at the telly.)