University Challenge

[cloughie]

I wouldn't do too well against the students, although I'm pleased when I do know something that defeats all eight of them.

But some of this year's Christmas series has been extremely poor. I honestly believe that even I would have a chance on my own against the teams from the last two programs. Some of you here would wipe them out.

These people are presented, at length, as being successful, deserving some sort of (presumably well rewarded) eminence. I have to wonder at what this implies.

I suppose the acceptable term for general ignorance is now "differently informed". But do we really expect it among the Great and the Good, whose achievements are so tediously presented at the start of each program.

...and if they are going to be on telly, maybe make a little more effort in getting ready - wardrobe and presentation-wise! What would their mothers have said!

[Cockney Sparrow]

I watch UC infrequently - often by channel hopping and staying with it.

At the risk of being charged with a trivial interest, when did Paxo's hair style change - less sharp style, looks "softer" but it hasn't been accompanied by a change in his acerbic character so far as I can see....

[oddoneout]

Re#1305 and #1306
being an ignorant slob works for the PM, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

[Dave2002]

Re#1305 and #1306
being an ignorant slob works for the PM, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

On a good day he shows glimmers of intelligence and sensible decision making - but many days he doesn't. Nobody in their right minds would want his job at the moment. I almost feel sorry for him - note "almost".

[Leinster Lass]

I wouldn't do too well against the students, although I'm pleased when I do know something that defeats all eight of them.

But some of this year's Christmas series has been extremely poor. I honestly believe that even I would have a chance on my own against the teams from the last two programs. Some of you here would wipe them out.

These people are presented, at length, as being successful, deserving some sort of (presumably well rewarded) eminence. I have to wonder at what this implies.

I suppose the acceptable term for general ignorance is now "differently informed". But do we really expect it among the Great and the Good, whose achievements are so tediously presented at the start of each program.

I avoid the Christmas specials, but happened to glimpse the end of this week's contest in which the teams managed to accumulate something like 145 points between them. Was it in a Christmas edition some time ago that one team - Reading, I seem to recall - scored no points at all?

[oddoneout]

On a good day he shows glimmers of intelligence and sensible decision making - but many days he doesn't. Nobody in their right minds would want his job at the moment. I almost feel sorry for him - note "almost".

He wanted the job and got it. Even without Covid any half clued up person might have twigged that Brexit might involve a certain amount of application of effort. Choosing to ignore any element of work in favour of self-serving, and financially indulging Tory donors, does not deserve any sympathy whatsoever in my book.
However this is OT so I'll not pursue it further.

[ardcarp]

Change of topic: heartening to see Ade Edmondson doing so well for Manchester celebs and being a collaborative team leader to boot. I'd only ever seen him as a raving punk buffoon on TV before.

[cloughie]

On our screens Paxo's hairstyle had morphed by the time of UC's autumn broadcasts, as presumably during the first (summer) lockdown even he couldn't get a haircut!

Probably like many of us thinning with age!

[gurnemanz]

Paxo does a good job generally but I think he sometimes allows too much answering time and should make more frequent use of Bamber Gascoigne's famous "Have to hurry you".

Bamber's hair was widely admired as a fluffy mop which I can't recall changing much over his lengthy tenure as question master.

[ardcarp]

...and in Bamber's day the theme tune of a slighjtly popular ding-dong variety was so much better than the faux highbrow SQ version which has such a weak and soggy pizzicato note on the cello to start each phrase.

[ostuni]

And some pretty ropey intonation from violin 1!

[Dave2002]

Another "faux highbrow SQ" theme tune is of course that of Only Connect.

Don't get me on to Only Connect. Mad programme. Grimly stupid at times.

Example: - solution might be further down. The text after the numbers might be substituted for images .... yet another variant.

3: Edward Bond
4: Brigitte Bardot
5: Charles Manson







Now tell me why 6: Freddie Mercury - might be the right answer!

[Leinster Lass]

Don't get me on to Only Connect. Mad programme. Grimly stupid at times.

Example: - solution might be further down. The text after the numbers might be substituted for images .... yet another variant.

3: Edward Bond
4: Brigitte Bardot
5: Charles Manson







Now tell me why 6: Freddie Mercury - might be the right answer!

Well ... Edward Bond has 3 'D's?

[LezLee]

Off topic. Elizabeth Alker is on 'Pointless Celebrities' tonight, 2nd Jan, so we can put the voice to the person. (Presumably).

[Dave2002]

Well ... Edward Bond has 3 'D's?

Actually 6: Freddie Mercury might be the wrong answer - but that kind of thing never seems to bother the presenter of the TV programme!

If anyone figures this out in the next week I might revisit this totally pointless question.