University Challenge 2020-21: Round 1: Match 5: Reading vs Birkbeck

Good evening folks, and welcome back to my new slightly streamlined series of UC blogs, somewhere in between those I wrote back when I started this blog and those you've got used to over the past few years. Speaking of the old days of this blog, I've found myself drawn back towards Deal or No Deal recently following Weaver's Week's series of posts on Noel Edmonds' life and career; it helps that there are a lot more eps online than there used to be. Will maybe come back to that on here at some point. For now, though, on with UC...

 

Reading University has appeared on five previous BBC series, always reaching the second round until its last appearance in 2015-16, when they went out in the first round. This year's team were:

John Wilson, from Maidenhead, studying Teaching

Rosie Mammatt, from Pembrokeshire, studying Physics of the Environment

Captain: Lesley Rees, from Boston in Lincolnshire, studying Speech and Language Therapy

Elizabeth McCall, from Reading, studying Economics

 

Birkbeck of London were regulars in the first nine years of the BBC series, winning in 2002-03, before then disappearing until last series, when they lost in the first round to Edinburgh. This year's quartet were:

Jonathan Taylor, from London, studying Environment and Sustainability

Nicky Clarke, from Leicestershire, studying Early Modern History

Captain: Jonathan Williams, from London, studying Classics

Joshua Mutio, from St Helen's, studying PPE

Off we set again then, with Mr Williams opening the scoring for the night with 'Goethe'; the London side took two bonuses from their first set. The Londoners dominated the early exchanges, Mr Williams and Ms Clarke taking two of the first four starters each; their record of two bonuses from each set ended on the fourth set, with just one. Reading opened their account with the first picture round, on national coats of arms with animals supporting both Dexter and Sinister; they took one, which left the scores at 75-15.

 

But Birkbeck kept up their dominance of the buzzer race, with Messrs Mutio and Taylor ensuing all four of their players had contributed a starter. Their bonus rate was hit somewhat when they failed to take any from a set on freshwater fish. Not that it mattered: when Ms Clarke correctly answered 'Swahili', they already had a 100+ lead. After the second music round, on pop songs featuring Bobbye Hall on percussion, the Londoners led 155-15.

 

Paxo felt the need to tell Reading there was plenty of time left, a sure sign that something is wrong. Mr Wilson did at least respond with a second starter, and the Royals took two of the ensuing bonuses on trees. But it proved a one-off, as Birkbeck duly resumed their buzzer work, having already surely amassed enough points to come back even if Reading did catch them. A full set of bonuses on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar took them to 200 points, and, after the second picture round, on Jewish entertainers who performed in the Borscht Belt resorts, they led 245-35.

 

It had long been game over, now it was just a question of how high both teams could get. Mr Williams had another Birkbeck starter, giving them a bonus set on members of Mr Trump's first cabinet, of which they knew all the names but could only recall one. Ms Mammatt did take another starter for Reading, and two bonuses lifted them out of the Sub 50 club. Birkbeck had the final starter, but fell just short of 300. At the gong, Birkbeck won 295-50.

 

A very one sided contest, but still an enjoyable half hour. Very well done to Birkbeck, who look a pretty solid outfit, well balanced with all four players contributing, could be one to watch later on. Credit too to Reading, who I suspect would've done better against another opponent and must be a reasonable team to have made it onto the show.

 

The stats: Mr Williams was the best buzzer of the night with six, while Mr Wilson was best for Reading with two. On the bonuses, Reading managed 5 out of 9 (with the night's one penalty), while Birkbeck managed 29 out of 45.

 

Next week's match: Balliol Oxford vs Clare Cambridge

University Challenge 2020-21: Round 1: Match 4: Imperial vs Strathclyde

Alright everybody, welcome to the fourth week of this year's University Challenge. Now that Brain of Britain has been able to successfully remount and film the rest of this year's contest, which resumes next Monday, it's almost certain that UC should be able to do so as well at some point. But we'll cross that bridge when its safe to; for now, on with tonight's show, a rematch of another first round match from three series ago.

Imperial College London, formerly part of the University of London but not anymore, are, of course, the defending champions, having won their third title last series, the first two being in 1995-96 and 2000-01, and they were also runners-up in 2001-02. This year's team were:

Justin Wong, from Hong Kong, studying Maths

Katie Marrow, from the Peak District, studying Physics

Captain: Michael Kohn, from North London, studying Maths

Imran Rahman, from Petaling Jaya in Malaysia, studying Theoretical Physics

Strathclyde University has never made it beyond the second round of UC, doing so twice, firstly in 2003-04, captained by future Mastermind winner Aidan McQuade, and again in 2017-18, where they also beat Imperial in the first round before losing to Emmanuel of Cambridge. This year's foursome were:

Cameron Welsh, from Glasgow, studying Statistics

David Curran, from Glasgow, studying Civil Engineering

Captain: James Whittle, from Glasgow, studying Power Systems

Tom Starr-Marshall, from London, studying Speech and Language Therapy

So off we set once more, and Strathclyde's token Englishman Mr Starr-Marshall was first off the marks with 'red'; the Scots side got nothing from the first set of bonuses. Imperial responded in kind, and did manage one of their bonuses, only to surrender those five points to a slip-up. Strathclyde didn't pick it up, but did take the next starter and also just one bonus. The first picture round, on deltas and the rivers they empty, was more to the Scots side's liking, a full set, giving them an early lead of 50-10.

Imperial bounced back with a second starter on the board and a full bonus set of their own on art. The Scots side responded though with a third successive full bonus set on winners of the Hugo TV award. Strathclyde started to get a run on the buzzer going, taking another starter and two bonuses. A penalty for Imperial handed them a third in a row, and took them into three figures. The music round, on Atlanta rap and hip hop music, went to Strathclyde, but they got nothing from the bonuses (much to Paxo's relief!), leaving their lead at 115-30.

The Scots side were dominating the buzzer race, but they weren't exactly following through on the bonuses, just one bonus from their next two sets, which nonetheless took their lead past 100. Imperial finally broke back into the match, and showed they still had some hope with a full set. The next starter asked for two of the three Olympic host cities in the southern hemisphere; Mr Wong buzzed first and one answer came, but his second wasn't quick enough, so over to Strathclyde, who took two bonuses. The Londoners did take the second picture round, on portaits of artists' assistants, one of which I'm amazed they let be shown on BBC2 this early(!); a full house took the score to 165-75.

And onwards Imperial pushed, a second full set in a row on films beginning 'The Big' taking them into three figures. A third starter in a row went to them, but just the one bonus on Canadian provinces seemed to suggest there was a bit much for them to do in the time left. This was confirmed as Strathclyde took the next starter and a full set of bonuses on bones. Which left Imperial with the job of getting a good score for the repechage; two final starters and four out of six bonuses gave them a good chance. At the gong, Strathclyde won 190-155.

Another fine contest, two good teams both of whom fully deserve another match. Well done to Strathclyde, who are definitely through, and I would guess Imperial's score will be good enough for the play-offs, so hopefully they return too.

The stats: Mr Welsh was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with five starters to Mr Kohn's four. On the bonuses, Imperial managed a solid 17 out of 24 (with two penalties) and Strathclyde 16 out of 33.

Next week's match: Reading vs Birkbeck

University Challenge 2020-21: Round 1: Match 3: Linacre vs Open

Evening all, and welcome to Week 3 of this year's University Challenge, which, much like the Premier League, began as usual, and will end behind closed doors. I'm assuming. Does this mean Liverpool are going to win this series of UC as well? Tonight, two teams of maturer students fought for a place in the second round or, failing that, a play-off place.

Linacre College Oxford is appearing on UC for only the second time (of the BBC era at least), its only prior appearance being a first round exit in 2006-07, where they narrowly missed out on a play-off place on having heard more questions than two others. This year's team were:
Alex Blandford, from Cambridge, studying the Anthropology of Civic Technology
Josh Dorrington, from Windsor, studying Atmospheric Physics
Captain: James King, from Fordingbridge in Hampshire, studying Climate Science
Claudine Tinsman, from Switzerland, studying Cyber Security

The Open University won UC in 1984, and again more recently in 1998-99; after the latter win, it vanished from the show for fifteen years, before re-appearing in 2014-15, and have made two further series since. This year's foursome were:
Beverley Randle, from Bristol, studying the Roman Empire
David Lamb, from Stockport, studying Philosophy with Psychology
Captain: Jill Taylor, studying Riddlesden in Yorkshire, studying Engineering
Chris Macklin, from Manchester, studying Law

Off we set again, and Ms Randle opened the scoring with a fairly straight forward answer of 'children', the first clue a pretty obvious allude to the Railway Children; no bonuses on composers went with it. Linacre followed them off the mark, and had two from their first set. Then the tables turned: Linacre got nothing from their second bonus set, and Open a full house from the first picture round, on locations of academic botanical gardens; after that, they led 35-30.

The contrasts continued, as Open took the next two starters, and got nothing from the first bonus set, before sweeping clean the second set, though Paxo was maybe a touch lenient to allow Ms Taylor to correct 'Buckmeister' Fuller to 'Buckminster'. They settled down a bit after that though, maintaing a steady lead over Linacre. After the music round, on operas notably staged by the late Jonathan Miller, during which Linacre mistook 'Three Little Maids' as being from HMS Pinafore instead of The Mikado (must've been watching that Simpsons episode), Open led 90-60.

Then two starters in a row for Open and five bonuses out of six gave them a large lead and probably enough points to come back win or lose. What looked like a guess of 'Charles Dickens' allowed the Oxonians to pull one back, but Open pulled another back to maintain their lead. The second picture round, on Grade I listed structures built after the First World War, gave Linacre their first full set of bonuses, and reduced the gap to 155-105.

Still either team's game just about, and two successive starters and half the bonuses that came with them saw the Oxonians pull back to within 15 points. A dropped starter added to the late tension, but Ms Taylor took the next and a full set of bonuses gave them one foot in the second round. And when Mr Macklin took the next, that was game over. At the gong, Open won 210-140.

A good contest between two solid teams, good on both the buzzers and, after a back and forth start, the bonuses too. Well done to Open, deserving winners, but Linacre a fine team as well, and hopefully their score will be good enough for the play-offs.

The stats: Mr King was the best buzzer of the night with six starters, just beating Ms Randle's five for Open. On the bonuses, Linacre converted 12 out of 24 and Open a good 21 out of 30 (with a late penalty for a buzz just as the question was finishing).

Next week's match: Imperial vs Strathclyde (they've met in the first round before)

University Challenge 2020-21: Round 1: Match 2: Leicester vs Durham

Evening folks, and welcome to the second week of my new slightly streamlined and not so detailed as before University Challenge reviews. Another idea I floated briefly on Twitter last night was setting up a page on here with links to all the various episodes of pre Gail Trimble UC that I've found on YT; I may well get this set up later this week.

Leicester University won the very first series of UC back in 1963; its best Paxo era performance was a run to the QFs in 1998-99, and its last apppearance was a first round exit in 2017-18. This year's team were:
Rob Eyles, from Gloucestershire, studying Astrophysics
Tilly Clark, from Arlesley in Bedfordshire, studying Biochemistry
Captain: Tom Purnell, from Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, studying for a PGCE with Science
Sean Harper, from Woodford Green, studying Victorian Studies

Durham University have won the show twice, in 1977 and more recently in 1999-2000; it has appeared in every series bar two since that win, and reached the semis of the last two series. This year's quartet were:
Harry Regan, from Sevenoaks, studying Liberal Arts
Tom Banbury, from Stratford-upon-Avon, studying History
Captain: Holly Parkinson, from Brighton, studying Physics
Tom Wilkening, from Ramsgate, studying Biology

So off we set again, and it was Leicester who had the faster start, with Mr Eyles identifying the notes of Pewterschmidt family ancestor Leonardo da Vinci; the side took two bonuses. The second and third starters also went to the Midlands side, as did one bonus from each set. Durham kicked off with the first picture round, on depictions of the Sun on national flags; two bonuses reduced their early arrears to 50-20.

Now awakened, the Wearsiders began to find their buzzer fingers and, two starters and pair of bonuses later, had taken the lead. Leicester pulled back in front with a starter and full bonus set on DC Comics, but Durham were now firmly in the groove, and another starter, with a nice mention for Clyde FC, and bonus pair gave them the lead again. After the music round, on cadenzas in classical music, Durham had opened a lead of 120-75.

Leicester pulled a starter and single bonus back, but a penalty gave Durham more room to breath, as they maintained their consistent form of answering two bonuses correct from every set. The Wearsiders then dropped five of their own though, Mr Regan unlucky to offer just 1939 instead of the full date, 1st of September that year, that was required. Leicester took the drop and one bonus. The Midlands side also had the second picture round, on scientists with streets named after them at the CERN complex; another sole bonus meant they trailed 135-115.

Still either team's game, but another Leicester penalty and Durham pickup gave them the advantage, despite their bonus consistancy ending with just one on China. Another starter and sole bonus put them within sight of victory, but Leicester kept themselves in it with a starter and two bonuses. But when Leicester dropped another five, and Durham picked up again, that was game over. At the gong, Durham won 180-125.

Another decent contest, either team's game until the final minutes. Well done to Durham, a solid team perfectly capable of another SF run if things go their way, best of luck next time. Hard lines to Leicester, whose score I feel won't be enough for the play-offs, but well done them on a respectable effort.

The stats: Mr Eyles was the best buzzer of the night with five, while Messrs Regan and Banbury were joint best for Durham with three each. On the bonuses, Leicester converted 12 out of 24 (with three penalties) and Durham 17 out of 30 (with one penalty).

Next week's match: Linacre College Oxford vs the Open University

University Challenge 2020-21: Round 1: Match 1: Glasgow vs Exeter

Evening all. Here we go again, with a series the University Challenge that we weren't sure we were going to get, but we have indeed got, at least for the time being. As you'll know, I'll be streamlining my reviews for this series, keeping the traditional team line-ups and stats, but less detail-by-detail action. Thus, when Only Connect and Mastermind return, I can write longer potted summaries of them as well. For now, though, while UC is the only active Quizzy Monday show, my reviews will be long, but not as long as before. So, let's try this and see how it goes...

Glasgow University is appearing for the sixth series in seven, having previously been absent from the show for nine series; last year's team were unlucky to lose the second round to Courtauld. This year's team were:
Brian Nieves, from Stevensville, Maryland, studying History
James Warburton, from Stalmine in Lancashire, studying the History of Medicine
Captain: Rory McDowell, from Belfast, studying Global Security
Michael Greencorn, from Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, studying Engineering

Exeter University has also been a regular on the BBC series; it last appeared two series ago, where they narrowly lost their first round match, surviving to the play-offs, where they also lost. This year's four were:
Edward Parker, from Braintree, studying Archaeology and Anthropology
Alfie Riden, from Brixham in Devon, studying Mechanical Engineering
Captain: Cleo Gravett, from Faversham, studying English
Matthew Williams, from Bromley, studying Physics

Off we set again then, and Mr Nieves took the first starter of the series with 'oranges'. After two bonuses, a penalty allowed Exeter into the game and they had a full house. Then they incurred a penalty, and Glasgow retuned the favour. After the first picture round, on descriptions of the flags of Spanish speaking countries written in Spanish, the Scots side led 50-20.

Exeter took the next starter, and another full three bonuses, but Glasgow dominated the buzzer race from then on until the music round. In the process, they answered a full bonus set on video games, but dropped a full set on locations in Dickens; Paxo was not impressed with either! The music round was one partially recycled from the later stages of the last series, on songs where the title isn't mentioned until the final verse; Exeter had that, and two bonuses, to cut the gap to 105-60.

Mr McDowell looked like he was guessing 'Spiegel' when asked for a word linking various German publications, but he was right. Exeter were starting to recover though, and two starters in a row and five out of six bonuses drew them within ten points. But Glasgow duly increased the lead again, and also took the second picture round, on films where Colleen Atwoood designed the costumes, after which they led 155-105.

The Scots side maintained the lead throughout the final phase, though Exeter did mount a late recovery, pulling back to within thirty points. But when Mr Nieves identified Bell as the surname linking, among others, the MP for Tatton between '97 and '01, that was game over. At the gong, Glasgow won 200-145.

A good start to the new series, two good teams, both of whom deserve to come back; Glasgow worthy winners, but Exeter also a worthy team and hopefully will reach the still to be filmed play-offs.

The stats: Mr Nieves was best buzzer of the night with five starters, while Mr Parker was best for Exeter with four. On the bonuses, Glasgow converted 16 out of 34 and Exeter a very good 17 out of 21, and both sides incurred two penalties.

Next week's match: Leicester vs Durham

Quizzy Mondays update, and some thoughts on shows without studio audiences

OK, so, first things first, some updates on what I posted yesterday.

An anonymous poster commented on my post saying that TPTB do intend, if they can, to try to remount production of the series about to start in September. Another anonymous source has contacted me on Twitter saying that Mastermind intends to film its next series in September as well, provided it's safe to do so, and with necessary precautions in place, such as no audience.

If this does come to pass, Mastermind will join a long list of programs that have been forced to do away with the studio audience to keep going in the current circumstances, with varying degrees of success.

For example, the lockdown version of Have I Got News for You, with the panelists partaking via Skype, got mixed reviews at first, but as the series went on, and they got used to the new format, it did settle down and, by the time the series ended, it was almost as like we were watching a regular episode. It helped that, after a couple of shows, they stopped awkwardly pausing for a few moments where the audience would normally be laughing.

Similarly, QI also recorded a couple of episodes without an audience, on the usual set, with the crew providing a light laugh track. As someone who usually watches QI for the actual questions rather than the humour, I honestly thought it ran a lot better than usual.

Over on Radio 4, the Now Show (which was midway through a series when the restrictions came in), the News Quiz, Dead Ringers and The Unbelievable Truth have all returned with series recorded remotely, and all have done very well without it. Like QI, I honestly think TUT, in particular, works much better without an audience, allowing for the balance between the factual content and the humour a lot more even.

That said, I don't think all Radio 4 comedy stalwarts would work without an audience. For example, Just A Minute (should they decide to carry on with it after Nicholas Parsons' passing) and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (ditto Tim Brooke-Taylor) should almost certainly wait until a sufficient level of normality has returned before recording again IMO. For two reasons: A, both shows record on location rather than in a BBC studio, and B, the humour of both shows rely quite heavily on the audience's reaction and participation.

And then we come to Brain of Britain, which managed to record six shows normally until the restrictions came in. I'm guessing they'll try and resume recording the rest of the series if/when it's safe to do so too, and without an audience. And, apart from the round of applause for Beat the Brains entrants, the show doesn't really need one, so I imagine it'd work too.

And that brings us full circle back to the start of this blog. We know Mastermind will try without an audience if/when it's safe to do so, and one would imagine UC would too should it remount as well. Neither show needs an audience, all they're really there for is to provide generous applause for correct answers and at the start and end of the show.

Once normality has sufficiently returned, I imagine most, if not all, of these shows, will bring back their studio audiences. However, these past few months have demonstrated, and in some cases will possibly demonstrate, that a lot of these shows don't really need one and, in some cases, work a bit better as far as some viewers/listeners are concerned.

And finally, a quick word on Only Connect. My anonymous informant doesn't have any information about whether any of its next series has been recorded, or when it will, but anything I do become aware of I'll post here or, more likely, on Twitter.

So, that's all for now. Unless anything else arises that I feel the need to blog about, I'll be back a week on Monday with my new shorter UC blog. Until then, sayonara.

University Challenge to return on July 13th, but for how long?

OK, so yesterday it was confirmed that University Challenge will return for it's 27th BBC series, and it's 50th(!) overall, a week on Monday. Thus confirming my theory that they did manage to get some of the new series recorded before the indoor gathering restrictions came into force.

This was also confirmed by Bother's Bar last week, which claimed that the first round was recorded as usual, but that was all they managed before the restrictions came along. It also says that TPTB don't intend to try and remount production of the series if/when it's safe to do so, so as to avoid another situation like that with Gail Trimble's Corpus Christi team that we do not talk about anymore.

So, as things stand, it would appear that the BBC has decided to air the full run of first round shows, just so that the contestants do at least get to appear on screen. In the circumstances, this would seem like a fair decision to make.

It is unclear what they intend to do once they have aired all the shows though, as the shows would only be enough to last until mid-late October. Perhaps then they'll start doing what they've been doing with the football and tennis et al and showing classic old episodes instead.

It also makes one wonder how much, if any, did Only Connect and Mastermind manage to get filmed before the restrictions came along; we shall have to wait and find out.

But, as things stand, UC will be back a week on Monday. And I will be covering it in my new truncated reviews, as highlighted in my review of the BBC era thus far.

I'll be back tomorrow with some further, not-unrelated thoughts about other shows, so, see you then I guess.