Evening all. What started as a nice day, a good antidote to the rather wet and windy weekend, seems to have developed back into rain now. So I guess its down to UC to brighten up the evening again. After the storming (not sure if pun intended) start to the series, hopes are high going into the first Oxbridge match of the series, ignoring the fact that the third game of the series has been rather one sided for the past two series. What next? Let's see...
Pembroke College Oxford was founded in 1624, and it's alumni include Samuel Johnson of the Dictionary, James Smithson of the Smithsonian and Lord Heseltine of the House of Lords. Unlike its Cambridge namesake, it hasn't featured much in the BBC series, only appearing twice before, most recently in the Gail Trimble series of 08-09, where they were beaten in the play-offs. This year's foursome were:
Connor McGurk, from Sedgwick in Cumbria, studying Earth Sciences
Tom Lambert, from London, studying History and Spanish
Captain: Katherine Perry, from Birmingham, studying Theology
Louie Morris, from Kingston-upon-Thames, studying History
Downing College Cambridge was founded in 1800, and named after Sir George Downing, who built the street of the same name; its alumni include comedy legends John Cleese and Andy Hamilton, the late Michael Winner, and, if you remember a comment from this blog from last series, my Grandfather. It has been slightly more prolific under Paxo's watch, appearing five prior times, most recently in 2013-14. This year's quartet were:
Fergus O'Dowd, from Winchester, studying Linguistics
Jane O'Connor, from Dublin, studying Human, Social and Political Sciences
Captain: Yanbo Yin, from Beijing, studying Physics
Felix Prutton, from Wootton in Norfolk, studying Natural Sciences
Off we set again then, and Downing set the ball rolling for the night with Ms O'Connor identifying 'Prince', the big clue being the late musician. The Cambridge side took a full set of bonuses, only to then lose a third of the resultant points to a penalty; Mr McGurk picked up for Pembroke, and his side took one of their first bonuses. Another five went down the Downing drain, but their opponents did not pick this one up; Mr Morris took the next starter though, and bonuses on architecture gave them another correct answer. The first picture round, on road maps of European countries, went to Downing, who took a second full bonus set, and reclaimed the lead, 40-30.
Mr Yin, about to embark on a very profitable night, opened his account with 'Haydn', but, in contrast to their earlier sets, his side took none from a set on Iron Maiden's album 'Number of the Beast', much to the Twittersphere's disbelief! Mr McGurk pulled Pembroke back into the game, and his side drew level with two bonuses on biology. A penalty then gave Downing the lead back again; Mr Yin picked up, and they returned to form with a full set of bonuses. Another Pembroke slip-up, another Downing pick-up, and another full bonus set later, the Cambridge side suddenly had a 60-point lead.
The music round, on pieces whose manuscripts are housed in the British Library, went to Downing; none of the bonuses followed this time, but they now led 110-40. And it increased again when Mr Yin took a starter on his home country, and took two bonuses on philosophy, unluckily missing the other by a forename. The Cambridge captain firmly had the bit between his teeth, as he took his latest starter; just one bonus followed this time, but his side now had a 100+ lead. Mr Lambert finally broke Pembroke back into the game, with Paxo, unusually, not ticking him off for a slight pause before answering; the Oxford side duly took a full set of bonuses, showing that perhaps they weren't giving in yet.
The second picture round, on paintings from the Lady Lever gallery, went to Downing, who took one bonus, which increased their lead to 160-65. Another starter to the irrepressible Mr Yin, another full bonus set (one of which I took, 'Titan', thanks Red Dwarf!), and that was game over.
Now it was just a question of how much more either team could score. Mr Yin seemed determined to make sure his side got the better of that, as he promptly took yet another starter, and another two bonuses followed, giving the Cambridge side the highest score of the series thus far. And it got bigger when that man Yin took yet another starter, and yet another full house followed suit. Pembroke did take the final starter of the game, Ms Perry doing the honours, but her side could not take either of the two bonuses there was time for. At the gong, Downing won 230-75.
A game of two halves, close in the first half, then Downing ran away in the second. Unlucky Pembroke, a perfectly respectable team who didn't deserve to lose like that, and I suspect would've beaten another team; thanks very much to them for playing. Well done Downing though, and very best of luck to them in the next round!
The stats: Mr Yin ended the night by far the best buzzer, with NINE(!) starters to his name, while Mr McGurk was Pembroke's best with two (his colleagues all took one). On the bonuses, Pembroke converted a respectable 7 out of 14, while Downing managed a very decent 24 out of 36, and both sides incurred two penalties.
No match next week, we resume on the 13th.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Monday, 23 July 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 2: Emmanuel vs Glasgow
Evening all. After the excellent start to the series last week, could this second encounter keep the early momentum going? I certainly hope so; had a rough day, had little sleep last night due to this infernal heatwave, perked up at work this morning, but then something went wrong with my ready meal and I had to have toast for dinner instead! What I needed to cheer me up was a good match, and I'm glad to say I am satisfied!
Emmanuel College Cambridge began life as a training school for Protestant preachers, and is now one Cambridge's largest colleges; alumni include writer Sebastian Foulkes and Griff Rhys Jones, one of Britain's foremost Welsh comedians (or, as Angus Deayton once claimed, 'four most Welsh comedians'!). The college won UC in 2009-10 under the captaincy of the legendary Alex Guttenplan, and is appearing for the third series in a row, its last two teams having reached the semis and quarters respectively. This year's foursome, with a lot to live up to, were:
Connor MacDonald, from New Brunswick, Canada, studying Politics and International Relations
Vedanth Nair, from Kings Lynn, studying Economics
Captain: Daniella Cugini, from Warwick, studying English
Ben Harris, from Bath, studying Geology
Glasgow University is the second oldest university in Scotland, founded by James II (of Scotland) in 1451. Alumni include TV inventor John Logie Baird, comedian turned dancer Susan Calman and politicians Nicola Sturgeon and Sir Vince Cable. After also appearing in three series running, it sat out last year's tournament; the team from two years ago narrowly lost a low scoring first round match. This year's quartet were:
Lewis Barn, from Airdrie, studying Professional Legal Practice
Freya Whiteford, from Bonybridge near Falkirk, studying Physics with Astrophysics
Captain: James Hampson, from Cheshire, studying Medicine
Cameron Herbert, from West Yorkshire, studying Sociology and Quantatitive Methods
Off we set again then, and Mr Hampson set the ball rolling with, ironically, the answer wrongly offered for the first starter last week, 'night'! Two bonuses were taken. Mr Harris opened Emmanuel's account promptly, but they could take just one of their first bonuses. Mr Barn, who you may remember from the last series of Only Connect, came in very quickly with 'Alfred Hitchcock', and his side pushed their advantage with another two correct bonuses. The first picture round, on islands that multiple countries have land on, including Borneo, where my late grandmother hailed from, went to Emmanuel; all three bonuses followed, leaving the scores level at 40-each.
Mr MacDonald put Emmanuel in front with the next starter, but just the one bonus followed again this time. Another good quick buzz from Mr Barn, not that unreminiscent of the famous '1 6 15 20 15 6 1' from last series, closed the gap again, and one bonus on animals whose names are composed of those of two others, such as Whale Shark and Spider Monkey, put the teams level again. Ms Cugini gave her side the lead again, and this time two bonuses, including what looked like an educated guess of 'Tracey Emin', were accompanied. Again, Glasgow bit back via Mr Barn, but this time, they could only take one, leaving a gap. An unfortunate offer of 'byt' instead of 'byte' by Glasgow gave Emmanuel a bigger lead, and they pushed home with a full bonus set on German political parties.
The music round saw Mr Hampson quickly recognise Debbie Harry of Blondie; the bonuses, on English pop songs with foreign language interludes, gave Glasgow a full set of their own, pulling them back to 100-95. Good game so far, and it carried on, as Emmanuel took the lead again with 'earwig', and another full set pulled them further away again. Back came Glasgow again though, with Mr Herbert taking his first starter of the night, and, again, they took a full set, on physics, so gap back to five. It became nothing when Mr Nair was pedantically docked five, but Glasgow couldn't take advantage. Another starter was dropped, before Ms Whiteford gave Glasgow the lead for the first time in a while; the bonuses gave a mention of Chirk, which I mainly know of via a story of a canal boat incident told by my grandfather, but Glasgow could take none of them.
The second picture round, on comedy characters created by Armando Iannucci, who took a timely full set (I called 'The Thick of It' being one of them before the first came up!), and now led 155-120. 'Starlings' increased that lead, as did two of the resultant bonuses. Back fought Emmanuel though, Mr Nair offering his favourite obscure World Cup fixture in 'Egypt and Saudi Arabia'! The Cambridge side took the same two bonuses I did, and were still very much in the game.
A penalty increased their chances, as did Mr Harris picking up the drop, and the resultant bonuses pulled the Cambridge side within ten again. The lead doubled when Mr Herbert zagged with 'David Hockney' after Mr Nair zigged with 'Damien Hurst'; one bonus meant they were realistically within one starter of victory. The next two were dropped though, though Glasgow's case was helped when Emmanuel were, again, pedantically fined five. Ms Cugini kept their hopes alive with 'Far From the Madding Crowd' though, and two bonuses were quickly taken. But when Mr Hampson took, what turned out to be the last starter of the game, that was game over. There was time for the bonuses, of which one was taken; at the gong, Glasgow won 200-175.
Another excellent match, this series off to a fine start, and thankfully those two 'penalties' didn't affect the outcome. Unlucky Emmanuel, but a very respectable showing, and I'm pretty sure 175 will be enough for the play-offs, hopefully see yous again. Well done Glasgow though, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Hampson was the best buzzer of the night, with five, while Mr MacDonald was Emmanuel's best with three. On the bonuses, Emmanuel converted 19 out of 27 (with two 'penalties'), while Glasgow managed 19 out of 33 (with one penalty), so it was two extra starters that won the game. Also, all eight players answered at least one starter, which we all like to see.
Next week's match: Pembroke College Oxford vs Downing College Cambridge
Emmanuel College Cambridge began life as a training school for Protestant preachers, and is now one Cambridge's largest colleges; alumni include writer Sebastian Foulkes and Griff Rhys Jones, one of Britain's foremost Welsh comedians (or, as Angus Deayton once claimed, 'four most Welsh comedians'!). The college won UC in 2009-10 under the captaincy of the legendary Alex Guttenplan, and is appearing for the third series in a row, its last two teams having reached the semis and quarters respectively. This year's foursome, with a lot to live up to, were:
Connor MacDonald, from New Brunswick, Canada, studying Politics and International Relations
Vedanth Nair, from Kings Lynn, studying Economics
Captain: Daniella Cugini, from Warwick, studying English
Ben Harris, from Bath, studying Geology
Glasgow University is the second oldest university in Scotland, founded by James II (of Scotland) in 1451. Alumni include TV inventor John Logie Baird, comedian turned dancer Susan Calman and politicians Nicola Sturgeon and Sir Vince Cable. After also appearing in three series running, it sat out last year's tournament; the team from two years ago narrowly lost a low scoring first round match. This year's quartet were:
Lewis Barn, from Airdrie, studying Professional Legal Practice
Freya Whiteford, from Bonybridge near Falkirk, studying Physics with Astrophysics
Captain: James Hampson, from Cheshire, studying Medicine
Cameron Herbert, from West Yorkshire, studying Sociology and Quantatitive Methods
Off we set again then, and Mr Hampson set the ball rolling with, ironically, the answer wrongly offered for the first starter last week, 'night'! Two bonuses were taken. Mr Harris opened Emmanuel's account promptly, but they could take just one of their first bonuses. Mr Barn, who you may remember from the last series of Only Connect, came in very quickly with 'Alfred Hitchcock', and his side pushed their advantage with another two correct bonuses. The first picture round, on islands that multiple countries have land on, including Borneo, where my late grandmother hailed from, went to Emmanuel; all three bonuses followed, leaving the scores level at 40-each.
Mr MacDonald put Emmanuel in front with the next starter, but just the one bonus followed again this time. Another good quick buzz from Mr Barn, not that unreminiscent of the famous '1 6 15 20 15 6 1' from last series, closed the gap again, and one bonus on animals whose names are composed of those of two others, such as Whale Shark and Spider Monkey, put the teams level again. Ms Cugini gave her side the lead again, and this time two bonuses, including what looked like an educated guess of 'Tracey Emin', were accompanied. Again, Glasgow bit back via Mr Barn, but this time, they could only take one, leaving a gap. An unfortunate offer of 'byt' instead of 'byte' by Glasgow gave Emmanuel a bigger lead, and they pushed home with a full bonus set on German political parties.
The music round saw Mr Hampson quickly recognise Debbie Harry of Blondie; the bonuses, on English pop songs with foreign language interludes, gave Glasgow a full set of their own, pulling them back to 100-95. Good game so far, and it carried on, as Emmanuel took the lead again with 'earwig', and another full set pulled them further away again. Back came Glasgow again though, with Mr Herbert taking his first starter of the night, and, again, they took a full set, on physics, so gap back to five. It became nothing when Mr Nair was pedantically docked five, but Glasgow couldn't take advantage. Another starter was dropped, before Ms Whiteford gave Glasgow the lead for the first time in a while; the bonuses gave a mention of Chirk, which I mainly know of via a story of a canal boat incident told by my grandfather, but Glasgow could take none of them.
The second picture round, on comedy characters created by Armando Iannucci, who took a timely full set (I called 'The Thick of It' being one of them before the first came up!), and now led 155-120. 'Starlings' increased that lead, as did two of the resultant bonuses. Back fought Emmanuel though, Mr Nair offering his favourite obscure World Cup fixture in 'Egypt and Saudi Arabia'! The Cambridge side took the same two bonuses I did, and were still very much in the game.
A penalty increased their chances, as did Mr Harris picking up the drop, and the resultant bonuses pulled the Cambridge side within ten again. The lead doubled when Mr Herbert zagged with 'David Hockney' after Mr Nair zigged with 'Damien Hurst'; one bonus meant they were realistically within one starter of victory. The next two were dropped though, though Glasgow's case was helped when Emmanuel were, again, pedantically fined five. Ms Cugini kept their hopes alive with 'Far From the Madding Crowd' though, and two bonuses were quickly taken. But when Mr Hampson took, what turned out to be the last starter of the game, that was game over. There was time for the bonuses, of which one was taken; at the gong, Glasgow won 200-175.
Another excellent match, this series off to a fine start, and thankfully those two 'penalties' didn't affect the outcome. Unlucky Emmanuel, but a very respectable showing, and I'm pretty sure 175 will be enough for the play-offs, hopefully see yous again. Well done Glasgow though, and very best of luck in the second round!
The stats: Mr Hampson was the best buzzer of the night, with five, while Mr MacDonald was Emmanuel's best with three. On the bonuses, Emmanuel converted 19 out of 27 (with two 'penalties'), while Glasgow managed 19 out of 33 (with one penalty), so it was two extra starters that won the game. Also, all eight players answered at least one starter, which we all like to see.
Next week's match: Pembroke College Oxford vs Downing College Cambridge
Monday, 16 July 2018
University Challenge 2018-19: Round 1: Match 1: Warwick vs Exeter
Evening all. Here we go again, on another 37 week long series of University Challenge! And we really needed it today too, what with the World Cup and Wimbledon both ending yesterday. It'll take something to top the high drama and unpredictability of the best World Cup century thus far (Jonathan Pearce's OTT commentary when Germany went out will forever live in my memory!), but I'm sure UC, and OC when it comes back later in the year, will give it a go. Anyway, lets do this...
First up this series, we had Warwick University; confusingly based in Coventry rather than Warwick, it came into being in 1965, and among its former students are Frank Skinner, Ruth Jones, Stephen Merchant and David Davis MP, whose resignation last week was met with much disappointment in the Dead Ringers writing room! It has regularly sent teams to UC, winning in 2006-07, and unluckily losing to our old friends Ulster in the second round last series. This year's foursome were:
Emily Wolfenden, from Dereham in Norfolk, studying Maths
Jacopo Sartori, from Italy, studying Maths
Captain: Ben Beardsley, from Settle in North Yorkshire, studying Maths
Robert Gowers, from Market Harborough, studying Neuroscience
Playing them were Exeter University, which came into being in 1955 with the merging of three existing institutions in the vicinity of the city; its alumni include wildlife expert Steve Backshall, musicians Will Young and Tom Yorke and the writer JK Rowling. It too has been a regular sender of teams to the UC studios, with varying degrees of success; its last foray came back in 2014-15, when they lost their first match and were ultra incredibly unfortunate to miss out on the play-offs. This year's quartet were:
Simon Waitland, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, studying Natural Sciences
Will Klintworth, from Woking, studying Politics and International Relations
Captain: Danny Lay, from Oxford, studying Physics
Jessica Brown, from Chichester, studying Acoustic Metamaterials
Off we set again then, and the new series kicked off with... a pedantic 'interruption'. Terrific(!) Exeter took the correct points, and began the series with two bonuses on words whose etymologies are unknown, with the third unluckily missed. A second starter in a row went Exeter's way, and they stamped their authority on the game with the first full house of the series. Another penalty didn't help Warwick's cause, but Miss Wolfenden opened their account by identifying MB as the only consonants in the words described; two bonuses moved them back into positive figures. The first picture round of the series, on that old quiz staple the periodic table, requiring missing elements to be identified, went to Exeter; two correct answers gave them an early lead of 65-10.
Mr Beardsley now opened his scoring account, and doubled his side's score, but they couldn't add to the score with any bonuses. Mr Klintworth added to Exeter's score with 'Gore Vidal', and his side took a second full house of the night. Still plenty of time for Warwick to catch up, and Mr Beardsley added to their cause with 'Angels in America'; one bonus on the work of Bob Dylan followed. A second starter in a row went the Warwick captain's way, and life sciences proved more fruitful to his side, two correct there.
The first music round of the series, on classical pieces named after cities, went to Exeter, who collected two bonuses to increase their lead to 105-55. (I was listening to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition last week, but didn't get to the end; if I had, I'd have got that first bonus!) Mr Gowers pulled another back for Warwick, and his side took two bonuses, pulling them back within sight. But Mr Lay very quickly identified the video game company 'Valve', increasing their lead; highlight of the night were the bonuses, where Exeter confused Sir Ian McKellen with Matt LeBlanc and Dame Vera Lynn with Sir Mick Jagger! ("He'll be mortified!" quoth Paxo!) Mr Beardsley fought back for Warwick, and one bonus went with it. Warwick then slipped up again, but Exeter couldn't pick up; vice versa, and this time Warwick did pick up, and one bonus was enough to put them within ten points.
What looked like an educated guess gave Warwick the second picture round, on apocalyptic paintings; just one bonus followed again, but they now had the lead, 115-110. And it increased when Miss Wolfenden came up with 'Romeo and Juliet'; bonuses on 'princes of Wales' who never became King, gave them two correct answers and some room to breath. But back came Exeter, with Mr Waitland identifying 'Oyster Catcher', and bonuses on the work of composer Wendy Carlos gave them a full set, and pulled them level again, setting up a sprint finish.
A penalty for Warwick handed Exeter the upper hand, and they took it and the lead; nothing came from the bonuses though. The next starter went missed by both sides, Miss Wolfenden then pulled Warwick back within five with 'Richmond', and the side didn't wait for Paxo to finish the two bonuses they took to give them the lead back. And when Mr Klintworth then zigged with 'Euclid' and dropped five, and Mr Gowers zagged with 'Peano', that was likely game, set and match. Exeter did take the final starter, but were gonged out before they could answer the first bonus. Warwick won 165-150.
An excellent close start to the series, two very good well matched teams, bravo to them for clapping each other at the end. Unlucky Exeter, but a very good account nonetheless, and you definitely deserve a play-off place, which 150 should be enough to get. Well done Warwick though, a fine recovery after a rather iffy start, and good luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Beardsley was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Lay's five. On the bonuses, Warwick converted 15 out of 33 (with four penalties), while Exeter managed 14 out of 25 (with two penalties), so it was a match won on the buzzer in more ways than one.
Next week's match: Emmanuel College Cambridge vs Glasgow
First up this series, we had Warwick University; confusingly based in Coventry rather than Warwick, it came into being in 1965, and among its former students are Frank Skinner, Ruth Jones, Stephen Merchant and David Davis MP, whose resignation last week was met with much disappointment in the Dead Ringers writing room! It has regularly sent teams to UC, winning in 2006-07, and unluckily losing to our old friends Ulster in the second round last series. This year's foursome were:
Emily Wolfenden, from Dereham in Norfolk, studying Maths
Jacopo Sartori, from Italy, studying Maths
Captain: Ben Beardsley, from Settle in North Yorkshire, studying Maths
Robert Gowers, from Market Harborough, studying Neuroscience
Playing them were Exeter University, which came into being in 1955 with the merging of three existing institutions in the vicinity of the city; its alumni include wildlife expert Steve Backshall, musicians Will Young and Tom Yorke and the writer JK Rowling. It too has been a regular sender of teams to the UC studios, with varying degrees of success; its last foray came back in 2014-15, when they lost their first match and were ultra incredibly unfortunate to miss out on the play-offs. This year's quartet were:
Simon Waitland, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, studying Natural Sciences
Will Klintworth, from Woking, studying Politics and International Relations
Captain: Danny Lay, from Oxford, studying Physics
Jessica Brown, from Chichester, studying Acoustic Metamaterials
Off we set again then, and the new series kicked off with... a pedantic 'interruption'. Terrific(!) Exeter took the correct points, and began the series with two bonuses on words whose etymologies are unknown, with the third unluckily missed. A second starter in a row went Exeter's way, and they stamped their authority on the game with the first full house of the series. Another penalty didn't help Warwick's cause, but Miss Wolfenden opened their account by identifying MB as the only consonants in the words described; two bonuses moved them back into positive figures. The first picture round of the series, on that old quiz staple the periodic table, requiring missing elements to be identified, went to Exeter; two correct answers gave them an early lead of 65-10.
Mr Beardsley now opened his scoring account, and doubled his side's score, but they couldn't add to the score with any bonuses. Mr Klintworth added to Exeter's score with 'Gore Vidal', and his side took a second full house of the night. Still plenty of time for Warwick to catch up, and Mr Beardsley added to their cause with 'Angels in America'; one bonus on the work of Bob Dylan followed. A second starter in a row went the Warwick captain's way, and life sciences proved more fruitful to his side, two correct there.
The first music round of the series, on classical pieces named after cities, went to Exeter, who collected two bonuses to increase their lead to 105-55. (I was listening to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition last week, but didn't get to the end; if I had, I'd have got that first bonus!) Mr Gowers pulled another back for Warwick, and his side took two bonuses, pulling them back within sight. But Mr Lay very quickly identified the video game company 'Valve', increasing their lead; highlight of the night were the bonuses, where Exeter confused Sir Ian McKellen with Matt LeBlanc and Dame Vera Lynn with Sir Mick Jagger! ("He'll be mortified!" quoth Paxo!) Mr Beardsley fought back for Warwick, and one bonus went with it. Warwick then slipped up again, but Exeter couldn't pick up; vice versa, and this time Warwick did pick up, and one bonus was enough to put them within ten points.
What looked like an educated guess gave Warwick the second picture round, on apocalyptic paintings; just one bonus followed again, but they now had the lead, 115-110. And it increased when Miss Wolfenden came up with 'Romeo and Juliet'; bonuses on 'princes of Wales' who never became King, gave them two correct answers and some room to breath. But back came Exeter, with Mr Waitland identifying 'Oyster Catcher', and bonuses on the work of composer Wendy Carlos gave them a full set, and pulled them level again, setting up a sprint finish.
A penalty for Warwick handed Exeter the upper hand, and they took it and the lead; nothing came from the bonuses though. The next starter went missed by both sides, Miss Wolfenden then pulled Warwick back within five with 'Richmond', and the side didn't wait for Paxo to finish the two bonuses they took to give them the lead back. And when Mr Klintworth then zigged with 'Euclid' and dropped five, and Mr Gowers zagged with 'Peano', that was likely game, set and match. Exeter did take the final starter, but were gonged out before they could answer the first bonus. Warwick won 165-150.
An excellent close start to the series, two very good well matched teams, bravo to them for clapping each other at the end. Unlucky Exeter, but a very good account nonetheless, and you definitely deserve a play-off place, which 150 should be enough to get. Well done Warwick though, a fine recovery after a rather iffy start, and good luck in the next round!
The stats: Mr Beardsley was, just, the best buzzer of the night, with six starters to Mr Lay's five. On the bonuses, Warwick converted 15 out of 33 (with four penalties), while Exeter managed 14 out of 25 (with two penalties), so it was a match won on the buzzer in more ways than one.
Next week's match: Emmanuel College Cambridge vs Glasgow
Friday, 13 July 2018
University Challenge returns on Monday!
Alright all? Hope everyone's had a good break from quizzing. I certainly have, plus I've had the World Cup to get me through it.
Anyway, in case you are unaware, University Challenge returns for its new series this coming Monday (16th) at 8:30. First fixture of the series is Warwick vs Exeter, while Emmanuel College Cambridge plays Glasgow the week after.
As far as my coverage is concerned, I will be carrying on with my usual Monday night write-up, complete with all the stock phrases I have fallen into the habit of using over the past few years. And when OC returns later in the year, I will be carrying on with that the same too.
So, see you on Monday evening, I guess.
Anyway, in case you are unaware, University Challenge returns for its new series this coming Monday (16th) at 8:30. First fixture of the series is Warwick vs Exeter, while Emmanuel College Cambridge plays Glasgow the week after.
As far as my coverage is concerned, I will be carrying on with my usual Monday night write-up, complete with all the stock phrases I have fallen into the habit of using over the past few years. And when OC returns later in the year, I will be carrying on with that the same too.
So, see you on Monday evening, I guess.
Monday, 7 May 2018
Some final thoughts on University Challenge and Only Connect
So, it's been two weeks since UC finished up for the Spring, and one week since OC's finale. So, time for those final thoughts I promised you. This won't take too long I hope, as they're mostly the same points I've made before, but still...
Well, overall, both were excellent series. UC started a bit slowly in the first round, but hit its stride in the second, and remained enthralling for the rest of the series, not evenly the slightly disappointing final souring the series at all.
OC also had a somewhat difficult start, with its new format not at all clear, and it took us a while to work out what exactly was going on. And I think we all like the format idea that means no team goes out after a win and a single defeat, something a lot of us feel quite strongly about in terms of UC's format. The fact that the eventual winners came as far as they did after losing their first match, and one of the semi-finalist teams also lost en route and came through the extended round, just shows that the format is justified.
There was one issue with the format though: the quarter-final process did drag a bit after all the earlier play-offs and so on. It would've worked a bit better, IMO, if they'd just done straight knockout in the quarter-finals.
I mean, look, I have nothing wrong with the extended quarter-final phase, it worked very well for OC in the five series it was used entirely in, as it meant all teams got at least two matches. And that was, I thought, the reason it was introduced in the first place, to stop really good teams only getting one game due to a very unlucky first round draw.
I was, therefore, somewhat surprised when, last series, the show decided to no longer do it like that. I know the extension to 37 shows was designed so it could run alongside UC all series, but, to be quite honest, whereas 37 shows just about makes it with UC, it is a bit long for OC IMO. Half the time, especially in the later stages, I had to swot back on previous reviews to write my recap of a team's prior progress.
As for UC, well, it's been nearly a decade since the extended quarter-final stage was introduced. I'm still not an enormous fan of it being used following a sudden death second round; as Aethelstan points out, a lot of the teams that fell in the second round, this year in particular, can consider themselves unlucky not to reach the group stage.
I suspect both these formats will be around for both shows' next series, and I'm fine with that. The only real issue with OC's format is the number of teams that only get one game; the issue about the group stage dragging after it is only a minor complaint, though I still think sudden death QFs would fit better with the format.
Now, the future of this blog.
As you may be aware, these reviews have become increasingly harder for me to write these last couple of years, due to a lack of imagination, I keep saying the same things most weeks. And while some of them are habits I have been unable to break out of, some I just cannot think of a different way of phrasing.
Now I mention it, I do think the extended formats might have something to do with this fatigue. Keeping a blog series running for 37 weeks does wear one out somewhat. Usually, at the start of the series, I am a lot keener to do the reviews than I am by the time the series ends.
On the other hand, I have been running this blog in the same format for six years now, and maybe now is the time for change. Next series, I will either carry on the way things are at the moment, or I may decide to change things up a bit.
So, yes, I am going to do another series of write-ups on here, but maybe, just maybe, in a new style. Nothing set in stone yet; if I do decide to change formats, I will probably only decide to do so nearer the time.
For now, though, this blog is being put on its now usual hibernation until Quizzy Mondays return in July. Thanks once again to all who have commented on the blog or on Twitter over the past ten months, been great correspondence as always!
So, until we next meet, whenever that is, and in whatever form, good night, and stay safe!
Well, overall, both were excellent series. UC started a bit slowly in the first round, but hit its stride in the second, and remained enthralling for the rest of the series, not evenly the slightly disappointing final souring the series at all.
OC also had a somewhat difficult start, with its new format not at all clear, and it took us a while to work out what exactly was going on. And I think we all like the format idea that means no team goes out after a win and a single defeat, something a lot of us feel quite strongly about in terms of UC's format. The fact that the eventual winners came as far as they did after losing their first match, and one of the semi-finalist teams also lost en route and came through the extended round, just shows that the format is justified.
There was one issue with the format though: the quarter-final process did drag a bit after all the earlier play-offs and so on. It would've worked a bit better, IMO, if they'd just done straight knockout in the quarter-finals.
I mean, look, I have nothing wrong with the extended quarter-final phase, it worked very well for OC in the five series it was used entirely in, as it meant all teams got at least two matches. And that was, I thought, the reason it was introduced in the first place, to stop really good teams only getting one game due to a very unlucky first round draw.
I was, therefore, somewhat surprised when, last series, the show decided to no longer do it like that. I know the extension to 37 shows was designed so it could run alongside UC all series, but, to be quite honest, whereas 37 shows just about makes it with UC, it is a bit long for OC IMO. Half the time, especially in the later stages, I had to swot back on previous reviews to write my recap of a team's prior progress.
As for UC, well, it's been nearly a decade since the extended quarter-final stage was introduced. I'm still not an enormous fan of it being used following a sudden death second round; as Aethelstan points out, a lot of the teams that fell in the second round, this year in particular, can consider themselves unlucky not to reach the group stage.
I suspect both these formats will be around for both shows' next series, and I'm fine with that. The only real issue with OC's format is the number of teams that only get one game; the issue about the group stage dragging after it is only a minor complaint, though I still think sudden death QFs would fit better with the format.
Now, the future of this blog.
As you may be aware, these reviews have become increasingly harder for me to write these last couple of years, due to a lack of imagination, I keep saying the same things most weeks. And while some of them are habits I have been unable to break out of, some I just cannot think of a different way of phrasing.
Now I mention it, I do think the extended formats might have something to do with this fatigue. Keeping a blog series running for 37 weeks does wear one out somewhat. Usually, at the start of the series, I am a lot keener to do the reviews than I am by the time the series ends.
On the other hand, I have been running this blog in the same format for six years now, and maybe now is the time for change. Next series, I will either carry on the way things are at the moment, or I may decide to change things up a bit.
So, yes, I am going to do another series of write-ups on here, but maybe, just maybe, in a new style. Nothing set in stone yet; if I do decide to change formats, I will probably only decide to do so nearer the time.
For now, though, this blog is being put on its now usual hibernation until Quizzy Mondays return in July. Thanks once again to all who have commented on the blog or on Twitter over the past ten months, been great correspondence as always!
So, until we next meet, whenever that is, and in whatever form, good night, and stay safe!
Tuesday, 1 May 2018
Only Connect Series 13: Grand Final: Escapologists vs Belgophiles
OK, here we are, the thirteenth Only Connect grand final. And after the string section guesting in the final two series ago, this series was enlivened by an a capella group, performing the opening and closing music plus the riffs between the rounds. So, would it be a second win in a row for a team that had lost twice en route, or a first victory for a team with two players with the same surname?
The Esacpologists, Frank Paul, Tom Rowell and captain Lydia Mizon, lost their first match to the Eco-Warriors, but survived as one of two highest scoring runners-up, then beat the other, the Cricketers, and the Dandies in the play-off round; they then beat the Detectives, won a rematch against the Eco-Warriors, and last week defeated the Inquisitors to make the final, where they come face to face with a team who had beaten them by a single point in the QF qualifiers. The Belgophiles, Helen Fasham, Phil Small and captain Ben Fasham, husband of Helen, by contrast, came straight through undefeated, with victories over the Lapsed Physicists, the Meeples, the Beaks and the Vikings, as well as that victory over their fellow finalists.
Round 1. The Belgophiles kicked the final off with Eye of Horus: 'In low melting point alloys', then 'As a poison', then 'Be present in Emerald'; they saw that the first words are chemical symbols of elements that match the subsequent descriptions, and collected two points to start with. The Escapologists opened their showing with Lion: 'The temperature in Chopok, Slovakia', then 'Esquivalience'; they noticed at this point that they are fictitious reference book entries used as copyright traps, or 'mountweazels', and that was three points for them. The Belgophiles chose Horned Viper next, and got the picture set: we saw a coach party with 'Tower' next to them, then a £1 coin with 'Corner' next to it, then a cartoon of a chap who has hit his finger with a hammer alongside 'Bread', and finally a dent in a car alongside 'Tooth'. They identified the image as referring to a French translation of the word, and collected a point. The Escapologists chose Water next, and got the music set: we heard Gwen Stefani with 'Cool', then 'Tonight' by New Kids on the Block, then 'Maria' from The Sound of Music, and finally Simon and Garfunkel's 'America'. They didn't get the link, nor did their opponents til it was too late: they are songs that share their names with songs from West Side Story. The Belgophiles chose Two Reeds next: 'Augustus of Primaporta: out', then 'Laocoon: one short', then 'The Rocky Statue: six', and finally 'Christ the Redeemer: wide'. They offered them to be statues that depict a figure in a cricket umpiring position, and a point was collected. Left with Twisted Flax, the Escapologists saw 'Dora Maar', then 'Thai beef dish 'Seua rong hai'', then 'Salix babylonica', and finally 'Quantum-locked evil statues in Doctor Who'; they identified them as linked by 'weeping', and also picked up a point. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied on 4-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Belgophiles started the round with Eye of Horus again: 'Caloris Montes', then 'Skadi Mons', and then 'Mount Everest'; they identified them as the highest mountains on Mercury, Venus and Earth, so offered 'Olympus Mons' as the highest on Mars for the two points. The Escapologists chose Twisted Flax next, and got the picture set: we saw a still from the film '50 First Dates', then one from the film 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'; they saw the sequence, and offered 'The Fourth Estate' for the three points. The Belgophiles chose Lion next: 'Ted-Violet', then 'Reginald-Joanie', and then 'Derek-Raquel'; they saw them to the four generations of the Trotter family in Only Fools and Horses, so offered 'Damien' for the two points. The Escapologists chose Water next, and got a music question: we heard the Monkees with 'I'm a Believer', then 'You're the One that I Want' from Grease; they saw a link of 'first person singular' and 'second person singular', so suggested a song beginning with a first person plural, such as Queen's 'We Are The Champions' for the points. (Cue the a capella group providing a snippet) For their final choice, the Belgophiles chose Two Reeds: 'Battle of Agincourt', then 'Pocahontus dies'; they came in here and offered 'The 2015 General Election', which was not acceptable. Their opponents saw 'Peterloo Massacre', but were none the wiser: they are events of 1415, 1617 and 1819, so something that could happen in 2021, such as 'the Next UK Census', or, as my Celtic supporter Dad suggested, 'Celtic winning 10 in a row'(!), would suffice for the points. Left with Horned Viper, the Escapologists saw 'DQVZHU', then 'CPUYGT'; they offered 'ANSWER', which was correct, the sequence being the letters are all going backwards one at a time to eventually, literally, spell the answer. Good shout that! At the end of the second round, the Escapologists led 13-8.
On to the Walls. The Escapologists went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. After spotting some possible links, they eventually isolated 'Sprucy', 'Tango', 'Lima' and 'Rabies', which are anagrams of countries. They saw some other potential links, but no further sets could be isolated. So they had to go for bonuses: 'Golf', 'Cricket', 'Rugby' and 'Polo' are ball games, which they got, 'Romeo', 'Martin', 'Davidson' and 'Royce' are second names of motor manufacturers, which they also got, while 'Sampson', 'Potpan', 'Juliet' and 'Escalus' are characters in Romeo and Juliet, which they didn't get. Four points there.
The Belgophiles chose thus make up ground with a better performance on the Lion wall. They had even less success finding groups however, spotting numerous possible links, but none that fitted. So they too had to scavenge for connection bonuses: 'Golf', 'Romeo', 'Tango' and 'Lima' are words in the NATO alphabet, which they knew, 'up!', 'Amarok', 'Polo' and 'Jetta' are Volkswagen vehicles, which they also got, 'Badminton', 'Dollar', 'Rugby' and 'Stowe' are famous public schools, which they also correctly spotted, while 'Ostrich', 'Cricket', 'Crikey' and 'Dickens' all have abbreviations of the name Richard hidden in them ('ostRICH', 'cRICKet', 'cRIKey' and 'DICKens'), which they didn't spot. Three points there, which left them trailing 17-11 going into the final final round.
So, just about still to play for in Missing Vowels, but the Belgophiles would need to run the show. 'Things associated with connections of sequences', such as 'FIBONACCI' and 'SOCIAL NETWORKING', went to the Escapologists 2-1. 'Walls', such as 'ANTONINE WALL' (which I got, but neither team did), went to the Belgophiles 1-0. 'They're all missing vowels', such as 'THIS CLUE'(!) and 'HEBREW IN THE TORAH', went to the Escapologists 2-1, and that was time. The Escapologists won the game, and the series, 21-14.
A good final, a good end to the series. Unlucky Belgophiles, but a final series of performances, no shame in coming second, thanks very much indeed for playing. Very very well done Escapologists though, worthy and deserving champions!
And that's it for this series as well! Thanks to all the teams who took part in this series, another good one to recap, and if it is the last I do in this much detail, a good one to go out on.
A more thorough set of thoughts on the future prospects of OC, and UC, will follow either later this week or next week.
The Esacpologists, Frank Paul, Tom Rowell and captain Lydia Mizon, lost their first match to the Eco-Warriors, but survived as one of two highest scoring runners-up, then beat the other, the Cricketers, and the Dandies in the play-off round; they then beat the Detectives, won a rematch against the Eco-Warriors, and last week defeated the Inquisitors to make the final, where they come face to face with a team who had beaten them by a single point in the QF qualifiers. The Belgophiles, Helen Fasham, Phil Small and captain Ben Fasham, husband of Helen, by contrast, came straight through undefeated, with victories over the Lapsed Physicists, the Meeples, the Beaks and the Vikings, as well as that victory over their fellow finalists.
Round 1. The Belgophiles kicked the final off with Eye of Horus: 'In low melting point alloys', then 'As a poison', then 'Be present in Emerald'; they saw that the first words are chemical symbols of elements that match the subsequent descriptions, and collected two points to start with. The Escapologists opened their showing with Lion: 'The temperature in Chopok, Slovakia', then 'Esquivalience'; they noticed at this point that they are fictitious reference book entries used as copyright traps, or 'mountweazels', and that was three points for them. The Belgophiles chose Horned Viper next, and got the picture set: we saw a coach party with 'Tower' next to them, then a £1 coin with 'Corner' next to it, then a cartoon of a chap who has hit his finger with a hammer alongside 'Bread', and finally a dent in a car alongside 'Tooth'. They identified the image as referring to a French translation of the word, and collected a point. The Escapologists chose Water next, and got the music set: we heard Gwen Stefani with 'Cool', then 'Tonight' by New Kids on the Block, then 'Maria' from The Sound of Music, and finally Simon and Garfunkel's 'America'. They didn't get the link, nor did their opponents til it was too late: they are songs that share their names with songs from West Side Story. The Belgophiles chose Two Reeds next: 'Augustus of Primaporta: out', then 'Laocoon: one short', then 'The Rocky Statue: six', and finally 'Christ the Redeemer: wide'. They offered them to be statues that depict a figure in a cricket umpiring position, and a point was collected. Left with Twisted Flax, the Escapologists saw 'Dora Maar', then 'Thai beef dish 'Seua rong hai'', then 'Salix babylonica', and finally 'Quantum-locked evil statues in Doctor Who'; they identified them as linked by 'weeping', and also picked up a point. At the end of the first round, the teams were tied on 4-each.
Round 2, What Comes Fourth? The Belgophiles started the round with Eye of Horus again: 'Caloris Montes', then 'Skadi Mons', and then 'Mount Everest'; they identified them as the highest mountains on Mercury, Venus and Earth, so offered 'Olympus Mons' as the highest on Mars for the two points. The Escapologists chose Twisted Flax next, and got the picture set: we saw a still from the film '50 First Dates', then one from the film 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'; they saw the sequence, and offered 'The Fourth Estate' for the three points. The Belgophiles chose Lion next: 'Ted-Violet', then 'Reginald-Joanie', and then 'Derek-Raquel'; they saw them to the four generations of the Trotter family in Only Fools and Horses, so offered 'Damien' for the two points. The Escapologists chose Water next, and got a music question: we heard the Monkees with 'I'm a Believer', then 'You're the One that I Want' from Grease; they saw a link of 'first person singular' and 'second person singular', so suggested a song beginning with a first person plural, such as Queen's 'We Are The Champions' for the points. (Cue the a capella group providing a snippet) For their final choice, the Belgophiles chose Two Reeds: 'Battle of Agincourt', then 'Pocahontus dies'; they came in here and offered 'The 2015 General Election', which was not acceptable. Their opponents saw 'Peterloo Massacre', but were none the wiser: they are events of 1415, 1617 and 1819, so something that could happen in 2021, such as 'the Next UK Census', or, as my Celtic supporter Dad suggested, 'Celtic winning 10 in a row'(!), would suffice for the points. Left with Horned Viper, the Escapologists saw 'DQVZHU', then 'CPUYGT'; they offered 'ANSWER', which was correct, the sequence being the letters are all going backwards one at a time to eventually, literally, spell the answer. Good shout that! At the end of the second round, the Escapologists led 13-8.
On to the Walls. The Escapologists went first, and chose to tackle the Water wall. After spotting some possible links, they eventually isolated 'Sprucy', 'Tango', 'Lima' and 'Rabies', which are anagrams of countries. They saw some other potential links, but no further sets could be isolated. So they had to go for bonuses: 'Golf', 'Cricket', 'Rugby' and 'Polo' are ball games, which they got, 'Romeo', 'Martin', 'Davidson' and 'Royce' are second names of motor manufacturers, which they also got, while 'Sampson', 'Potpan', 'Juliet' and 'Escalus' are characters in Romeo and Juliet, which they didn't get. Four points there.
The Belgophiles chose thus make up ground with a better performance on the Lion wall. They had even less success finding groups however, spotting numerous possible links, but none that fitted. So they too had to scavenge for connection bonuses: 'Golf', 'Romeo', 'Tango' and 'Lima' are words in the NATO alphabet, which they knew, 'up!', 'Amarok', 'Polo' and 'Jetta' are Volkswagen vehicles, which they also got, 'Badminton', 'Dollar', 'Rugby' and 'Stowe' are famous public schools, which they also correctly spotted, while 'Ostrich', 'Cricket', 'Crikey' and 'Dickens' all have abbreviations of the name Richard hidden in them ('ostRICH', 'cRICKet', 'cRIKey' and 'DICKens'), which they didn't spot. Three points there, which left them trailing 17-11 going into the final final round.
So, just about still to play for in Missing Vowels, but the Belgophiles would need to run the show. 'Things associated with connections of sequences', such as 'FIBONACCI' and 'SOCIAL NETWORKING', went to the Escapologists 2-1. 'Walls', such as 'ANTONINE WALL' (which I got, but neither team did), went to the Belgophiles 1-0. 'They're all missing vowels', such as 'THIS CLUE'(!) and 'HEBREW IN THE TORAH', went to the Escapologists 2-1, and that was time. The Escapologists won the game, and the series, 21-14.
A good final, a good end to the series. Unlucky Belgophiles, but a final series of performances, no shame in coming second, thanks very much indeed for playing. Very very well done Escapologists though, worthy and deserving champions!
And that's it for this series as well! Thanks to all the teams who took part in this series, another good one to recap, and if it is the last I do in this much detail, a good one to go out on.
A more thorough set of thoughts on the future prospects of OC, and UC, will follow either later this week or next week.
Friday, 27 April 2018
University Challenge 2017-18: Series Highlights
OK, time for my annual University Challenge end of series retrospective. After a rather inconstant first round, the series jumped into life in the knockout round, and that momentum carried on throughout the series. So, let's do this thing...
Starting with my usual selection of the best match of each phase:
In terms of the diversity of the institutions that appeared, we had a good range of non-Oxbridge teams this year, with four London teams, three from Scotland and one each from Scotland and Wales. No Manchester this series, the first absence of the former powerhouse for a few series, and Oxford Brookes and Sheffield Hallam flying the flag for the post 92 intake. For the third year in a row, Cambridge slightly outranked Oxford with six to five.
U.C.L. take the prize for the highest score of the series, with 315 in their play-off demolition of St Hugh's; they and Ulster narrowly avoid the ignominy of being the lowest scorers of the season, with Cardiff and Sheffield Hallam taking that unfortunate accolade with 40 each. U.C.L.'s winning margin in that play-off, 270, is also the largest of the series, while the largest aggregate score is 430, from Merton's second round win over Oxford Brookes.
Now for the annual highlights reel:
So, that's it for this series of University Challenge on this blog. It's been another great series to cover, and if it is the last one I decide to do in this format, then it's a great one to go out on. Thanks once again to Paxo, Roger Tilling and all the teams involved for the last few months' viewing, been great as always!
I will post up some more serious thoughts next Friday, once Only Connect has finished up too, as they are connected to it as well. Hopefully I will get my blog of the OC final done promptly in the week.
Starting with my usual selection of the best match of each phase:
- First Round + Play-Offs: Emmanuel vs St Hugh's just gets my pick here, followed very closely by Edinburgh vs Ulster.
- Second Round: Warwick vs Ulster, followed by U.C.L. vs Edinburgh. As I said at the time, those would be a good pair of matches to chose if you're going to get someone started on UC.
- Quarter-Finals: Has to be Newcastle vs St John's, with Fitzwilliam vs Emmanuel not far off.
- The Final Three: All were pretty good, but I enjoyed St John's vs Edinburgh most.
In terms of the diversity of the institutions that appeared, we had a good range of non-Oxbridge teams this year, with four London teams, three from Scotland and one each from Scotland and Wales. No Manchester this series, the first absence of the former powerhouse for a few series, and Oxford Brookes and Sheffield Hallam flying the flag for the post 92 intake. For the third year in a row, Cambridge slightly outranked Oxford with six to five.
U.C.L. take the prize for the highest score of the series, with 315 in their play-off demolition of St Hugh's; they and Ulster narrowly avoid the ignominy of being the lowest scorers of the season, with Cardiff and Sheffield Hallam taking that unfortunate accolade with 40 each. U.C.L.'s winning margin in that play-off, 270, is also the largest of the series, while the largest aggregate score is 430, from Merton's second round win over Oxford Brookes.
Now for the annual highlights reel:
- "Yul Brynner." "No-one's saying anything!" Also, the Red Dwarf theme tune in the music round.
- "Katy Perry" and "One Direction" in a music round!
- "My brother is an aficionado of oolong tea."
- Mr Raii's attempts to hurry Paxo through his pre-bonus spiel!
- "Brexit?" "Yes!"
- Ms Dihal's single handedly answering a bonus set on her homeland! Also, "Troilus and Cressida?" "Good heavens no!
- The music round on songs that received attention the day after the 2016 US election!
- "Fear of bellybuttons!"
- Paxo spookily pre-empting Jose Mourinho's 'Bristol were lucky' comments!
- "Justin Bieber!"
- "Cole Porter" being right this time!
- Newcastle achieveing two 'ONE YEAR OUT!'s in a row!
- Ulster suggesting Roland Garros has had a sex change!
- "Irn Bru!" "Doubtless made you what you are!"
- "Oasis?" "Good heavens no! That's Led Zeppelin's IMMORTAL Stairway to Heaven!"
- Mr Carson's brilliant shout of "Tristan and Isolde". Also, "Denis Compton".
- "1 6 15 20 15 6 1?"
So, that's it for this series of University Challenge on this blog. It's been another great series to cover, and if it is the last one I decide to do in this format, then it's a great one to go out on. Thanks once again to Paxo, Roger Tilling and all the teams involved for the last few months' viewing, been great as always!
I will post up some more serious thoughts next Friday, once Only Connect has finished up too, as they are connected to it as well. Hopefully I will get my blog of the OC final done promptly in the week.
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