Monday, March 14, 2011

The Idler, Thursday, March 10, 2011

Stumped? Just hazard a guess

 

DO YOU EVER feel inadequate when you get stumped by the questions in radio and TV quizzes? Lylie Musgrave, of Durban, seems to have spent a lot of time tuning in to British quiz and game show programmes. She sends in a selection:

 

 

University Challenge (BBC2):

Jeremy Paxman:

"What is another name for 'cherrypickers' and 'cheesemongers'?"

Contestant:

"Homosexuals."

Jeremy Paxman:

"No. They're regiments in the British Army who will be very upset with you."


 

Beg, Borrow or Steal (BBC2):

Jamie Theakston:

"Where do you think Cambridge University is?"

Contestant:

"Geography isn't my strong point."

Jamie Theakston:

"There's a clue in the title."

Contestant:

"Leicester."


 

BBC Norfolk

Stewart White:

"Who had a worldwide hit with What A Wonderful World?"

Contestant:

"I don't know."

Stewart White:

"I'll give you some clues: what do you call the part between your hand and your elbow?"

Contestant:

"Arm"

Stewart White:

"Correct. And if you're not weak, you're...?"

Contestant:

"Strong."

Stewart White:

"Correct - and what was Lord Mountbatten's first name?"

Contestant:

"Louis."

Stewart White:

"Well, there we are then. So who had a worldwide hit with the song What A Wonderful World?"

Contestant:

"Frank Sinatra?"


 

Late Show (BBC Midlands):

Alex Trelinski:

"What is the capital of Italy ?"

Contestant:

"France."

Trelinski:

"France is another country. Try again."

Contestant:

"Oh, um, Benidorm."

Trelinski:

"Wrong, sorry, let's try another question. In which country is the Parthenon?"

Contestant:

"Sorry, I don't know."

Trelinski:

"Just guess a country then."

Contestant:

"Paris."



 

The Weakest Link (BBC2):

Anne Robinson:

"Oscar Wilde, Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Archer have all written books about their experiences in what:Prison or the Conservative Party?"

Contestant:

"The Conservative Party."


 

Beacon Radio (Wolverhampton):

DJ Mark:

"For 10, what is the nationality of the Pope?"

Ruth from Rowley Regis:

"I think I know that one. Is it Jewish?"



 

University Challenge:

Bamber Gascoyne:

"What was Gandhi's first name?"

Contestant:

"Goosey?"


 

GWR FM (Bristol):

Presenter:

"What happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963?"

Contestant:

"I don't know, I wasn't watching it then."



 

The Phil Wood Show (Manchester):

Phil:

"What's 11 squared?"

Contestant:

"I don't know."

Phil:

"I'll give you a clue. It's two ones with a two in the middle."

Contestant:

"Is it five?"


 



 



 

Lincs FM Phone-in:

Presenter:

"Which is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world?"

Contestant:

"Barcelona."

Presenter:

"I was really after the name of a country."

Contestant:

"I'm sorry, I don't know the names of any countries in Spain."




 




 

Rock FM (Preston)

Presenter:

"Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the name of a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci."

Contestant:

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"




 

The Biggest Game In Town (ITV):

Steve Le Fevre:

"What was signed, to bring World War I to an end in 1918?"

Contestant:

"Magna Carta?"




 




 

Chris Searle Show (BBC Radio, Bristol):

Chris Searle:

"In which European country is Mount Etna ?"

Caller:

"Japan."

Chris Searle:

"I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I can let you try again."

Caller:

"Er ... Mexico?"




 

Paul Wappat Show (BBC Radio, Newcastle)

Paul Wappat:

"How long did the Six-Day War between Egypt and Israel last?"

Contestant (after long pause):

"Fourteen days."




 

Daryl Denham's Drivetime (Virgin Radio):

Daryl Denham:

"In which country would you spend shekels?"

Contestant:

"Holland?"

Daryl Denham:

"Try the next letter of the alphabet."

Contestant:

"Iceland? Ireland?"

Daryl Denham: (helpfully)

"It's a bad line. Did you say Israel?"

Contestant:

"No."


And they say we have problems with our education system.

 

:




 




 




 

Chokers

 

READER Richard Andersson is propelled into verse by our cricketers' showing against England:

 

They call them the Proteas, South African cricket,

Not too good on turning wicket;

Had the Pommies down and out,

Didn't think they had a shout.

That fellow Smith, what was he thinking?

Should give up cricket, take up drinking!

It's so sad, it makes you weep,

Don't think World Cup here we'll keep;

ORTambo, here we come,

No big crowds, only some.

Practice hard for next four years,

Give up drinking all those beer's;

What a bunch of motley jokers,

Better known as bloody chokers!

 

And if we beat India on Saturday? Stand by for reams of verse!

Tailpiece

I SAW A dyslexic farmer the other day. He was wearing a cat flap.

 

Last word

Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined.

Samuel Goldwyn

GRAHAM LINSCOTT

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