ROUND 1 - News Events from 2021

1.

In March 2021, which artist raised more than £16 million for an NHS charity through the sale of a painting depicting a little boy playing with a nurse doll wearing a superhero cape?

2.

In his diaries, former Tory minister Sir Alan Duncan describes Theresa May as "dumbstruck, leaden with a charisma bypass" and former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as "a venomous little shit".  Which current minister did he describe as a "deceitful, brassy monster"?

3.

Apart from an online presence, which business closed its doors in May last year after 242 years?

4.

Who, when posing with the assembled leaders at the G7 conference for a group photograph, was caught by a BBC microphone quipping, "Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?"?

5.

On June 23rd 2021, a new £50 polymer banknote entered circulation.  On one side is a picture of the queen.  Who, with some Mancunian connections, is featured on the other side?

6.

At a COP26 rally in Glasgow, which well-known person was filmed chanting "You can shove your climate crisis up your arse"?

7.

In 2019, Ariana Grande’s 7 Rings set a record with 16.9 million streams of a song in the UK in a single week.  With 24 million streams, which song beat this record in October 2021?

8.

Who resigned her government role when a press conference rehearsal came to light in December, in which she’d said: "Is cheese and wine alright?" and "It was a business meeting ... this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."?

Sp1

There were six parliamentary by-elections in 2021.  Name either the winner of the first for Hartlepool in May, or the winner of the sixth for North Shropshire in December.

Sp2

What was the name of the container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March 2021?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Poor Predictions by Famous People

1.

In 1927, two years before the Wall Street Crash that started The Great Depression, which economist said: "We will not see a crash in our time"?

2.

Which Fellow of the Royal Society said of his own book, published in 1859: "I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone."?

3.

Although there seems to be no actual evidence, which President of the Royal Society in the 1890’s is supposed to have said "Radio has no future", "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible", and "X-rays will prove to be a hoax"?

4.

At the 2004 World Economic Forum, which software developer and business magnate said: "Two years from now, spam will be solved"?

5.

In an interview in February 2005, which consumer electronics entrepreneur said: "Next Christmas, the iPod will be dead, finished, gone, kaput."?

6.

When asked in 1893 "Will this gun not make war more terrible?", which English scientist and inventor replied "No it will make war impossible"?

7.

In 1933, which Nobel prize winner said: "The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing.  Anyone who expects a source of power from transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine"?

8.

In 1916, which English comic actor said: "The cinema is little more than a fad. It’s canned drama.  What audiences really want to see is flesh and blood on the stage."?

Sp1

In February 2003, shortly before the Iraq War started, which high ranking US politician was asked how long it would last, and said: "Six days, six weeks. I doubt six months"?  It began on March 20th 2003 and the last US troops withdrew 8years, 8 months, and 29 days later.

Sp2

In October 1912, which pioneer of radio wrote: "The coming of the wireless era will make war impossible, because it will make war ridiculous."?

Sp3

In 1932, which scientist said: "There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will"?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - The Round Mediterranean Round

Starting with the largest in area, questions relate to the biggest countries with Mediterranean coastlines

1.

Albert Camus’ 1947 novel La Peste is set during a bubonic plague in the 1940s.  Peter Bowles’ 1949 novel The Sheltering Sky is set in 1947.  In which city, which is not a capital, do these novels totally or mainly take place?

2.

Founded by Greeks in the 7th century BC, which city has, apart from seven weeks in 2011, been its country’s capital since independence in 1951?

3.

What comes next in this list: Fustat (641 – 750 AD), Al-Askar (750 – 868 AD), Al-Qata’i (868 – 905 AD), Fustat again (905 – 972 AD) and where?

4.

This church, built by emperor Justinian I between 532-537 AD, was the largest Christian church in the world until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520.  What is it called?

5.

The English scientist Sir Henry Cavendish, noted for the discovery of hydrogen, was born here in 1731, as was the Italian patriot and revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1807.  Name the coastal city.

6.

The world’s largest Renaissance building, built between 1563 and 1584 by order of King Philip II, has a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school, and hospital.  What is it called?

7.

Name the film referenced by the titles of a 1972 film starring Woody Allen and a 1995 film starring Kevin Spacey.

8.

Since 1633, out of the 17 entrants, the Goose has won 65 times and the Eagle only 24.  Where is this race held?

Sp1

The Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, and is the fourth holiest site in Islam.  Both Christian and Muslim traditions consider it the burial place of John the Baptist’s head.  In which city would find this mosque?

Sp2

The world’s first commercial pharmacy opened here in 1317.  As a republic, in 1416, it was the first ‘country’ to abolish slavery.  In 1432, it opened its doors for children as the world’s first orphanage.  Name this city.

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Themed answers

Answers in this Round have something in common

1.

Ironically, the actor Arthur Bostrom is fluent in French. From 1985 to 1992, in which TV series was he a recurring character?

2.

Who was appointed Guardian of Scotland in 1297, after the Battle of Sterling Bridge, and served until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298?

3.

Which town has a Rugby Union team called the Scarlets, a Rugby League team called the West Wales Raiders, and was the birthplace of snooker player Terry Griffiths?

4.

Which actor starred in the 2003 film Elf and the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?

5.

Which rock and roll song, also the name of a women’s clothing retailer, was released by Little Richard in 1956?  It has been covered hundreds of times, notably by Elvis Presley, the Kinks, and the Beatles.

6.

The WW2 code-breaking computer Colossus was built here and shipped to Bletchley Park, and the alternative Cabinet War Room bunker was sited here.  In the late 70’s, the protracted Grunwick dispute about trade union recognition led to violence and 550 arrests.  What is the area of streets surrounding Gladstone Park in NW London called?

7.

Serving from 1850 to 1853, who was the last member of the Whig Party to be US president.  He failed to win the Whig nomination for president in 1852, and, when representing the Know Nothing Party in 1856, he only finished 3rd.

8.

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, which film had a runtime of over four hours, and was released in two parts in 2003 and 2004?

Sp1

What is the surname of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared, and their cousin Matthew, who formed the American rock band Kings of Leon in 1999?

Sp2

On the standard British Monopoly board, which property comes between Pentonville Road and Whitehall and is worth £140?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Announced theme - Crime fiction

1.

This TV actor is probably best remembered for roles as a Detective Inspector in 1975-78, as a Chief Inspector in 1987-2000, and as a barrister in 1995-2001.  Who is he?

2.

Publishers don’t like putting out more than one book per year by a particular author, so who adopted the pseudonym Jack Harvey in the early 1990s?

3.

Which fictional detective is normally assisted by his manservant Magersfontein Lugg?

4.

5.

This TV police drama series started in 1985.  The actor who played the title character died in 1994, but the series continued under the same name until 2010.  What was it called?

6.

Sherlock Holmes famously retired from Baker Street to keep bees, but which fictional detective retired from Whitehaven Mansions to grow marrows?

7.

In his first book in 1975, the surname of every character was borrowed from a Ximenes competitor.  By the time of the 30th and last novel in this crime series in 1999, 80 people had died.  Who was the author?

8.

In TV’s Midsomer Murders, in January 2016, the 105th episode heralded the first appearance of Forensic Pathologist Dr Kam Karimore.  But what led viewers to complain about this episode?

Sp1

In 1969-70, Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope starred on TV as eponymous dead and alive private detectives.  Give the surname of either of the stars of the 2000 remake.

Sp2

Which detective links the houses Abbey Grange, Copper Beeches, Three Gables, and Wisteria Lodge?

Sp3

This TV actor played a shop assistant in the ‘70s and ‘80s, a Detective Inspector in the ‘90s, and, in the last few years, a shop-keeper.  Who is he?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

Beware part words in particular, and there is one sound-alike

1.

Which pop group had No. 1 singles hits with Sweets for My Sweet in 1963, and Needles and Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away in 1964?

2.

First introduced in the UK in 1976, which chocolate bar has a layer of lightly-whipped nougat, on a layer of cereal 'crispies', which are then coated in milk chocolate?

3.

Who commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916?

4.

Opened in 2002, what is the name of the rotating boat lift, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal?

5.

In WW1, the Battle of the Marne, the Battles of the Somme, and the Battle of Amiens were all fought in which French region?

6.

Who is missing from this list: Belle, Molly, Andy, Olaf, Marbles, Rover and Snoopy?

7.

Which island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx is home to New York City’s jail complex?

8.

In which city was Al Capone imprisoned from August 1934 until January 1939?  While there, he played banjo in the prison band, the Rock Islanders, which gave regular Sunday concerts for other inmates.

Sp.

Who won an Olympic gold medal in rowing in 1924, but is best known for his 1946 book Baby and Child Care?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - The Question & Question Round

All the answers in this round are questions

1.

If Lou Costello is a peanut vendor, talking to Bud Abbott, who is the manager of a baseball team, what is the name of the comedy routine?

2.

Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a collection of 44 love poems.  What are the first 5 words of the first line of sonnet number 43?

3.

The 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner is based on which 1968 novel by Philip K Dick?

4.

Originally broadcast by the BBC from 1973 to 2010, Last of the Summer Wine is the longest-running sitcom in the world.  As the final episode closes, what does the longest-serving actor, Peter Sallis as Clegg ask?

5.

A maths professor at Warwick University, has derived an equation with three variables: departure time, number of children, and number of activities brought along.  What does the equation estimate?

6.

Which BBC TV series, revived several times since, was originally presented by Eamonn Andrews from 1951 to 1963?

7.

A 1787 cameo by Josiah Wedgwood depicted a kneeling slave in chains, with pleading hands begging for compassion.  What was the inscription on it, which became an abolitionist catchphrase?

8.

Which question did the Clash ask in 1982, and again, more successfully, in 1991?

Sp1

Released in 1995, what is the second studio album by Oasis called?

Sp2

What question did E H Carr set out to answer in his classic non-fiction book of 1961?

Sp3

In the film Gone with the Wind, "Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn" are Rhett Butler’s last words to a tearful Scarlett O’Hara.  Give either of the two questions that she has just asked him.

Sp4

If the answer to the classic joke is "Poke his eyes out", what is the question?

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - 2021 R.I.P. Bingo

Quizzers are required to pick a date when a famous person died and a statement will be read out by the QM

The question is always the same: ‘Who was he or she?’ Unless otherwise stated, the surname is sufficient

Jan 16th aged 81

This American record producer was known for innovative recording practices in the 1960s, but in 2009 he was sentenced to 19 years in prison for murder.  He would have been eligible for parole in 2024.

Feb 2nd aged 100

Aged 99, he began walking around his garden.  By the end of the day of his 100th birthday, he had raised £32.79 million for charity.  He was made an honorary colonel, was knighted by the Queen, and, reciting You’ll Never Walk Alone was the oldest person to have a UK No. 1 single.  Nickname will do.

Mar 13th aged 66

This boxer was undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987.  He made twelve successful title defences, all but one by knockout.  He beat Alan Minter, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns.  He was finally beaten in a controversial points decision on April 6th 1987 by Sugar Ray Leonard.

Apr 14th aged 82

Once chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, this fraudster ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, worth $64.8 billion.  On June 29th 2009, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison, and died there.

May 1st aged 89

Her cousin stood for President in 1988, but she is best known as a film actress, winning Best Supporting Actress Oscar in the 1987 film Moonstruck.  First name is required

Jun 17th aged 97

He became the first president of Zambia in 1964.  In 1991, he became only the second mainland African head of state to relinquish power peacefully after he had lost free multiparty elections.

Jul 24th aged 93

This iconic Borscht Belt comedian and actor, born Yacov Maza, won a Special Tony Award, and an Emmy for his 1986 one-man show, The World According to Me!  He won another Emmy for a 1988 TV special, and a third for his 1991 voice-over of Rabbi Hyman Krustofski in an episode of The Simpsons.

Aug 14th aged 90

This violinist, noted for his ‘lean, modernist interpretations’, made his concert debut in 1948, won the International Violin Competition in Budapest in 1949, and the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in 1952, but was always overshadowed by his violinist father David.  First name is required

Sep 2nd aged 96

He was a Greek MP from 1981 to 1993, and a government minister from 1990 to 1992.  He is better known here for composing of the film scores for Zorba the Greek (1964) and Serpico (1973).

Oct 18th aged 84

He served as the US National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993, and as US Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.

Nov 28th aged 79

Born in South Shields, he was a businessman, racing car driver, and team principal of his own Formula One team from its foundation in 1977 until 2020. During that period, the team won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' championships.

Dec 10th aged 78

The short one made his 1961 TV debut on Coronation Street.  One came to Britain in 1980 to make the TV sitcom Metal Mickey, featuring a robot with the catch-phrase ‘boogie boogie’.  One contributed banjo to George Harrison’s soundtrack to the 1968 film Wonderwall.  But this one was the tallest one, who was the son of the multi-millionairess who invented the correction fluid Liquid Paper.

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - News Events from 2021

1.

In March 2021, which artist raised more than £16 million for an NHS charity through the sale of a painting depicting a little boy playing with a nurse doll wearing a superhero cape?

Banksy

(accept Robin Gunningham or Robin Banks, either of which may or may not be his real name)

2.

In his diaries, former Tory minister Sir Alan Duncan describes Theresa May as "dumbstruck, leaden with a charisma bypass" and former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as "a venomous little shit".  Which current minister did he describe as a "deceitful, brassy monster"?

Priti Patel

3.

Apart from an online presence, which business closed its doors in May last year after 242 years?

Debenhams

4.

Who, when posing with the assembled leaders at the G7 conference for a group photograph, was caught by a BBC microphone quipping, "Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?"?

Queen Elizabeth II

5.

On June 23rd 2021, a new £50 polymer banknote entered circulation.  On one side is a picture of the queen.  Who, with some Mancunian connections, is featured on the other side?

Alan Turing

6.

At a COP26 rally in Glasgow, which well-known person was filmed chanting "You can shove your climate crisis up your arse"?

Greta Thunberg

7.

In 2019, Ariana Grande’s 7 Rings set a record with 16.9 million streams of a song in the UK in a single week.  With 24 million streams, which song beat this record in October 2021?

8.

Who resigned her government role when a press conference rehearsal came to light in December, in which she’d said: "Is cheese and wine alright?" and "It was a business meeting ... this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced."?

Allegra Stratton

(Boris Johnson’s former press secretary, and COP 26 Presidential spokeswoman)

Sp1

There were six parliamentary by-elections in 2021.  Name either the winner of the first for Hartlepool in May, or the winner of the sixth for North Shropshire in December.

Jill Mortimer

(Conservative, with a 16% swing from Labour)

or

Helen Morgan

(Liberal Democrat, with a 34% swing from Conservatives)

Sp2

What was the name of the container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March 2021?

ROUND 2 - Poor Predictions by Famous People

1.

In 1927, two years before the Wall Street Crash that started The Great Depression, which economist said: "We will not see a crash in our time"?

John Maynard Keynes

2.

Which Fellow of the Royal Society said of his own book, published in 1859: "I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone."?

Charles Darwin

(about On The Origin Of Species)

3.

Although there seems to be no actual evidence, which President of the Royal Society in the 1890’s is supposed to have said "Radio has no future", "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible", and "X-rays will prove to be a hoax"?

Lord Kelvin

(accept also William Thompson or 1st Baron Kelvin)

4.

At the 2004 World Economic Forum, which software developer and business magnate said: "Two years from now, spam will be solved"?

Bill Gates

5.

In an interview in February 2005, which consumer electronics entrepreneur said: "Next Christmas, the iPod will be dead, finished, gone, kaput."?

Sir Alan Sugar

6.

When asked in 1893 "Will this gun not make war more terrible?", which English scientist and inventor replied "No it will make war impossible"?

Hiram Maxim

7.

In 1933, which Nobel prize winner said: "The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing.  Anyone who expects a source of power from transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine"?

Sir Ernest Rutherford

8.

In 1916, which English comic actor said: "The cinema is little more than a fad. It’s canned drama.  What audiences really want to see is flesh and blood on the stage."?

Charlie Chaplin

Sp1

In February 2003, shortly before the Iraq War started, which high ranking US politician was asked how long it would last, and said: "Six days, six weeks. I doubt six months"?  It began on March 20th 2003 and the last US troops withdrew 8years, 8 months, and 29 days later.

Donald Rumsfeld

(US Secretary of Defense January 2001-December 2006)

Sp2

In October 1912, which pioneer of radio wrote: "The coming of the wireless era will make war impossible, because it will make war ridiculous."?

Guglielmo Marconi

Sp3

In 1932, which scientist said: "There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will"?

Albert Einstein

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - The Round Mediterranean Round

Starting with the largest in area, questions relate to the biggest countries with Mediterranean coastlines

1.

Albert Camus’ 1947 novel La Peste is set during a bubonic plague in the 1940s.  Peter Bowles’ 1949 novel The Sheltering Sky is set in 1947.  In which city, which is not a capital, do these novels totally or mainly take place?

2.

Founded by Greeks in the 7th century BC, which city has, apart from seven weeks in 2011, been its country’s capital since independence in 1951?

Tripoli

(Libya 679,362 sq. miles)

3.

What comes next in this list: Fustat (641 – 750 AD), Al-Askar (750 – 868 AD), Al-Qata’i (868 – 905 AD), Fustat again (905 – 972 AD) and where?

Cairo

(current capital of Egypt since 972 AD)

(Egypt 386,662 sq. miles)

4.

This church, built by emperor Justinian I between 532-537 AD, was the largest Christian church in the world until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520.  What is it called?

Hagia Sophia

(accept also Sancta Sophia or Holy Wisdom, but not St Sophia)

(Turkey, 302,535 sq. miles)

5.

The English scientist Sir Henry Cavendish, noted for the discovery of hydrogen, was born here in 1731, as was the Italian patriot and revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1807.  Name the coastal city.

Nice

(France 248,573 sq. miles)

6.

The world’s largest Renaissance building, built between 1563 and 1584 by order of King Philip II, has a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school, and hospital.  What is it called?

The Escorial Palace

(accept El Escorial, the Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Monasterio y Sitio de El Escorial en Madrid, or Monasterio del Escorial)

(Spain 195,124 sq. miles)

7.

Name the film referenced by the titles of a 1972 film starring Woody Allen and a 1995 film starring Kevin Spacey.

Casablanca

(Play It Again, Sam and The Usual Suspects)

(Morocco 172,414 sq. miles)

8.

Since 1633, out of the 17 entrants, the Goose has won 65 times and the Eagle only 24.  Where is this race held?

Sienna

(The Palio)

(Italy 116,348 sq. miles)

Sp1

The Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, and is the fourth holiest site in Islam.  Both Christian and Muslim traditions consider it the burial place of John the Baptist’s head.  In which city would find this mosque?

Damascus

(Syria 71,498 square miles)

Sp2

The world’s first commercial pharmacy opened here in 1317.  As a republic, in 1416, it was the first ‘country’ to abolish slavery.  In 1432, it opened its doors for children as the world’s first orphanage.  Name this city.

(Croatia 21,851 sq. miles)

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Themed answers

Answers in this Round have something in common

1.

Ironically, the actor Arthur Bostrom is fluent in French. From 1985 to 1992, in which TV series was he a recurring character?

‘Allo ‘Allo

(as gendarme Officer Crabtree and a "Good moaning" to you too)

2.

Who was appointed Guardian of Scotland in 1297, after the Battle of Sterling Bridge, and served until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298?

William Wallace

3.

Which town has a Rugby Union team called the Scarlets, a Rugby League team called the West Wales Raiders, and was the birthplace of snooker player Terry Griffiths?

Llanelli

4.

Which actor starred in the 2003 film Elf and the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?

Will Ferrell

5.

Which rock and roll song, also the name of a women’s clothing retailer, was released by Little Richard in 1956?  It has been covered hundreds of times, notably by Elvis Presley, the Kinks, and the Beatles.

Long Tall Sally

6.

The WW2 code-breaking computer Colossus was built here and shipped to Bletchley Park, and the alternative Cabinet War Room bunker was sited here.  In the late 70’s, the protracted Grunwick dispute about trade union recognition led to violence and 550 arrests.  What is the area of streets surrounding Gladstone Park in NW London called?

Dollis Hill

7.

Serving from 1850 to 1853, who was the last member of the Whig Party to be US president.  He failed to win the Whig nomination for president in 1852, and, when representing the Know Nothing Party in 1856, he only finished 3rd.

Millard Fillmore

8.

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, which film had a runtime of over four hours, and was released in two parts in 2003 and 2004?

Kill Bill

Sp1

What is the surname of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared, and their cousin Matthew, who formed the American rock band Kings of Leon in 1999?

Followill

Sp2

On the standard British Monopoly board, which property comes between Pentonville Road and Whitehall and is worth £140?

Pall Mall

Theme: Each answer contains 2 sets of double LL

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Announced theme - Crime fiction

1.

This TV actor is probably best remembered for roles as a Detective Inspector in 1975-78, as a Chief Inspector in 1987-2000, and as a barrister in 1995-2001.  Who is he?

John Thaw

(in The Sweeney, Inspector Morse and Kavanagh QC)

2.

Publishers don’t like putting out more than one book per year by a particular author, so who adopted the pseudonym Jack Harvey in the early 1990s?

Ian Rankin

3.

Which fictional detective is normally assisted by his manservant Magersfontein Lugg?

Albert Campion

4.

Cormoran Strike

(accept Cormorant Strike, as a common mispronunciation - Robert Galbraith a.k.a. J K Rowling)

5.

This TV police drama series started in 1985.  The actor who played the title character died in 1994, but the series continued under the same name until 2010.  What was it called?

Taggart

6.

Sherlock Holmes famously retired from Baker Street to keep bees, but which fictional detective retired from Whitehaven Mansions to grow marrows?

Hercule Poirot

7.

In his first book in 1975, the surname of every character was borrowed from a Ximenes competitor.  By the time of the 30th and last novel in this crime series in 1999, 80 people had died.  Who was the author?

Colin Dexter

(The Morse series of books - Ximenes was a crossword setter for The Observer)

8.

In TV’s Midsomer Murders, in January 2016, the 105th episode heralded the first appearance of Forensic Pathologist Dr Kam Karimore.  But what led viewers to complain about this episode?

There was no murder

(previously the average was 2.6 murders per episode)

Sp1

In 1969-70, Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope starred on TV as eponymous dead and alive private detectives.  Give the surname of either of the stars of the 2000 remake.

Vic Reeves or Bob Mortimer (in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased))

Sp2

Which detective links the houses Abbey Grange, Copper Beeches, Three Gables, and Wisteria Lodge?

Sp3

This TV actor played a shop assistant in the ‘70s and ‘80s, a Detective Inspector in the ‘90s, and, in the last few years, a shop-keeper.  Who is he?

David Jason

(in Open All Hours, Frost and Still Open All Hours)

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

Beware part words in particular, and there is one sound-alike

1.

Which pop group had No. 1 singles hits with Sweets for My Sweet in 1963, and Needles and Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away in 1964?

The Searchers

2.

First introduced in the UK in 1976, which chocolate bar has a layer of lightly-whipped nougat, on a layer of cereal 'crispies', which are then coated in milk chocolate?

Double Decker

3.

Who commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916?

(Admiral of the Fleet, John) Jellicoe (1st Earl Jellicoe)

4.

Opened in 2002, what is the name of the rotating boat lift, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal?

The Falkirk Wheel

5.

In WW1, the Battle of the Marne, the Battles of the Somme, and the Battle of Amiens were all fought in which French region?

Picardy

6.

Who is missing from this list: Belle, Molly, Andy, Olaf, Marbles, Rover and Snoopy?

Spike

(members of Snoopy’s litter from the cartoon Peanuts)

7.

Which island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx is home to New York City’s jail complex?

Rikers Island

8.

In which city was Al Capone imprisoned from August 1934 until January 1939?  While there, he played banjo in the prison band, the Rock Islanders, which gave regular Sunday concerts for other inmates.

San Francisco

(in Alcatraz, nicknamed ‘The Rock’)

Sp.

Who won an Olympic gold medal in rowing in 1924, but is best known for his 1946 book Baby and Child Care?

Benjamin Spock

Theme: Each answer contains Ships’ Captains from Star Trek (in alphabetical order, apart from Sisco which is a sound-alike)...

Jonathan Archer, Willard Decker, Edward Jellico, James T Kirk, Christopher Pike, Jean-Luc Picard, William T Riker, Benjamin Sisko, Spock

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - The Question & Question Round

All the answers in this round are questions

1.

If Lou Costello is a peanut vendor, talking to Bud Abbott, who is the manager of a baseball team, what is the name of the comedy routine?

Who’s on First?

2.

Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a collection of 44 love poems.  What are the first 5 words of the first line of sonnet number 43?

"How do I love thee?"

(Let me count the ways)

3.

The 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner is based on which 1968 novel by Philip K Dick?

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

4.

Originally broadcast by the BBC from 1973 to 2010, Last of the Summer Wine is the longest-running sitcom in the world.  As the final episode closes, what does the longest-serving actor, Peter Sallis as Clegg ask?

"Did I lock the door?"

5.

A maths professor at Warwick University, has derived an equation with three variables: departure time, number of children, and number of activities brought along.  What does the equation estimate?

How long it takes until a child in a car asks "Are we there yet?"

6.

Which BBC TV series, revived several times since, was originally presented by Eamonn Andrews from 1951 to 1963?

What’s My Line?

7.

A 1787 cameo by Josiah Wedgwood depicted a kneeling slave in chains, with pleading hands begging for compassion.  What was the inscription on it, which became an abolitionist catchphrase?

"Am I Not a Man and a Brother?"

(accept answers phrased as a question with ‘man’ and ‘brother’ in)

8.

Which question did the Clash ask in 1982, and again, more successfully, in 1991?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

(reached 17 in the UK charts in 1982, and No. 1 in 1991)

Sp1

Released in 1995, what is the second studio album by Oasis called?

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Sp2

What question did E H Carr set out to answer in his classic non-fiction book of 1961?

"What is History?"

Sp3

In the film Gone with the Wind, "Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn" are Rhett Butler’s last words to a tearful Scarlett O’Hara.  Give either of the two questions that she has just asked him.

"Where shall I go?" or

"What shall I do?"

Sp4

If the answer to the classic joke is "Poke his eyes out", what is the question?

"How do you make a Venetian blind?"

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - 2012 R.I.P. Bingo

Quizzers are required to pick a month when a famous person died and a statement will be read out by the QM

The question is always the same: ‘Who was he or she?’ Unless otherwise stated, the surname is sufficient

1

Jan 16th aged 81

This American record producer was known for innovative recording practices in the 1960s, but in 2009 he was sentenced to 19 years in prison for murder.  He would have been eligible for parole in 2024.

Phil Spector

2

Feb 2nd aged 100

Aged 99, he began walking around his garden.  By the end of the day of his 100th birthday, he had raised £32.79 million for charity.  He was made an honorary colonel, was knighted by the Queen, and, reciting You’ll Never Walk Alone was the oldest person to have a UK No. 1 single.  Nickname will do.

Sir Thomas Moore

(or ‘Captain Tom’)

3

Mar 13th aged 66

This boxer was undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987.  He made twelve successful title defences, all but one by knockout.  He beat Alan Minter, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns.  He was finally beaten in a controversial points decision on April 6th 1987 by Sugar Ray Leonard.

Marvin Hagler

4

Apr 14th aged 82

Once chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, this fraudster ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, worth $64.8 billion.  On June 29th 2009, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison, and died there.

Bernie Madoff

5

May 1st aged 89

Her cousin stood for President in 1988, but she is best known as a film actress, winning Best Supporting Actress Oscar in the 1987 film Moonstruck.  First name is required

Olympia Dukakis

(Michael Dukakis was the Democratic nominee who lost to George W Bush)

6

Jun 17th aged 97

He became the first president of Zambia in 1964.  In 1991, he became only the second mainland African head of state to relinquish power peacefully after he had lost free multiparty elections.

Kenneth Kaunda

7

Jul 24th aged 93

This iconic Borscht Belt comedian and actor, born Yacov Maza, won a Special Tony Award, and an Emmy for his 1986 one-man show, The World According to Me!  He won another Emmy for a 1988 TV special, and a third for his 1991 voice-over of Rabbi Hyman Krustofski in an episode of The Simpsons.

Jackie Mason

8

Aug 14th aged 90

This violinist, noted for his ‘lean, modernist interpretations’, made his concert debut in 1948, won the International Violin Competition in Budapest in 1949, and the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in 1952, but was always overshadowed by his violinist father David.  First name is required

Igor Oistrakh

9

Sep 2nd aged 96

He was a Greek MP from 1981 to 1993, and a government minister from 1990 to 1992.  He is better known here for composing of the film scores for Zorba the Greek (1964) and Serpico (1973).

Michail ‘Mikis’ Theodorakis

10

Oct 18th aged 84

He served as the US National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993, and as US Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.

Colin Powell

11

Nov 28th aged 79

Born in South Shields, he was a businessman, racing car driver, and team principal of his own Formula One team from its foundation in 1977 until 2020. During that period, the team won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' championships.

Frank Williams

(properly Sir Francis Williams CBE)

12

Dec 10th aged 78

The short one made his 1961 TV debut on Coronation Street.  One came to Britain in 1980 to make the TV sitcom Metal Mickey, featuring a robot with the catch-phrase ‘boogie boogie’.  One contributed banjo to George Harrison’s soundtrack to the 1968 film Wonderwall.  But this one was the tallest one, who was the son of the multi-millionairess who invented the correction fluid Liquid Paper.

Mike Nesmith

(of the Monkees)

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers