Behind the scenes story of this University Challenge cock-up is more exciting than the real thing
It was the University Challenge semi-final last night between Newcastle University and Merton College, Oxford.
Halfway through there was a perfectly innocent looking music round in which Newcastle bagged all three bonuses.
Except the reality was rather more dramatic, as documented by this audience member on Twitter. This could be the most exciting thing we’ve never seen on University Challenge.
1.
THREAD: So – here's the full story of that #UniversityChallenge music round, which took considerably longer to complete than the two minutes or so you just saw. /1
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
2.
As you just saw, Newcastle nailed the starter and first two bonus questions. (Newcastle Nielsen’s explanation of how she recognised the starter as Britten is characteristically hilarious and equally characteristically unrepeatable in polite company.) #UniversityChallenge /2
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
3.
We then move on to the third bonus question – the pressure is on, Newcastle’s comeback attempt is gaining momentum, and Paxman seems keen to get on with it. #UniversityChallenge /3
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
4.
Paxman: “And finally, name the composer of this piece by Aaron Copla… oh ****.” #UniversityChallenge /4
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
5.
Recording stops. Gasps and hilarity in the studio. Paxman suitably mortified. #UniversityChallenge /5
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
6.
Hilarity rapidly subsides into confusion as we see 20 points being removed from Newcastle’s score. It turns out that there is no back-up bonus question in case of situations like this one…. #UniversityChallenge /6
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
7.
….so for consistency the director is insisting they have to take a whole new starter question and bonus round, as if Newcastle’s previous three answers never existed. #UniversityChallenge /7
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
8.
Cue much consternation amongst the Newcastle supporters in the crowd, led by the formidable mother of Newcastle Noble. #UniversityChallenge /8
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
9.
Newcastle reluctantly admit they would have had no problems identifying Copland as the composer of Fanfare for the Common Man (if memory serves correct). Crowd is suggesting they therefore just film the question and give them the 5 points. #UniversityChallenge /9
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
10.
Merton, exceptionally sportingly, make it clear they’d be perfectly happy with that. Newcastle, equally sportingly, insist they don’t want any favours, and the TV people are telling us they can’t do it. A travesty seems in the offing. #UniversityChallenge /10
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
