Hard though it may be to believe, MasterChef isn't my favourite TV programme. Not by a long shot. That honour goes to the quiz show University Challenge as hosted by the redoubtable Jeremy Paxman.
I've always been good at quizzes so, unsurprisingly, it was always my dream to go on University Challenge (I was that kid from Starter for Ten, though I did have a brief flirtation with Blockbusters) and, as a student, I very nearly achieved that dream - I was the reserve for my college team and, wonder of wonders, they passed the auditions and actually got on the show.
So I trundled along with the team up to Granada studios in Manchester in the hope that someone would get food poisoning and I'd graciously step into the breach and save the day. But no, they were all fine. And after that, I graduated and I thought that was that.
This is in my parents' house. Not mine.
Then one day, bored at work, I was reading a trade paper when I saw an ad asking people to apply for a spin-off called University Challenge - The Professionals and so of course I applied ...
It was 2003. I was captain. I led a team of lawyers. I'd really like to say we stormed to victory, but in fact we got absolutely slaughtered. By a bunch of vicars.
Meh, I guess it's only right that God beat Mammon.
Anyway, as a kind of cathartic therapy I suppose, here for your delectation is my deathless appearance on University Challenge. Please don't laugh too much.
I still love Paxo by the way.
And I still clearly love University Challenge - I mean, look what I just bought on eBay:
Comments
Oh, Meems, you really wanted Paxo to lay into you!
Having said that, I'm unbelievably jealous that you were in UC - I love that programme and watch it religiously: great to improve one's English!
:)
fankoo
ps loving my word verification of shlyings!
You're FAB!
PS you sound posh.
PPS you look lovely.
PPS redingu
@Kavey - Partly - I didn't want to inflict the whole half hour on you.
@Kavey again - Can I just say that we didn't know they were going to interview us and when they did, they wouldn't let us do another take?
So obviously I came across like a simpleton.
@Greedy Diva - I'm chock-full of surprises, me.
Great video, you were lovely and very calm. I didn't know you were a lawyer - thought you were a doctor, lol!
@Nicisme - Thank you! Both my parents are doctors actually :)
@BSG - Yeah, I stil play at home!
I agree with Kavey, you do sound frightfully posh. :)
: ) xxx
Am another lover of UC - deeply impressed/jealous you made it on.
But seriously, MiMi, just how did you manage to talk with so many plums in your mouth?
; P
@Fernandez and Leluu - What a lovely thing to say - thank you :) xxx
@bron - Heh, very carefully edited. And yes, we were robbed. Of course :D
@Food Urchin - I coulda been a contender. Btw, shows the company I keep these days when my initial reaction to the plums comment is to snigger.
Also - hey, that's my normal voice, dude.
@May - Thank you, but I wouldn't dream of it!
My parents have my matriculation pic from Downing on the wall where I look like a dwarf standing next to my tall friend, and my PhD certificate amongst other 'achievements'. If I had been on a quiz team that would be on the 'wall of me' too. I suspect it's an Asian thing. Ixx
Do you turn the radio over with a "HURRUMPH!" when John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers come on by the way? ;P
(I didn't know what it was either)
@Kavey - Yes, you can be Paxman, heh.
@Alex - Past tense :)
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers? Who?
I'm still ticked off that the Evening Standard TV critic said I said Cream three times. It was only twice and I was clearly being flippant the second time ...
I can remember the days when Gandi Brassgroin asked the questions and the infamous Q;What was Ghandis Christian name? to which the response came-Goosey Goosey..
Sadly,Blockbusters was more on my intelligence level,we used to sit expectantly waiting for the "Can I have a P Bob?"Raised a snigger every time.
I was really good (captain of pub quiz team - trophies etc. etc.) but my abiding memory is of getting on stage and thinking literally "I mustn't let white noise take over..." during which time the question was asked and in a hysterical moment I answered "white noise". My team mates were singularly unimpressed.
@Northern Snippet - Hey, like I said, Blockbusters was also a favourite - but they axed it before I had a chance to get on :)
@chumbles - Cool - when was this? I want to see pictures/video!