BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer

Subject: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Phillip
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 11:42 AM

Last night some propeller-head from Queens' College, Cambridge came up with the most bizarre answer to any question I have ever heard, and I've watched the programme since Bamber was on it instead of the obnoxious Paxman.

The question was to give the meaning behind various signs. The first one was just like a number six domino pattern. I didn't know what it was so I yelled out "Doms played here!" But this bright spark suggested "Only people who can read braille may enter."

I am still trying to imagine what kind of place it might be...

Phillip

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 11:55 AM

Paxman is great, but I agree about the eeedjit answer.

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:07 PM

But the answer was something about braille wasn't it? Not about dominoes :>)

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:11 PM

Knowing absolutely nothing about the above programs does not stop me from fearlessly suggesting; would it be the "Open Door" sign on an elevator button, done in braille?

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Micca
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:12 PM

I thought it might be the Braille sign for " Ladder"?

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Schantieman
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:13 PM

I thought he said something about a lift

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Cllr
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:23 PM

Braille for "do not touch"Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:25 PM

Hmmm....don't know anything about the program, either, but the chart near the bottom of this page shows the six dots mean the word "for."

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:38 PM

It probably means: "Don't go into the ever widening hole in the pyramid, son. It's dark and nasty in there. There are spiders and all sorts of creepy things. Let the people who think they see be surprised!" All of this is in Braille Shorthand, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Schantieman
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:44 PM

Perhaps someone should tell Paxo?

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 03:14 PM

Only blind domino players allowed here? (And Bamber's the Man!)

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 03:18 PM

It was Bamber when I was on it. Alas, I didnt do very well, there were no questions on blues guitarists or Gregorian modes.

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Phillip
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 11:59 AM

June Tabor was on it as well, in the 60s.

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 02:41 PM

I like Paxman too. He had a very tough act to follow in the excelent Bamber Gasgocoigne but his style works. Here is a quote from Paxman which probably sums him up:

"I like students and I'm amazed by what they know - and also, sometimes, about what they don't know."

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 11:32 PM

I don't understand

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 12:18 AM

Did anyone else see the recent program about University Challenge? It emerged that Bamber was a hard worker.

When he got the questions and answers, he spent a lot of time researching the questions and made notes on his cards. It was doing this that enabled him to respond "bad luck, that was ..." and occasionly to add a little more information to a question that was answered correctly.

He was clearly a very clever person with quite a depth of knowledge but he did help himself in becoming someone who seemingly knew something about everything.

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: weerover
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 01:16 AM

I'm firmly on the side of the "old farts" - Bamber Gascoigne by a mile

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 04:44 AM

I can't stand his hectoring style, especially combined with the inconsistency in 'thinking time' allowed --- as long as they want at the beginning and no time at all towards the end (come on, come on!). And another thing (while I'm in rant mode) in the picture round, they show us the picture, then if no answer is forthcoming, cut away to the students looking puzzled, depriving us the chance of getting the answer! It makes me mad!!!

Sorry, I'm all right now...

BJ

By the way, Greg was your team up on top or down below?

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Schantieman
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:02 AM

Paxo's not a patch on ol' Bamber. Learning that he made notes in preparation for each programme only increases my respect for him - he IS very erudite - but obviously meticulous as well.

Agree about thinking time - but 'twas ever thus. Something to do with excitement. And about noy seeing the pictures.

Are the questions easier now than they were years ago? Or do we just know more, so they seem easier?

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:12 AM

The answer was "Braille version of this text avalible". The poor lamb was on the right lines, but didn't give himself time to put his thoughts in order.

When I was an Open University student, I found myself at a Summer School with one of the original OU UC team: a young lady of maner fewer years than myself, but well able to outsmart(arse) this long-standing Trivial Pursuits champ. They went on to win hands down. But then the average age was twice that of the other team, and they had much more general knowledge to draw on. Moral: if you want to be a really smart teenager, stick around for a decade or two!

Steve, BA (Open)

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST,mal
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:12 AM

I'm really thick - it was years before I realised that both teams were sitting at the same level, and that one team wasn't up in the gallery above the other!

Or maybe I'm wrong?

Mal

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Schantieman
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:22 AM

Me too. And many others, I suspect.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: GUEST,mal
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:39 AM

They gave the game away on a "Behind the Scenes" programme once, showing the two teams side by side. Just shows how we believe everything we see on TV.

I did wonder if the higher team climbed up there on ladders.

Mal

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 08:52 AM

The 'upstairs downstairs' thing was nicely spoofed by The Young Ones..and by one of the teams appearing in the actual show who kept (apparently) looking up the skirt of the female contestant 'above'.

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 08:58 AM

Of course they were one on top of the other. We climbed up little ladders. It is only the recent obsession with health and safety that made them change the format recently. The stacking of the contestants made it possible to use a very small studio.I was on top, so I was unable to look up any girls' skirts, nut was well placed for looking down their blouses.

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: okthen
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 09:02 AM

Paxman's just an upmarket hippy (pax=peace,man)

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Mr Happy
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 09:08 AM

no confering!

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 10:00 AM

Am I the only redbrick (well, more like white tile in my case) graduate who thinks Paxo leans over backwards to help the Oxbridge teams win?
RtS
(armchair smartarse)

Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre University Challenge Answer
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 10:08 AM

Good sbject for a thesis, if you fancy it, Dr Skiffler!