Hall of Infamy One

One of these days, I’m going to have to improve my camera phone, I really am.   It’d make posting up these Hall of Infamy shots a LOT easier.   And identifying faces a lot easier …

But so you know, this top shot’s of Adrian and Margaret, the last time any of the ‘No Ideas’ could make it down to one of the quizzes.   They, along with John and Trish, the other half of the team, have usually managed to place in my quizzes for the past few years, and set the standard for others to follow.

Which Joe, in the next photo, occasionally breaks, but mostly maintains.   He’s been the King Harold’s one man answer to the ‘No Ideas’, near enough from day one, bless him.

But for every Joe, Margaret, John, Trish, and Adrian, there is always Oxo, the chap in the next photo.   Oxo was the Sir Charles Napier’s  seriously combative terror on wheels.   And not only the best regular one-man-team I ever saw, but the best player of the quizzes I ever saw.

But this is where we get to the good stuff.    The next photo’s of Dave, Steve and Neil, collectively known as the ‘AKA-47’s’, resident quiz monsters at the Hutton, and possibly  the best team I’ve had at a quiz.

If it wasn’t for the existence, of course, of John and Roger, better known to all and sundry at the King Harold as ‘Tom & Jerry’.

I’ll admit, I’m missing a few photos, here; — the ‘Three Amigos’, Chrissie and Lynsey’s ‘Gang’, and both George and Anne –the ‘Round Table’–,‘Pip’s Players’, and ‘the Paloma’s’ALL deserve a mention for sheer persistance.

And that’s not including ‘The World’s Tallest Midgets’, or Adrian, who were known to give serious headaches to all and sundry.

But the teams whose picture’s I’ve included here are some of the stiffest competition I’ve seen at one of my quizzes.

To quote an old line of mine, Let’s Kick Off, Shall We?

Tonight’s Gig

Hmm; — interesting evening tonight.

For starters, I didn’t expect anyone to get tonight’s bonus question, which eventually got to £30•75p.

It was one by Girl Power, at the bottom of the evening’s Hall of Fame photos. Who were very pleased to correctly answer “‘When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere.’ is the first line of which book, by which science fiction author?” Which the science fiction fans amongst one will immediately know is the first line of John Wyndham’s utter classic middle class catastrophe, “Day of the Triffids”.

The ladies walked away from the night, feeling VERY pleased with themselves about that!

And a mildly ticked off, but also pleased Quiz master; — I like seeing the bonus prize go. It gives teams an extra prize to go for, and one that’s seen as winnable.

That achievability is crucial, I always think.

Many pubs have some description of bonus, or jackpot question, at the end of the evening’s quiz. It usually rolls over, and —in many pubs— is usually some MAJOR headline figure, that hasn’t been one for years. The last I knew, for example, The Bull’s bonus prize was at some stupid amount —approximately £600, I’m told— and many of the players who’ve done both my, and The Bull’s, feels it’s un-winnable. Deliberately so, was the distinct impression I got.

So it helps that a team can put the word around, I think.

I hope!

Anyway, on to the main even, at this point.

Up at the top, there, is the combined might of 79’s Students, and Dave’s Fat, the latter of whom won, tonight, with 58 points. (The Students coming in last, and walking away with a T-shirt.)

Under them are Men Aloud, whom came in third, and walked away with a Mars Bar, each, and 49 points. Underneath them are Girl Power, who not only walked away with thirty quid, and came in second, with 51 points. What can I say?

But there’s something I feel I should add, at this point, however.

I managed to quietly catch one of the team members in the team photoed at the top of the page fiddling with my amp —he knows who he— and quietly ticked him off.

Maybe I was wrong to do so and it certainly earned me a mouthful of denials from the man* concerned. I apologized then, and will apologise,now, to the rest of his friends, as well, and hope it won’t put them off coming back to the Hutton’s quiz.

But …

But, when I turned round and told him I’d seen him playing with the volume controls and unplugging the mic, he admitted he’d “…played with it”.

And then denied unplugging the mic and asked if I seen him do it.

I said yes.

He didn’t reply to that, just grinned guiltily.

And THEN started kicking up the fuss, when he got back to his mates.

I’m no kind of expert, and don’t claim to be, but have seen this before, and probably will again, and don’t, haven’t, and never will find this sort of juvenile behaviour acceptable.

A large part of this is a result of getting bullied at school; — the usual hiding of possessions, mostly, which may be expected from schoolyard bullies. It was unacceptable victimisation, then, from a bunch of fourteen year olds, and is still unacceptable, from an adult, however drunk they may well be.

It’s also something I’ve seen happen to other quiz master’s and pub entertainers. It’s something that most of my fellows I’ve talked to tolerate as an upshot of the jobs we do.

Please note I say ‘tolerate’.

Not like.

We, as a group, provide an entertainment service, and do our best to give customers an entertaining, fun, enjoyable evening, and do our best to polite, civil, and pleasant as part of the service we provide. After all, we don’t want to alienate the people that pay our wages.

But I, and others, expect to be treated the same way.

We also like to make sure that our equipment isn’t being interfered with, or damaged. After all we earn a living with it.

Just a point.

Anyway, moving on from this, here’s the table round I’ve used, tonight: — it’s something, that I’ve called … The Gong Show …

Q1) Fourteen year Paralympian swimmer, Eleanor Simmonds, became the youngest person, this year toe get a … what?

A1) MBE

Q2) Which jazz musician got a CBE, in the 2008 New Year’s Honours?

A2) Courtney Pine

Q3) Which author was named as a Knight, this year?

A3) Sir Terry Pratchett.

Q4) Which shoe obsessed swimmer got named as an OBE?

A4) Rebecca Adlington

Q5) Andrew Ramroop got an OBE, in the new years honours list; — he was the first black tailor to own a business … where?

A5) Saville Row

Q6) Which dragon got a gong, this year?

A6) Peter Jones

Q7) Nick Partridge got a knighthood, this year, for his services as head of which medical charity?

A7) The Terrence Higgins Trust

Q8) An MBE was awarded to which Child protection campaigner?

A8) Sara Payne

Q9) Derek Carrick received an MBE for raising almost £200, 000, running marathons dressed as which cartoon character?

A9) Roger Rabbit

Q10) Anne Owers got made a Dame, this year; – she’s Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of … what?

A10) Prisons.

Anyway, that’s enough, for now. I’ll post the Review of the Year Quiz, in the morning, once I’ve had some sleep.

But, as a final point …

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

The nights gig

Alright, so it’s not a perfect photo, but it shows you how I’ve managed to get round the lack of an A-board, at the Hutton, anyway.

By getting an A2 size version of the poster done, complete with space to put in the amount of the bonus, and posting it on the outside blank sign.

As I’ve said to many people, including here on this very blog, I personally believe exterior advertising is some of the simplest way’s one has of informing passers-by of what’s going on at a given venue. It may or may not work stunningly well, but it’s a start. And Libby, the girl with the T-shirt, was in with her friend, Michæla, as a result of seeing the ones in the Hutton’s window; – so I’ve something in the way of evidence, there, I believe. As a side point, the two of them were there at the very first Hutton quiz, so possibly the fact they both knew and enjoyed what I do, is possibly a bigger influencing factor. Hopefully, if they read this, they can let me know, by commenting …

The other way word spreads, is simply by word of mouth. As a case in point, we were joined, tonight, by the Paloma’s; – Pauline, Maureen, and Olwin, who, in better days, were regulars at the Hutton put off - and offended by - some of the staff hired by the previous tenants.

Maureen had happily bumped into Becky, today, and learned of the pubs new management, and had wondered in, after a Christmas get-together, to see what was happening with the old plantation.

And managed to walk in, just as I was starting out the second half of the quiz. And, in the quiet little natter I manage to have with as many of the audience as I can, post-quiz, pretty much said they’d love to come back in. Admittedly, that’ll probably be in the New Year, once finances have settled down, but I was pleased to hear it! We’ve also had some of the younger crowd in, as well – I didn’t catch they’re names, but they were calling themselves the Trainers Delayed, tonight, and look like they’ll be back.

So, as you can imagine, that’s boosted my morale, a little. And more people are coming in, and finding out what’s on offer, as well!

The actual quiz itself went well. The AKA’s came in first, tonight, which is about what I expected, the minute Dave walked in the door, with Becky’s mob, the Levitating Fannys, in second, the Trainer’s Delayed third, and Libby & Michæla in forth.

Hence the shirt …

The Hutton bonus hasn’t been won, this week, which means it’ll be at least £20•25p, next week. And I’m not surprised, with a question like this …

‘In 1963 who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for speaking just one word in the film “The Miracle Worker”? Patty Duke; – she played Helen Keller and the only word she spoke was “water”’

And here’s the Oliver Postgate themed table round, which may not make much sense to my American readers; – Oliver Postgate was a well known animator whose production company did many fondly remembered children’s show, who died recently. I’ve linked in the Wikipedia entry, into this post’s title.

Q1) What was the name of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin’s animation production company?

A1) Smallfilms Ltd

Q2) What was the company’s 1st series?

A2) “Ivor the Engine”, in 1959 for ITV; — remade in 1976/7, for the BBC.

Q3) What was the company’s 1st series for the BBC?

A3) “Noggin the Nog”

Q4) When did Oliver Postgate get his honourary degree, from Kent University?

A4) 1987

Q5) What was the name of the little girl seen at the start of each episode of “Bagpuss”?

A5) Emily

And, finally, the main question set, itself; – Hutton 1, I should add, which is essentially identical to Harold 51, by the way …

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) In 1986, what did the red rose replace as the symbol of the Labour Party?

A1) The red flag

Q2) “Bring Me To Life” was a 2003 Number One for which Christian Rock Band?

Q2) Evanescence

Q3) Bashed Neeps & Tatties are the traditional accompaniment to which dish?

A3) Haggis

Q4) Name either of Thomas the Tank Engine’s two carriages? (Two points for both.)

A4) Annie & Clarabel

Q5) Which requires the use of most facial muscles - a smile or a frown?

A5) Frown

Q6) Which gas has the atomic number, 1?

A6) Hydrogen.

Q7) In ‘Scrabble’, how many points is the letter ‘E’ worth?

A7) One.

Q8) How many sides does a tetrahedron have?

A8) Four.

Q9) Which of Shakespear’s plays begins with a storm at sea?

A9) “The Tempest”.

Q10) Which country was the 1st to retain football’s World Cup?

A10) Italy.

ROUND TWO. FOOD & DRINK.

Q11) What kitchen device did Charles Strite invent; – the toaster, the mandolin, or the microwave oven?

A11) The Toaster.

Q12) Sirloin is a cut of which meat?

A12) Beef.

Q13) Which isn’t a tomato; – plum, cherry, or orange?

A13) Orange.

Q14) What are the tops of asparagus called?

A14) Asparagus tips

Q15) The island of Madeira shares its name with a fortified wine, and what else?

A15) A cake

Q16) In 2005, Jamie Oliver present a series on what, prison food, school dinners or hospital food?

A16) School dinners

Q17) Which chef presents “The F Word”?

A17) Gordon Ramsey.

Q18) Murphys’ Irish Stout is made in which Irish city?

A18) Cork.

Q19) Vatcharin Bhumichtr (vat-CHA-rin boo-MITCH-re) writes about the food of which East Asian country; – Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia?

A19) Thailand.

Q20) August Escoffier made his international reputation at 2 London hotels; - name one of them. (Two points for naming both.)

A20) The Savoy, or the Carlton.

ROUND THREE. TV DINNERS.

Q21) Michael Wisher, Terry Molloy, and Julian Bleach, have all played which “Dr Who” villain?

A21) Davros.

Q22) In which year of the 1980s did Channel 4 Start broadcasting?

A22) 1982

Q23) How many contestants took part in each episode of “Bullseye”?

A23) Six

Q24) Similarly, how many contestants are there in each episode of “Mastermind”?

A24) Four

Q25) Who was the 1st host of “Wogan,” other than Terry Wogan?

A25) Selina Scott.

Q26) Who was the transvestite character in “Mash”?

A26) Corporal Klinger.

Q27) Nick, & Kate Rowan appear in which TV series?

A27) “Heartbeat.”

Q28) The character of Steve Austin appears in which 70’s show?

A28) “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

Q29) Who’s the presenter of “The Weakest Link”?

A29) Anne Robinson.

Q30) “Grandstand” was, and still is, the BBC’s main sports programme; – but what was its ITV rival, during the 70’s? (Extra point for naming the main presenter)

A30) “World of Sport.” (With Dickie Davies. Des Lynam’s a cheap imitation.)

ROUND FOUR. THE WRITTEN WORD.

Q31) In which George Orwell novel would you find the phrase, “War is Peace”?

A31) “1984.”

Q32) What was the 2nd James Bond novel?

A32) “Dr No.”

Q33) H. G. Welles wrote “War of the Worlds,” “The Invisible Man,” & “The Time Machine.” What did the H stand for? (Extra point for the G.)

A33) Herbert. (George.)

Q34) Mrs Hudson was the landlady, and house of which famous detective?

A34) Sherlock Holmes.

Q35) The character of Scheharazade appears in which famous Arabic book?

A35) “The 1001 Arabian Nights.”

Q36) The 25th January sees the birthday of which Scottish writer?

A36) Robert Burns.

Q37) “Trainspotting,” is based on the book of the same name; - who wrote it?

A37) Irving Walsh.

Q38) Who wrote the novel, “A Clockwork Orange”?

A38) Anthony Burgess.

Q39) Dante’s Inferno forms part of the “Divine…” what, Tragedy, Comedy or Drama?

A39) Comedy

Q40) William the Conqueror ordered a Survey of England, after 1066; - what name is it known by?

A40) The Domesday Book.

ROUND FIVE. SCIENCE, NATURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Q41) What’s the more common name for calcium oxide?

A41) Quicklime.

Q42) How much of the Earth’s surface is covered in ice, 5%, 10%, or 20%?

A42) 10%

Q43) What’s the world’s most used drug?

A43) Aspirin

Q44) Disposable razors 1st went on sale in which year of the 1890’s?

A44) 1895

Q45) Who introduced the world’s thinnest Laptop, in 2008? (Bonus for telling us the model)

A45) Apple. (MacBook Air)

Q46) Scientists in China have revealed that they can predict earthquakes, by watching the behaviour of snakes, five days in advance, but from what distance can snakes tell if there will be a major tremor; – 75 miles, 750 miles, or 7500 miles?

A46) 75 Miles

Q47) Back in February 2006 , Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire was the first person in the world to undergo which medical procedure?

A47) A Face transplant. (After she was savaged by a Rottweiler.)

Q48) What is Cryogenics the study of; – Low temperatures, rare chemicals, or fungus?

A48) Low temperatures

Q49) Recent pictures taken by NASA’s global surveyor show evidence of water on which planet?

A49) Mars.

Q50) What is the chemical symbol for Silver; – Gü, Pb, or Ag?

A50) Ag

ROUND SIX. GENERAL KNOWLE IGNORANCE.

Q51) Asteroids are numbered in order of what, discovery, size, or dampness?

A51) Discovery.

Q52) In the House of Commons, what qualification do you need to be Father of the House?

A52) The longest serving MP

Q53) If you are an LLD, what subject have you studied?

A53) Law

Q54) Edward McGinnis is better known as one half of which comedy duo?

A54) Little & Large. Eddie Large.

Q55) Which US state was the 1st to abolish slavery; Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, or New York?

A55) Pennsylvania.

Q56) What does a lapidary deal in, gems, precious metals, or camels?

A56) Gems.

Q57) Through which part of their bodies do butterflies taste?

A57) Feet

Q58) Which colour Smartie replaced the light brown in 1989?

A58) Blue

Q59) In which year of the 70’s did Roger Moore make his first appearance as James Bond? (Bonus point for telling us the movie!)

A59) 1973. (In “Live and Let Die”)

Q60) Which four leggeed animal produces 200 times more wind than the average human?

A60) A Cow.