University Challenge, especially Monkman

[Nettletheelf]

Is it just me who thinks that Monkman, the captain of the Wolfson college, Cambridge, team is the best thing on TV?

Is that the one who's the love child of Roy Cropper and Micky Dolenz? If so, yeah - he's great to watch.

Seagull good value for money too!

They're both very good value! Also, I rather like permanently chilled Bruno Who-never-says-his-surname

That's the feller. I absolutely love him. DH and I speculate that he's trying to make sure that his friends in Canada can hear him when he shouts out the answers.

Also Seagull. He is the complete opposite to Monkman. Whereas Monkman shouts out the answer and glares, Bobby Seagull rejoices flamboyantly whenever his team get an answer right.

Bruno is in my top five, alongside the sadly eliminated Sam Fairbrother (the one who looks like a teenage Marc Almond and even wore a sleeveless top in one episode. Commitment!)

I alarmed a waiter on Saturday evening by doing an impression of Monkman for my friends using a bread roll as a pretend buzzer. I adore him. Monkman v Seagull for the final!

Apparently, Monkman and Seagull come in for a lot of teasing on Twitter and other social media. They both, however, take it all in good part. Bless them.

I can't think who Bruno is but I'll look out for him and give you my opinion when he's on!

Yes, Nettle, Fairbrother was a memorable contestant. He'd be quiet for most of the game then come out with some brilliant answers when you were least expecting it.

Think University Challenge is my favourite programme at the moment. All human life is there!

I love Rudd.

Sophie Rudd, she is brilliant! She is number 4 in my top 5 favourite contestants after the mighty Monkman, Bobby Seagull and Fairbrother, with Bruno at number 5.

Is Rudd the Northern lass with long hair and a kind of 70s style?

In the Warwick team, touch of the Joyce Grenfell, rules at quizzing. Think she is from Lincolnshire?

Yes! I'd forgotten her name. She's marvellous.

No real characters tonight but, fair play, Smith played a blinder.

Didn't he just!
Is anyone else annoyed by the wiggly camera on the left?

Micky Dolenz/Roy Cropper! The perfect description! It's the letterbox mouth, bless him.

Wiggly camera??
Whatcha talkin' about Willis??

Bronte, it's the hairstyle too!

When the camera goes to zoom in on them, starting from the furthest left player on the left hand team. It doesn't do it smoothly. It does a set of dogleg manoeuvre. It's been bugging me this whole series (I really need to find something else to complain about, I know!)

I'll look out for that, John. Can't say I've noticed it.

Agree about no real characters tonight but Boyle was rather easy on the eye.

Boyle? Yeah, not bad.

It was hard tonight! I wish Only Connect was still on straight after - you could warm up properly with UC and then move on to more taxing stuff. I'm always too tipsy on a Friday so I can't do the wall...

But yes, love Monkman and Bobby Seagull. I really liked Hannah Woods on the last series - total eyebrow envy!

Agree about the Only Connect move. Friday is so wrong!

was Hannah Woods the captain of the team that won? Always in a sensible high necked blouse/twinset combo, very granny chic!

and legs ( and skirt hem) up to her armpits when she sashayed around to collect the prize?

I am really vexed that Only Connect has been bumped to a friday!

I'm obsessed with monkman. There's a buzzfeed dedicated to him somewhere... Love his gurny smile. Properly adorable.

Did you all watch the celeb specials over Christmas? Normally they're embarrassingly crap but Mary Archer vs Val McDiarmid was a battle for the ages. I've been in love with Val for yonks but I'm even more in love with her now I know she's a proper bloody quizzer with good technique and no faffing about.

Val was on fire, fair play.

And Paul Ross was excellent.