Yes, I’m sorry about that. Normally I write up Mastermind first thing the next morning. But today I was preparing for a job interview I had at work. No, haven’t heard yet. I gave it a lash and at the end of the day that’s all you can do, I reckon.
So, let’s have a look at the show from last night. First up
was Olivia Woolley. Olivia was answering on eighties favourites, New Order. I
would love to be able to regale you with tales of the times I went to see New
Order, but I never did and that’s just something I have to live with. Still
managed 3 points, though. Olivia got a double figure score and really knew her
stuff. In fact it was a surprise that she dropped any points at all. In my day
you needed to score about 17 in order to blow the opposition away in the
specialist round. Nowadays you can achieve hat with a double figure score. I
wondered if Olivia’s might be enough to do so.
Well, it seemed to me that last night’s government health
warning subject was that taken by Alex Thomas. Fifty years of West Indies Men’s
cricket. Having said that I was very grateful that he had taken the subject
since I knew enough about 70s and 80s windies cricket that I took four points.
Alex did a lot better, but the sheer scope of the subject restricted him to 7.
A hard earned 7, but 7 nonetheless.
You know, I felt that I was in with a chance of a double
figure aggregate having taken 7 in the first two rounds, with James Bond yet to
come. Granted, I have only read three or four of them, but that and my knowledge
of the films was enough to bring me another three. It was like reaching an
oasis in the desert. 10 already and Amy Johnson still to come. Alan Marlow did
better, scoring 9 which in this particular era of the show is a pretty good
specialist score.
Amy Johnson came next. Or rather retired teacher Joyce Fulbrook,
answering on Amy Johnson came next. I got one, which meant that I’d answered at
least one on every round and scored my best specialist aggregate for quite some
time. So how did Joyce get on with the Curse of the Clark sofa? Well she
managed a perfectly respectable 8, but this was going to leave her with quite a
bit of work to do if he was going to challenge for the win.
First, though, Alex returned to the chair. Give it a lash if
you find yourself in the same situation – that’s all that you can realistically
do. Alex did. I will be honest, his 9 wasn’t going to be enough to give the
leaders pause for thought, but in terms of the personal battle we all have to
fight with ourselves in the chair I thought he acquitted himself honourably.
Joyce rather struggled with her GK round. The chair can be
a lonely place when you’re sitting there with the lights on you and the
questions just won’t fall for you. 7 these days is a respectable score, but it
looked like she was having to battle for every point that she got, and in the
end she fell one short of Alex’s total when she had been one point to the good
at the turnaround.
So much for the wines and spirits, now we approached the
top end of the bill. The winner was surely going to come from our last two
contenders and the first of these was Alan Marlow. Alan – thought I – you need
double figures here if you’re going to give Olivia something to think about. So
that’s exactly what he produced. Good general knowledge brought him 12 points.
This had the effect of raising his score into the 20s which is a sure sign of
quality and also set the target at 10 and no passes just to force a tie break.
Olivia’s GK round was deceptive. She passed once and didn’t
seem to be scoring that quickly, but she passed the target and kept adding
points until she had scored a fine 13 to finish with a total of 24. Well played.
In her piece to camera she spoke of watching with her family, and how the show
has been essential viewing for her. I know how she feels. Congratulations Olivia.
Best of luck in the semis.
The Details
|
Olivia Woolley |
New Order |
11 |
0 |
13 |
1 |
24 |
1 |
|
Alex Thomas |
The History of the
West Indies Men’s Cricket team 1974 - Present |
7 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
16 |
2 |
|
Alan Marlow |
The James Bond books
of Ian Fleming |
9 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
|
Joyce Fulbrook |
Amy Johnson |
8 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
No comments:
Post a Comment