Behind the scenes story of this University Challenge cock-up is more exciting than the real thing
11.
Increasing disgruntlement from the crowd, possibly including a Welsh voice – no doubt emboldened by being safely tucked away behind the formidable Mrs Noble – demanding to know “why should the team be punished for Paxman’s cock-up?” #UniversityChallenge /11
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
12.
(The fact that this voice seemed to have been produced at the exact level of resonance to be audible to the despairing Paxman, sat with his head in his hands, across the studio may suggest some degree of professional vocal training.) #UniversityChallenge /12
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
13.
Much bemusement from the crowd – why is there no back-up question? Surely this must happen all the time? Isn’t it possible to produce one while we wait? The atmosphere was getting pretty tense, if not somewhat feisty. Yet the producers seem unmoved. #UniversityChallenge /13
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
14.
At this point the #UniversityChallenge question team ride to the rescue, and during the delay and exchange of views they have indeed conjured up an entirely consistent alternative third bonus. Cheers all round, including from the Merton team and their supporters. /14
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
15.
And so the recording continues, although you felt that Newcastle’s momentum and focus had been affected. Having said that it almost certainly didn’t affect the final outcome. Merton were excellent and Newcastle went down fighting. #UniversityChallenge /15
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
16.
But – especially given the stick that #UniversityChallenge teams so often get for their classical music knowledge or lack thereof – it would have been a shame to lose those Britten – Bartok – Poulenc answers, which were crackers. /THREAD
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
17.
PS: yes, probably a large factor in Nielsen’s brain freezes (later redeemed) and Paxman’s odd mood. #UniversityChallenge
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
18.
PPS: a mere trifle by comparison with the @RoyalAcadMusic #UniversityChallenge Ernest Lough controversy back in 1999, it goes without saying.
— Paul Carey Jones (@paulcareyjones) April 16, 2018
One of the Newcastle team later got in touch.
Thanks Paul! Merton were so brilliantly sportsmanlike during the Copland kerfuffle – what a wonderful full team. Good luck to them in the final!
— Molly Nielsen (@mollyjnielsen) April 16, 2018
So did this chap who you might remember from the last series.
great thread
— Bobby Seagull (@Bobby_Seagull) April 16, 2018
Reading this thread was almost more stressful than watching the show!
— Sally Trethewie (@sallytrethewie) April 16, 2018
