QBR

[Philellinas]

RBQ is back (Round Britain Quiz for non-initiates). It is the awfully middle-class quiz with no prizes. This week was rather musical: several artists were mentioned in despatches including
Sandra Goodrich, Steve Harley, Ian Dury and probably some obscure composer called Ludwig. The teaser question should not test you retro-pop aficionados:-
If David Bowie had joined the Monkees and Bill Nighy played him on screen, why would nothing much have changed?
I'm afraid there are no prizes and no points. The late Robert Robinson will not be presenting RBQ because he has joined the majority.

[Rob Hall]

Davey Jones

[NormanD]

Syd Barrett and Kate Bush also got mentioned and played, chanelling (as is currently said) James Joyce. I was out before the end, so missed the teaser question. Some of the older programmes were unashamedly bourgeois, my fondest memory being some other panelist kvelling "Oh, that's brilliant, Lady Antonia".

Is Fred Housego still a cabbie?

[Philellinas]

Davey Jones

...is the correct answer, Rob. I knew I could rely on you. Go to the top or the back of the class.

[uiwangmike]

The late Robert Robinson will not be presenting RBQ because he has joined the majority.

RR was never chairman of RBQ - he did Brain of Britain. There was once a question about a record that had spent a record length of time, or something like that, in the charts. For some reason, it caused RR to blow his combover. "What ARE the charts?", he protested. "I've never seen any charts." I found it curious that a chap of such huge intellect found the concept of a list of best-selling records impossible to grasp.

[Philellinas]

Here's a sneak preview of a question which features in the forthcoming round of RBQ:-
Why could Michael Caine on Tyneside, Peter Falk in Los Angeles, and half of Starsky and Hutch, also be heard in Asia?
I have the theme and two of the three elements but one eludes me and might be awarded only four points. You might be able to glean the full six points (but no prizes).

[Rob Hall]

Michael Caine = Jack Carter = sounds like Jakarta
Peter Falk = Columbo = sounds like Colombo
Hutch = David Soul = sounds like Seoul

[NormanD]

One of the same pieces of music in Monday's RBQ cropped up today on another Radio4 quiz show, "The Write Stuff". They both played Kate Bush's musical version of Molly Bloom's soliloquy.

Two points please.

PS "Oh, that's brilliant, Lord Robert!"

[Chris P]

Having just heard Syd Barrett's "lean out your window Golden Hair", I waited to see if my world would be rocked on its axis by a RBQ participant proferring "Ah yes that'll be Syd Barrett's setting of Jimmy Joyce". "Was that first one something to do with Rapunzel" issued from my radio, the normal order of things was maintained, the sun was still in the sky (if hidden by passing clouds), I clicked off the radio & set off back to work, unsuprised.

[will vine]

I've had a few drinks - can't deny it- but QBR? Surely RBQ? Have I missed a joke?
NRBQ, now you're talking - New Rhythm and Blues Quartet. Quintet? Robert Robinson would've found the concept of rhythm and blues well beyond comprehension....though he was a gem.

I struggle with RBQ when you know full well that they've got the answer then they have to act out the apparent intellectual struggle of it all. Like the appalling Paxman on University challenge they have to be seen to baulk at the idea that they would be au fait with anything as downmarket as popular culture. On the other hand I do like to beat them occasionally with my superior command of trivial matters.

I used to like all that "Stop The Week" high class dinner party stuff as well - Robert Robinson (Bob), Milton Schulman, Laurie Taylor, Tessa Blackstone.....Jeez! Laurie Taylor? Not a bad bloke I'm guessing but hard going. What?

[Chris P]

Will:

RBQ is back

so...QBR (what are crossworders like eh?)

[Adam Blake]

Having just heard Syd Barrett's "lean out your window Golden Hair",

Oh, I love that track - middle class mummy's boy that I am. The fact that it was played on the radio at all is pretty astounding. Conclusive evidence that Syd could still pull it out of the hat on a good day. Mental illness allowing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NQg9Lhygo

[Philellinas]

Today's teaser question submitted by a retired colonel from Winchester:-
What do Tchaikovsky, Lenin and the dying protagonist of a Tolstoy story have in common?
If you get this one, Rob, without using any (on-line) works of reference I shall be impressed.

[Rob Hall]

Hey, I only had to look up the fact that Carter's first name was Jack (I've never seen the film). I got the rest through the brilliant application of good fortune.

[Rob Hall]

Today's teaser question submitted by a retired colonel from Winchester:-
What do Tchaikovsky, Lenin and the dying protagonist of a Tolstoy story have in common?
If you get this one, Rob, without using any (on-line) works of reference I shall be impressed.

I guessed the answer, but I admit I had to look it up to confirm that it was correct.