Bristol’s winning University Challenge team has dismayed TV viewers by not recognising the voice of award-winning singer Elvis Costello. Fans of the show were dismayed that the team could answer questions on high brow literature and science but struggled with popular culture.
But others said it was wrong to expect them to answer questions on 'dad rock' as they smashed University College London in the quarter finals tonight (Monday) of the long running BBC Two programme. Now the Bristol University Team, which won by 205 points to 70 on Sunday night, are being predicted to go all the way to the final.
The Bristol team had an average age of 21 and an average point score of 195 as they went into to face host Jeremy Paxman in the quarter finals. Rivals UCL had an average point score of 180 and an older average age of 41.
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The young team took early questions in their stride but struggled when they reached the popular music round. Mostly born in the 21st Century, they did not name the songwriter with the distinctive voice when played his 1977 hit Watching the Detectives.
The Bristol University team also failed to recognise 1980s band REM with muttered suggestions ranging from the Byrds to the Beastie Boys. However they did recognise more modern acts such as PJ Harvey and JZ.
Older viewers seemed astonished that the team had never heard of Costello who had a string of top ten hits and is best known for his song Oliver’s Army. Many said it made them feel really old.
As they struggled over Costello’s voice Twitter lit up with shock that such clever young people could know so much about ancient history and literature bit nothing about one of the biggest artists of the late 20th Century.
“How to make one feel really old, 4 students not knowing Elvis Costello on University Challenge,” tweeted one viewer.
Another tweeted: "“University Challenge music questions …. There's really a generation who are so young they don't recognise Elvis Costello's voice”
"University Challenge music questions …. There's really a generation who are so young they don't recognise Elvis Costello's voice"
"The children from Bristol not knowing Elvis Costello and REM, I officially give up," was another comment. "Love it when people who know x1000 more than I’ll ever know can’t identify REM and Elvia Costello." wrote another.
But the team also had their supporters. "Solidarity with Bristol - I didn’t know any of the dad rock either," tweeted a fan.
Another wrote: “I can't possibly mock students 30 years younger than me for not knowing old pop questions. Particularly when they get right advanced science questions (where I understand neither the question nor the answer) at lightning speed."
The UCL team captain was James Salmon from Bristol. One viewer tweeted: "The look on Salmon’s face when he gets a question wrong is basically mine after I check my online banking after a night out. Bewilderment, sadness and a hint of panic. “
Although UCL are still in with a small chance one viewer congratulated Bristol on being one the most consistent teams this season and predicted they would earn a top place. . “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Bristol in the final,” they tweeted.
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