mostly david ephgrave

Just when we thought we’d seen every University Challenge possibility, Wolfson Cambridge’s Monkman came to save us. Wolfson - Cambridge Vs. SOAS (19.09.16) He had all the requisite tics and quirks of an eccentric UC contestant, with a few extra thrown in for good measure; so much so, I refuse to believe he’s a real person. He was like a incantation brought about by a bunch of nerdy Ouija users; a Weird Science for the weird science student. I was so taken in, I barely paid attention to the rest of the show that was happening around him. See below for tonight’s Twitter outbursts; here’s hoping at least one of next week’s contestants can give Monkman a run for his money. I wait with bated breath. 8:02pm: Monkman rehearsed that smile. Nothing is spontaneous. 8:03pm: Monkman is clearly the # UniversityChallenge unhinged hit of the evening. 8:04pm: For a split second, Henry Edwards forgot what he studies. 8:04pm: "THE BONGOS": my future...

The name Extreme Scaffolding doesn’t fill me with confidence. When you’re looking for someone to build a temporary metal structure around your house, you’d at least want them to make sure it's sturdy. You wouldn't want it to fall down (unless you’re filming an episode of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, which is unlikely, as it isn’t 1976).   To me, Extreme Scaffolding suggests a company staffed by mavericks; a team of builders living life on the edge. People like that chap who attempted to climb up the outside of Canary Wharf without a harness, or the French guy who tightrope-walked his way between the Twin Towers. Enjoying your job is one thing. Getting a kick out of cutting corners is another. Plug the gap between Extreme and Scaffolding with ‘-ly safe’ and you might secure my business.  Maybe the band behind More Than Words fancied a career change.