Those sophisticated Brits

During my British Airways flight from IAH to LGW, I was given a free Daily Mail January 31. 2008. I've never been a fan of the Daily Mail, but since I was a captive audience, I read it nevertheless.

Deep inside the paper was an article titled “You REALLY are the Weakest link!” with subtitle “If ever proof was needed of Dumbed down Britain, these hilariously wrong answers to questions on quiz shows will make you squirm with embarrassment.”.

Many made me laugh aloud and I quote some below:

Alex Trelinski: What is the capital of Italy?
Contestant: France
Trelinski: France is another country. Try again.
Contestant: Oh,um.
Benidorm.
Trelinski: Wrong, sorry, let's try another question. In which country is the parthenon.
Contestant: Sorry, I don't know.
Trelinski: Just guess a country then.
Contestant: Paris.
TV program : Late Show (BBC Midlands)

Presenter: What happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963?
Contestant: I don't know. I wasn't watching it then.
Radio GMR FM,Bristol.

Jamie Theakston: Where do you think Cambridge University is?
Contestant: Geography isn't my strong point.
Theakston: There's a clue in the title
Contestant: Leicester.
TV Program: Beg, Borrow or Steal(BBC2)

Searle: In which European country is Mount Etna?
Caller: Japan.
Searle: I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I
can let you try again.
Caller: Er...Mexico.
Radio : Chris Searle Show(BBC Radio Bristol)

Tufnell: How many Olympic games have been held?
Contestant: Six.
Tufnell: Higher.
Contestant: Five.
TV Program: Simply the Best (ITV)

Kelly: Which French Mediterranean town host a famous film festival every year?
Contestant: I need a clue.
Kelly: OK. What do beans come in?
Contestant: Cartons?
Danny Kelly Show: (Radio WM)

Forsyth: What is India's currency?
Contestant: Ramadan.
Janice Forsyth show (BBC Radio Scotland)

The Mail is positioning this as “PERFECT proof that Britain is dumbing down comes from the toe curlingly embarrassing answers given by many contestants on TV and radio general knowledge quiz shows”.

Yep, that sounds pretty compelling case by the Mail, the Brits are getting stupider.

Horror of horrors. My sophisticated Brit accent is suddenly going to loose it's air of authority. Opening my mouth will paint me as a George W Bush.

Wait a minute. I revisited the "evidence". An item pricked my attention:-

Gasgoigne: What was Gandhi's first name?
Contestant: Goosey?
TV Program:University Challenge

YES it is funny but University Challenge has been presented by Jeremy Paxton (Gasgoigne was original) since 1994 ! Thus much of this stuff is over 14 years old. Busted, Daily Mail!

So who is really dumbing down ? I'd vote the Daily Mail but they've always been this way: I guess another slow news day and so let's fill up 2 pages with lazy "reporting". I am surprised the Mail didn't blame Labour Government Education policy for the decline in standards.

I am not sure why British Airways give out this crappy paper but it is not one of their travel benefits. Give me a UK broadsheet please.

By the way, credit from these quotations should not go to the Mail. They lifted them from http://www.mansized.co.uk/ or http://www.jumpingjacksbar.com/

Phileas Fogg
January 31st 2008
North Atlantic