During a recent episode of the BBC quiz show University Challenge, viewers were treated to a moment that generated considerable amusement and conversation online. The episode, which aired on Monday, featured a match between University College London (UCL) and Darwin College, Cambridge, as they aimed to secure a place in the semi-finals. The host, Amol Rajan, introduced the teams comprising Callum Jack, Josh Mandel, Olivia Holtermann Entwistle, and Sanjay Prabhakar for UCL, while Darwin College was represented by Rebecca McClelland, Sophie Willis, Harrison Whitaker, and Rowan Stewart.

At one point in the episode, Rajan posed a question regarding a German scientist born in 1843, referencing a set of postulates associated with the scientist and although he did not complete the question, contestant Sophie Willis promptly buzzed in with the answer, "Koch?" This was confirmed by Rajan, who replied, "It is Robert Koch, well done." The answer sparked an unexpected wave of reactions on social media, with viewers expressing delight over the name's phonetic resemblance to a crude term.

One viewer noted, “I think the question setter for #UniversityChallenge gets someone to shout c**k to boost the Twitter algorithm,” while another remarked, “Out here doing the Lords work with this.” The lighter moments from the quiz added levity to the competition, which remained fiercely contested, especially during the music round, where Darwin College pulled ahead with a score of 135 compared to UCL's 35. Ultimately, the episode concluded with Darwin College triumphing, scoring 225 points compared to UCL's 120.

In addition to the amusing answer, another segment of interest occurred earlier in the series featuring Jamie Salamanca Camacho from Imperial College London, who received acclaim for a strong performance against Wadham College, Oxford. His team achieved an impressive score of 345, demonstrating their dominance in the match. Rajan expressed his amazement at Imperial's performance, remarking, “Well, what can I say? You were up against an absolutely ludicrous team.”

In a separate ongoing segment of University Challenge, teams from Queen’s University Belfast and Warwick University also competed for a place in the semi-finals. This episode drew attention for a particular contestant's peculiar method of buzzing in, which some viewers found distracting. The player’s distinctive “elbow action” prompted comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, labeling it as “The Hart Attack,” referencing contestant Thomas Hart's unique approach to engaging with the quiz.

As the series progresses, the blend of academic challenge and unexpected entertainment continues to capture the audience's attention, solidifying University Challenge's reputation as a staple of British television. The next episode of the show is scheduled to air at 8:30 pm on Mondays on BBC Two and can also be streamed on iPlayer.

Source: Noah Wire Services