Two brand new names at the top of the table in July. The Numpties won for the very first time, and Space Cadets finished second for the very first time. A night when the scoreboard looked completely unfamiliar.
And here’s a curious thing. The wipeout round’s theme was announced only as there is one, but not saying. It turned out every answer began with N. The Numpties won. We’re just pointing it out.
By the numbers
2024 had become the year of the new winner. Six different teams had now won the quiz, and every one of the six had won at least once in 2024 alone.
A flavour of the questions
The picture round was billed as a poetry special (yay!): name the poem and the poet, from Under Milk Wood to Kubla Khan. There was also a round where every answer was one word said three times.
- General knowledgeIn the Pink Panther films, who or what is the Pink Panther?
Answer: A diamond - Alphabet roundSeems Not is an anagram of which pudding?
Answer: Eton Mess - Alphabet roundWhich type of dwelling gets its name from the French for little house?
Answer: Maisonette - One word, three timesIn which sitcom did Tom and Linda La Hughes share a flat at 69 Paradise Passage?
Answer: Gimme Gimme Gimme - One word, three timesWhat did Tony Blair say his top three priorities would be at the 1996 Labour conference?
Answer: Education, education, education - General knowledgeWhat’s the difference between libel and slander?
Answer: Libel is written, slander is spoken - General knowledgeOn a keyboard, what comes after Q, W, E, R, T, Y?
Answer: U - General knowledgeWhat is the alternative name for the plant woodbine?
Answer: Honeysuckle
The Nairobi to Nemesis wipeout round ended, as always, with the traditional last question, which (we’re contractually obliged to note) also involves a man whose surname begins with N.
The music round: the Beatles
Ten Beatles songs. Just name the song. Some were easier than others, and Within You Without You separated the fans from the very big fans.
- Day TripperThe Beatles
- Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)The Beatles
- Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles
- Within You Without YouThe Beatles
- While My Guitar Gently WeepsThe Beatles
- TaxmanThe Beatles
- Lucy in the Sky with DiamondsThe Beatles
- I Am the WalrusThe Beatles
- Dear PrudenceThe Beatles
- Run for Your LifeThe Beatles
And finally
Congratulations to the Numpties. Next up was August, and some order was restored. In more ways than one.
Every question from the night is in the questions archive, every winner is on the monthly winners board, and there are more photos in the gallery.