Tonight, 8 p.m. on BBC2, University Challenge - drum roll - representing the University of Manchester we have masquerading as a "first year undergraduate reading Biochemistry", yes it's a Llama!

Bit pointless wishing Doublemm luck as the show was recorded months ago but we still don't know what happened... Go Mike!

Doublemm (Peanut) always does his best.

Plus, he is a Llama.

No contest! He is a winner!

Thanks for letting us know, Flopsy. I always watch this anyway but it will be with added interest now.

Congrats. I rarely watch, but I actually knew a few of the answers this time. Must be interesting to play

I LOVE University Challenge...watch it every week here in the colonies. I'll be glued to the old laptop tonight when the quizzes are done and the kids are in bed. Thanks Flopsy! And good luck Mike!

Thanks for the support . It was fun, but nerve-wracking.

You did well, Mike. Buzzing in for the first starter was brave. I think I'd be paralyzed by fear.

Hi all, my second round match will be shown on 21st November, BBC2 8pm.

University Challenge tonight! Watch the llama star - or sink into oblivion, we're not quite sure yet which it will be...

I'm sure he'll be a star, even if his team loses.

He got a few marriage offers via Twitter after his performance last time. I think that made him sweat more than the programme.

Not that I copied them on to the Llamas' messageboard at all... would I do that?

Are you sure the marriage offers weren't from you? Well done, Mike - another stellar performance.

I'm not going to marry anyone who buzzes in on a question about myxomatosis!

I'm sure you were his inspiration for that answer, Flopsy.

LOL, you may be right.

Congratulations again to Mike and Manchester.

I watched them all but only found this today- are there any replays about so I can put a face to the name? I'd have loved to go on myself, but I was at a polytechnic and although they've been on a few times since they became a university it was long after I'd been and gone. It would almost be worth doing another course now just for a chance as I've been playing along with my mother for years and can both keep up although it took me many quizzes playing here to catch her up.

We did have a team member on Mastermind on Friday as well who I luckily did recognise but came a bit late to this one

It's on the BBC website, Satguru, so you should be able to catch up with it.

Alas the BBC doesn't allow we colonials to watch anything. I suppose your poor cousins in the Antipodes will be able to see it on youtube perchance? *tugs forelock*

Here's the epidsode

If you need a proxy server to watch it there are plenty of safe ones to choose from.

I'm sending you a note Tizzabelle - several non-UK Llamas have been able to watch via a proxy so the same method should work for you. If anyone else wants to know how, just let me know.

PS It's not illegal!

Brilliant! I can now watch the English Auntie Well done Manchester! I felt so ignorant for most of it but I take consolation in knowing the Shakespearean quote that even Oxford didn't know. One does have to take solace in small victories

Tonight Manchester's team bus tries to run over University College London...

Let's hope there are no questions about rabbits tonight - no Fatal Attraction, or Mr McGregor to frighten our very own bunny rabbit.

And here we go again... tonight, ladies and gents, at 8.00 p.m. on BBC2, the jumper-wearing Mancunians face the Geordies in what is a deciding match, roll up, roll up (and I don't mean Mike the Llama's collar) (or a crafty smoke behind the bikeshed - English is such a wonderful language, why do things have so many meanings?). In the current round, the teams play best of three and both Manchester and Newcastle have each lost one game already so whoever loses tonight is on the bus home. Which as the programme is recorded in Manchester wouldn't be far for some of them.

I'm beginning to feel myxomatosis creeping up on me but I should be okay, they can't ask the same question twice.

Can they?

I'll be watching tonight Flopsy...don't spill the beans until tomorrow please...you'll be in bed by the time I sit down to see it.

Good luck Mr. Mike!

No spoilers from me.

Got your note flops...won't have a chance to do anything until I get home from work...thank you!

Maybe not about myxo but how about "Which virus was "accidentally" released into Australia to control rabbits?" or even better "Calicivirus was "accidentally released into Australia to control which feral animal?"

Ha, Tizz, I think the first of your questions was the one they asked, or something very like it. Naturally it did not go unnoticed on the Llamas' board that our pet Challenge star had been rather quiet until a question about a virus in Australia appeared but he piped up then, didn't he?

And in case he thinks I'm bearing a grudge, well yes, young Michael, I am!

I remember the q about myxo being asked but not the specifics. I haven't seen the subsequent episodes yet. It would be great if a q was asked about calicivirus too! You'd better not set foot in the country as both are still around and you can't be vaccinated against either (I'm pretty sure) unless there are special circumstances

Phooey, been to Oz, escaped.

They don't keep these programmes on iPlayer for long - just for the week between one show and the next, so if you want to watch tonight's programme get to it!

We kept most of the convicts but there were some so bad we had to send them back.

Great game on Monday! What a team! Can't wait to see if they get through to the finals. Thanks for the head's up flopsy.

My ancestor that came back got a free pardon, I'll have you know. He was innocent!

Well, okay, he was guilty but they decided the crime wasn't that bad. He was a Machine Breaker - a bit like the Tolpuddle Martyrs without a union but with an 'ammer.


That's the highest score this series. They have another match in this quarter-final round to go and they have to win that to get through to the semis.

It's safe to post now? Yes, they were on fire on Monday, although I did notice one person buzzing in and then forgetting the answer! Not that I'm criticising - it's much easier to sit on the sofa and know the answer (well, maybe 5% of them). I hope the next QF match is as good, and a win.

Tonight, BBC2, 8.00 p.m.

Tell no one.

Thanks flopsy. Fingers crossed....

OK Flopsy. If you promise not to tell anyone, I won't either.

My lips are sealed.

I'm watching, but I promise not to tell anyone....

One word... WOW!

Well, don't tell anyone, but that was Very Exciting! (Oh, and it's a bit late now, but you might like to consider this quiz, doublemm http://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?quiz=300052)

;-)

LOL, he claims to be some sort of Scot - clearly he's of the mainland sort.

And the guy on the left speaks!

I watched the last 10 minutes peeping through my fingers - to stop me biting my nails.

I agree with Maggie - WOW!

I just watched it on BBC Player - Wow!

That must have been just about the highest aggregate score in the competition. A real cliffhanger!

Unbelievable! A nailbiter if ever there was one!

Lol, it is a running joke that whenever we get questions about Scotland (which is often), the team look at me and I look back, blankly. Thanks for all your comments. I was still on the edge of my seat, despite knowing the outcome.

Clare's score was actually the highest ever losing score in the Paxman era and the aggregate score is possibly the highest in the Paxman era (I'm not 100% sure of this but I don't know of any which really came close).

My heartbeat has only just got back to normal, Mike, but it was worth it.

I've just been reliably informed that, at 520, ours is the third highest aggregate score in the Paxman era, and the highest since 1996

Ha! Did Paxman tell you that himself? Will he ever apologise for grilling me over the phone? Will my phone ever stop shaking? Did I really say "yes", "no", and "bye" to Mr M&S Underwear? Buzz in whenever you're ready!

PS It was a stunningly good match, I might even have watched the last ten minutes again, given that the first time round I was hiding behind the sofa.

Lol, I wish I could have heard this conversation.

Also, some kind soul has uploaded the video on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quQcGea_m-E

In the words of my older son, that was 'totally awesome'! Thanks for posting the youtube link, Mike. I wish we received this show in Oz.

I'm glad it's on Youtube and thanks for the link, Mike. I shall certainly watch it again - I missed a lot by peeping through my fingers in an agony of suspense.

I found this write-up about the match for anyone who's interested. Mike is described as 'predatory'!

http://lifeaftermastermind.blogspot.com/2012/02/university-challenge-quarter-final_25.html

Thanks for posting the link, it was great fun to watch. Good luck for the next one.

Hi everyone. Manchester play Worcester, Oxford tomorrow night (8pm BBC2) in a semi-final match. Make sure you tune in

I hope it's less stressful to watch than the last match - and that you won!

I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Too late to wish you good luck but I'm pretty sure it'll be another nailbiter!

We have an itsy bitsy case of divided loyalties in the Llamas. We've had to put one of our members in a paddock of her own while she ruminates on her memories of life at Oxford when she was at Worcester College so that her screams of anguish don't disturb Mike's concentration. Or his screams don't penetrate her reverie. One or the other.

Whoa, Mike!

"And the wheels of the team bus went round and round..."

So the Llamas couldn't lose either way. At least this week's viewing left my nails intact.

Good game Mike...I knew at least THREE whole answers tonight!

Any chance of a YouTube link like last time?

Thanks for making things a lot less stressful this time!

Once again that was brilliant, and I agree, at least for us, viewing it was much less stressful!

Advance warning. If you can watch the BBC live: Monday 8.00 p.m., the Final! Followed at around 8.26 by the presentation of the trophy at Clarence House by the Duchess of Cornwall. We wondered why Doublemm had been bobbing around a lot, he was practising his curtsey.

If you can't watch live, get your iPlayer tuned in and working!

I'll try and remember!

I'll be there, watching, wondering, hoping.

I believe it's right foot behind left Mike...or was that left foot behind right? Oh dear oh dear....what's a fellow to do? Either way, I'm sure you'll be most charming!

Will be watching on Monday night with bated breath! Good luck to you and your fantastic team!
Barbara

At 7.00 p.m. there's a documentary on BBC2 about the history of University Challenge which has been shown for 50 years in the UK (it was originally based on an American show, College Bowl). And while you're waiting for this evening's excitement, here's an interview with three of the Manchester team, including our very own Doublemm aka Mike McKenna:

http://youtu.be/UfVNl62Zpas

Leaving the house soon for a meal with friends before my final TV appearance (unless I my student debt takes over and I apply to be on 'Pointless'). Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for your support. It's made the whole experience much better.

I will be cheering for you and your team, all the way from Spain, all the best of luck.

Thanks Flopsy for posting the youtube interview, it was most enjoyable.

Well, phooey, the documentary appears to be off! Maybe it was spam.

At least one tweep (Twerson?) fancies doublemm...

I won't spoil it for anyone that may have recorded it, but doublemm....here is another quiz you might profitably have done ;-)
http://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?quiz=297506

Spoiler alert - don't scroll down if you haven't seen it yet...

















WOOHOO! VERY well done, doublemm!

Can I point out that all the llamas are as handsome and adorable as doublemm.
It's true, really it is.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znmelpFAhdY/Tx...-09-550x381.png

Well done peanut!

Wow, I'm exhausted!


Over the past few months I've been regaling the Llamas with copies of tweets about Manchester... normally after a programme there'd be about 40 to choose from, some of which were boring and some of which had to be censored for FT. So this evening I posted some on the Llamas' board just before the programme began... when I got back to the computer there were 536 new tweets!

Awww I forgot again!! I'll try and catch it on the I-Player

Did I say it here? I predicted the result elsewhere months ago. The other teams came nowhere near and it's quite rare one team stands out above all others clearly after the first rounds. Eggheads next!

Well done guys!

Well done Mike and your team. That was a well deserved victory, although I think I must have blinked and missed your curtsey. You also managed to maintain your record of failing to answer a question on Scotland, which was also impressive. Are you going to follow up by making an appearance on 'Only Connect' now?

Great show! Congratulations to Mike and Manchester!

Lol, I totally despair when I hear "which Scottish island". I think I'll have to take some of those quizzes!

Thanks very much for all your kinds words.

Those of you who followed Mike's progress on University Challenge may be interested to know that the members of his winning Manchester team have been awarded the University of Manchester's Medal of Honour 2012 - it's a huge accolade and well-deserved, if only because of the huge number of female applicants who will be flocking to Manchester this year in the hope of catching a glimpse of him. Ha! He should be so lucky.

Great news Flopsy! Congratulations to Mike and the other members of that fantastic team!

What a nice gesture - well done, Mike!

Congratulations to Mike and the Manchester team on a well deserved honour.

Psst! Wanna hear some gossip? Come closer...

Young Mr Doublemm, aka our Michael off the telly, has just got back from an all-expenses paid trip to Japan where the Manchester team did battle against teams from the USA (including Harvard), Australia, Japan, South Africa, and probably a few other places I've forgotten. Who says answering quiz questions doesn't pay?

But we now have another competition where we don't know who won! Aaaargh!

Wow thats great news. Do you know when it will be aired?

Hi all, thanks for the kind words. It will be broadcast on the 4th of August (I think), after the 100m Olympic final, giving us a disgustingly large audience. Unfortunately it is only being shown in Japan.

On another note (and more related to the original purpose of this thread), the new series of Uni Challenge starts tonight. The new Manchester team will be on in early September, so make sure to cheer them on.