University Challenge S53E20 Hertford College, Oxford v UCL

[@snehashisparashar2414]

Every time I see a team struggle with maps, it reminds me of Imperial Zeng ❤

[@MrLalitknaidu]

I wish we would see more contestants like him who simply have memorized all human knowledge on a specific topic.

[@snehashisparashar2414]

@@MrLalitknaidu yeah, I adore him and wish I could have a crumb of what he has.

[@raphaeleyald]

And Imperial Zeng was not just a one category wonder. For example, I remember him answering questions on papal history.

[@scoopsmcgoops]

Not even kidding, watching Zeng do his thing was one of the biggest reasons why I began loving geography. I can only hope to someday have half of his mastery.

[@rocketjack4865]

@@raphaeleyaldalso great with periodic tables. I remember him moving his fingers around as he pictured the periodic table in front of him. He was also great with biochemistry ( what he was studying I think ) and certain history questions. All in all, the best player I have seen in a while of UC.

[@timothywalker1388]

No timewasting! Brilliant. Let's keep it like this.

[@late8641]

25:48 Ayyy, Finland mentioned! 🇫🇮🎉 Sad to see Keskin lose, his knowledge is truly commendable.

[@chrishobbs58]

Thanks again, CosmicPumpkin! I had picked the losing team as a strong contender, based on their victory over a team that has since won two victories in dominating fashion. But there's always a bigger fish, and the losing team met a true Leviathan in this match. This was a very impressive victory by the winners. I'll refrain from further praise, because I don't want to jinx them the way I did the losing team. My best to both teams, and each contestant.

[@emmapeel829]

An absolutely beautiful match! My commiserations to the losers - you made a valiant effort but it was not to be. Many congrats to the winners, a fabulous team. Can't wait for the next round with you. Thank you so much, CP. You're a star! 💞

[@chipikalonde2920]

Izzatdust is a beast. What a team UCL

[@KSfan4ever]

What a fantastic match!! Lightning-quick responses and great teamwork from the well-deserved winners. I can see them going to the finals. Thank you Cosmic Pumpkin for posting this!!

[@sharanyaray2454]

Keskin and Izzatdust were 2 contestants who impressed me very much and it's very unfortunate they had to face each other so soon. If you look carefully both of them were fighting for the buzzer. This year every round baring a couple is giving me surprising results. The ones whom you expect to win are getting outwitted except maybe when Trinity wins.

[@Follyys]

Strong team performance from the winners. Contributions from all four, and worthwhile discussions that were no longer than necessary. Some of the most deft captaining I've seen in recent memory, very relaxed and self-assured, seemed to be well in sync with her teammates. Tough go for the losing team. Good effort from Keskin, could have been a nail-biter if a few of his answers had gone the other way (e.g., Slovakia vs Slovenia). Just needed a little more support. Biggest surprise miss of the match: calypso!

[@castelodeossos3947]

And Sawh quick to pass instead of aimless waffling.

[@sivakumar_rajappan]

Contributions were mainly from the two people on left. Though the captaincy of sawh might be appreciable, I don't see that much contribution from her in the answers.

[@Elcio_Leal]

what an amazing episode, 8 gods gifted brains !!!! congratulations to these young beautiful, cultured, and intelligent students. Many thanks, CosmicPumpkin. Cheers from Belem (Amazom brazil)

[@seadkolasinac7220]

que legal!

[@vishvice12]

Keskin despite being the knowledge tank in this season, couldn't get Hertford through the line. This really shows the value of the UCL team and everyone's contribution. Sawh is a solid captain. Hall and especially Izzatdust (MVP of today's episode) were clutch in this episode not to mention Finlay at the end. Such a likeable team as well. No stalling for the most part. Rooting for UCL to go all the way..!

[@slightlygrouchy]

There really was no stalling on the part of the winners. When the team once took took too long debating, they were called out on it and Sawh even seemed embarrassed and immediately said "pass".

[@ellentronicmistress4969]

Impressive UCL team with an exemplary captain.

[@freddiethecutestcavapoo9184]

Thanks, Cosmic P. Lovely to get these downloaded so quickly. I had anticipated a win by Hartford in a close match but UCL were storming today! On this form they could be strong contenders for the win.

[@gabsymalone6307]

A MUCH better match than last week's rather turgid affair - winners were racing through the bonuses in the first half but didn't have as much luck in the latter stages - still 22/38 and an actually better percentage wise 15/21 from the losers is nothing to scoff at 👍. Who knows what they'll do later on, but two strong opponents in a row must put them in good stead 😊.

[@acediscovery]

Oh so so much better than last week!

[@slightlygrouchy]

That was a very good match! I particularly enjoyed the absolutely wild discussions (bordering on arguments) UCL had. Hall was a lot of fun to listen to, but I really like everyone on that quite cerebral team. Sawh is a magnificent captain! Hertford College was simply too slow on the buzzer.

[@Ramboost007]

Lol there were at least 5 bonuses where UCL narrowed it down to two answers and they picked the wrong one, but it didn't matter because Izzatdust had better help than Keskin.

[@helza]

Thank you SO much for uploading these. Very much appreciated

[@lindorsibande]

MATCH STATS BELOW *Hertford - Oxford : 140* *UCL : 225* *Starter Questions Stats* HERTFORD - OXFORD : 65 Sourbut = 1/1 {10} Keskin = 4/5 {40 minus 5} Whittle = 2/2 {20} Balakrishnan Raju = 0/1 {0} Starter Success Rate : 77.78% UCL : 115 Hall = 3/5 {30 minus 5} Izzatdust = 7/7 {70} Sawh = 1/2 {10 minus 5} Finlay = 2/3 {20 minus 5} Starter Success Rate : 76.47% *Bonus Questions Stats* HERTFORD - OXFORD: 75 Bonus Success Rate : 71.43% (15/21) UCL : 110 Bonus Success Rate: 57.89% (22/38)

[@davidklompenhouwer555]

Many thanks

[@Ramboost007]

It came down to who between Keskin and Izzatdust had the better support

[@blipblop5757]

​@Ramboost007 yeah UCL is very well rounded. Hall also has incredibly well rounded knowledge.

[@zaphbrox8239]

Thanks mate. Didn't see your stats for E19.

[@lindorsibande]

​@@zaphbrox8239 you're welcome mate. I posted them quite late - had a slip of the mind. But they are up now. Sorry about that.

[@lailedcat]

10:03 shoutout to all fellow ADHD folks shouting the answer to this at the screen

[@slightlygrouchy]

Knowledge-Tourette?

[@phucvan3583]

Love the energy from UCL. Each bonus question seems like a debate for its members :>

[@wesleyhopmans]

Thanks sir for the very fast upload! Much apreciated

[@jordanp815]

Well well well..... Hertford College were almost favourites to win the whole thing after Round 1 - but UCL have just thrown themselves down as MASSIVE contenders. Feel bad for Keskin. Izzatdust is a beast and the whole team is strong - I would say that UCL and Imperial are the most likely finalists at this point.

[@imokin86]

Yes, they have this recipe for success, with one exceptional player and three competent ones, and Sawh seems quick and decisive when it's needed.

[@jayguerero47]

@@imokin86Open is so good

[@slightlygrouchy]

Don't know about that! I think the Open University is a fascinating outsider that really could win it all.

[@jordanp815]

@@slightlygrouchysorry but Open aren’t getting near Imperial or UCL

[@jayguerero47]

@@jordanp815 im not rooting for Open either but with the right categories they can be absolute monsters.

[@DragonsEyeTours]

Many thanks. So enjoyable to watch.

[@raphaeleyald]

The Godless Institution of Gower Street usually puts up a strong team, my favorites, especially this year and last year with the mother and son on the same team. I also see this UCL team in the finals.

[@jessicaellina3878]

Excellent ,fast paced match! Quick buzzing and no dithering. A few wrong choices on the bonus questions but it happens. Well done to UCL for a strong performance.Maybe Amol shouldn,t have praised Keskin at the beginning..it may have made him feel pressured to perform well. Very enjoyable..two good teams.

[@lazystalker1]

UCL ... Sprinting away on the home straight! .. (cheers for the upload)

[@MrPotsy81]

I think Hertford was just slow on the buzzer. Both teams show great intelligence. Thanks for posting.

[@manofresco]

Excellent match. UCL coud go all the way

[@nathelondon3719]

UCL is one of the best looking teams in a long time. Hope they go far.

[@ianleslie6971]

Thank you for this posting.

[@hanshandkante5055]

Its funny that most westerners are always super specific when asked where they come from - "i am from SOUTH London" or "I'm originally fom Bath, in Somerset and nowadays live in Ware, in Herfordshire.." while people from India always say: "I am from India" even though India is a whole subcontinent and is 13 times as big as the UK.

[@manuuyt5919]

I think it's because a UK audience will relate more to where they are from, but a UK audience won't care much about the specific city in India the contestant is from

[@thadrin]

Two very, very strong teams. This could easily have been semi final level. Shame to see the losers go. The winners have to be strong contenders to win it all now.

[@t.tugrulakbas3404]

IZZATDUST is a best. Congratulations UCL

[@hifijohn]

izzatdust izza beast

[@profpartout6609]

great game, congrats!

[@SuperHans64]

I’m glad Amol picked up Keskin on his pronunciation of one of the answers. He mumbled too much.

[@jjjj8644]

It wasn't a pronunciation problem. He literally changed one letter! Besides, Amol seems to understand Keskin pretty well hence he noticed that mistake

[@alani3992]

The other team also said El Nina for El Nino.

[@NomadeVet]

Bad luck Hartford, great team and Keskin is an outstanding player! Sad to see two great teams opposed so early in the game. Congratulations to all!

[@carnalea2424]

He may well be very good - as long as you can make out what's he saying

[@nakulgoyal2879]

the UCL team is looking really strong!! awesome team chemistry and izzatdust is just on another level (and the team captain 🤩😌 )! UCL all the way 🤟

[@likx]

Yelled CONGEE way too loud at my phone 👀

[@RadialScar]

Growing up in Hong Kong, I didn't even know congee isn't a common English word until now...

[@Oonggaboong]

Good game!

[@jamespires3383]

They are all such smart. People On the panel.

[@havingalook2]

Many thanks for posting. I just LOVE out new host.

[@paznewis107]

Diana sawh, dinosaur 🦖

[@kabardinka1]

The SOCA response was correct. It's a sub-genre of Calypso from Trinidad.

[@accountnamewithheld]

Keskin needs to enunciate his answers, can't understand a single one.

[@joanhale7159]

He also needs to stop fiddling with his hair!

[@NomadeVet]

Considering how fast he has to think in - most likely - his non native tongue I think he is amazing. Imagine how fast and enunciated any of us would respond under such pressure in a foreign language. Granted the hair fiddling is another matter :)

[@carnalea2424]

@@NomadeVet but there are students from countries like Poland and Germany, so English is their 2nd language, and you can hear their answers perfectly clearly. Why Keskin has to mumble/talk so fast, I don't know. Because of him, I must admit I'm pleased we won't see his team again.

[@milky.funland]

I think Keskin might have ASD. He probably doesn't like attention so he looks away/down when it's on him, and his speech turns to mumbling. And the hair fiddling could be stimming. I can understand why people find it annoying but he probably can't help it.

[@shariffahatikah1725]

Ali izzatdust is a genius! And he didn’t study science! But he can answer all kinds of questions 😃

[@JJJRRRJJJ]

Wtf is keskin saying

[@MonoIsSuperior]

keskin salty af at the end

[@timrutter5025]

Could Mr Keskin's replies have subtitles added please. Also why do some contests say the come from 2 places, on today's episode Azerbaijan and Portugal?

[@gabrielaa.magalhaes1258]

bc they are bocó

[@gooscarguitar]

There are subtitles. Also perhaps they just grew up in both countries?

[@castelodeossos3947]

Since the country one is 'from' is determined by one's history, there's nothing odd about someone growing up alternating between two homes, because parents divorced.

[@cfb15jan]

Keskin, supremely knowledgeable but, to me, utter mumbledom.

[@schnitzelboi]

I can't believe they got away with answering 'hashtag' instead of 'pound sign' without even a single remark.

[@SomePeopleCallMe]

what? why?

[@schnitzelboi]

@@SomePeopleCallMe Because that is not what the symbol is called. It's either a 'number sign,' 'hash,' or 'pound sign.' The term 'hashtag' is specifically the use of the number sign for content classification on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

[@SundaraRamanR]

It _is_ also known as the hash symbol (or octothorpe if you want to sound fancy). Hashtag is a twitterish extension, but seems to be becoming pretty standard - language follows usage after all.

[@grimftl]

Many thanks to CosmicPumpkin from Allen, Texas. I always get a little schadenfreude when an Oxbridge team loses. Is it just me, or does Keskin sound like Mr Bean?

[@jakea5915]

Are we gonna ignore the absolute savagery that occurred from 11:43 to 11:55?

[@BlueSoulTiger]

23:07 Good question Simone Weil

[@jeff__w]

26:08 “…known in Cantonese as _zuk¹_ ” Oh, no! Amol Rajan’s pronunciation in that instance, while wholly understandable, is truly abysmal. The jyutping transliteration _is_ _zuk¹_ for the word 粥 but there is no English “z” sound in Cantonese. The initial _z,_ technically /t͡s/, is similar to an English "dz" sound like the “ds” sound in “kids” (although the _d_ is not voiced)-Rajan could have gotten away with “jook” (rhymes with “book”).

[@ulture]

never thought I'd hear ExistentialComics mentioned here!

[@vlera8447]

Grits are delicious??!!! 😅 Booooo!

[@frederiquehobson4221]

what's the point to know everything about everything and don't recognize J.S. BACH in a fraction of second. 🎼🎹🙌 No arguments because I am only into Arts and Music, so... Thank you Cosmic Pumpkin and congratulations to the teams .

[@Tzadeck]

Sawh is gorgeous.

[@andrewclifton9772]

I don't know if they choose the questions prior to knowing the contestants, but it seems unfair to have a Q about Senate House while one of the contestants is UCL. Hertford College got the starter however; but it would have been a gimme for UCL.

[@mlml984]

Oh that was GOOD.

[@anschelsc]

I love that this is the second time there's been a question not just on philosophy but on Existential Comics. I guess one of the question writers is a fan lol

[@sammysouth8372]

Raju is along for the ride 😂

[@ArthurKuntsler]

Hertford were up by 45 and then just started urinating. Love it when Amol then asks if they enjoyed themselves.

[@sunway1374]

Sawh is hawt!

[@jayguerero47]

I didnt copy this comment mind you.

[@sunway1374]

@@jayguerero47 I don't care. Write what you want. I don't make money from my comments.

[@Mynsinger]

Oh my, Ms. Sawh is beautiful

[@jayguerero47]

Sawh is saw hawt! 😅

[@gabrielaa.magalhaes1258]

control yourself man, she has 10 kgs of make-up on

[@jayguerero47]

@@gabrielaa.magalhaes1258not even the makeup. Her calmness, her control, her quick thinking, and her elegance… stunning lady

[@sivakumar_rajappan]

​@@jayguerero47simp alert!!! True talents of izzadust and hall are in vein. Many praise her 'beauty'

[@AylaFMD]

@sivakumarrajappan6384 my thoughts exactly! Halo effect!

[@megadethly]

frist!

[@sammysouth8372]

After Bamber Gascoigne and Paxman where did they find this reject? I’m not even white or British or live in the UK but if I were a white Brit I’d wonder right about now just what the hell happened to my country.

[@DennisDaguman]

Speak for yourself, mate, he did a great job. I'm also not living in the UK, either, for I am in the Philippines.