4:45PM, Nov 04, 2009
“People don’t like intelligent people,” states Thor, University Challenge champion 2003.
He could have a point.
This by turn charming and poignant documentary finds ten people who were on the winning team of the quiz show to see what life is like when you’re a mega brain box. It’s fascinating, funny and touching stuff.
University Challenge first hit TV screens back in 1962, when contestants smoked (smoked!) at their seats. It’s been oddly compelling viewing ever since.
But while the great British public enjoy tuning in to watch the best brains in the country battle it out, it seems that we don’t want to interact with them.
As Pamela (pictured) says, her mother told her “don’t let your brains show”. Quite tough for a woman with an IQ of 168. The average is 100, in case you were wondering.
The ten people chosen to appear don’t do much to dispel the socially awkward geek stereotype you might expect of University Challenge champions but they are self-effacing and funny with it.
“I’m not as smart as I think I am,” says Luke, now a fellow at Oxford and a “genius” according to his former tutor.
“They know a lot about a lot,” says a clearly impressed Jeremy Paxman.
So next time you’re in company with a brainiac don’t be intimidated by their mighty noggin power. Be their friend instead.
Clever people need love too.
Find out when Wonderland: I Won University Challenge is on TV.
