My Apologies, or why people should read more

I completely forgot about my monthly duties here. I’ll try to come up with the lists for February. But you can be happy that I’ve just watched Tipping the Velvet, and it’s very close to Sarah Waters’ wonderful novel. Quite enjoyable. Give it a go. And I’ve found another great example of why books are important, especially before you go on a game show.  Take a look at this lovely little ledger of sadness from Reuters:

Question: What was Gandhi’s first name? Contestant’s answer: Goosey Goosey.

Warning to all those know-alls who shout at the television screen when contestants offer dumb answers to blindingly obvious questions — one day that could be you.

From regional radio shows to “Who Wants To be a Millionaire?” and “University Challenge,” people make fools of themselves — as internet site www.jumpingjacksbar.com found in collating some of the worst howlers.

Here are leading contenders for the “Dumb Down” gold medal:

Presenter: What happened in Dallas on November 22,1963?

Contestant: I don’t know, I wasn’t watching it then

Presenter: Which American actor is married to Nicole Kidman?

Contestant: Forrest Gump

Presenter: In which country is Mount Everest?

Contestant: Er, it’s not in Scotland is it?

Presenter: Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the

name of a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci

Contestant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Presenter: In which European city was the first opera house

opened in 1637?

Contestant: Sydney

Presenter: How long did the Six-Day War between Egypt and

Israel last?

Contestant: (after long pause) Fourteen days

Presenter: Where did the D-Day landings take place?

Contestant: (after pause) Pearl Harbor?

Presenter: What is the currency in India

Contestant: Ramadan

Presenter: Johnny Weissmuller died on this day. Which

jungle-swinging character clad only in a loin cloth did he

play?

Contestant: Jesus

Now, of course, one doesn’t always know all the answers and I respect that. But ,honestly, “Jesus”? That’s just sad.