University Challenge

Totally agree, we noticed him in the first round match, his parents must be so very proud 👏👏👏

He must have arm ache from the way he attacked the buzzer!

I can usually answer a few questions but think I only managed 2 last night - I did know the music starter was Wagner and the sociology questions that Edinburgh didn’t know. Kai M is amazing such a breadth of knowledge.

He's a freak!!

Luckygirl3

He's a freak!!

How rude!!! He’s brilliant.

He’s from my husband’s home town to very pleased with the result.

He's terrific! How does he remember all that information?
I think the elbow buzzer action has a special meaning, - a previous contestant or something?

Yes, Fowey will be proud. Its a very small town, 2,000 population.

He's a very brilliant freak!

Why did he have to wear that hat all the time though? I even started wondering if he had an AI machine hidden under there. It was his subject, after all.

We can wear what we feel comfortable in, surely?

Pittcity

He must have arm ache from the way he attacked the buzzer!

My mum noticed that!

Probably nerves. My husband was on an Imperial team in the 70s and found it intense.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.cornwalllive.com/news/celebs-tv/cornwall-university-challenge-captains-unique-10926842.amp

It's explained in Cornwall Live.

He was copying this contestant.

Yes, well done Manchester, especially Kai. My only gripe is that he spoke so quickly I sometimes missed hearing the answer.

What amazes me is the breadth of knowledge these young people have.

Treebee

Yes, well done Manchester, especially Kai. My only gripe is that he spoke so quickly I sometimes missed hearing the answer.

I always have the subtitles on, because a lot of people don’t speak well, and my hearing isn’t what it was.

I think good clear speech should be taught in schools, but who would teach it?

JackyB

Why did he have to wear that hat all the time though? I even started wondering if he had an AI machine hidden under there. It was his subject, after all.

Keeping his brain warm.

I think someone knits his hats (and his jumper) for him! A proud Mum or Auntie?

Grandma70s

Treebee

Yes, well done Manchester, especially Kai. My only gripe is that he spoke so quickly I sometimes missed hearing the answer.

I always have the subtitles on, because a lot of people don’t speak well, and my hearing isn’t what it was.

I think good clear speech should be taught in schools, but who would teach it?

Not Amol Rajan for sure!
Never mind the contestants, he speaks so quickly I couldn't follow him half the time.

Interesting. I find Amol Rajan’s diction very crisp and clear. Far easier to follow than Paxman was, especially during the last series.

Absolutely, Gran22boys! Staggering, aren’t they?! We feel smug if we get half a dozen answers.

I immediately thought of neurodivergance when I saw Kai in his hat. Reminded me very much of one of my grandsons and his speech patterns when he was interviewed seemed very familiar. So pleased they won because I loved watching him.

Well, Paxo had been diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Amol is friendlier, I think, but he gabbles.

Allira

Well, Paxo had been diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Amol is friendlier, I think, but he gabbles.

Yes, I know. He carried on for quite some time after his diagnosis. Shouldn’t have, in my opinion.
If you rewatch his last series, the scores were historically low. I think that’s because the teams struggled to interpret the questions on occasion. For their sakes, he ought to have stood down sooner.
I find AR’s diction very clear indeed, as I do on the Today Programme 🤷‍♀️
Looking at the high scores since he took over, presumably the contestants do, too.
He certainly doesn’t “gabble”!

Well, it's not just me.

There have been other threads I have seen where several posters say that Amol Rajan gabbles and mumbles.

Allira

Well, it's not just me.

There have been other threads I have seen where several posters say that Amol Rajan gabbles and mumbles.

Perhaps it’s the listener?
I find his diction crisp and clear 🤷‍♀️