You all know the rules by now, here’s your Starter for Ten. What could be more British than University Challenge? One of the longest-running quiz shows ever on British TV, it has associations of class, difficulty, and unmitigated stress. The perfect setting for a rom-com then, or at least David Nicholls thought so. Long before One Day, the screenwriter was floundering somewhat with the small screen and so turned his attentions to the page. Always a fan of University Challenge, Nicholls penned a semi-autobiographical novel set around a 1980s University of Bristol team and a central coming-of-age rom-com conceit.

Through the unlikely help of Tom Hanks, this well-received novel then became a screenplay, and Starter for Ten the Movie was born. In 2006, not too much was known about James McEvoy, Rebecca Hall, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alice Eve, but all four went on to have hugely successful Hollywood careers.

Join Rob and Guy as they discuss Starter for Ten and its origins. They dive into University Challenge and the excruciatingly difficult-to-find Rescue Me, Nicholls’ forgotten 2002 comedy drama starring Sally Phillips and Oliver Chris. Guy’s voyage to find any evidence of this ever even existing beyond a Daniela Denby-Ashe Supercut on YouTube was both painstaking and hilarious…for Rob anyway.

Joining the team this week is Em from the comprehensively brilliant movie podcast Verbal Diorama. Em very kindly gave Starter for Ten her classic treatment and left no stone unturned in telling us about the making of this very mid-00s, while simultaneously very 80s of romantic comedies. She was the Bamber Gascoigne to our Paxo and Rajan.

Rescue Me - Daniela Denby Ashe Supercut

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr4WfAFNRv8&ab_channel=HollyoaksFans

James McEvoy in Shameless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNtKrycBI50

Benedict Cumberbatch in Nathan Barley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Juf2jWCAM

University Challenge - Gail Trimble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCj4wjV-oqM

University Challenge - Ted Loveday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC2buT3gQww

University Challenge - Eric Monkman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZagrO1C8UUY

We need Jungle I’m Afraid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isiVdlz8bDY

Starter For 10 Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5JwoOHPmbw

Starter For 10 Headbutt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPSMJVpl24E

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S05 E04 - Starter for Ten (w/ Verbal Diorama)