The UK is in the grips of what commentators are calling ‘Monkmania‘, with viewers of nerdy TV show ‘University Challenge‘ absolutely frothing at the bit over star contestant Eric Monkman.
#monkman #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/nXLOMUyUCI
— T4 (@Toraiix_) December 5, 2016
University Challenge is a long-running academic quiz show that pits teams of university swots against one another in the ultimate battle of general knowledge.
The final of University Challenge is on in the wee hours of our Tuesday morning (so, Monday night in the UK), and Monkmania is absolutely bloody peaking.
Obviously, Monkman is smart. Like, really smart. You have to be to get on University Challenge. The Wolfson College Cambridge captain graduated with a masters in economics last year, so he’s not exactly fucking around.
But even by University Challenge standards, Monkman is off the bloody charts. In the semi-final against Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he scored 120 of his team’s 170 points, reports The Guardian, and answering 18 of all the 45 correctly answered questions.
Such is the fever that he found himself having to respond to questions about Monkmania to The Telegraph. “I certainly don’t think of myself as any object of desire,” he said. “I assume people are being ironic, not serious. I think they’re just trying to be funny.”
Perhaps – but they’re also just really keen on him.
So much appreciation for #Monkman ????#UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/nT48SYWwHZ
— Beth Dyson (@bethdysonPR) April 3, 2017
Which #Monkman are you on the unofficial #UniversityChallenge Monkman Alignment Chart? pic.twitter.com/EYZwQpuyWD
— Sam Wilson (@MrSamWilson) February 27, 2017
In the semi-final, Monkman went head-to-head with fellow contestant Bobby Seagull, and the level of pre-showdown anticipation was like the nerd version of UFC weigh-in.
Prepare. Your. Butts. #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/QbHx2Kn4eL
— James (@ward_jam) March 25, 2017
Basically, Monkman is like if Moss from ‘The IT Crowd‘ and Bill Hader had a baby.
This is an out-of-control train.
@Oirisheye the man, the legend #monkmania pic.twitter.com/bCd2QNAjpv
— Dan.O (@doctordoc10) March 27, 2017
Canada’s Deadliest Weapon! #monkmania #monkman #monkmanvsseagull #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/N2MRxMUFoT
— Bryan Eccleshall (@eccleshall1965) March 27, 2017
@stesmudge Haha I drew him in sand on holiday last week… #Monkman #Monkmania pic.twitter.com/j8WHkfCq0I
— Dean w (@limberstar) April 9, 2017
In the battle of the superheroes: Monkman v Goldman, we all know who comes out on top #UniversityChallenge pic.twitter.com/ATFK90mj23
— Joel Gleicher (@JoelG_88) December 12, 2016
#Monkmania has no known cure, but if there is one, then Monkman’s entire family of doctors (he’s the odd one out) could probably find it.
(And if you too are enamoured by this loud genius, have a listen to the BBC’s profile of him here.)
Photo: BBC.
