X-Factor Wins Ratings Battle

Don't worry, this blog isn't turning into and entertainment blog...but I do hope it is entertaining!! Anyway, this is just to follow up on yesterday's entry to confirm that "The X-Factor" was ahead of "Strictly Come Dancing" in viewer numbers throughout their overlap on Saturday. This is only to be expected as "X-Factor" has always been slightly more popular than "Strictly" - normal service is resumed!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which monument was sold to Cecil Chubb for £6,600 today in 1915, which he presented to the nation three years later?
   
   
2. What was the title of the first published novel by Stephen King (right) who was born today in 1947?

   
   
3. Who was born today in 1874 in Cheltenham and is best remembered as the composer of "The Planets Suite"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. F W de Klerk; 2. Vampire; 3. Ferdinand Magellan

X-Factor vs. Strictly Come Dancing

"Strictly Come Dancing" returned to our screens this weekend and this year it has been scheduled in the same time slot as "The X-Factor"! This is crazy as many people like both (personally, I'm a "Strictly" fan) including Simon Cowell's mum! I read in The Sun that he wants to come to some arrangement so that both can be shown at different times and now I find that he is going to try and get ITV to move "X-Factor"! Simon Cowell never fails to amaze me with his common sense approach to everything he does!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Who was sworn in as President of South Africa today in 1989?

   
   
2. What was the name of the drag car that TV presenter Richard Hammond (right) crashed in at over 280mph today in 2006?

   
   
3. Who set off from Spain today in 1519 with five ships to sail around the world?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Montgolfier Brothers; 2. Batman; 3. Twiggy

Strictly Come Dancing 2009

The new batch of dancers has been announced for the 2009 series of "Strictly Come Dancing" which starts in September. Of the celebs, two have caught my eye - Martina Hingis and Joe Calzaghe - who'd have thought that they'd be in a competition like this? Most of the rest are soap stars and TV presenters, but as usual I expect it to be fun to watch. Last weekend saw the start of "The X Factor", but I prefer "Strictly"!

Your Wednesday posers are: -

1. Which athlete, now a TV pundit, set the current 400 metres world record today in 1999 in Seville?
   
   
2. In which modern day country was Mother Theresa (right) born today in 1910?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1980 and played James T Kirk in the 2009 film "Star Trek"?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Horses; 2. Seven; 3. Paris

Strictly Come Dancing - New Judge Announced

Keen readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of "Strictly Come Dancing"! It has been announced that Alesha Dixon will replace Arlene Phillips as one of the judges. Although I'm a fan of Alesha in this setting, I'm not sure that she will be mean enough as a judge. Arlene has the years of experience and made a very good judge because she knows the dance world inside out! But what do I know? I'll still be watching when the new season starts in the autumn!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Which Greenpeace ship was sunk in Auckland harbour by French agents today in 1985?
   
   
2. Jason Orange (right) was born today in 1970 and is a member of which 'boy' band?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1903 in the village of Knowle (just outside Birmingham) and wrote "The Day of the Triffids"?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Queen Elizabeth II; 2. "Philadelphia"; 3. Johnny Weissmuller