Specials

Specials

2009-12-21
55 Episodes

Episodes

Crossworders v Rugby Boys: The Champion of Champions

1. Crossworders v Rugby Boys: The Champion of Champions

2009-12-21

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Quiz in which connections are made between seemingly random elements. The winners of series one meet the champs of series two.

Children in Need Special

2. Children in Need Special

2010-11-15

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A special Children in Need episode of the quiz show presented by Victoria Coren in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The cunning wiles of the Wheel Men (Rev Richard Coles, Adam Hart-Davis and Grub Smith) take on the combined brains of the Larks (Michael Bywater, Sir Andrew Motion and Stuart Maconie), trying to work out what connects the likes of Fawlty Towers to St Joseph's Wort, Pesto and the Great Mouse Detective.

Series 3 vs Series 4 Winners Special

3. Series 3 vs Series 4 Winners Special

2011-01-10

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Special edition of the quiz in which links must be made between seemingly random things, as the Gamblers square up to the Epicureans.

University Challenge Special

4. University Challenge Special

2011-01-17

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Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Undefeated champions of champions, the Crossworders, risk their reputation by confronting the awesome brainpower of the University Challengers, captained by the illustrious Alex Guttenplan. It isn't going to be an easy ride for either team, as they try to connect Fortis shareholders with Muntadar al-Zaidi, sabateurs and Nikita Kruschchev.

Comic Relief Special

5. Comic Relief Special

2011-03-14

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The Treesome (Brian Sewell, Adam Hart-Davis and Grub Smith) lock intellectual brains with the Larks (Michael Bywater, Sir Andrew Motion and Stuart Maconie) as they try to work out what connects the Golden Gate Bridge and David Dickinson.

Children in Need Special: Great Believers vs Free Speakers

6. Children in Need Special: Great Believers vs Free Speakers

2011-11-14

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In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need. The cunning wiles of the Great Believers (Nick Hornby, Dame Joan Bakewell and John Lloyd) take on the combined brains of the Free Speakers (Ian Hislop, Simon Singh and John Sessions). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Erté, Hergé, Jeep and Esso.

Wall Night 1 (1)

7. Wall Night 1 (1)

2011-12-12

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The first half of Only Connect's inaugural Wall Night Special, in which eight teams return to face off against the Wall.

Wall Night 1 (2)

8. Wall Night 1 (2)

2011-12-12

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Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.

Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Epicureans

9. Champion of Champions: Crossworders v Epicureans

2012-01-02

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Special edition of the quiz in which series 3 & 4 champions the Epicureans take on Series 1 & 2 champions the Crossworders.

Only Connect vs Mastermind Special: Crossworders vs Masterminders

10. Only Connect vs Mastermind Special: Crossworders vs Masterminders

2012-01-09

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Victoria Coren hosts a special edition of the word quiz in which a trio of Mastermind series winners take on Only Connect champions the Crossworders.

Wall Night 2 (1)

11. Wall Night 2 (1)

2012-01-30

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Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Eight seasoned Only Connect teams return to take part in a Connecting Wall mini-tournament.

Wall Night 2 (2)

12. Wall Night 2 (2)

2012-01-30

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Victoria Coren presents a special edition of the quiz show in which knowledge will only take you so far, as patience and lateral thinking are also vital. The semi-finals and final of the mini-tournament featuring seasoned Only Connect teams, plus wall-solving tales from celebrity alumni.

Sport Relief Special: Cutters vs Backhanders

13. Sport Relief Special: Cutters vs Backhanders

2012-03-19

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Victoria Coren hosts a special celebrity edition of the quiz, as two teams prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Sport Relief.

Children in Need Special: Goldfingers v Fowls

14. Children in Need Special: Goldfingers v Fowls

2012-11-12

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Victoria Coren hosts a very special celebrity edition of the quiz where knowledge will only take you so far, and patience and lateral thinking are also vital. In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need. The cunning wiles of the Goldfingers (Charlie Higson, Daisy Goodwin and Matthew Parris) take on the combined brains of the Fowls (Rosie Boycott, Richard Osman and Clarke Carlisle). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects Mark Antony, Henry VIII, Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond and the Black Fingernail.

Champion of Champions: Analysts v Scribes

15. Champion of Champions: Analysts v Scribes

2013-01-07

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Series 5 champs the Analysts take on Series 6 winners the Scribes in a bid to be named Champion of Champions.

Special: Eggheads v Davids

16. Special: Eggheads v Davids

2013-01-14

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Three Eggheads take on three champion captains all called David, drawing together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random. So join Victoria Coren if you want to know what connects Apollo 12, Pan Am Flight 214, Lee Trevino and York Minster.

Comic Relief Special 2013: Neuromantics v Muppets

17. Comic Relief Special 2013: Neuromantics v Muppets

2013-03-11

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Victoria Coren hosts a special celebrity edition of the quiz where knowledge will only take you so far, and patience and lateral thinking are also vital. Two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Comic Relief, as the Neuromantics (Charlie Higson, Rufus Hound, and Baroness Susan Greenfield) take on the combined wits of the Muppets (David Mitchell, Rosie Boycott, and Bill Turnbull). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects £100,000, PG Wodehouse, deep reddish-purple and Jack Horner's thumb.

Children in Need Special: Scrabblers v The Balding Team

18. Children in Need Special: Scrabblers v The Balding Team

2013-11-11

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In this Pudsey Special, two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Children in Need, as the Balding Team (Clare Balding, Clive Anderson and Sir Simon Jenkins) take on the Scrabblers (Alice Arnold, Konnie Huq and John Finnemore). So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects: Bread song, Steve Bell cartoon, Lindsay Anderson film and Rudyard Kipling poem.

Sport Relief: Scribblers v Terriers

19. Sport Relief: Scribblers v Terriers

2014-03-17

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Two teams of clever celebrities prepare to lose their dignity in honour of Sport Relief as the Scribblers (Alice Arnold, Charlie Brooker and Ed Smith) take on the Terriers (Clare Balding, Val McDermid and Joshua Levine). So join Victoria if you want to know what connects: Howard's End, Veterans' Day, Caesar's Palace and Every dog has its day.

Children in Need: Noggins v Curiosities

20. Children in Need: Noggins v Curiosities

2014-11-10

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In this special Children in Need episode, two teams of celebrities put their collective reputations on the line in the name of charity. The Noggins - Robert Peston, Patrick Marber and Sophie Grigson - and the Curiosities - Kevin Eldon, Professor Steve Jones and Kate Mosse - compete to draw together the connections between things which at first glance seem utterly random.

Comic Relief Special: Waterbabies v Tillers

21. Comic Relief Special: Waterbabies v Tillers

2015-03-09

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Two teams of celebrities put their collective reputations on the line in the name of charity. The Waterbabies (Reeta Chakrabarti, Tom Holland and captain Patrick Marber) compete against the Tillers (Katie Derham, Steve Pemberton and their captain, Professor Steve Jones) to draw together the connection between things which at first glance seem utterly random. So join Victoria Coren Mitchell if you want to know what connects truth, malice, cava and prose.

Children in Need: Music Monkeys v Chess Pieces

22. Children in Need: Music Monkeys v Chess Pieces

2015-11-09

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In this Children in Need special, two teams of celebrities compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random. The Music Monkeys, featuring captain David Baddiel with Clemency Burton-Hill and Philip Hensher, square up to the Chess Pieces, a team lead by Hugh Dennis and featuring Bonnie Greer and AN Wilson.

Sport Relief: Royal III v BBC

23. Sport Relief: Royal III v BBC

2016-03-14

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In this Sport Relief special, two teams of celebrities compete to draw together the connections between things which, at first glance, seem utterly random. This game sees the Royal III - David Baddiel, Dr John Cooper Clarke and Philippa Gregory - square up to the BBC - Hugh Dennis, Julian Lloyd Webber and Lynne Truss.

Champion of Champions: Europhiles v String Section

24. Champion of Champions: Europhiles v String Section

2018-12-18

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Series 9 champions the Europhiles take on Series 11 winners the String Section. Victoria Coren Mitchell presents.

Sport: Footballers v Korfballers

25. Sport: Footballers v Korfballers

2018-12-19

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The Footballers and Korfballers return for a very special one-off sports special. Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts.

Family: Lasletts v Meeples

26. Family: Lasletts v Meeples

2018-12-20

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. The Lasletts and Meeples return for a special family edition.

Quiz: QI Elves v Inquisitors

27. Quiz: QI Elves v Inquisitors

2018-12-25

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz show about making connections. The QI Elves and Inquisitors compete in a special edition of the quiz.

Travel: Globetrotters v Eurovisionaries

28. Travel: Globetrotters v Eurovisionaries

2019-12-30

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. In this episode, two former teams with a connection to travel return.

Happy Hour: Alesmen v Cosmopolitans

29. Happy Hour: Alesmen v Cosmopolitans

2020-01-01

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. In this episode, two former teams with a connection to drinks return for a happy hour special.

Education: Clareites v Beaks

30. Education: Clareites v Beaks

2020-01-02

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. In this episode, two former teams with a connection to education return for a special.

Champion of Champions: Verbivores v Escapologists

31. Champion of Champions: Verbivores v Escapologists

2020-01-03

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the series where knowledge will only take you so far. Series 12 champions the Verbivores take on series 13 champions the Escapologists.

Christmas: Edwards Family v Wrights

32. Christmas: Edwards Family v Wrights

2020-12-29

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host’s chair for a one-off special of Only Connect. Two favourite family teams from previous series return for a family-themed Christmas special.

North and South: Scunthorpe Scholars v Oxonians

33. North and South: Scunthorpe Scholars v Oxonians

2020-12-30

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Two favourite teams from previous series – one from the north and one from the south - return for a very special episode with a geographical flavour.

Doctors: Medics v Gallifreyans

34. Doctors: Medics v Gallifreyans

2020-12-31

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host’s chair as six favourite contestants from previous series return for a one-off special themed around doctors.

Music: Festival Fans v Choristers

35. Music: Festival Fans v Choristers

2021-01-01

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host’s chair for a one-off special of Only Connect. Two favourite teams from previous series return for a very special musical episode of Only Connect.

Christmas: Turophiles v Corkscrews

36. Christmas: Turophiles v Corkscrews

2021-12-27

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special as two favourite teams from previous series return for an evening of cheese, wine and Christmas quizzing.

The Birds and the Bees: Birdwatchers v Beekeepers

37. The Birds and the Bees: Birdwatchers v Beekeepers

2021-12-28

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect as two teams from previous series – the Birdwatchers and the Beekeepers - return for a special episode.

Cold: Nordiphiles v Apres Skiers

38. Cold: Nordiphiles v Apres Skiers

2021-12-29

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Victoria Coren Mitchell is back in the host's chair for a one-off special of Only Connect as the Nordiphiles and Apres Skiers return for a very special and chilly episode.

Champions: 007s v Puzzle Hunters

39. Champions: 007s v Puzzle Hunters

2021-12-30

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Series 15's champions, the 007s, take on Series 16's champions, the Puzzle Hunters, in a competition to be named Only Connect Champions of Champions.

Christmas: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders

40. Christmas: Polyhymnians v Channel Islanders

2022-12-23

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. She asks what connects the following: Ange, Sedge, Christmas Eves, and God, frankincense and myrrh.

Mystery: Endeavours v Whodunnits

41. Mystery: Endeavours v Whodunnits

2022-12-26

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. It’s a mystery-themed special, and two teams emerge from the mists of time to solve a series of mysterious puzzles.

Love: Part-Time Poets v Romantics

42. Love: Part-Time Poets v Romantics

2022-12-27

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. In this love-themed special, two teams from previous series have been lured out of retirement for some lovely questions.

Champion of Champions: Dicers v Data Wizards

43. Champion of Champions: Dicers v Data Wizards

2022-12-28

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Two all-conquering teams from previous series battle for the title of champion of champions – the Dicers (Series 14) and the Data Wizards (Series 17).

Christmas – Relatives v Muppets

44. Christmas – Relatives v Muppets

2023-12-19

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A special festive edition of the quiz hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell. Two family teams return for a yuletide battle of wits.

Fashion – Dandies v Peacocks

45. Fashion – Dandies v Peacocks

2023-12-20

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Another special edition of the quiz hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far. Two fashionable teams from yesteryear return to strut their stuff.

Boxing - Wrestlers v Arrowheads

46. Boxing - Wrestlers v Arrowheads

2023-12-26

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Another special edition of the quiz, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, where knowledge only gets you so far. Two ‘sporting’ teams from previous series have returned to fight it out.

Politics: Politicians v Activists

47. Politics: Politicians v Activists

2023-12-28

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Previous contestants return – professional politicians, including a real, live Conservative MP (correct at time of recording), face a team of activists.

Royal Special: Vikings v Antiquarians

48. Royal Special: Vikings v Antiquarians

2024-12-23

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. Two teams from previous series return for a battle royal, and the questions are as tricky as ever.

Christmas Special: Mothers Ruined v Godyn Family

49. Christmas Special: Mothers Ruined v Godyn Family

2024-12-24

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. It’s Christmas, and two family teams return for Only Connect’s most Christmassy Christmas special yet.

Books Special: Orwellians v Jillies

50. Books Special: Orwellians v Jillies

2024-12-26

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Two teams from previous series, both taking their names from giants of literature, face fiendish, bookish questions.

BBC Special: Bankers v Science Writers

51. BBC Special: Bankers v Science Writers

2024-12-27

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. Teams from the first series return to celebrate 60 years of BBC Two.

Transatlantic Special: Cinephiles v Harlequins

52. Transatlantic Special: Cinephiles v Harlequins

2024-12-30

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Anything and everything relating to the ‘special relationship’ is on the cards, as two British quizzers and their US captain take on a British captain and his two US teammates.

Single Special: Brews v Irregulars

53. Single Special: Brews v Irregulars

2024-12-31

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. It’s the ‘single special’, celebrating singles, solos and everything that comes in groups of one.

Sound Special: Record Collectors v Jukeboxers

54. Sound Special: Record Collectors v Jukeboxers

2025-01-01

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. Two teams from previous series return, but there’s a twist to the format – nearly all the questions are audio only.

Champion of Champions Special: Strigiformes v Thrifters

55. Champion of Champions Special: Strigiformes v Thrifters

2025-01-02

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Victoria Coren Mitchell hosts the quiz where knowledge only gets you so far. It’s everyone’s dream to be a champion, and it’s every champion’s dream to beat another champion. Now is their chance...