
We’re not even at the end of the year yet and it’s fair to say 2016 has been a tough one for Britain.
There’s been a rise in terrorism threats, a drop in the pound, and the loss of British legends Alan Rickman and David Bowie.
And since the British public voted for Brexit back in June, hate crimes have spiked and the economic future of the country is at best uncertain.
2016 needs a pick-me-up – and University Challenge may have just found it. Enter Eric Monkman.

The team captain, a Canadian student who is studying for a Masters in economics at Wolfson, Cambridge, was something of a tour de force during Monday night’s show.
Whether the answer was ‘Stephen’ or ‘Episcopalian’, there was no denying that Eric knew he was right.
If you missed the episode, don’t worry. Here’s a snippet of how utterly intimidating Britain’s new hero was:
Beware evil #Monkman. pic.twitter.com/YO1OR7QwAS
— Michael (@Michael_Hartt) September 19, 2016
His visible passion, resting axe-murderer face, sheer intensity, and lack of an inside voice made him a viral sensation within minutes.
And his enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter:
#UniversityChallenge #monkman take a bow son, you own twitter pic.twitter.com/UhVbhzN7CN
— Ian Dunbar (@Dunbarian) September 19, 2016
Because sometimes we ALL need a #Monkman.#UniversityChallenge #Hero @e_monkman ??
? pic.twitter.com/LJ403Y4BFc— Lee Gant (@LeeGant) September 19, 2016
I can't remember what life was like before Monkman.
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) September 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/edward_quigley/status/777954262785597440
MONKMAN, destroyer of WORLDS knows the ANSWER, has no INSIDE VOICE and he wants you to KNOW THAT. #UniversityChallenge
— Dan Trick (@Trick_Dan) September 19, 2016
His intensity seemed to pay off, though, as Wolfson, Cambridge won after a tie-breaker question.
Thank you for being you, Monkman.
