Ep 6. Fingers and Fumbs

In season 6 episode 6 of the hit British television show QI (Quite Interesting), the topic at hand is fingers and fumbs (a portmanteau of fingers and thumbs). Hosted by the charming Stephen Fry and featuring a panel of witty and knowledgeable comedians, scientists, and experts, the show dives deep into the many surprising and curious aspects of human hands.

As always, the show starts off with a few amusing anecdotes from Fry and an introduction of the panel. This episode features the likes of comedian Jo Brand, linguist David Crystal, actor and writer Bill Bailey, and author Sue Perkins. The panel wastes no time cracking jokes and making witty puns about the topic at hand, setting the tone for an entertaining and informative episode.

The first segment of the show explores the history and evolution of human hands. Crystal explains how our hands are one of the main factors that have allowed humans to become the dominant species on the planet, thanks to our ability to use tools and manipulate our environment with our dexterous fingers. The panel discusses various aspects of hand anatomy, from fingerprints to the number of bones in the human hand, all the while cracking jokes and making puns that keep the audience engaged and entertained.

Next, the show delves into the many sayings and idioms related to hands and fingers. For instance, Bailey points out that the phrase "rule of thumb" comes from an old English law that allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. This leads to a hilarious conversation about the origins of other well-known idioms, such as "all thumbs" and "having sticky fingers."

The show then focuses on the many unique and surprising things our hands are capable of, such as the ability to detect temperature and vibrations. Perkins shares a fascinating fact about the so-called "hand map" in our brains, which is much more intricate and complex than we previously thought. The panel also discusses famous hand-related stories from history and pop culture, including the story of the "elephant man" and the impact of the Beatles' iconic album cover for "Abbey Road."

Of course, no episode of QI is complete without a few mind-bending "quite interesting" facts. Did you know that the human hand contains more than 25 types of receptors, including pressure, temperature, and pain receptors? Or that fingerprints were only first used in an official capacity in India in the late 1800s? The panel is clearly impressed and amused by these fascinating tidbits, and the audience is sure to be as well.

As the show wraps up, Fry reminds the audience of just how remarkable our hands truly are, and how much we take them for granted in our daily lives. The panel agrees wholeheartedly, and the conversation turns once again to puns and jokes as the show comes to a close.

Overall, QI season 6 episode 6 is a delightful and highly entertaining exploration of the many fascinating aspects of human hands. With a blend of humor, science, and cultural trivia, this episode is sure to leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for their own fingers and fumbs.