So this is quizmas: our inaugural holiday face-off - The Intelligence from The Economist Recap

Podcast: The Intelligence from The Economist

Published: 2025-12-24

Duration: 28 minutes

Summary

Two teams of editors and correspondents compete in a quiz covering business, politics, and pop culture, with questions sourced from The Economist's coverage over the past year.

What Happened

The episode kicks off with two teams: the Jason Palmer Fan Club, consisting of Rachana Shanbog and Alex Hearn, and Low Bar, with Tom Lee Devlin and Adam Roberts. The competition begins with questions on hard news, where JPFC scores early points by correctly identifying that the inflated price of rice led to the ouster of a Japanese cabinet minister.

As the quiz progresses, the teams tackle a range of topics, including a controversial AI-generated video by Donald Trump proposing the 'Riviera of the Middle East' and the global scam industry's estimated $500 billion theft. These questions, drawn from Economist articles, challenge the teams' recall and quick thinking.

In a lighter segment, participants engage with a limerick about AI and creepy tech dudes, leading to a discussion on the rise of AI-generated adult content. This round highlights the intersection of technology and society, with particular attention to the ethical and legal implications.

The episode also delves into political satire, with a clip from comedian Bassam Youssef, and the challenges faced by exiled personalities. This segment underscores the role of comedy in critiquing power and the risks that come with it.

In the second half, the quiz turns to pop culture and the business of entertainment, with questions about Netflix's most popular film of 2025 and the fastest kid on earth, highlighting the global influence of media and sports.

The final round introduces a unique challenge where contestants must identify whether quotes are from the Real Housewives franchise or politicians, emphasizing the sometimes-blurred lines between reality TV and real-world politics.

Ultimately, the Low Bar team emerges victorious, earning a trophy and the title of champions. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted acknowledgment of the participants' efforts and a wish for happy holidays.

Key Insights