Search found 212 matches

by Martin Hurst
Mon Feb 26, 2024 11:01 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4729

Re: The 1% Club

Anyone else find the ending unsatisfactory when we have the scenario where everyone remaining gets eliminated on the same question? Seems a bit of a cop out that all those eliminated on that question just get flung to the 1% question and have the ability to collect the money, or play for the full pr...
by Martin Hurst
Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682569

Re: Ask Graeme?

Jeffrey Burgin 8 wins, 1 loss Jeffrey Clayton 11 wins, 2 losses Jeffrey Hansford 10 wins 1 loss 29 wins, 4 losses 29/33 = 87.9% (I am going by Jeffreys on the wiki - Jeffrey Clayton redirects to Jeff Clayton - adjudication required!) (Edit - inability to correctly evaluate 29+4 ) I think it has to ...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Jan 03, 2024 7:40 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Jeopardy!
Replies: 17
Views: 2475

Re: Jeopardy!

Why do ITV insist on stretching out shows that are perfectly fine being 30 minutes long to an hour? So annoying.
by Martin Hurst
Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:30 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30304

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

On Mastermind, those with the most passes should be classified above those with fewer passes. No answer is better than a wrong answer.
by Martin Hurst
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:43 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 14th December 2023 (Series 88, Quarter Final 1)
Replies: 6
Views: 1486

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 14th December 2023 (Series 88, Quarter Final 1)

Philip A wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:17 am There’s a new finalists’ trophy I think.
As in the "kryptonite", rather than the Richard Whiteley Memorial one?
by Martin Hurst
Sat Dec 09, 2023 11:26 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Series 88 Finals Predictions (With Poll)
Replies: 5
Views: 2028

Re: Series 88 Finals Predictions (With Poll)

Could well be a finals where all matches go the way of the seedings, but let's hope for some good games and possibly some upsets :)
by Martin Hurst
Thu Dec 07, 2023 12:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30304

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

You've changed Not directed specifically at CT, but across the population the older you get, the more political views can change...... https://i.imgur.com/csQdg1M.jpg Makes sense I suppose that when you are young you tend to not have much and therefore want the wealth shared, but when you are old a...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Dec 06, 2023 4:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What's the minimum time you have to be resident in the British Isles in order to qualify for Countdown?
Replies: 52
Views: 6473

Re: What's the minimum time you have to be resident in the British Isles in order to qualify for Countdown?

Johnny Canuck wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:38 pm Honestly I can’t help feeling like I’m a bad person if I do a stint in the UK with this as even an ulterior motive 😭
You do you mate - it's your life, nobody else's.
by Martin Hurst
Wed Dec 06, 2023 4:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30304

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

- Tax here is too high, and actually given that high earners have already paid a lot of tax the marginal rates should be inverted: earnings over 125k should be taxed at 20%, whereas up to 50k should be more like 40% You've changed Not directed specifically at CT, but across the population the older...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Dec 06, 2023 11:20 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 4th December 2023 (Series 88, Heat 112)
Replies: 1
Views: 1209

Re: Spoilers for Monday 4th December 2023 (Series 88, Heat 112)

Squeaky bum time for David Edwards! Only JJ can deny him the 8th and final Finals place now.
by Martin Hurst
Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:38 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Deal or No Deal with Stephen Mulhern
Replies: 5
Views: 2481

Re: Deal or No Deal with Stephen Mulhern

Not sure what ITV were thinking here - everyone got bored with the original version, so ITV bring it back virtually identically apart from having a less popular host and smaller prizes? Can't see this lasting very long before the axe falls.
by Martin Hurst
Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:07 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30304

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Phil H wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:29 pm Creating more CGI and animated porn for the enjoyment of paedophiles would likely reduce offending and therefore be a good thing.
No way I'm going to watch Toy Story 5 now.
by Martin Hurst
Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:08 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623791

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

David Williams wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2023 4:26 pm I would have thought there were a lot more words ending in -OUS than starting in OUT-. So why is it that if you have O U and T there's nearly always an OUT- word, but if you have O U and S there's almost never an -OUS word?
Outrageous! ;)
by Martin Hurst
Sat Jul 15, 2023 2:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 16th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 105)
Replies: 10
Views: 1410

Re: Spoilers for Friday 16th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 105)

As Colin knew the seeds at the end of today's programme, it would be good to have a graphic with the 8 finalists' names and maybe a thumbnail pic, as would happen on sports programmes. I've said this in the past. Would be nice if this was done as soon as there is a top 8, then brought up each time ...
by Martin Hurst
Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:18 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdowners in the news
Replies: 237
Views: 116313

Re: Countdowners in the news

1,517 players left, 1,507 places paid - Andrew Hulme is incredibly close to cashing in the World Series of Poker Main Event. In fact, he's 12th in chips at the end of day three. https://www.wsop.com/tournaments/chipcounts/ Wow - that is awesome! To demonstrate how huge this is (to anyone who doesn'...
by Martin Hurst
Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623791

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

It also depends how it's guaranteed that all 100 first serves will be in. There's various options. 1. He hits a load of serves how he wants but only the in serves count. 2. He hits 100 first serves as normal but they just happen to be in by coincidence. 3. You have to face an accurate recreation of...
by Martin Hurst
Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:21 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623791

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

If I understand the scenario right, the game ends as soon as you successfully return a serve. And unless you return the very first serve, you win nothing because all you're doing is cancelling the losses. So my answer would be nothing. No, apologies - you receive 100 serves - if you get any 1 of th...
by Martin Hurst
Fri Jul 07, 2023 11:39 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623791

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

If I understand the scenario right, the game ends as soon as you successfully return a serve. And unless you return the very first serve, you win nothing because all you're doing is cancelling the losses. So my answer would be nothing. No, apologies - you receive 100 serves - if you get any 1 of th...
by Martin Hurst
Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623791

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

A professional male tennis player hits 100 legal first serves to you, the receiver. How much money would you bet - double or nothing - (if at all) that you would be able to return just 1 out of the 100 serves back in play?

The Pro is tasked to try and make his serves unreturnable.
by Martin Hurst
Sat Jul 01, 2023 9:29 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 29th June 2023 - Series 87 Grand Final
Replies: 21
Views: 2095

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 29th June 2023 - Series 87 Grand Final

Many congrats Ronan - attaining a big octo-total is one thing, but it's a whole new ball game in the finals when the real heat is on, and it's an arena where you continued to excel, whilst some with comparable pedigree and expectation have not done themselves justice in the recent past. Pretty scary...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Jun 14, 2023 5:50 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 103)
Replies: 1
Views: 379

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 14th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 103)

Ronan confirmed as number one seed - even if Graham gets the ultimate max of 230 in each of his last 2 games, he can't beat Ronan's octo total.
by Martin Hurst
Thu Jun 08, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 7th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 98)
Replies: 11
Views: 1285

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 7th June 2023 (Series 87, Heat 98)

Bad luck Adam, but congrats at the same time for making the finals, and I think you will be favourite against whoever you face out of Peter and Greg in the QFs (assuming you will play one of those two)
by Martin Hurst
Wed May 31, 2023 10:24 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 31st May 2023 (Series 87, Heat 93)
Replies: 3
Views: 436

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 31st May 2023 (Series 87, Heat 93)

Great stuff so far Adam - very impressive 👍
by Martin Hurst
Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:22 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Only Connect
Replies: 169
Views: 93402

Re: Only Connect

Alex Hardwick. Love him or hate him?. Looking forward to Mondays final but one contestant is dividing the public. I found his flirting with an opponent in an earlier round cringey but otherwise he is a good player if eccentric. My family however can't stand him His/her/their mimes after selecting a...
by Martin Hurst
Tue Mar 07, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdowners in the news
Replies: 237
Views: 116313

Re: Countdowners in the news

James Haughton apparently almost gets into a fight on Mastermind - talk about click-bait journalism and hyperbole!!!! :roll:

https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-m ... s-26403914
by Martin Hurst
Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Button Bashing Mayhem (another Sporcle game)
Replies: 33
Views: 3895

Re: Button Bashing Mayhem (another Sporcle game)

Gavin Chipper wrote: Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:34 am
Dave Robjohns wrote: Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:20 am *Spends 7 seconds winning the game then more than 7 minutes failing to get the right part of the picture to show*
Are you a freak?
When he tells us how he achieved this seemingly impossible feat, we'll find out :D
by Martin Hurst
Mon Jan 16, 2023 10:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 16 January 2023 - CoC XVI, QF 3
Replies: 46
Views: 4088

Re: Spoilers for Monday 16 January 2023 - CoC XVI, QF 3

They should rename the show Woke-down and be done with it! The Daily Mail will be hearing about this! I blame the snowflake millennials! Pass the gammon!
by Martin Hurst
Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:26 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Colin Murray’s future at Countdown
Replies: 34
Views: 5012

Re: Colin Murray’s future at Countdown

Reliably informed he is now contracted until December 2024. Fantastic. This now may be an untruth as we learn who the actual presenter is this lunchtime. I only got this from a Wiki edit but couldn’t find any reliable sources. "Reliably informed" from no "reliable sources"? ;)
by Martin Hurst
Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:51 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Getting back on for a second go
Replies: 88
Views: 19376

Re: Getting back on for a second go

So for the benefit of everyone who applies/re-applies, can you confirm what the best course of action should be if they don't receive a response to an application? Should they re-submit, contact you guys separately, etc? How long would you say to wait before doing this? Info is here....https://www....
by Martin Hurst
Sun Jan 08, 2023 10:02 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Getting back on for a second go
Replies: 88
Views: 19376

Re: Getting back on for a second go

It seems weird that they wouldn't even respond to some applications. But I think a few people have said that it happened to them. The other day you 'thought' we went through players profiles when selecting conundrums. The only people we don't respond to are the ones who end up winning the series. :...
by Martin Hurst
Fri Jan 06, 2023 5:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 6 January 2023 - CoC XVI, Prelim 5
Replies: 34
Views: 3789

Re: Spoilers for Friday 6 January 2023 - CoC XVI, Prelim 5

Well done Adam - the Giant Killer of Countdown!
by Martin Hurst
Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 4 January 2023 - CoC XVI, Prelim 3
Replies: 11
Views: 1542

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 4 January 2023 - CoC XVI, Prelim 3

Round 6 (just out of time): (100-4) x 4 = 384, then the x50, -75, /25 (i.e. 2n-3) jobbie to get 765.
by Martin Hurst
Mon Jan 02, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Rachel Riley MBE
Replies: 3
Views: 833

Re: Rachel Riley MBE

Congrats Rachel :)
by Martin Hurst
Mon Jan 02, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Next Champion of Champions series
Replies: 197
Views: 27545

Re: Next Champion of Champions series

Nice work Mr McGraw. Should be an exciting few weeks.
by Martin Hurst
Fri Dec 16, 2022 11:17 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 16th December 2022 (Series 86, QF 2)
Replies: 11
Views: 1367

Re: Spoilers for Friday 16th December 2022 (Series 86, QF 2)

Tony Atkins wrote: Fri Dec 16, 2022 2:58 pm Rather annoying that Colin read the 969 points total of Ed when describing Steve.

Anyone get the missed 9 or numbers?

The standard method to 549 is (10+7+5)x25+4-5.
Rachel seemed to make incredibly hard work of the 549 - I was doubting my 25 times tables for a good while!
by Martin Hurst
Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:35 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Countdowners On Other Quizzes
Replies: 253
Views: 164555

Re: Countdowners On Other Quizzes

James Robinson on Eggheads (Channel 5) today with a couple of celebrity team-mates! Was an exciting show too (not giving spoilers)
by Martin Hurst
Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 18 October 2022 (Series 86, Heat 87)
Replies: 5
Views: 829

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 18 October 2022 (Series 86, Heat 87)

Well done Christy - that was a real nail-biter all the way!
by Martin Hurst
Sat Oct 01, 2022 7:11 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Things you can't un-notice
Replies: 16
Views: 918

Re: Things you can't un-notice

The duck that quacks throughout the whole of "Saturday Night" by Whigfield

https://youtu.be/FsLNIkyidGc
by Martin Hurst
Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:13 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Next Champion of Champions series
Replies: 197
Views: 27545

Re: Next Champion of Champions series

The state of this thread :D
by Martin Hurst
Mon Jul 25, 2022 7:00 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Les Dennis - temporary host
Replies: 10
Views: 1194

Re: Les Dennis - temporary host

Mavis impression or we riot.
by Martin Hurst
Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:42 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Selling the OED
Replies: 10
Views: 949

Re: Selling the OED

Yeah, these things are huge, especially if you have not much storage room in your gaff. I emailed pretty much every specialist book store I could find in the south of England and not a single one was interested so I put them on eBay - we put the option of collecting them for free, or delivering them...
by Martin Hurst
Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:34 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Unalike Words
Replies: 6
Views: 1843

Unalike Words

I've seen the following puzzle: Unalike words are pairs of words which have no repeated letters either within them or between them (e.g UNALIKE and WORDS). Find the unalike words which maximise the products of their lengths (UNALIKE =7, WORDS = 5: product is 35) The answer given to the riddle is one...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:38 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Apterous Daily Trivia
Replies: 0
Views: 1559

Apterous Daily Trivia

As advertised on Apterous, but obviously open to anyone on here too..... https://www.funtrivia.com/private/main.cfm?tid=105780 Click above to access Apterous Daily Trivia. Every day you can take part in a short timed quiz and compete to top the leader board at the end of the month. Just sign up to t...
by Martin Hurst
Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: The Countdown Android App is now out!
Replies: 153
Views: 28543

Re: The Countdown Android App is now out!

This is superb - great work Jack and everyone else involved.
by Martin Hurst
Tue Dec 21, 2021 1:36 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 20th December 2021 (Series 84, QF4)
Replies: 11
Views: 1095

Re: Spoilers for Monday 20 December 2021 (S84, QF4)

Martin Hurst wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:54 pm Is this the first time the four quarter final winners have scored over 500 points combined?
Pretty sure it is after a quick look, and I'm pretty sure it's never been done in any COCs or the 30BC either!
by Martin Hurst
Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:54 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 20th December 2021 (Series 84, QF4)
Replies: 11
Views: 1095

Re: Spoilers for Monday 20 December 2021 (S84, QF4)

Is this the first time the four quarter final winners have scored over 500 points combined?
by Martin Hurst
Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:10 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Series 84 Finals Predictions (With Poll)
Replies: 5
Views: 1041

Re: Series 84 Finals Predictions (With Poll)

Not a prediction, but I'd like to see Florence win it. It's been an unfathomable 45 series and 23 years since the last female series champion.
by Martin Hurst
Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682569

Re: Ask Graeme?

https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_7638

Has there ever been a game before on Countdown between two contestants with fewer characters in their name between them? (7 v 7 = 14)?
by Martin Hurst
Mon Nov 22, 2021 2:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 221157

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

Image

Series 73 Champion Jonathan Wynn appearing on I'm A Celebrity this year under the alias of record producer Naughty Boy.

Image
by Martin Hurst
Thu Nov 04, 2021 12:44 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: First impressions of Anne
Replies: 141
Views: 24373

Re: First impressions of Anne

Front page of the Sun tomorrow.........

Image

(and the pacemaker story is not about me, Jack or Josh)
by Martin Hurst
Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:17 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Most prestigious non-televised tournaments
Replies: 17
Views: 2505

Re: Most prestigious non-televised tournaments

Good conversation. Winning a co-event is far more prestigious within the Countdown/Apterous community and easily the harder and greater achievement. Winning a TV series is more prestigious in the "real world", but not really that prestigious if we are being totally honest - it doesn't exac...
by Martin Hurst
Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:52 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 221157

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

Image

Adam Dexter cruelly eliminated from Bake Off 2021 in week 1.

Image
by Martin Hurst
Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:38 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Is it time to end Countdown?
Replies: 57
Views: 8782

Re: Is it time to end Countdown?

Rachel and Susie are both so friendly. Rachel chatted with me and my wife for a good while after my final when she could have just gone back to her dressing room, and she gave one of the last CoC contestant's partner her dress from an earlier episode that day when she simply asked her where the dres...
by Martin Hurst
Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Is it time to end Countdown?
Replies: 57
Views: 8782

Re: Is it time to end Countdown?

Fairly cheap to make harmless TV that ticks along and fills an hour in the schedules every day. I can't see it going anywhere, unless Channel 4 gets a new boss/head of programming and wants to make a statement. I also think that moving to a better time slot is unlikely. I'm not an expert, but my hun...
by Martin Hurst
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:34 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682569

Re: Ask Graeme?

Yes, great thread :D

To add to the current surge of questions....

What is a) the biggest margin of defeat, and b) the lowest score, by someone who got 2 or more valid nines in a 15r game?

Same question also for getting one nine.
by Martin Hurst
Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:45 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: No More Studio Audience at Countdown Post Covid
Replies: 25
Views: 7886

Re: No More Studio Audience at Countdown Post Covid

Probably a sensible decision, even if marking the end of an era. What was the last ever episode recorded that had an audience?
by Martin Hurst
Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!
Replies: 60
Views: 14309

Re: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!

If you don't think there's a legitimate discussion to be had about Anne's tone, considering not just her character on the Weakest Link but her entire life of let's say "frankness" to date, good luck to you. As you've said, the Weakest Link was her as a character. Sure, an exaggerated vers...
by Martin Hurst
Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!
Replies: 60
Views: 14309

Re: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!

Lol @ people thinking she's going to host Countdown like she hosted the Weakest Link. She's been a successful broadcaster for decades - take a chill pill. Well that was dismissive, I can see why you'll like her. I'm sure if I suggested she would present the show in the style of Keith Lemon that wou...
by Martin Hurst
Mon Feb 15, 2021 8:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!
Replies: 60
Views: 14309

Re: ROBINSON TO HOST COUNTDOWN!!

Lol @ people thinking she's going to host Countdown like she hosted the Weakest Link. She's been a successful broadcaster for decades - take a chill pill.