Search found 250 matches

by Noel Mc
Sat Sep 16, 2023 2:44 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: A surge of formidable Irish Countdowners
Replies: 8
Views: 1851

Re: A surge of formidable Irish Countdowners

Purely self serving question here - myself and Eoin Jackson meeting in a semi-final. Have there been any all-Irish finals or is that potentially the latest stage all-Irish meeting?
by Noel Mc
Fri Jul 14, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdowners in the news
Replies: 237
Views: 116319

Re: Countdowners in the news

Finished 18th. A cool $345,000.
by Noel Mc
Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdowners in the news
Replies: 237
Views: 116319

Re: Countdowners in the news

I'm a bit hooked on Andrew's progress now, despite not knowing him.
He's now sitting in 24th, but only 50 players left. Guaranteed to win at least €188,400 now.
by Noel Mc
Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:26 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Mastermind
Replies: 17
Views: 15110

Re: Mastermind

Don't really remember, but equally don't remember any massive pauses. Filming was late July, so probably heard back and had an audition about now (maybe a bit later), and got audition result fairly soon after that. Oh cool, thanks for the response. In the interim, I have heard back about my applica...
by Noel Mc
Tue Apr 18, 2023 2:23 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Mastermind
Replies: 17
Views: 15110

Re: Mastermind

I'm going to be filming for the next series of Mastermind on the evening of 24th July. If anyone (nearby or otherwise) fancies coming along to Media City for non-Countdown filming and to keep me company in the green room let me know. I can have 3 guests in the green room, as well as up to 7 additio...
by Noel Mc
Wed Feb 22, 2023 9:49 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown adjudication dictionary
Replies: 103
Views: 12123

Re: Countdown adjudication dictionary

Just here to politely laugh at the suggestion that Oxford should publish a definitive word list. I get Collins do that for Scrabble, but I imagine that's potentially tied in with some sort of endorsement which makes them money. As much as you all love Countdown, I don't think Oxford would be massive...
by Noel Mc
Sun Sep 11, 2022 5:49 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
Replies: 63
Views: 3607

Re: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Sad that a mother/grandmother died, obviously. I was more upset when Prince died. He was my royalty. It is also perfectly reasonable for people to be annoyed and complain about the OTT fawning coverage and cancellation of loads of stuff. I will happily enjoy a day of work though, albeit somewhat hyp...
by Noel Mc
Wed Mar 23, 2022 2:22 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Wordle
Replies: 81
Views: 11387

Re: Wordle

I find playing on easy mode so monotonous though. Once you get a method nailed on, just fire out the same 3/4 starting words and you're done. I find it more exilharating to introduce a bit of jeapordy. I've only failed once* 'hard' mode, so I'm either very lucky or their are tactics involved to a gr...
by Noel Mc
Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:45 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Wordle
Replies: 81
Views: 11387

Re: Wordle

I noticed a few people failed on yesterday's Wordle (CATER). They got the ATER and ran out of guesses for the first letter. I went for WHEEL. Took out WATER, HATER and LATER in one go. That's how you're supposed to play, losers. That's how you play if you play on easy mode. Some of us prefer a bit ...
by Noel Mc
Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:41 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Wordle
Replies: 81
Views: 11387

Re: Wordle

Mark Deeks wrote: Wed Mar 02, 2022 11:31 pm Sorry Noel. Though I will admit to using a spreadsheet.

Image
Excellent!
by Noel Mc
Wed Mar 02, 2022 9:04 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Wordle
Replies: 81
Views: 11387

Re: Wordle

Kilordle is excellent! I'm down to 45 guesses. I don't know if I have the stamina to try and get it below 45, not sure what the minimum actually is!
by Noel Mc
Sun Dec 19, 2021 9:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

The staggered leaking of photos and videos is hilarious, as it is clearly a power move (probably by Rishi Sunak).
Doesn't pardon the fact Johnson is just an absolute tube though.
by Noel Mc
Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

Gavin Chipper wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:36 pm
Noel Mc wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 8:28 pm It's laughable really, isn't it?

Any money on Sunak being the leaker of the video?
Since that post won't age well, this is the story being referred to. But anyway, could be Sunak after the top job. I've no idea really.
Oh sorry, yep, context is useful!

Will anything come of it?
by Noel Mc
Tue Dec 07, 2021 8:28 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

It's laughable really, isn't it?

Any money on Sunak being the leaker of the video?
by Noel Mc
Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Conundrums with multiple solutions
Replies: 26
Views: 2867

Re: Conundrums with multiple solutions

Are there any word which are 9 letters which, in one definition can be a plural, in another definition could be a verb?

JUMPS

More than one jump

OR

'She jumps'

But obviously the 9 letter equivalent.

What would happen in that case?
by Noel Mc
Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Dr Imafidon to stand in for Riley
Replies: 40
Views: 4987

Re: Dr Imafidon to stand in for Riley

I imagine Eoin has been top of his game from the start, for any job he's ever done. That's a level us mere mortals can only hope to reach :D
by Noel Mc
Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:45 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Biggest sporting upsets or long odds victory?
Replies: 30
Views: 3889

Re: Biggest sporting upsets or long odds victory?

Barca vs PSG
6-1 after being 4-0 down in the first leg. On 87 minutes, they still needed 3 goals. The 6th goal going in was absolutely mental.

Again, as mentioned, not so much an upset as much as a great comeback.
by Noel Mc
Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:03 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Black To Front Spoilers for Friday 10 September 2021 (Series 84, Preliminary 54)
Replies: 25
Views: 2914

Re: Black To Front Spoilers for Friday 10 September 2021 (Series 84, Preliminary 54)

Gavin Chipper wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:16 pm Yes, I remember the discussion, and it was that discussion that I was alluding to and was connected to the "joke".
I appreciated it :D
by Noel Mc
Mon Sep 13, 2021 7:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Black To Front Spoilers for Friday 10 September 2021 (Series 84, Preliminary 54)
Replies: 25
Views: 2914

Re: Black To Front Spoilers for Friday 10 September 2021 (Series 84, Preliminary 54)

I know we had a big discussion about this a while ago, and I shouldn't be prejudiced and everything, and I'm all for diversity, but Anne-Marie said "haitch". Not sure if I've shared this story on here before. In Belfast (and the surrounding area) how you say that letter aitch/haitch, is o...
by Noel Mc
Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:53 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Marc Meakin wrote: Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:49 pm
I remember back in the 80s it was innocent until proven Irish
But that's not relevant here
Hahahah, that is excellent
by Noel Mc
Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

nauseating Fans of cancel culture, mandatory vetting etc. might find it nauseating, but thankfully in law "innocent until proven guilty" is still in place. Perhaps in the future the trial by jury system will get replaced by a Twitter vote based on how nauseated people feel, but not as yet...
by Noel Mc
Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

I'm sure the British press will be all over this, particularly if the Mendy case goes to trial and he is convicted They are decidedly not all over this. The coverage of Ronaldo's return and re-debut today has been nauseating. There is still an open civil case in the US, I wonder if Man United will ...
by Noel Mc
Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Words and expressions that grind your gears
Replies: 108
Views: 20915

Re: Words and expressions that grind your gears

"cis" You don't need a new word to needlessly state that you are normal. I realise it's your whole shtick and you want reactions from people, but you really are a jackass at times aren't you? The Cisalpine region (first used some time in the 16th Century) is used to describe the southern ...
by Noel Mc
Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:37 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Apologies, talking about unpleasant things here. I've been finding all the Ronaldo love and adulation these past few days somewhat jarring. There have been approximately zero major news outlets mentioning the allegation against him, which is still ongoing. In summary: 2005 arrest, after two women ac...
by Noel Mc
Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:24 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: New Countdown App Looking for Beta Testers
Replies: 65
Views: 12762

Re: New Countdown App Looking for Beta Testers

Rachel does the calculations for you. Apterous does too. Not during the 30s. The point Noel is making is you effectively have the aid of a calculator during the 30s Yep, this is it. Although I've been trying to think of a way that you could do it on an app without calculating it for you, and I can'...
by Noel Mc
Sun Aug 08, 2021 5:52 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: New Countdown App Looking for Beta Testers
Replies: 65
Views: 12762

Re: New Countdown App Looking for Beta Testers

Whole app is landscape now. Numbers screen looks a bit better than before too: https://i.ibb.co/Y03xy4s/Whats-App-Image-2021-08-06-at-20-03-27.jpg This looks great! Can I ask what way the numbers work? One thing I don't like about the official app is that the numbers round does the calculation for ...
by Noel Mc
Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:33 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Olympics 2020
Replies: 135
Views: 16294

Re: Olympics 2020

Of the names mentioned since I posted, I've heard.of Kipchoge, SAFP and DAS.

I would agree though, that the athletics are the main spectacle.

The swimming definitely has a claim, along with the athletics, to be a lot 'purer' (leaving that undefined). Id probably stick weightlifting in there as well.
by Noel Mc
Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:58 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Olympics 2020
Replies: 135
Views: 16294

Re: Olympics 2020

When you talk about Athletics and popularity of athletes, really you're talking about the 100m (and potentially 200m).

Michael Phelps is considerably more famous than any long jumper/high jumper/hurdler etc.
by Noel Mc
Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Olympics 2020
Replies: 135
Views: 16294

Re: Olympics 2020

Mostly looking forward to watching Simone Biles
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:18 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Phil H wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:46 pm Team GB's women kick off the Olympic tournament at 8.30am tomorrow against Chile
Good solid first half
by Noel Mc
Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:04 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

Rhys Benjamin wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 1:10 pm You don't even need to do that.

40p will get you 1kg of carrots at Tesco.

Alright there, Annunziata.

https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2020/07 ... ompassion/
by Noel Mc
Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:26 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Callum Todd wrote: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:28 pm We go again at the next major international tournament in 2024.
I see what you did there :D

I like to think I'll be principled, but I think I'll probably watch it
by Noel Mc
Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

I was gutted for Saka, Rashford and Sancho, penalties can be cruel. I think England feel at the final hurdle for two reasons: - Poor game management: there is so much attacking talent at their disposal and it wasn't really used properly. - Italy were just better. Their quality came through in the en...
by Noel Mc
Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:22 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Fred Mumford wrote: Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:11 pm You have to admire the sheer wit and hilarity though, and of course everyone cares about the FAI's take on it. How did their team do by the way?
Im pretty sure that's just a picture some randomer made
by Noel Mc
Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:26 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Gavin Chipper wrote: Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:19 pm But they probably should have done since it's Brazil, Argentina and the rest.
Is it though?
by Noel Mc
Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:56 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Marc Meakin wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:59 pm Messi wont go down as an all time great until he wins a Copa Anerica or World Cup.
Ronaldo has won a major international trophy.
That's this one checked off the list
by Noel Mc
Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:32 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

To be honest, I don't really begrudge the England team for the penalty, that's part of the game. I also agree with Conor, I think they'd have won in ET regardless. I suppose it should just put an end to the narrative that only foreigners dive. As mentioned before, the current crop of England conflic...
by Noel Mc
Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:12 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Shocking decision. Two balls on the pitch and a blatant dive. and two balls on the pitch literally a foot apart at one point. I think the ref was addressing the stonewall penalty earlier on Harry Kane.that he didnt even check. I must have missed the 2 balls incident The ref was crap the free kicks ...
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 9:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Mark James wrote: Wed Jul 07, 2021 9:49 pm Shocking decision. Two balls on the pitch and a blatant dive.
and two balls on the pitch literally a foot apart at one point.
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 8:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Typing this whilst it's currently 1-1. Denmark definitely look more like scoring. Saw a newspaper back page today (the Mirror I think) IT'S ITALY VS ENGLAND* or denmark Granted, that's only one newspaper and isn't necessarily reflective of the majority of England fans/media etc. You can understand w...
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:43 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

I wonder at what point people will realise that although it takes basically the same amount of effort to win the Euros as the World Cup, it's still not the big prize. Whatever happens, it will still be 55 years and counting. The group stages of the Euros are considerably easier. The fact you can ge...
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:51 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

I wonder at what point people will realise that although it takes basically the same amount of effort to win the Euros as the World Cup, it's still not the big prize. Whatever happens, it will still be 55 years and counting. The group stages of the Euros are considerably easier. The fact you can ge...
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

There are 10 South American teams.

3 in the top 10 (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay)
5 in the top 20 (Colombia and Chile)
by Noel Mc
Wed Jul 07, 2021 9:42 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Marc Meakin wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:33 pm You was once ruled by the English 😊
*are still


Copa America Final in Saturday night - Brazil v Argentina :D
by Noel Mc
Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:33 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Best day of international football I've watched. Tomorrow probably gonna be a bit duff in comparison. Agreed. Just as tense without the quality. Ukraine for another upset The tension must come from having a vested interest (being English or German). From my perspective, the game was just incredibly...
by Noel Mc
Mon Jun 28, 2021 10:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Best day of international football I've watched.

Tomorrow probably gonna be a bit duff in comparison.
by Noel Mc
Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Ronaldo and free-kicks. Someone needs to have a word with him. He used to be absolutely unreal at them. Like, best in the world levels. Now he's just dire.
by Noel Mc
Sun Jun 27, 2021 1:35 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Also on that topic, what (if anything) did y'all make of the whole 'moving the drinks bottles' thing at the Euros press conferences recently? As much as it wasa bit of a gimmicky PR thing I quite liked it, and thought UEFA's response to it was pathetic. My favourite was the player who, in his press...
by Noel Mc
Sat Jun 26, 2021 11:29 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Marc Meakin wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 7:32 am
Fat Ronaldo
I would slightly dispute this one. His problems were more injury than anything. In saying that, part of the reason Messi/C Ronaldo are so good is they have avoided injury, and that's not all luck.

I maintain that without injuries, Ronaldo would/could have been the greatest ever.
by Noel Mc
Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Marc Meakin wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:46 pm One thing thats irrefutable is that natural talent without hard work and dedication usually means a players star may burn twice as bright but only half as long.
Like the Gazzas , Ballotellis and George Best

Ronaldinho
by Noel Mc
Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Belgium (without De Bruyne) Is having to come from behind against Denmark any worse than "only" narrowly beating ten-man Wales? I'd expect a right good match between Belgium and Italy if both make the quarters, and personally I prefer the best players to beat the best systems, i.e. Belgiu...
by Noel Mc
Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:41 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

It's always around this time of year that my faint Italian heritage comes to the fore... When they meet a decent team they will lose Very possibly! The thing is though, that's mostly based in conjecture, they've shown no weakness whatsoever though. Most other teams have though, especially France, P...
by Noel Mc
Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

It's always around this time of year that my faint Italian heritage comes to the fore...
by Noel Mc
Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:21 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

What do you mean by this (in particular, what do you mean by a hand up)? Genuinely interested. Social security programs should not just be quote-unquote "free money", they should be helping people back into financial self-sustainability. Therefore, simply doing a Robin Hood that Mark seem...
by Noel Mc
Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:08 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:30 pm Hazard
Verratti
Verratti, I can see that he is very clearly a beautiful man.

Hazard though, really?
by Noel Mc
Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Messi wont go down as an all time great until he wins a Copa Anerica or World Cup. Ronaldo has won a major international trophy. (Prefacing this with the futility that people don't change minds on this) I always find this argument ridiculous. Ronaldo won Euro 2016, the team won one game in 90 minut...
by Noel Mc
Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:20 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194655

Re: The C4C Football Thread

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:19 am
Portugal! Another team that are well worth a look! :mrgreen:
Image
https://www.spiegel.de/international/eu ... 41349.html
by Noel Mc
Mon Jun 14, 2021 4:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

Marc Meakin wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:22 pm You might have to speak up about Marxism they cant hear you back in the 1930s
My tongue was planted firmly in my cheek, that's probably why they couldn't hear!
by Noel Mc
Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

It's not as if BLM invented it anyway so maybe it's wrong to automatically associate it with them. True. But it's not as though the Nazis invented the swastika. Swastikas are a far more specific symbol than kneeling. Id say over 90% of people would automatically think of Nazism if they saw a Swasti...
by Noel Mc
Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:51 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635433

Re: Politics in General

Compelled speech on a philosophical, political, or moral topic is a bad thing, yes. This is not the same as going along with something more trivial out of politeness. So what does taking the knee 'say' ? If something, it's compelled speech when people feel compelled to do it. If nothing, then why d...