c4countdown

Mike Brown

The formidable Ms Widdecombe was in DC; C1's word in round 6 was ORDEALS; airdate for the programme 25th July 2003. Are Zef's recaps making your brain fuzzy, Charlie?

Mike Brown

How long have teasers been going on? Since the advent of 45-minute programmes (Series 46; September 2001). Initially, they were given various names, such as "pause posers" and "granagrams"; I'm not sure exactly when the name "teatime teaser" finally became the norm, al...

Mike Brown

After the initial puzzle of working out the actual date of the recap :) (Tue 21 Oct), my reverse crystal ball reveals that the letters selection for Round 4 was SCLUIAPFO; contestant 1 offered FLIPS; contestant 2's offering was as noted by Zef. If you're interested, the Teasers were HALBINO (HOBNAIL...

Mike Brown

Hi Kai If you fancy doing the recap, go for it. If not, Kid Mole will be on the case some time during the week. (if I catch up and yours hasn't appeared in the meantime, I'll PM you to avoid any duplication of effort.) Cheers Mike (whose normal service will hopefully resume with the 23rd of June rec...

Mike Brown

The 'conundrum spots' is new to this series as far as I know. Or Mike Brown's just been wrong for a long time, which is really really unlikely. Just been looking into this and have established the following: I'm sure it was highest scores that were the deciding factor in Series 16, 32 and 34 (even ...

Mike Brown

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Neil Zussman wrote:Just a quick correction- you've either got the declarations the wrong way round for round 2, or the wrong name.
It's the wrong name - OPINES was Jack's word, not James's.

Cheers guys. Edited. Damn that Kid Mole, I'm going to have to sack him!

Mike Brown

Tuesday 26 May 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 78). It’s time (again somewhat belatedly – sorry) for the all-forumite match between the laid-back (but stubborn - an interesting combination) James Doohan and professional gambler Jack Morgan. Let’s see what happened, it’s probably going to be a close one... C...

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Friday 15 May 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 71). It’s an unexpected pleasure for me to be doing another of Jimmy’s recaps, so without further ado, let’s crack on... C1: Champion Jimmy Gough (4 wins, 430 points.) C2: Challenger Peter Tarrant (from Dublin’s Fair City.) DC: Susie Dent and...

Mike Brown

As there have been no other respondents so far, I'm happy to do it. I'm likely to be watching it this afternoon, so could post it later today.

Mike Brown

Worth a listen, as always. I thought it dragged a bit early on, but then it seemed to get going and I found myself really enjoying it.

Must get round to doing those Harvey Freeman octostats soon - thanks for bringing it up again, guys!

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 12 May 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 68). Better late than never, it’s time for the recap to Jimmy’s second game. Apologies for its lateness, which is largely due to board-treading activities for my local acting group. I hope you can forgive me... C1: Champion Jimmy Gough (1 win...

Mike Brown

Ben Wilson wrote:By popular demand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTvgdH-0AHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoZ1ivOQW8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTyGTUjqhSI

Cheers for that, Ben, great stuff. Pity, though, that we didn't get to see Jono's kamikaze leap over the fence!

Mike Brown

Just got home, tired but happy. A great event, once again, and well done to Ben and his mum for great organisation as usual. Good to see everyone (again), even if I was perhaps a bit disappointed with my own performance... Enjoyed the football game and am looking forward to the video and pics. Hope ...

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 28 April 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 58). C1: Champion Julie Russell (2 wins, 178 points.) C2: Challenger David Affleck (from Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire). DC: Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other words or solutions. The programme opens with Jeff imply...

Mike Brown

Charlie Reams wrote:DC: HOTLINE (7) PENLIGHT (8) - RW says "I love torches." Not sure why Mike noted this, but there you have it.

I probably just thought it was a funny comment at the time and worth recording. And it's only taken seven years to come to light (says Tim Vine).

Mike Brown

That's certainly what happened. Mike Brown got the spelling correct on his Countdown Page, and I've now corrected her Series 58 spelling on the Wiki. Nice to know my site is still occasionally useful, Howard! ;) And I thought Karyn looked familiar! I guess this is the first time we've ever had a ma...

Mike Brown

Congratulations to all three of you, Lee. That's wonderful news.

Mike Brown

Phil Reynolds wrote:I won't be there 'til Wednesday - save some pizza for me!

Given the size they are, that probably won't be a problem!

Mike Brown

Looking forward to seeing everyone who's going to Leeds tomorrow. I'll be the one wearing the white carnation and the password will be "gandiseeg". I can almost taste the Box Pizza already...

Mike Brown

D Eadie wrote:This should be titled FEBRUARY 17th 2009, not JANUARY.

That better?

Mike Brown

We already covered this in the spoiler thread . Of course, David may very well have been mispronouncing LINEAGE meaning ancestry, but the way he said it is also the pronunciation of LINEAGE (a variant spelling of LINAGE) meaning a line count in printing. I actually meant to read the spoiler thread ...

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 14 April 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 48). C1: Champion Shane Roberts (3 wins, 284 points.) C2: Challenger Bob Savage (from Twickenham in Middlesex). DC: Susie Dent and David Lloyd. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other words or solutions. As David Lloyd might say: will Shane continue to...

Mike Brown

Excellent, is there a prize?

I suppose if you include Mark Nyman's appearances in DC when Ned Sherrin was late (1984), he would probably claim victory - I think he was only 17 at the time!

Mike Brown

Late news... it seems Gabby Yorath (now Logan, of course) was a mere 26 when she appeared in Series 42. Is that the record?

Mike Brown

I think Richard Sisson was 40 or 41 when he appeared on Countdown in 1998. The only people I can think of who might fit the bill would be some of the alternative comedians who have been on. Anyone know how old Jason Byrne is? Edit: a bit more research reveals that Jason was 31 when he appeared (give...

Mike Brown

Looks like I should be coming as well now. Can Box Pizza cope with us all??

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 31 March 2009. C1: Champion Cate Henderson (6 wins, 568 points.) C2: Challenger Michael Bryant (from Menai Bridge, Anglesey.) DC: Susie Dent and Jon Gaunt. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other words or solutions. After an assured victory over Aaron Higgs on Monday, can Cate contin...

Mike Brown

Nice recap, Allan - going the extra mile is always appreciated!

Mike Brown

Ben Wilson wrote:Susie was a bit short with her guess of 1200 shows in today's intro.

Indeed she was! And by my reckoning, she is due to make her 2,000th appearance at the first quarter-final.

Mike Brown

Gavin Chipper wrote:I think there was a series with no J.

It went missing for several weeks of Series 47. This keeps coming up from time to time; perhaps it needs a reference on the Wiki (if it hasn't one already).

Mike Brown

Simon Myers wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:as supplied by Art Director Demi Sampson during the Championship of Champions recordings in December 2008
He actually got them from Demi on the first day of Kirk's filming in January.

Thanks, Simon, I'll correct that small anomaly. I daresay it makes no difference to the data, though!

Mike Brown

You may also find this useful.

As for the frequencies used in the nine-letter games, Joseph, I think there've been a few variations over the years. Were you thinking of one from a particular era?

Mike Brown

I'll put you both out of your misery... it's not valid. It used to be, but was removed a couple of dictionaries back - I didn't realise myself until Dinos pointed it out to me at COLIN. I was pointing it out to many people at COLIN (so was it me or did Dinos steal my thunder?). I'm pretty certain i...

Mike Brown

I haven't seen anyone mention it on this thread - was EGOTIZES in round 1? I got EGOTIZES as well, I'll check it when I have time* When I can be arsed. I'll put you both out of your misery... it's not valid. It used to be, but was removed a couple of dictionaries back - I didn't realise myself unti...

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 17 March 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 28). Well, here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the game of the century (so far). Could the Kirkatron beat Julian Fell’s six-year-old record of 924 points from eight prelims? The nation was on tenterhooks! C1: Champion Kirk Bevins (7 wins, 811...

Mike Brown

Simon Myers wrote:Julian's octochamp total of 924 set a new record which has endured for over 10 series. Will it ever be beaten?

Well, we might find out on Tuesday!

Mike Brown

Ben Wilson wrote:Admittedly it was billed as the 'Yorks/Lincs' Look North but it still counts. Goes down as far as King's Lynn in fact.

Indeed it does, although most of us would prefer to watch Look East & ITV Anglia!

Mike Brown

Also done. Let's hope it makes a difference.

Mike Brown

For 15 rounds, almost certainly. For 9 rounds or even 15 we don't have nearly enough data. There's a Tim Morrissey game on the Countdown Wiki where gets 73 out of 74 with BECLOUD listed as a DC beater. But unless we find the dictionary that they used in Series 33, we will never know if it was allow...

Mike Brown

Dinos Sfyris wrote:Nice recap. I look forward to the next adventure of Kid Mole, hopefully featuring Kirk Bevins!

Yeah, Kid Mole versus the Bevatron... sounds a bit like a Marvel Comics adventure!

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 24 February 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 17). C1: Champion Neil Zussman (6 wins, 580 points.) C2: Challenger Rick Warburton (from Menheniot in Cornwall.) DC: Susie Dent and Graham Cole (he of The Bill). RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other words or solutions. R01: M E T F A S O S L R02:...

Mike Brown

They have allowed it before (as cited above) but the dictionary entry might have changed since. I've just Googled OPALINES on the Countdown Wiki and it only comes up with one hit in the plural (loads in the singular) and it was disallowed - Aaron Webber vs. Anita Freeland. So that gets zero hits as...

Mike Brown

I had noticed you lived in Leamingotn. Not being a first year or finalist, I'm not given a place on campus, so I currently rent a house in Leam with 3 other guys on my course. I've been wondering if I'd bump into you at some point, which would be a bit of a coincidence! Hi Neil. I also went to Warw...

Mike Brown

I'm with you on MEOW as well, but when Julian posted it I assumed it must have changed with the latest revision. The ODE entry hasn't changed, it's just that Susie disallowed it on the September 26th show of last year (which prompted Julian's post). Still think we should probably allow it, though. ...

Mike Brown

Don't think VERONALS should be allowed, for exactly the reasons originally given by Kirk.

Mike Brown

Personally, I think MEOW (etc.) should still be allowed, on the basis that under its own entry, it's not specified as being a US spelling, but am willing to concede because it is listed as being such under MIAOW! I can't see anything wrong with TAGATIED (how else would you spell the past tense of TA...

Mike Brown

I can't see how you can have different shades of mauve either, but that's not even listed as a mass noun in the first place! OK, with REDS and GREENS it's more obvious, but CARMINE is already a specific shade of red. So it's a lot more difficult to use it in the plural. But I'd say the exact same t...

Mike Brown

Charlie Reams wrote:I think the whole crediting thing is a bit outdated now; it's not like we need people to post beaters, fun as it may be.

I'm glad you said this, Charlie, I got bored with it a long time ago; these threads do the job a whole lot better anyway, IMO.

Mike Brown

What is it with all these double letters that keep coming out of the box, don't they shuffle them properly? :lol: Seriously though does seem to be happening more than it used to. Actually, I rather like the fact that the shuffling technique seems to have altered slightly. Although I am missing the ...

Mike Brown

Ah so that's the same Neil as on the forum! I'm surprised I didn't pick up on it. Really good performance, you look like the series first quarter-finalist, but hey, it's only one game. CARMINES is somewhat debatable - when they brought in the new mass noun rules in Series 49, they allowed CARMINES ...

Mike Brown

Yorkshire curd tart is very nice, it takes a while in our house 'cos we make our own curds (curdle milk by heating it up with lemon juice then strain for a day) it's a bit weird really, my twin was always the cook when we were kids, but my yorkshire grandmother was a renowned baker so I feel like I...

Mike Brown

A round with loads of sevens (or another length, but not nines) is called a flat round , isn't it? I suppose if it's all eights or all nines, the term seems a lot less usable. Think you're probably right, Martin, although as you say it seems a bit inappropriate when describing a round where there a...

Mike Brown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 10 February 2009 (Series 60 Prelim 7). C1: Champion Janet Scowcroft (1 win, 86 points.) C2: Challenger Roy Daniels (from Bath). DC: Susie Dent and John Sergeant. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other words or solutions. Having removed forumite Mike Spellar from the champion’s chair...

Mike Brown

Round 4: S J M I O E G H S C1: HOMIES (6) C2: SIGHS (5) DC: GISMOS (6) OT: EGOISM (6) JISSOM (6) JOSHES (6) MOSHES (6) SHMOES (6) MOSSIE (6) SHOJIS (6) Score: 12–13 (max 26) Splitting hairs, I know, but in the interests of historical accuracy, Roy offered SIGH in the singular (but for 5). As it see...

Mike Brown

Just watched this show. Great recap, Jon!

Mike Brown

jeff wharton wrote:1998 was about when I started to watch Countdown on a regular basis.I seem to remember in those day that American spellings were allowed.When was that practice stopped?

It was at the beginning of Series 48, aka 1st July 2002.

Mike Brown

Ben Wilson wrote:This is what happens when the writer of the calendar asks for the COLIN 2009 date during October 2007!

(He got the 2010 one right though. )

I assume you are referring to water-sipper extraordinaire Mr Holden?

Mike Brown

Ben Wilson wrote:I for one hope Damo doesn't so away with it, it does its job brilliantly- showcasing the best of the best players in a way a normal series finals round can't.

Hear, hear. (Oh dear, isn't that a bit like "me too"...?)

Mike Brown

Thanks Jon, good to see these... makes me pine for another visit to Leeds!

Mike Brown

Just to clarify, the early morning repeats are not on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but are on Saturdays and Sundays, so the 2.5 days formula can vary. Sorry to correct you, Chris, but unless it's changed, the repeats ARE usually 2.5 days behind, as follows: Mon pm repeated Thu am Tue pm repeated Fri am ...

Search found 1350 matches