Spoilers for 29/01/2009, CofC semi-final #2

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:56 pm

I should be home in time to watch this one live. I'm gonna tip Corby as many people have done, then tip Briers to beat him in the final. Tell you what, if Corby win's the CofC I'll donate £10 to charity. And that's a promise.

PS I thought I should mention that Christine got the 746 game yesterday, and I didn't. It's actually simpler than it looks because you can do 8*10*10-3*9*2.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:57 pm

Martin Gardner wrote:I should be home in time to watch this one live.

When it first gets broadcast, I mean.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:05 pm

It's odd to think that somewhere, in some private recess of this forum, there's a bunch of CoC-types who are already long bored of discussing who won in their now dusty CoC Winner thread while us mere mortals are nonethewiser. Good job though to all of you for keeping it under wraps so well, as it's a cracking tourney.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:15 pm

Martin Gardner wrote:Tell you what, if Corby win's the CofC I'll donate £10 to charity.

Could I nominate me as your chosen charity, please? Given that, for no other reason than my own philanthropy, I'm going to be £10 poorer come the end of next week...

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:29 pm

I never knew you were from Farnborough, Jon! Do you know of Farnborough College of Technology?

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:33 pm

This is going to be a good episode.

Les Butterworth · Post by **Les Butterworth** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:41 pm

Am not usually in to watch live broadcast but am today is NIGGLER ok for rd 1

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:45 pm

Les Butterworth wrote:Am not usually in to watch live broadcast but am today is NIGGLER ok for rd 1

Not according to the Stemmer. This whole business of agent nouns is really starting to bug me. Why is PARADER in the dictionary but not NIGGLER (which I can much more easily imagine using in a sentence)? And how did Jon know that PARADER was valid?

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:50 pm

Come on RUBICONS...

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:53 pm

This is a fantastic game so far. Lots of classic words coming out.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:56 pm

I'm getting thrashed by both contestants here. Any DC-beaters so far? I think Charlie has a max game going on.

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:57 pm

Or else CARIBOUS

Les Butterworth · Post by **Les Butterworth** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:00 pm

This is great I usually FF through all but the clock and answers. Must do this more often rather than watch on SKY+

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:09 pm

Actually I do have a beater; it's EBONIZE. But still, both contestants beat me by quite a lot.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:09 pm

Charlie was on crazy form. Jon was my favourite to win the tournament but Charlie really cranked it up when it was needed, so well done.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:10 pm

Oh. My. God.

Way to give me a boner, guys.

Stewart Holden · Post by **Stewart Holden** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:11 pm

THAT hug has got to be the funniest Countdown moment in a long, long while. Hysterical!

Les Butterworth · Post by **Les Butterworth** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:12 pm

25 x 4 =100 -9 +4 =95*(9-1)=760

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:12 pm

I'm gonna set the vid now to capture that moment on 4+1 in an hour's time.

Adam Dexter · Post by **Adam Dexter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:12 pm

Nicely done Charlie

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:14 pm

Was the special end thing just the hug then? I'd built my hopes up after Chris Corby's post and was expecting a dance at the very least.
It was a nice moment for sure, but it shows how cold the average Countdown contestant comes across compared to Jon and Charlie in that we're getting so excited by just a hug!

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:14 pm

Congrats to Charlie even if I am retarded - - -and my wife got EBONIZE as well so I am a failure again...

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:15 pm

That was a brilliant game to watch. Well done to both Charlie and Jon.

It should be an interesting final tomorrow.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:20 pm

Jesus Christ, I missed the thing at the end

Gonna have to watch it on ketchup.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:20 pm

Someone with some video editing capability is going to have to produce a slowed down version of that moment set to slushy music.

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:23 pm

Stunning.

Seven 8s from Charlie...surely a record? It was an incredible atmosphere and the hug was undoubtedly the most emotional moment I've ever had watching Countdown. Heroes both. Well played guys.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:23 pm

Excellent game guys. Both players crushed me today. Charlie you were on fire! 12 maxes if I'm correct with 5 8s in a row! Thought I was doing well with CARIOUS/BANSURI but then you pulled out RUBICONS. Thought I had you with BENZOIC for a while but turns out its not valid (presumably because there's only benzoic acid) Didn't get the conundrum (but then who would!). Thought for a sec it might be INIDEALLY but obviously not! The hug was a brilliant touch too

Bring on tomorrow's final!

Oh and just to piss certain forumites off alt 3rd numbers: ((25-7)x4+4)x(9+1)=760

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:24 pm

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....

Well in Charlie, that was immense. And hard luck Jon, another series 54er falling at the semi-final stage

I have to say that whatever Damian's got in mind to replace the CofC would have to be pretty awesome to top the last 3 weeks.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:32 pm

Cheers guys, Charlie played an absolute blinder for sure. I was pissed off at missing DOLOMITE as I've used it loads of times in practice (don't think I've ever missed it) and also got so flustered with STRIPED, knowing it's a "seven that is never the max" (you may have noticed Charlie dropping a few hints about me with this list lately

) but not being able to pull out STRIPED + I that I completely missed DIRTIEST. D'oh. Bizarrely, have never ever seen DIPTERIST I don't think. And I'd never heard of LEYLANDII either, so in some ways I'm quite pleased it (narrowly) didn't go to a crucial, as that would be quite annoying.

Oh well!

There was also a missing round which you never saw

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:36 pm

Haha. I was such an emotional wreck at that point, it was all I could do to stand up and I think I literally fell into his arms. In the thousands of games I've played, I never expected to win less than I did in that one, and to win it and play undoubtedly the best game I've ever played against the best opponent I'd ever faced was just too much. I think Jon was starting to go a bit too (spot his trembling lip when Jeff talks to him at the end) so it was probably lucky that we stopped at a hug.

I should probably say publicly, if it were not obvious enough, that Corby was brilliant for the whole of CoC, both on- and off-screen, and I have such respect and love for him that any effort to put it in words would be futile, so I'll stop here.

Nicholas Randall · Post by **Nicholas Randall** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:38 pm

That is the best I have seen Charlie play.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:41 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:I should probably say publicly, if it were not obvious enough, that Corby was brilliant for the whole of CoC, both on- and off-screen, and I have such respect and love for him that any effort to put it in words would be futile, so I'll stop here.

Aw, that's nice. I shall respond by saying you are a complete cunt who utterly wrecked my dream of appearing in a Countdown final so you could selfishly appear in two.

Yeah, I was pretty emotional at the end. I was gonna say a gushy bit but I did feel myself to start to go so I refrained. It was a combination of it all coming to an end having waited almost 3 years, but partly shock at being steamrollered by Charlie like that. Wasn't really prepared for that at all!

What are you reaching for here Charlie boy btw?

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:46 pm

I think I should also say thanks to the team who did such a great job of editing the show, leaving in just the right amount of sentimental stuff and still keeping the show moving along for those who couldn't care less about the strange emotional ties that exist between contestants. My only regret is the removal of Corby's brilliant attempt to get himself sacked at the start, which was certainly the funniest monologue from a contestant that I've ever heard. Maybe it'll turn up on YouTube one day, eh Kate?

Talking of regrets, is it now time for the joke that never was, Corby?

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:47 pm

LOL good photo.

Edit: from what I remember you have to take your mike off to do that, don't do?

Harry Whitehouse · Post by **Harry Whitehouse** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:50 pm

Two absolutely class acts. One of the very best games I have ever seen.

Thanks for the entertainment, gents.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:52 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:I think I should also say thanks to the team who did such a great job of editing the show, leaving in just the right amount of sentimental stuff and still keeping the show moving along for those who couldn't care less about the strange emotional ties that exist between contestants. My only regret is the removal of Corby's brilliant attempt to get himself sacked at the start, which was certainly the funniest monologue from a contestant that I've ever heard. Maybe it'll turn up on YouTube one day, eh Kate?

Talking of regrets, is it now time for the joke that never was, Corby?

Haha, I missed the start of the show and I have to admit to being slightly relieved that it got taken out, considering how we had a big "belt-tightening" company announcement last week and that we're shedding about 6-8% of our workforce!

Nah, I started to tell my mate about the "joke that never was", and it didn't seem quite as funny now. I think it was just one of those "a few contrived things falling into place" things that made it funny at the time. We all laughed in the break about it and in the bar afterwards, and I think I'm happy just to leave it at that (seeing as I bottled it!)

Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:53 pm

Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?

You changed the scores around to make it look like you won

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:53 pm

Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?

Yes.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:56 pm

Joseph Bolas wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?
You changed the scores around to make it look like you won

Well I didn't actually, somebody on the Football365 forum did.

Someone else also did this:

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:04 pm

I was expecting something a bit wittier from the home of CoC-loving, but the switched-scores one is pretty good.

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:08 pm

Well done guys, fantastic game, very touching moment at the end

. Awesome performance by Charlie.

Commiserations Jon, hope CoLin helped make up for it.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:13 pm

Rich Priest wrote:Commiserations Jon, hope CoLin helped make up for it.

Oh yeah, I said to Charlie at the time that it was much more important to me to beat him at CoLin than in that tinpot competition. Ooh, it's televised, big deal.

Lee Simmonds · Post by **Lee Simmonds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:31 pm

Wow Charlie, you were on fire today! I think that was your best performance of all your shows, given that you were playing Jon as well. A very nicely worked solution on the 3 large number game too.

Bad luck Jon to fall at the semis again, I couldn't really remember your run in series 54 but really enjoyed your games in the coc and on another day you could easily have won.

Charlie, you have clearly been determined to just enjoy yourself in the coc as you probably felt less pressure to win the whole thing. I hope that you took this attitude in to the final and walloped Steve Briers, who is so dour that he couldn't even crack a smile when he won his semi.

Simon Myers · Post by **Simon Myers** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:36 pm

Excellent game guys, particularly nice consistency throughout the game from Charlie.

I found the conundrum quite amusing, since I remember telling Charlie, Kirk and Dinos on the train after COLin that it was one of the hardest conundrums I'd ever seen, after having noticed Kirk miss it in a game on Apterous. I can only imagine something like "hah... yes it is" going through Charlie's mind at that moment.
As a result, I got today's conundrum instantly today (surprised Dinos didn't; I'm sure Kirk got it), though it was the only round in which I beat Charlie.

Looking forward to tomorrow's showdown.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:51 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:Was the special end thing just the hug then? I'd built my hopes up after Chris Corby's post and was expecting a dance at the very least.
It was a nice moment for sure, but it shows how cold the average Countdown contestant comes across compared to Jon and Charlie in that we're getting so excited by just a hug!

Sorry if I over egged it for you Matt. I just thought that if people gave up watching it as Jeff said good-bye they would miss something. As someone who has watched Countdown since Day 1, the most the contestants ever do is a brief handshake. Nobody has ever got to their feet before, and for them both to do it and hug, made I thought for a very nice moment. Dancing would have been difficult owing to the constraints of the length of wire from their microphones!

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:00 pm

Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?

Yeah - Charlie's quite a lot slimmer than you.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:26 pm

What a game! I was soundly beaten (and this time I mean it) by Charlie 89-110 (and I missed LEYLANDII again, going for INIDEALLY^ again - I never learn) but did manage to beat Jon.

I was chuffed to get CARIBOUS in the RUBICONS but it turns out the plural of CARIBOU is just CARIBOU. Damn!

Absolutely fantastic mate, by far the best game you've played on TV.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:38 pm

Simon Myers wrote:I found the conundrum quite amusing, since I remember telling Charlie, Kirk and Dinos on the train after COLin that it was one of the hardest conundrums I'd ever seen, after having noticed Kirk miss it in a game on Apterous. I can only imagine something like "hah... yes it is" going through Charlie's mind at that moment.

Almost exactly that, yes. I said to Kirk a while ago that I'd be impressed if he got any of the last 3 conundrums in CoC, but when he raised it on the train I was certain he'd get LEYLANDII. We'll find out whether my prediction somehow came true at about this time tomorrow...

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:57 pm

[quote="Jon Corby

What are you reaching for here Charlie boy btw?

[/quote]

I particularly like Jon's posterior-pelvic-tilt-so-I-show-my-emotion-but-avoid-genital-contact-on-national-TV-at-all-costs. Smashing stuff.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:26 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?
Yeah - Charlie's quite a lot slimmer than you.

You're such a bitch when it comes to chunky men Phil!

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:31 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
Rich Priest wrote:Commiserations Jon, hope CoLin helped make up for it.
Oh yeah, I said to Charlie at the time that it was much more important to me to beat him at CoLin than in that tinpot competition. Ooh, it's televised, big deal.

I'm not saying that a Countdown event carries more kudos than a televised show (or even as much as).Just saying I hoped it offset some of the disappointment that's all.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:42 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:You're such a bitch when it comes to chunky men Phil!

Not really. As I advance into middle age, I confess to a burgeoning rotundity myself.

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:29 pm

There's SEAMEN on your paper...

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:59 pm

Brilliant quality game, and yes Jon I liked the way you said SEAMAN with the stress on the man to avoid saying SEMEN. And then Charlie just said 'the same'. And I think that's a bit harsh on Steve, he's just a bit nervous, he is the youngest contestant in the competition apart from Kai, I think, he's still a year younger than when I went on the show, and I'm talking about my first show - he's done 12 now.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:54 pm

Martin Gardner wrote:Brilliant quality game, and yes Jon I liked the way you said SEAMAN with the stress on the man to avoid saying SEMEN. And then Charlie just said 'the same'. And I think that's a bit harsh on Steve, he's just a bit nervous, he is the youngest contestant in the competition apart from Kai, I think, he's still a year younger than when I went on the show, and I'm talking about my first show - he's done 12 now.

Yeah. That was my bottled gag, as alluded to by Kai - I basically had to clarify that Charlie was handing me a piece of paper with seaman on it. Imagine my filthy mind racing with the possibilities...

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:55 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:Anyone noticed anything else about the photo yet?
Yeah - Charlie's quite a lot slimmer than you.

Harsh. I'm gonna have to PM you a photo now to show you my toned athletic physique.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:10 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
Phil Reynolds wrote:Yeah - Charlie's quite a lot slimmer than you.
Harsh. I'm gonna have to PM you a photo now to show you my toned athletic physique.

Purlease. Phil's done nothing to deserve such special treatment. Show all of us.

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Matt Morrison wrote:You're such a bitch when it comes to chunky men Phil!
Not really. As I advance into middle age, I confess to a burgeoning rotundity myself.

To be fair, rereading your original comment it could have been more intended to compliment Charlie than insult Jon. Only you know

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:15 pm

Rich Priest wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
Rich Priest wrote:Commiserations Jon, hope CoLin helped make up for it.
Oh yeah, I said to Charlie at the time that it was much more important to me to beat him at CoLin than in that tinpot competition. Ooh, it's televised, big deal.
I'm not saying that a Countdown event carries more kudos than a televised show (or even as much as).Just saying I hoped it offset some of the disappointment that's all.

Haha, I know mate, just having a joke

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:25 pm

This was an awsome game to watch and played in the best spirit I have ever seen on CD, in keeping with the rest of the series.

I am sure theat this has a lot to do with the contestants getting to know each other here on C4CD and at CD related events, which really help in building up a high level of camaraderie. Long may it continue.

Congrats to Charlie and commiserations to Jon.

I'm really looking forward to the Final tomorrow.

Al.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:33 pm

Chris Corby wrote:Sorry if I over egged it for you Matt. I just thought that if people gave up watching it as Jeff said good-bye they would miss something. As someone who has watched Countdown since Day 1, the most the contestants ever do is a brief handshake. Nobody has ever got to their feet before, and for them both to do it and hug, made I thought for a very nice moment.

Haha, absolutely! I didn't mean to sound disappointed! Undoubtedly a nice moment, after other posts I made recently regarding the frowns taking over the show, it's nice to have Charlie and Jon to look at (and Junaid and Kai and some others who can smile too).