C1: Champion Richard Priest (3 wins.)
C2: Challenger Sandra Gray.
DC: Susie Dent and Ann Widdecombe.
CV: Carol Vorderman.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: S O T E K T I P Q
R02: L E E R C R C O E
R03: S R M A E S A D I
R04: N Y N E O E S F R
R05: 25, 4, 6, 9, 6, 1. Target: 775.
TTT: DEEPDOWN - "It's deep down under the water."
R06: N N F I E A M B R
R07: I A E R Z T I N L
R08: O E B S T I W R S
R09: T P O A L S E O P
R10: 75, 6, 9, 5, 8, 4. Target: 663.
TTT: PINTFLAP - "Upset the worker without respect?"
R11: L P H U E T O E L
R12: G S N O A I J G E
R13: D V A E S M A E R
R14: 100, 50, 75, 25, 3, 4. Target: 564.
R15: C I G A R S O N U (conundrum)
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I just noticed at the start of the show that Countdown is without a sponsor at the moment. When did those ukdigital ones finish? And why has no-one else seized this opportunity?
We're introduced to the contestants after a golfing joke which, judging by the reaction, everyone was hearing for the 4000th time. In the champion's chair for the third time -meaning that he's won three times, this is his fourth game, his first one was in the challenger's chair - I have to clarify that because it is possible to begin your career in the champion's chair if you debut immediately after an octochamp run, and get the champion's chair by virtue of a coin-toss or somesuch. Anyway, as I was going to say before you so rudely interrupted, in the champion's chair is Richard Priest, who we all know by now, and today he's facing Sandra Gray from Widnes. Sandra describes herself as "friendly, loyal and caring", and, reading between the lines slightly, a complete slut when in Paris. She also would like to spend an evening with Stephen Fry - who wouldn't? - but (obviously) looked slightly bemused when it seemed to then be suggested that this would be some kind of romantic date. Can she be the one to dethrone Dicky? If she is, a certain Jason Cullen will be getting some kind of cyber-kicking. He claims he is just willing Richard to lose so as not to slip down the seedings, but I have my suspicions there's more to it than that...
... anyway, on with the game.
Round 1: S O T E K T I P Q
C1: TIPTOES (7)
C2: POTTIES (7)
DC: POKIEST (7)
Score: 7–7 (max 7)
"...Sandra, you get your first chance to play Countdown" says Des to lead us into round two, which will doubtless be more exciting than just trying to make anagrams or whatever the hell she was doing during round one.
Round 2: L E E R C R C O E
C1: REEL (4)
C2: CREEL (5)
DC: CREOLE (6)
OT: REELER (6) COERCE (6)
Score: 7–12 (max 13)
Odd to spot reel but not creel, but I guess we all do it from time to time. Usually in rounds where you think "ah there's LOADS of fours there" and go off looking for a 5 or whatever, and end up making your declaration without too much thought to the word itself that you're going to offer. Yeah, that's probably what happened here. Almost as daft is anyone expecting to find coercer in the dictionary, you crazy fools! As if that's going to be in there! Are you nuts?!
Round 3: S R M A E S A D I
C1: MISREADS (8)
C2: DISARMS (7)
DC: SIDEARMS (8)
Score: 15–12 (max 21)
Round 4: N Y N E O E S F R
C1: FOYERS (6)
C2: REEFS (5)
Score: 21–12 (max 27)
Foreseen is one of the "fore-" words that you can't drop the first "e" from. Again, anyone even thinking of trying that is utterly stupid! Are you crazy?! Ahem.
Round 5: 25, 4, 6, 9, 6, 1. Target: 775.
C1: 775.(4*6+6+1)*25 (10)
C2: 775.(6*6-4-1)*25 (10)
Score: 31–22 (max 37)
Teatime teaser: DEEPDOWN -> PONDWEED
Round 6: N N F I E A M B R
C1: FIREMAN (7)
C2: FIREMAN (7)
DC: MANNIE (6)
Score: 38–29 (max 44)
Round 7: I A E R Z T I N L
C1: LATRINE (7)
C2: ENTAIL (6)
DC: INERTIAL (8)
OT: TRIAZINE (8)
Score: 45–29 (max 52)
A triazine is any compound whose molecules contain an unsaturated ring of three carbon and three nitrogen atoms. Remember - UNsaturated. Got that?
Round 8: O E B S T I W R S
C1: BESTOWS (7)
C2: BOSSIER (7)
DC: STROBES (7) BISTROS (7)
OT: Lots of other dull sevens that I can be bothered to list.
Score: 52–36 (max 59)
Round 9: T P O A L S E O P
C1: TOPPLES (7)
C2: APOSTLE (7)
OT: Lots of other dull sevens that I can't be bothered to list.
Score: 59–43 (max 66)
Round 10: 75, 6, 9, 5, 8, 4. Target: 663.
C1: 663.75*9-8-4 (10)
C2: 663.75*9-8-4 (10)
Score: 69–53 (max 76)
Teatime teaser: PINTFLAP -> FLIPPANT
Round 11: L P H U E T O E L
C1: POLLUTE (7)
C2: PELLET (6)
DC: TUPELO (6)
OT: EELPOUT (7)
Score: 76–53 (max 83)
An eelpout is a small broad-headed fish of cool or cold seas, having an elongated body and the dorsal and anal fins continuous with the tail. I guess the "eel" part comes from the elongated body, and the "pout" from... er... the anal bit? I dunno. Stories in Razzle and the like often talk of "pouting anuses". (Apparently.)
Round 12: G S N O A I J G E
C1: SIGNAGE (7)
C2: JOINS (5)
DC: SEAGOING (8)
Score: 83–53 (max 91)
Round 13: D V A E S M A E R
C1: SMEARED (7)
C2: SMEARED (7)
DC: ADVERSE (7)
OT: EVADERS (7)
Score: 90–60 (max 98)
Round 14: 100, 50, 75, 25, 3, 4. Target: 564.
C1: 571.(4+3)*75+50-100/24 (5)
C2: 557.Mistake in working.
CV: 564. (100+50-(75/25)*3)*4 (10)
Score: 95–60 (max 108)
Round 15: C I G A R S O N U
C1 buzzes on 2 seconds to say CAROUSING which is correct.
Score: 105–60 (max 118)
A solid display again from Richard, again in cruise control really for most of the game after he'd overhauled Sandra's early lead. He'll obviously be relieved at chalking up the wins this easily, but I'd like to see him tested by a contestant of last week's calibre (Joe, Andrew) to really earn his place in the finals. Still, pleasant viewing all round today, Sandra wore her smile to the bitter end, there just seemed to be a nice atmosphere overall. All that, and Master Cullen avoids his kicking - for the time being...
Further summaries are at:
http://www.thecountdowncorral.com/cd/se ... ?series=58