Tuesday, 15th April (Series 58: Game 71)

[David O'Donnell]

Countdown recap for Tuesday 15th April 2008.

C1: Champion Carole Algie (1 win, 78 points.)
C2: Challenger Diana Coull
DC: Susie Dent and Jo Brand.
CV: Carol Vorderman.
OT: Other words or solutions.

R01: E D N A C T R E J
R02: P O T E G A F S T
R03: E I L N E S P R T
R04: L P D A O I T N O
R05: 75, 10, 10, 7, 1, 2. Target: 958.
TTT: RONSURDU - "Does it engulf the sound of fire?"
R06: S P M I A I R T A
R07: E A Y G D I F B W
R08: S O R E L U N T R
R09: S O E N K M A R Q
R10: 8, 5, 9, 2, 1, 100. Target: 520.
TTT: SEMIHOLD - "Eat quickly then knock it down"
R11: U A C H S O U T C
R12: S M N O A E R D R
R13: V N D A E I L M B
R14: 25, 50, 5, 10, 8, 8. Target: 810.
R15: P M T Q U E E N I (conundrum)


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Carole joined us yesterday and managed to overcome Hugh Shand in a crucial conundrum. She did have a heart-in-mouth moment when Hugh buzzed in, after 2 seconds, and duly gave the incorrect answer. She made a slow start but had two fine spots in the form of BROADEST and POULTRY. Her opponent today, whose surname I neglected to hear, harbours ambitions of appearing on 'Des Chiffres et Des Lettres" and taught Eric Cantona's son. Did I mention she taught French? Why did she have to teach a Frenchie, French? I am really confused, no wonder I keep missing names and rather mundane things like contestants' words.




Round 1: E D N A C T R E J
C1: CANTERED (8)
C2: DECANTER (8)
DC: cadnet (JB- A site where you get men who treat women badly) RECANTED (8)
OT: CRENATED (8)
Score: 8–8 (max 8)

Round 2: P O T E G A F S T
C1: GATEPOST (8)
C2: POTAGES (7)
DC: fatpesto (JB's own brand of pasta sauce)Susie allows POTAGES (7) and therefore would allow POTTAGES, (8) the variant spelling. However, Countmax doesn't like them so perhaps POSTAGE (7) and GATEPOST (8) are a safer bet.
Score: 16–8 (max 16)

Round 3: E I L N E S P R T
C1: SPRINT (6) (may not be the actual six, sorry - not on the job today)
C2: STERILE (7)
DC: LISTENER (8) SPLINTER (8) PET (JB) REPTILES (8) (Des)
OT: SPREITEN (8) ENLISTER (8) PELTRIES (8)
Score: 16–15 (max 24)

PINTERS^ is a seven that is never the maximum. If you don't know what the hell I mean by this then go here

Round 4: L P D A O I T N O
C1: ADOPTION (8)
C2: LOTION (6)
DC: pantooil (JB) OPTIONAL (8)
Score: 24–15 (max 32)

I missed both of these: I should be shot.

Round 5: 75, 10, 10, 7, 1, 2. Target: 958.
C1: 960.
C2: 958.(10+1+2)*75-10-7 (10)
Score: 24–25 (max 42)

Teatime teaser: RONSURDU -> SURROUND

Round 6: S P M I A I R T A
C1: IMPAIRS (7)
C2: SMART (5)
DC: ratpims(JB) IMPARTS (7)
OT: PASTRAMI (8) APIARIST (8) (Martin Gardner)
Score: 31–25 (max 50)

Round 7: E A Y G D I F B W
C1: BADGE (5)
C2: BADGE (5)
DC: bedfag (JB) bagwife(JB- an unattractive partner)
OT: A few fives but nothing better.
Score: 36–30 (max 55)

Round 8: S O R E L U N T R
C1: nutters
C2: SORREL (6)
DC: TONSURE (7) TROUSER (7)
OT: TURNSOLE (8) spotted previously by the eminent Mr. Howe, I believe.
Score: 36–36 (max 63)

Round 9: S O E N K M A R Q
C1: SNAKE (5)
C2: OARSMEN (7)
DC: mankrose (JB) nosemark (JB)
OT: Nobody gets a mention for MOANERS (7) because it's piss-easy.
Score: 36–43 (max 70)

Round 10: 8, 5, 9, 2, 1, 100. Target: 520.
C1: 520.5*100+(9+1)*2 (10)
C2: 520.5*100+all the rest (10)
Score: 46–53 (max 80)

Teatime teaser: SEMIHOLD -> DEMOLISH

Round 11: U A C H S O U T C
C1: ACCOST (6)
C2: cashout
DC: catcosh (JB-Des doesn't use one but he keeps one by the bed: is he that worried by JB's persistent flirting?) CACHOUS (7)
Score: 52–53 (max 87)

Excellent stuff from DC.

Round 12: S M N O A E R D R
C1: MOANERS (7)
C2: MOANERS (7)
DC: desmoan (JB) romandes (JB) RANSOMED (8)
OT: ADORNERS (8) (Matthew Coates)
Score: 59–60 (max 95)

Round 13: V N D A E I L M B
C1: MAILED (6)
C2: NAILED (6)
DC: BE (JB) MANDIBLE (8)
OT: MINABLE (7) is valid if you're interested.
Score: 65–66 (max 103)

Round 14: 25, 50, 5, 10, 8, 8. Target: 810.
C1: 809.
C2: 810.(8+8)*50+10 (10)
Score: 65–76 (max 113)

Round 15: P M T Q U E E N I
C1 buzzes on 5 seconds to say EQUIPMENT which is correct.
Score: 75–76 (max 123)


Carole outplayed her opponent in the letters, particularly impressive was GATEPOST. However, two complete washouts on relatively easy numbers games cost her dear and she didn't even force a crucial conundrum. Her opponent looked more solid than extraordinary but that sometimes is a more reliable indicator of success. Not that I can really comment on reliable indicators since I seem unable to predict how any contestant is going to fare this series and I have now, quite sensibly, decided to give up.


Edit: I have to confess, that like some of you, I am gettin fed up with Jo's words. The really annoying thing is that she is, by all accounts, good at the game and it would be nice to hear, once in a while, the words she gets.

Further summaries are at:
http://www.thecountdowncorral.com/cd/se ... ?series=58

[Howard Somerset]

I agree with your comment about Jo's words. It was amusing at first, but after a while it tires a bit. I've only read the opening and closing remarks in your recap so far as I've not yet watched the programme.

Diana's surname is Coull, btw.

[David O'Donnell]

Thanks! It won't be on Corral unless Charlie wants to exercise administrator privileges.

[David O'Donnell]

I have to retract my comments on Jo, I thought she was ace today. I liked the way she was genuinely delighted to get the numbers.