The Audition
The Audition
How does it all work?
- Kai Laddiman
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Re: The Audition
As far as I can remember (--this far-->) it's either 4 or 6 letters rounds, 2 numbers rounds and 3 conundrums, 45 seconds for everything. Also, you put your hand up to signify you have the conundrum.
16/10/2007 - Episode 4460
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
- Innis Carson
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Re: The Audition
It's really informal, there's generally only a few other people and you all sit round a table. They read the selections out loud, so you have to make sure you copy them down right. (Not exactly hard, though I failed at this more times than I'd like to admit)
Last edited by Innis Carson on Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Audition
I had 6 words rounds - there were quite a few 8 and nine letter words available in the selections so look out for them.
There were 3 numbers rounds that were all reasonable and 3 conundrums. The process was as Kai advised.
Good luck Ian
There were 3 numbers rounds that were all reasonable and 3 conundrums. The process was as Kai advised.
Good luck Ian
Re: The Audition
Innis, you've auditioned before?
Thanks Allan. You get through all of that and then face Charlie Reams in your first game. Very unfortunate.
Thanks Allan. You get through all of that and then face Charlie Reams in your first game. Very unfortunate.
- Innis Carson
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Re: The Audition
Auditioned 3 times a few years ago when I was useless, you'll do a lot better.
- Kai Laddiman
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Re: The Audition
Love your new avatar Innis btw.
16/10/2007 - Episode 4460
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
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Re: The Audition
Absolutely Ian - You hit the nail on the head mate - I should have added that you need to keep your fingers firmly crossed all the way to the studio and hope that you don't get an apterous superstar.Ian Dent wrote:Innis, you've auditioned before?
Thanks Allan. You get through all of that and then face Charlie Reams in your first game. Very unfortunate.
Cheers!
- Innis Carson
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Re: The Audition
Thanks.Kai Laddiman wrote:Love your new avatar Innis btw.
- Richard Priest
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Re: The Audition
At mine we had 6 letters rounds, 2 numbers and about 3 conundrums, but we had 35 seconds not 45 - you had it easy young Laddiman
I passed at the second attempt, the first having been 21 and a half years previously.Plenty of time to brush up (or perhaps rediscover the youthful carefree approach to life that I had in my teens).
I passed at the second attempt, the first having been 21 and a half years previously.Plenty of time to brush up (or perhaps rediscover the youthful carefree approach to life that I had in my teens).
- Karen Pearson
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Re: The Audition
At my audition (and it may have changed since), the letters were read out in alphabetical order. Once I realised this, I started writing them down in a random order and did much better.
- Michael Wallace
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Re: The Audition
At my audition, they read out the conundrums out loud, which caused me a little trouble when he read out the conundrum MINDNOISE and I wrote down MINEDNOISE...
- Kai Laddiman
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Re: The Audition
D'oh! That's what I meant.Rich Priest wrote:At mine we had 6 letters rounds, 2 numbers and about 3 conundrums, but we had 35 seconds not 45 - you had it easy young Laddiman
16/10/2007 - Episode 4460
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
- Joseph Bolas
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Re: The Audition
This thread, gives you an idea of the audition I had back in 2003. I can't remember the time limits per round though.Ian Dent wrote:How does it all work?
- Martin Bishop
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Re: The Audition
Mine had 6 letters, 2 numbers and 3 conundrums. The letters and numbers rounds were just read out loud by the lovely Lara, while the conundrums were held up on a piece of paper.
How did people do in their auditions (bearing in mind that if yours was recent it may be used again)? I was super-nervous in my audition. My first word was a nine and thereafter my hands were shaking. I went on to get another nine (IBUPROFEN!) and four eights. It went quite well. The end result was that I went on the show knowing that if I got nervous, I could still perform. Knowing that meant I wasn't nervous at all.
How did people do in their auditions (bearing in mind that if yours was recent it may be used again)? I was super-nervous in my audition. My first word was a nine and thereafter my hands were shaking. I went on to get another nine (IBUPROFEN!) and four eights. It went quite well. The end result was that I went on the show knowing that if I got nervous, I could still perform. Knowing that meant I wasn't nervous at all.
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Re: The Audition
My first audition, in 1998, was quite long, something like 10 letters, 4 numbers and 3 conundrums. I remember getting MILESTONE, OBLIGATE and all 4 numbers, but no conundrums. A certain Mr Eadie was chairing.
When I auditioned again last year I messed up the first one, which had 6 letters, 2 numbers and 3 conundrums. I was average on all 3, spotting no 9s. In hindsight this was a good thing as I'd have ended up in DoD's series had I have passed.
When I auditioned again it was another 6-2-3 format...this time I got maxes on the numbers and conundrum and spotted POSTERITY on the letters.
I wonder how I'll do next time...
When I auditioned again last year I messed up the first one, which had 6 letters, 2 numbers and 3 conundrums. I was average on all 3, spotting no 9s. In hindsight this was a good thing as I'd have ended up in DoD's series had I have passed.
When I auditioned again it was another 6-2-3 format...this time I got maxes on the numbers and conundrum and spotted POSTERITY on the letters.
I wonder how I'll do next time...
Re: The Audition
Mine was 7L3N3C. Bit of a mixed bag, I missed 2 9s and ICEBOATS (which I'd never heard of at the time) and managed to get a word disallowed (poolman) despite specific instructions you could offer a backup word if you thought your longest offering was risky. Got all 3 numbers and conundrums, and even spotted that one (SUPEREVIL) had two solutions.
HahaJunaid Mubeen wrote: I wonder how I'll do next time...
Re: The Audition
4 numbers games, 10 letters.......? You're miles off the mark. Max i've ever done is 7 letters 3 numbers 3 cons. I remember it v well, like it was yesterday, as we've discussed since.Junaid Mubeen wrote:My first audition, in 1998, was quite long, something like 10 letters, 4 numbers and 3 conundrums. I remember getting MILESTONE, OBLIGATE and all 4 numbers, but no conundrums. A certain Mr Eadie was chairing.
When I auditioned again last year I messed up the first one, which had 6 letters, 2 numbers and 3 conundrums. I was average on all 3, spotting no 9s. In hindsight this was a good thing as I'd have ended up in DoD's series had I have passed.
When I auditioned again it was another 6-2-3 format...this time I got maxes on the numbers and conundrum and spotted POSTERITY on the letters.
I wonder how I'll do next time...
As for next time, unless you come back as Marjorie Winstanley from Brize Norton, there's no hope. (for either of us)
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Re: The Audition
Really? I don't wanna go all John Mayhew but I'm sure there was a 4th numbers. However I only remember it like it was 11 years ago so I'll take your word for it. One thing I do know for sure, every one of my auditions was really fun and an experience in themselves.D Eadie wrote:4 numbers games, 10 letters.......? You're miles off the mark. Max i've ever done is 7 letters 3 numbers 3 cons. I remember it v well, like it was yesterday, as we've discussed since.
- Jason Larsen
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Re: The Audition
I thought it was like "The Price is Right," where it's like they could have just said to me, "Jason Larsen, come on down!" until Kirk assured me that it wasn't that way.
In all honesty, I think I would have to practice more at numbers games before I got on the show.
In all honesty, I think I would have to practice more at numbers games before I got on the show.
- Kirk Bevins
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Re: The Audition
You need to be good at letters too, averaging about 6 or 7 every round.Jason Larsen wrote:I thought it was like "The Price is Right," where it's like they could have just said to me, "Jason Larsen, come on down!" until Kirk assured me that it wasn't that way.
In all honesty, I think I would have to practice more at numbers games before I got on the show.
- Richard Priest
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Re: The Audition
I had four 8s, a 9 and a 7, missing 2 other 9s.Was 1 away on a numbers and solved the other one, and solved all 3 conundrums. Lara presided, and 4 other hopefuls attended. The only other one who was successful was David Sandbach who beat Matt Coates then lost.
It was at Granada TV studios and on the way out I saw Jeremy Kyle briefly.Seemed a nice guy.
It was at Granada TV studios and on the way out I saw Jeremy Kyle briefly.Seemed a nice guy.
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Re: The Audition
6L, 2N, 3C for mine. In the first round I had the letters:
L T E A R F M P O
I was so nervous I didn't see PLATFORM or TEMPORAL and opted for TERAFLOP instead; this generated quite a few quizzical looks around the room and I had a sweaty few moments while it had to be checked. Getting a good start, though, calmed me down. I agree with Martin, it was encouraging that nerves didn't seem to hinder performance too much.
My advice for anyone doing the audition is to get one of the Countdown puzzle books: you may not get the same selections but it'll give you an insight into the mindset.
L T E A R F M P O
I was so nervous I didn't see PLATFORM or TEMPORAL and opted for TERAFLOP instead; this generated quite a few quizzical looks around the room and I had a sweaty few moments while it had to be checked. Getting a good start, though, calmed me down. I agree with Martin, it was encouraging that nerves didn't seem to hinder performance too much.
My advice for anyone doing the audition is to get one of the Countdown puzzle books: you may not get the same selections but it'll give you an insight into the mindset.
Re: The Audition
For those trying it, its a relaxed atmosphere and not majorly competitive, I was really at ease doing mine.
From memory, I think mine had 7 letters altogether, 3 numbers and 3 conundrums. Marie Wale did mine in September 2001. Round a big table, with 6 including myself IIRC - very chilled. Anyone else here had Marie do their audition as I thought she was great. Got 1 or 2 out on all the numbers rounds and 2 conundrums.
RREEATTSC - 8
SPLTAAHDE - 7
RRPTEAEDU - 7
YBJLEAENL - 5
BVROIAPET - 7
MNNPEIUSG - 6
The answers above were probably touch and go but what probably swung it for me I reckon between pass and failure was the final letters round getting 8 from LGNOUAMTE which Marie said no-one else had ever got before.
Out of interest, does anyone know how many times the average person has auditioned before getting on and how many of auditioners they accept?
From memory, I think mine had 7 letters altogether, 3 numbers and 3 conundrums. Marie Wale did mine in September 2001. Round a big table, with 6 including myself IIRC - very chilled. Anyone else here had Marie do their audition as I thought she was great. Got 1 or 2 out on all the numbers rounds and 2 conundrums.
RREEATTSC - 8
SPLTAAHDE - 7
RRPTEAEDU - 7
YBJLEAENL - 5
BVROIAPET - 7
MNNPEIUSG - 6
The answers above were probably touch and go but what probably swung it for me I reckon between pass and failure was the final letters round getting 8 from LGNOUAMTE which Marie said no-one else had ever got before.
Out of interest, does anyone know how many times the average person has auditioned before getting on and how many of auditioners they accept?
Probably the second tallest ever series finalist.
Re: The Audition
Tom wrote:For those trying it, its a relaxed atmosphere and not majorly competitive, I was really at ease doing mine.
From memory, I think mine had 7 letters altogether, 3 numbers and 3 conundrums. Marie Wale did mine in September 2001. Round a big table, with 6 including myself IIRC - very chilled. Anyone else here had Marie do their audition as I thought she was great. Got 1 or 2 out on all the numbers rounds and 2 conundrums.
RREEATTSC - 8
SPLTAAHDE - 7
RRPTEAEDU - 7
YBJLEAENL - 5
BVROIAPET - 7
MNNPEIUSG - 6
The answers above were probably touch and go but what probably swung it for me I reckon between pass and failure was the final letters round getting 8 from LGNOUAMTE which Marie said no-one else had ever got before.
Out of interest, does anyone know how many times the average person has auditioned before getting on and how many of auditioners they accept?
Majority pass first time, Tom. There is no limit on who we accept, its like a driving test, if you pass, then you pass. There are occasions where we accept people out of sympathy, based on their unfortunate looks, which i think applied when Charlie sent his form in.
Re: The Audition
Presumably JELLYBEAN was valid when this was set - doesn't seem to be in anymore.Tom wrote:YBJLEAENL - 5
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Re: The Audition
Bugger! I felt clever getting that one too.
- Kirk Bevins
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Re: The Audition
I've seen this round before - hmmmm:Tom wrote:
MNNPEIUSG - 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLBFyV7XOTs
- Kai Laddiman
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Re: The Audition
I was thinking exactly the same thingKirk Bevins wrote:I've seen this round before - hmmmm:Tom wrote:
MNNPEIUSG - 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLBFyV7XOTs
16/10/2007 - Episode 4460
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
Dinos Sfyris 76 - 78 Dorian Lidell
Proof that even idiots can get well and truly mainwheeled.
- Lee Simmonds
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Re: The Audition
When I auditioned last year I was told that the 3 strikes and you're out rule had been relaxed so if you want to have another go...Innis Carson wrote:Auditioned 3 times a few years ago when I was useless, you'll do a lot better.
- Innis Carson
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Re: The Audition
Was there such a rule? Even after my third attempt, the letter I got still essentially said "You weren't far off, feel free to try again". Might have been an oversight I suppose.
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Re: The Audition
Serious respect for keep going back for another go. Your persistence will (hopefully) pay off when you destroy everybody in your octorunInnis Carson wrote:Was there such a rule? Even after my third attempt, the letter I got still essentially said "You weren't far off, feel free to try again". Might have been an oversight I suppose.