Spoilers For Monday August 23rd 2010

[James Robinson]

At last The horses have retired to their stables for the rest of the year, meaning the more exciting contest to find the Series 63 champion of Countdown can resume.

In the champions' chair for the last time for a while anyway is our very own Tom Rowell, on the verge of becoming the 2nd octochamp of the series.

One interesting fact for the nerds: In each of his 7 games to date, Tom has had a score in the 90's after 14 rounds, meaning that if he got every conundrum, he'd have got 7 centuries. As it is, he's only got 3, but still impressive scoring nonetheless.

Can he make it 8 out of 8 today

In DC this week is yet another newbie, the all-round entertainer Gary Wilmot.

Ryan will be around later with the recap.

[Eoin Monaghan]

I like this Gary guy, he seems enthusiastic about the show and looks like he is really enjoying being there.

[Eoin Monaghan]

SHOCK!

I hope Tom pulls through, I think he will. That 9 seems to have nerved him a little, missing PRALINES. Come on Tom!

[John Brackstone]

AIRLINES as an equaller

[Eoin Monaghan]

COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

[Oliver Garner]

COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

[Eoin Monaghan]

Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

[Mark Kudlowski]

Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

I tend to only post 'difficult' alternatives, or perhaps more elegant ones using fewer numbers.

[Eoin Monaghan]

COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

*Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

[Eoin Monaghan]

This game deserved a crucial. Really annoyed Jean didn't get the numbers, not that it mattered.
Well done Tom, you deserved octochampdom, very consistent.
I'm quite annoyed Jean had to play such a good contestant, she was a good player, who was very capable of winning a few games, and possibly getting the finals.
Well done anyway Tom, and, like I said, I was enjoying Gary being in Dictionary Corner more as the game went on.
Anyone know Tom's total?

Edit: Found out that it's 774, very nice, an average of 96.75. Does this include sautee^ though?

[Jojo Apollo]

Well done on becoming an octochamp, Tom.

Great to see the legend Gary Wilmot in dictionary corner also.

[Oliver Garner]

COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

*Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

*And smell good*

[Eoin Monaghan]

*Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

*And smell good*

*Shame I can do neither*

[Oliver Garner]

Well done Tom, you and Scott (plus a few others) should make for a good finals.

[Kirk Bevins]

COLOGNE is a mass noun, I'm not sure it'd be allowed in the plural. Well done, Tom, a great set of 8 games. Was worried for a bit there after you missed the 9.

[Eoin Monaghan]

Lexplorer says it's valid, I was wondering if it was allowed when Dictionary Corner missed it, but checked and apparently it's good.

[Kirk Bevins]

Lexplorer says it's valid, I was wondering if it was allowed when Dictionary Corner missed it, but checked and apparently it's good.

It's in Lexplorer, but I still think it'd be disallowed. DIORITES was in Lexplorer but that might get disallowed as it's a mass noun too. There's a few mass nouns that are allowed in Lexplorer as they're rocks but others their plurals aren't there. Generally Susie allows food plurals though but I wouldn't bank on rock ones. Lexplorer isn't 100%.

[tomrowell]

Thanks for all the compliments chaps, nearly messed it up!! Still can't believe I missed the 9 as I thought it was were but for some reason decided I only had 1 n to use when i had 2! You are right about Jean I sat next to her in the audience for tomorrow's show and she would have won that so it seems we missed out on a decent player.

[JackHurst]

Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

I tend to only post 'difficult' alternatives, or perhaps more elegant ones using fewer numbers.

I tend to only post pointless alternatives to keep the ratio of unimportant numbers drivel quite high on spoilers threads, in order to help numbers alts keep their bad name.

[Josh Hurst]

Thanks for all the compliments chaps, nearly messed it up!! Still can't believe I missed the 9 as I thought it was were but for some reason decided I only had 1 n to use when i had 2! You are right about Jean I sat next to her in the audience for tomorrow's show and she would have won that so it seems we missed out on a decent player.

And she's better looking than you. No offence mate. So selfish to deprive viewers the chance of seeing more of her. Also, very well done on becoming an Octochamp.

[James Robinson]

Edit: Found out that it's 774, very nice, an average of 96.75. Does this include sautee^ though?

Yes.

Very well done, Tom. Nice to have another Apteforumite reach octochampdom.

[Jon Corby]

COLOGNE isn't a rock, Kirk, wtf are you on about?

Also well done Tom. And you shouldn't even have to think about it, Kimberley FTMFW!!

[Kirk Bevins]

COLOGNE isn't a rock, Kirk, wtf are you on about?

I never said it was, I just said rock and food plurals are the main ones to take plurals in my opinion (although some have been deleted from Lexplorer as I reckon Susie would disallow them) and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

[Jon Corby]

and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

[James Robinson]

and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

I'm amazed at all these not so uncommon words that Kirk hasn't heard of.

First PANCETTA and now COLOGNE.

By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today You might want some of this.

[Kirk Bevins]

and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

Err no. Why is it a mass noun if you think it's so obviously pluralisable?

[Kirk Bevins]

By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today

Yes thanks, I use anti-perspirant, not toilet water.

[Eoin Monaghan]

and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

I'm amazed at all these not so uncommon words that Kirk hasn't heard of.

First PANCETTA and now COLOGNE.

By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today You might want some of this.

There's nothing wrong with not knowing the meaning of some common words, I'm probably one of the worst for it.

[Jon Corby]

Have to say I'm posting here without access to the dictionary (so I'm possibly setting myself up for a right self-merk) so I dunno what it says under COLOGNE, but in my eyes it's pretty much interchangeable with AFTERSHAVE.

(I rinsed thoroughly with warm water, for those of you that were concerned)

[Ryan Taylor]

This is worse than that time the raccoon got in the copier!

[Mike Brown]

I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

The dictionary specifies a plural for the full version, i.e. EAU DE COLOGNE, which ought to settle it. Still doesn't mean Susie would allow it, of course!