Spoilers For Friday October 22nd 2010

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:36 pm

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I welcome you to what is probably the most eagerly awaited non-final in Countdown history, as we discover if Jack Hurst has what it takes to make history.

So far in his quest, he has amazed us with words ranging from EUGLENA, RACHIDES, ANOSMIA, NEUROPIL, ESTANCIA and of course, the classic....., TALKIE.

He has amassed 7 centuries, totalling 836 points, the highest ever for 7 shows. The only question that remains is..... Will he dethrone Andrew Hulme as the all-time octochamp records point scorer

Here are his targets for today:

[*]A win with a score of 3 or less (yes, I realise that is virtually impossible) would see him go to #3 in the standings below Daniel Pati.

[*]A win with a score between 4 and 61 would see him become the #2 seed behind Eoin Monaghan.

[*]Any winning score higher than 62 would see Jack become the new #1 seed.

[*]And any loss (heaven forbid) will keep him as #5 seed, with only the record of the highest-scoring septochamp to keep him company.

But, for the all-time record:

[*]A score of 95 would surpass Andrew Hulme's 930, set in Series 61.

[*]A score of 114 would see Jack reach 950.

Any higher and we'll talking about this for the rest of our lives probably.

Note also, because of the close proximity of the top 5 players, Jack could still even find himself only just in the top 5.

[*]A score of 94 equals him with Andrew.

[*]A score of 89 equals him with Kirk Bevins.

[*]A score of 88 equals him with Julian Fell.

Need I go on

(Probably not.)

So, prepare yourselves for possible Countdown history.

And Mike, prepare yourself for a brilliant recap.

And I will prepare myself in due course.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:43 pm

James Robinson wrote:And I will prepare myself in due course.

What does this preparation involve? Nappies?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:54 pm

On another point that I've just thought of, would Jack's "membership" of the 800 Club be expunged if he lost today

Clive Brooker · Post by **Clive Brooker** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:53 pm

What about the %max record, which some might see as more important than the total score?

By my reckoning, if Jack wins with 120 points today, he'll take the record as long as he drops no more than 18 points against the max.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:01 pm

Clive Brooker wrote:What about the %max record, which some might see as more important than the total score?

By my reckoning, if Jack wins with 120 points today, he'll take the record as long as he drops no more than 18 points against the max.

Yeah, that would be impressive.

Craig has the record at 92.08% (907 points out of 985), Jack is currently above that at 92.89% (836 out of 900).

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:36 pm

1st numbs alt:

(25 x 10) + ((3 + 2) x (9 - 1))

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:47 pm

900 up!

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:48 pm

nooooooo

max game off i think!

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:49 pm

When Jonathan is selecting the letters, his "pleases" at the end make him sound exactly like Dufrais Constantinople.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:57 pm

Highest score ever is still possible; he needs all the remaining letters rounds to be nines, get the numbers and the conundrum and he gets 156.

Josh Hurst · Post by **Josh Hurst** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:01 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:When Jonathan is selecting the letters, his "pleases" at the end make him sound exactly like [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGPefREm ... x=3Dufrais Constantinople.[/url]

LOL!

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:03 pm

YAHOO!

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:04 pm

Is CECIL having a day off today!?

Jojo Apollo · Post by **Jojo Apollo** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:10 pm

Wahey!!! Well done Jack, new high score record for 8 games, awesome stuff.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:10 pm

n1 wp

Andrew Hulme · Post by **Andrew Hulme** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:11 pm

lucky cunt

Josh Hurst · Post by **Josh Hurst** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:12 pm

Can't even hear my "booos" of disgust at the end. Denied me and Ryan the chance of glory in the audience. BASTARD!

Well done I guess.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:12 pm

What were the score?

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:17 pm

Josh Hurst wrote:Can't even hear my "booos" of disgust at the end. Denied me and Ryan the chance of glory in the audience. BASTARD!

Well done I guess.

Ha yeah I was listening out for your boos but you can't hear them. Some of today's show was badly edited mainly because of Jack being retarded.

Josh Hurst · Post by **Josh Hurst** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:30 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:What were the score?

He got 110 today, and 946 overall.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:34 pm

Scarily good stuff. Gotta feel bad for Eoin, 898 and number 2 seed. I still watch an episode from time to time, and I've only seem Jack twice, but he looks pretty amazing.

Martin

Jojo Apollo · Post by **Jojo Apollo** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:43 pm

Andrew Hulme wrote:lucky cunt

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 3:46 pm

Andrew Hulme wrote:lucky cunt

+1, mbn imo

Innis Carson · Post by **Innis Carson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:03 pm

Clive Brooker wrote:What about the %max record, which some might see as more important than the total score?

By my reckoning, if Jack wins with 120 points today, he'll take the record as long as he drops no more than 18 points against the max.

Without meaning to be too much of a downer, I think he's just barely missed this record.

But still, I rate this as easily the best run ever. Stunning effort Jack.

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:08 pm

Awesome.

Hopefully it's a series 61 repeat when the number 2 seed beats the record holder.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:16 pm

Many congratulations Jack.
Smashing performance.
I like your style too.

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:19 pm

Jack, quite exceptional all through the run, especially so on Monday this week. You are the first person since Chris Davies (when I was less good) who I stopped competing against and just sat back and admired your word knowledge. I hope I remain the second youngest series champ and I think I will, because Tom Rowell will destroy Eoin in the final.

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:21 pm

Oliver Garner wrote:Jack, quite exceptional all through the run, especially so on Monday this week. You are the first person since Chris Davies (when I was less good) who I stopped competing against and just sat back and admired your word knowledge. I hope I remain the second youngest series champ and I think I will, because Tom Rowell will destroy Eoin in the final.

We've all agreed to let Peter Godwin win.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:23 pm

Yeah not bad.

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:25 pm

Eoin Monaghan wrote: We've all agreed to let Peter Godwin win.

+1

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:39 pm

Oliver Garner wrote:
Eoin Monaghan wrote: We've all agreed to let Peter Godwin win.
+1

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 4:53 pm

Eoin Monaghan wrote:
Oliver Garner wrote:Jack, quite exceptional all through the run, especially so on Monday this week. You are the first person since Chris Davies (when I was less good) who I stopped competing against and just sat back and admired your word knowledge. I hope I remain the second youngest series champ and I think I will, because Tom Rowell will destroy Eoin in the final.
We've all agreed to let Peter Godwin win.

Like

Amazing run, and a great display of that most under-rated quality, consistency. Congrats

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:07 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:n1 wp

iawtp

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:26 pm

I am just waiting for James to post to see how many emoticons he used.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:30 pm

Innis Carson wrote:
Clive Brooker wrote:What about the %max record, which some might see as more important than the total score?

By my reckoning, if Jack wins with 120 points today, he'll take the record as long as he drops no more than 18 points against the max.
Without meaning to be too much of a downer, I think he's just barely missed this record.

But still, I rate this as easily the best run ever. Stunning effort Jack.

Yeah, unfortunately, Jack finished on 91.76%, which is still very impressive.

Although, it would've been 92.73%, if he got FIRSTBORN after 1 second.

But, that is definitely a phenomenal feat, Jack. The champagne is definitely being popped in the Robinson household tonight.

More later.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:40 pm

James Robinson wrote:The champagne is definitely being popped in the Robinson household tonight.

What, really?

(also lol euphemisms)

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:53 pm

James Robinson wrote: Yeah, unfortunately, Jack finished on 91.76%, which is still very impressive. Although, it would've been 92.73%, if he got FIRSTBORN after 1 second.

Wow - missing one conundrum and he drops a whole per cent? Ouch.

Usual shit:
THALAMUS for a DC beater in round 8. Also I find it weird how so many contestants say "er slightly different" in relation to a numbers game (round 10) and then proceed to suggest a solution that's very different! Lastly didn't the challenger say VESTAGE^ which isn't in? Would he have guessed VESTIGE? He did say it was very dodgy, i.e. wearing a vest is vestage? Hey, I'm gonna stop being a spoilsport now and say that was fucking awesome, Jack. You join the precious 900+ club, the cool contestants club (consisting of precisely one member) and I'm so pleased you broke the record - phenomenal consistency. What a shame about the conundrum - 956 would have been staggering! I love your nonchalance at breaking the record - it meant the world to me but you are just like "pah yeah it's piss easy"

Brian Moore · Post by **Brian Moore** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:02 pm

Congratulations from me too, Jack. Everything's already been said, but a well deserved record. And the record was broken even with careful tactical play too (not risking longer words just for an extra point or two). I almost gave up trying to get any winning words (though got SPORTIVE somewhere today). In a normal week I think Alistair McGowan would have got a few of his own finds through (a good new DC guest, I reckon), but everyone has been left in the wake. Outstanding stuff.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:04 pm

Thanks for the praise/appreciation guys. glad most of you enjoyed watching me. Really looking forward to finals now.

Oh, and I had SPORTIVE and OVERTIPS but didnt risk Either. Only risked amatols^ because I was going for a maxer.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:05 pm

JackHurst wrote:Only risked amatols^ because I was going for a maxer.

amalols, moar liek

Malcolm James · Post by **Malcolm James** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:51 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:Lastly didn't the challenger say VESTAGE^ which isn't in? Would he have guessed VESTIGE?

It could have been either, and, since by that time he didn't have even a mathematical chance of winning, I suppose Susie couldn't see any point in challenging him.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:56 pm

Malcolm James wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:Lastly didn't the challenger say VESTAGE^ which isn't in? Would he have guessed VESTIGE?
It could have been either, and, since by that time he didn't have even a mathematical chance of winning, I suppose Susie couldn't see any point in challenging him.

I'm impressed you managed to wind up with quoting me as saying that

Graeme Cole · Post by **Graeme Cole** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:14 pm

I assumed Jonathan had just pronounced VESTIGE incorrectly.

I did notice that in round 4, he offered TUMBLE (unless I heard it wrong), but nobody picked up on the fact that there was no L in the selection. Not that it mattered since Jack had a 7, but I thought it was odd.

Many congratulations on your octorun, Jack.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:29 pm

Well done - that was pretty excellent. I know it just missed out on 950 which some people were talking about, but it beats the "magic" 936 (117 a game), which is equivalent to getting 7 in all the letters, and all of the numbers and the conundrums spot on. I think that counts as a "thing".

Chris Davies · Post by **Chris Davies** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:52 pm

Amazing stuff, many congratulations! I'm so disappointed I won't be at the finals.

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:53 pm

Chris Davies wrote:Amazing stuff, many congratulations! I'm so disappointed I won't be at the finals.

Aw, why?

Chris Davies · Post by **Chris Davies** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:45 am

Left it too late to get tickets.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:11 am

Just watched the eighth game, Jack. Brilliantly played throughout, and well deserved record.

So glad you missed that last conundrum, so I could at least beat you on one conundrum. Just as well that you didn't need that conundrum to get past 936.

Still can't get over the fact that I'd been told that you'd lost your first game.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:45 am

Your next target, Jack, is an average of 121 in three finals games. That would take you past Julian Fell's 11 game record total.

No pressure, of course.

James Doohan · Post by **James Doohan** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:10 am

Great stuff Jack, very well done ol chap

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:56 am

Aw, I've really lost touch as I didn't even realise Jack was on until someone clued me in a few minutes ago.

946 is bloody awesome, well played sir.

Jayne Wisniewski · Post by **Jayne Wisniewski** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:02 pm

Just like to add my congratulations on a phenomenal run. Its been most impressive and enjoyable to watch.

And you came across as a charming young man too!

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:26 pm

Amazing total. Just watched your final game.

Really looking forward to you and Eoin battling it out in the finals ... I know there are other players but I think justice would be served if it's you two in the final.

Is apterous ruining Countdown? No, it just means mediocre players won't win a series ... thank fuck Charlie launched it after series 57.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:28 pm

Andrew Hulme wrote:lucky cunt

Like!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:06 pm

At last

The newspapers have their say on the monumental day, well newspaper, rather than newspapers

:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/n ... ticle.html

Note also: The final is December 17th.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 4:34 pm

I saw a small cutting from the Daily Telegraph about it.

Adam Gillard · Post by **Adam Gillard** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:24 pm

Yeah well done, you could've let the audience have a go at the end though.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:34 pm

Howard Somerset wrote:Your next target, Jack, is an average of 121 in three finals games. That would take you past Julian Fell's 11 game record total.

No pressure, of course.

Let's see if he can get past Eoin and the rest first! But yeah, that "xicount" record is pretty special and I wonder if it will ever be beaten.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:13 am

Rhys Benjamin wrote:I saw a small cutting from the Daily Telegraph about it.

Yeah, and now our favourite newspaper has got in on the act, as have their readers, if you look at the comments at the bottom:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... enius.html

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:39 am

Gavin Chipper wrote:
Howard Somerset wrote:Your next target, Jack, is an average of 121 in three finals games. That would take you past Julian Fell's 11 game record total.

No pressure, of course.
Let's see if he can get past Eoin and the rest first! But yeah, that "xicount" record is pretty special and I wonder if it will ever be beaten.

He can still get past Julian Fell's 11 game total without beating Eoin. Unlikely, I admit, and it would make a brilliant final.