c4countdown

Michael Wallace wrote:I still haven't listened to this, but another idea for cheating would be to get as many people as you could persuade to all be in an MSN group conversation (or whatever your chosen means of multi-person conversation is), and then they could spam out answers without you having to worry about trying to use Wikipedia. Plus then you could have a set of people who specialised in different eras.

I'm not really sure why I'm finding the idea of trying to cheat on radio quizzes interesting, but apparently I do.

You'd have to have your friends listening on analogue - that digital delay would bugger that idea. If you listen to it Michael, I think you'd realise.

Bob De Caux wrote:That would solve the problem of having to go er..., um... to cover the noise of you leafing through a book/typing something into the computer. Maybe if the prize was slightly more than a DAB radio...

I've only heard a couple of weeks worth, but I'm guessing Ken would slam you down if he thought you were scamming him. Has it ever happened?

Didn't you notice?...Today's 1st contest was repeating the questions in a style reminicent of Matthew's inelegant efforts at communicating Sooty's whisperings!! So Ken just put the timer on immediately and the bloke lost. As for the 3 in 10, well, firstly, contestant no. 1 had lost and didn't play the 3 in 10 but, unless you happen to have the Manic Street Preachers Discography on screen at the start of the 10 seconds, again, no time to do anything of use. You have to know those 3 in 10 and be calm enough to articulate them!

Michael Wallace wrote:You deleted your post whilst I was replying to it. Scandalous.

Whoops - sorry about delete. Did a rewrite.

Sue Sanders wrote:unless you happen to have the Manic Street Preachers Discography on screen at the start of the 10 seconds, again, no time to do anything of use. You have to know those 3 in 10 and be calm enough to articulate them!

My theory about having a group chat is not that people would be frantically looking up discographies, but that they'd happen to know the answers themselves and could type them to you (that's why I mentioned you might want to get people from different eras). (Obviously not foolproof...)[/quote]

"Sue Sanders" wrote:Wow - you'd have to have a lot of friends involved. Any artist from the 60's to present day...?!! Again, if it's being messengered, there's the typing in time. This is 10 seconds we're taking about. I barely got the MSP out my mouth in the sanctity of my bedroom and I'm a fan! Sorry about all this editing to get my quotes right - Derek's giving me a hard time messengering me about my shortfalling! Oh now that's fucked it completely

Sue Sanders wrote:Didn't you notice?...Today's 1st contest was repeating the questions in a style reminicent of Matthew's inelegant efforts at communicating Sooty's whisperings!! So Ken just put the timer on immediately and the bloke lost.

Yep, I did wonder about today's guy, especially as he claimed to have scored 36 the day before! Lots of sssssllllooooowwww repetitions.

Sue Sanders wrote:

Michael Wallace wrote:You deleted your post whilst I was replying to it. Scandalous.
Whoops - sorry about delete. Did a rewrite.

Sue Sanders wrote:unless you happen to have the Manic Street Preachers Discography on screen at the start of the 10 seconds, again, no time to do anything of use. You have to know those 3 in 10 and be calm enough to articulate them!

y theory about having a group chat is not that people would be frantically looking up discographies, but that they'd happen to know the answers themselves and could type them to you (that's why I mentioned you might want to get people from different eras). (Obviously not foolproof...)

Wow - you'd have to have a lot of friends involved. Any artist from the 60's to present day...?!! Again, if it's being messengered, there's the typing in time. This is 10 seconds we're taking about. I barely got the MSP out my mouth in the sanctity of my bedroom and I'm a fan!

Plus saying 'If you tolerate this then yor children will be next, The masses angainst the classes and You stole the sun from my heart' would probably take twice as long anyway

Sue Sanders wrote:Sorry about all this editing to get my quotes right - Derek's giving me a hard time messengering me about my shortfalling!

Don't lie, Sue. I edited a perfect version for you to paste over the top of that one because it was confusing to read.
That's the last time I help a woman with anything.
Well maybe . . .

Bob De Caux wrote:Woohoo! 36 (got the 30-20-10 wrong, bah), but then...39!!! First max. Not a massive RW fan but luckily the questions all fell into place. Oh, and loads of MSP songs, though I can't stand them

Blimey, nice one Bob! A tragically poor 24 from me on the first set (got the Doobie Brothers and Fugees years wrong - both one year out of course! - and hadn't clue on the Eternal question). Second set, a slightly better 33, but evidently had completely erased Wilson Phillips from my memory (no bad thing really) and kicked myself after shouting out La Belle Epoque for the 70s hitmakers, as I knew it was wrong straight away). I could only think of 'Motown Junk' for the MSP 3 in 10 for some reason (and I'm not even sure that made the top 40) but given a couple of minutes could easily name about ten or so - that bastard timer thing always puts me off.

When can we set up our breakaway Duffers Club Sue? I am really feeling inadequate in such illustrious showings from messrs DeCaux, Bentley and Volante, but I do love it. Oops! that sounded a bit Dick Emery.

I had a rare trip into the office yesterday and listened to it on the way to the office. I got 14 and 9, then missed 3 in 10 as I had to get to my meeting.

Today was a bit better as I got 9 and 21, so a bit of improvement. I couldn't name a MSP song to save my arse.

I also thought the first guy was a bit of a shyster at worst or a bullshitter at best. Very strange and not the sort of performance of a guy who scored 36 yesterday!

When will Bob and Jim be phoning in so we can try out our conspiracy theory? Mind you with those scores they won't need much help.

33, 30, 2/3. Annoyed at not getting XTC and the Yvonne Elliman song from Saturday Night Fever!

Ian Volante wrote:33, 30, 2/3. Annoyed at not getting XTC and the Yvonne Elliman song from Saturday Night Fever!

I got 18 and 15 and 3/3 I got the XTC question before Ken even listed the songs. Some things, the back of my brain knows although the front of my brain doesn't. That Yvonne Elliman question was on a few weeks ago. I got it wrong then too as I can only ever think of I Don't Know How to Love Him, from JC Superstar. One Hit Wonders is a risky category to pick because you either know it or you don't - little likelihood of guessing.

36, 27 and 2/3 today. I don't think I've ever heard of Yvonne Elliman.

Bob De Caux wrote:36, 27 and 2/3 today. I don't think I've ever heard of Yvonne Elliman.

That's my moral victory then today eh Sue?

Ian Volante wrote:That's my moral victory then today eh Sue?

It's a fair cop, especially if you got Pseudo Echo!

Sue Sanders wrote:

Ian Volante wrote:33, 30, 2/3. Annoyed at not getting XTC and the Yvonne Elliman song from Saturday Night Fever!

I got 18 and 15 and 3/3 I got the XTC question before Ken even listed the songs. Some things, the back of my brain knows although the front of my brain doesn't. That Yvonne Elliman question was on a few weeks ago. I got it wrong then too as I can only ever think of I Don't Know How to Love Him, from JC Superstar. One Hit Wonders is a risky category to pick because you either know it or you don't - little likelihood of guessing.

Sue

Spookily, I got 18 + 15 today too and funnily enough was talking about Yvonne Elliman with my wife last week when we heard the song on the radio, as ahe has it on vinyl.

Only 2 out or 3 (Bys Stop and Carousel, the Hole in My Shoe by Traffic got inot my brain and it froze (not unusual )

Well done Bob and Ian - great scores guys.

I wonder why the first contestant was so pleased at meet Miss Whiplash, Cleo Roccos?

Bob De Caux wrote:

Ian Volante wrote:That's my moral victory then today eh Sue?

It's a fair cop, especially if you got Pseudo Echo!

Never heard of them either, so I too bend a knee in awe

27 and 27 today, including getting both the "in which year" questions wrong, again. And I'd have totally bombed on the Hollies 3 in 10, might have struggled to one in the time but no more. LOL at both the contestants (who were both pretty good) getting their super-easy first questions wrong, though.

Allan Harmer wrote:

Bob De Caux wrote:

Ian Volante wrote:That's my moral victory then today eh Sue?

It's a fair cop, especially if you got Pseudo Echo!

Never heard of them either, so I too bend a knee in awe

It was the first version of Funky Town that I knew

Ian Volante wrote:

Bob De Caux wrote:36, 27 and 2/3 today. I don't think I've ever heard of Yvonne Elliman.

That's my moral victory then today eh Sue?

You have reasserted your authority!!

What utter bastards they were today. I got 30 first time up, but only because I somehow guessed all of the bonus questions right. Second time I was on 12 with two questions to go, my mojo obviously shot, and someone interceded and saved me from more misery by making me think about my job.

One on Dionne Warwick, should have had two.

A pretty poor 24 on the first set, but a semi decent 30 on the second set. Only 1 Dionne Warwick song though.

A respectable 21 and 18 for me today.

Like Ian, I got all three bonus Q's right in R1. Luckily, I heard 'The Lights of Cincinatti' by Scot Walker in one of the 'Tracks of my Years' recently and also listened to the Chris Rea set on Friday, which included the new single 'Come So Far Yet Still So Far To Go', which came up in R2

I enjoyed it so much, I tried to book tickets for the Portsmouth Guildhall next March only to find that the concert is virtually sold out with only the odd single ticket available. At least the set is available on the Radio 2 web-site and includes all 5 tracks.

Managed 2 Dionne Warwick songs for 3/10, 'Do You Know The way To San Jose' and 'Heartbreaker', very quickly but couldn't find another one in the time.

Allan Harmer wrote:A respectable 21 and 18 for me today.

Like Ian, I got all three bonus Q's right in R1. Luckily, I heard 'The Lights of Cincinatti' by Scot Walker in one of the 'Tracks of my Years' recently and also listened to the Chris Rea set on Friday, which included the new single 'Come So Far Yet Still So Far To Go', which came up in R2

I enjoyed it so much, I tried to book tickets for the Portsmouth Guildhall next March only to find that the concert is virtually sold out with only the odd single ticket available. At least the set is available on the Radio 2 web-site and includes all 5 tracks.

Managed 2 Dionne Warwick songs for 3/10, 'Do You Know The way To San Jose' and 'Heartbreaker', very quickly but couldn't find another one in the time.

Ha - maybe Michael's theory would have worked today - I'd probably have had time to type the only DW song I know - Walk on By - into messenger! Only know it by default because it was on a Stranglers single I've got on white vinyl with, I think, 'Mean to Me' and 'Tits' on the other side. I think it came free with the album 'Black & White'.

33, 18, 1. Damn you, Michael Zager Band!

I can hardly bring myself to post today. I didn't say Kashmir. Kashmir is in my TOP THREE favourite songs and I said 'In My Time of Dying'. I was in the bath at the time and considered simply sinking under the water and not resurfacing.

3 in 10 - useless. I pretty much can't differentiate between Shakatak, Shalamar and Chakka Khan.

Keep forgetting to ask this - for 3 in 10 are you allowed to give wrong answers? Or does it have to be 3 correct ones, with no leeway?

Michael Wallace wrote:Keep forgetting to ask this - for 3 in 10 are you allowed to give wrong answers? Or does it have to be 3 correct ones, with no leeway?

You can fire off as many answers as you like - to win the DAB you just have to give three correct answers within the 10 seconds. If you name an incorrect one, Ken will just say "No" and you can keep trying.

Sue Sanders wrote:I can hardly bring myself to post today. I didn't say Kashmir. Kashmir is in my TOP THREE favourite songs and I said 'In My Time of Dying'. I was in the bath at the time and considered simply sinking under the water and not resurfacing.

3 in 10 - useless. I pretty much can't differentiate between Shakatak, Shalamar and Chakka Khan.

Lordy lordy. It's not like Kashmir's distinctive or anything. It was the first Led Zep song I properly heard, one of my mates at uni was playing it and it really was a wow moment, one of the few times where hearing a song for the first time has stuck in my memory, others that spring to mind being New Born by Muse and my first listens to most Slayer albums...

As for Shalamar etc, I fully agree. Early eighties was not the time for soul/R&B, way too bland!

EDIT: As for thinking about you in the bath, give it up, I'm trying to work here!

FURTHER EDIT: Well, I'm at my desk at work, even if I'm posting here.

I was middle of the road with two solid if uninspired 18's.
Bugger all for Shalamar as Ian rightly said, it all sounds the same to me.

Annoyingly, I have never heard of Kashmir as I'm not a big LZ fan. Funny, when I was about 16, I had the choice of buying tickets to watch LZ at Portsmouth Guildhall with my mates, or going to watch Pompey play football at Fratton Park (Nottarf Krap backwards - or Krap, Nottarf for the pedants). I have always regretted that decision.

Ian Volante wrote: Lordy lordy. It's not like Kashmir's distinctive or anything. It was the first Led Zep song I properly heard, one of my mates at uni was playing it and it really was a wow moment, one of the few times where hearing a song for the first time has stuck in my memory

I KNOW!!! I actually rarely allow myself to listen to Kashmir as I have to be able to have it very loud and in total darkness. And when it's finished - no other music will do so I have to go to bed!

(Sorry - that's bath and bed in consecutive posts)

Sue Sanders wrote:I actually rarely allow myself to listen to Kashmir as I have to be able to have it very loud and in total darkness.

I'm not quite that devoted but it is a stunning track. I can rank the first time I heard it with the first time I heard Mars from The Planets - two pieces of music of such terrifying power that they make your blood run cold.

I often wonder if Kashmir inspired Genesis's instrumental The Brazilian - not quite in the same league, but still gives me goosebumps.

Ian Volante, Allan Harmer, Sue Sanders and Phil Reynolds wrote:Kashmir

Today's Countdown discussed:
Kashmir


Someone should start collating all these weird coincidences . . .

24, 36, 1. Who'd have thought Diana Ross would be so easy?

Damned Osmonds though, I only got Crazy Horses. Sue, that's more your vintage isn't it?

Derek Hazell wrote:

Ian Volante, Allan Harmer, Sue Sanders and Phil Reynolds wrote:Kashmir

Today's Countdown discussed:
Kashmir


Someone should start collating all these weird coincidences . . .

http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic. ... &sk=t&sd=a

Ian Volante wrote:24, 36, 1. Who'd have thought Diana Ross would be so easy?

Damned Osmonds though, I only got Crazy Horses. Sue, that's more your vintage isn't it?

Eek - couldn't do the Diana Ross stuff. Have no interest in bland females duetting bland soul songs with bland male singers - or the tedious Michael Jackson (though i did recognise his stupid voice) Lost count in the first round - not good. 21 in the second.

Yeah, reeled off about 7 Osmonds hits! My big sister was a major fan and I absorbed facts about them by osmosis - or, dare I say, Osmondosis.

Sue Sanders wrote:Eek - couldn't do the Diana Ross stuff. Have no interest in bland females duetting bland soul songs with bland male singers

Marvin Gaye is a bland male singer now?

Haven't been able to take part so far this week as I keep hearing bits and pieces of the questions in the office while doing other stuff, so can't do it on listen again either as I've heard some of the answers. Maybe tomorrow I'll turn off the radio for fifteen minutes at 10.30 so I can play properly on listen again when I get home.

JimBentley wrote:

Sue Sanders wrote:Eek - couldn't do the Diana Ross stuff. Have no interest in bland females duetting bland soul songs with bland male singers

Marvin Gaye is a bland male singer now?

Haven't been able to take part so far this week as I keep hearing bits and pieces of the questions in the office while doing other stuff, so can't do it on listen again either as I've heard some of the answers. Maybe tomorrow I'll turn off the radio for fifteen minutes at 10.30 so I can play properly on listen again when I get home.

Take one of those good old fashioned radios with in-built cassette players in, turn the sound down and record it. And, yeah - those wallpaper duets make anyone sound bland.

I got 18 and 12 Wednesday.

Diana Ross was not my bag of chips either, but managed to recognize Michael Jackson.

Two good lady contestants today and I was thoroughly beaten by both of them

Got Love Me For A Reason and Crazy Horses for 3/10 v. quickly but then dried up like an old prune.

Today? 24, 30, 2.

30, 36, probably about 5. Annoyingly couldn't remember if Focus were Belgian or Dutch and plumped for the wrong one! Haven't been able to listen for a few days

Bob De Caux wrote:30, 36, probably about 5. Annoyingly couldn't remember if Focus were Belgian or Dutch and plumped for the wrong one! Haven't been able to listen for a few days

Ha - I had the same problem with 'Focus' (got it wrong) and as soon as the answer was given, I realised that knowing they were Dutch actually helped me win Stuart Maconi's '6 Degrees of Separation' about 3 years ago. I used to have such a good memory.

18 on the first set today, which is pretty poor but I could barely even hazard a guess at any of the bonus questions, which I thought were all bastardly hard. 24 on the second set, although all that would come to mind for the American Idol winner bonus question was "Kelly something or other" - Ken might've chucked me a couple of points if he was feeling generous, so maybe 26. V. POOR MUST DO BETTER.

Oh god double post, sorry. Where is everyone?

Had 33 on the first lot today - got the year one and the Leo Sayer one wrong. Then mumble mumble 18 on the second lot all bonus questions wrong mumble mumble.

Couldn't get beyond one on J-Lo for the three in ten. I'm actually quite perturbed that I remembered one.

12, 15 and 2 for Thursday thanks to Cliff and the Shads in R1 and REO Speedwagon in R2

Big bomb-out today with the caterwauling 'Power' music - It really does all sound the same old cack and I just switch off
Got 12 , 3 and not a clue on J Lo apart from her arse!!

mumble mumble

J-Lo, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey - aren't they all the same person?

A few months ago, I would feel the question setter had been flicking through my record collection for inspiration. I think he/she's moved on to someone else's record collection - that's a bit shit!

*Big sigh* Only 9 in the first round - saved from total disgrace by dear old Claire Grogan. 18 in the second, though argueably 21 because I changed 1972 to 1973 - but Ken would have insisted on my first answer. Note to self - If one of the hits is
T-Rex it's invariably 1972!!

Fine Young Cannibals. Nope - well just half, with a mutter of 'Jonny'. Bet we all got our 3 Neil Diamonds yesterday though????

Hey Allan, you came up in convo yesterday - is it true you failed to get a teapot? Same here and to add insult to injury, Dad broke my Countdown mug!

Grrr - Only 15 and 9 for Tuesday - had to listen on playback as I was in a work call yesterday.

I did get 3 for N Diamond - Crackling Rosie, Sweet Caroline and I am I said

Will have to listen to today's on playback too as I was in a phone call yet again.

Sue - Unfortunately, I came up against one Charlie Reams in the middle of his Octochamp run - I managed 88 points, got all 3 numbers right and a 9 letter word. Charlie played a blinder as you will see from the following link and thoroughly deserved to win http://wiki.apterous.org/Allan_Harmer. My only consolation is that I got 9 maxes and was the highest scorer against him in his run, so I take pride in that, as he had some tough opponents.
It was just the luck of the draw, so I always think what might have been if I had met a Joe Public non superstar?? I see that you were in front at the Conundrum and just got pipped at the post in your game - That was a great match too, Bad luck mate.
Shame about the mug. I see that someone wrote in the other day with a similar story and they agreed to replace it. You never know your luck if you write in with a poem or something about your cracked mug

Been patchy this week, but I somehow got 24 and 30 today, was especially pleased with guessing the Four Seasons.

Ian Volante wrote:Been patchy this week, but I somehow got 24 and 30 today, was especially pleased with guessing the Four Seasons.

Was Vivaldi the 3 in 10?

Marc Meakin wrote:

Ian Volante wrote:Been patchy this week, but I somehow got 24 and 30 today, was especially pleased with guessing the Four Seasons.

Was Vivaldi the 3 in 10?

Today I got 24 and 6, although the 6 was mainly caused by someone phoning me during question one and not bloody well pissing off until question ten. Ho hum.

I tend to give up counting now, after missing out a few - once I know it's a right off and I'll not come close to you, Ian. It was about the 15- 18 mark for both I think.

But the Jam for 3 in 10 - what a gift!

Sue Sanders wrote:I tend to give up counting now, after missing out a few - once I know it's a right off and I'll not come close to you, Ian. It was about the 15- 18 mark for both I think.

But the Jam for 3 in 10 - what a gift!

I've been known to score single figures in the past...today was 24 and 24 though, and The Jam, very easy indeed!

Ian Volante wrote:...and The Jam, very easy indeed!

It's only easy if . . . it's laid on its back, with its legs spread-eagled and a come hither look upon its face.


Oh, you're Ian Volante though, so it probably is.

Wow! - I got 9 and 24 today so chuffed with an Ian V equaliser on one round

CCC was easy as they are one of my fav's - Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising and Suzie Q

Allan Harmer wrote:Wow! - I got 9 and 24 today so chuffed with an Ian V equaliser on one round

CCC was easy as they are one of my fav's - Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising and Suzie Q

CCC did for me utterly. Got the obvious one, could maybe have got Proud Mary. After that, nay chance...

Derek Hazell wrote:Oh, you're Ian Volante though, so it probably is.

Maybe when I was single

21 in the 2nd round but only THREE in the first But no problem with the BeeGees.

I have a CD of me singing Telephone Man. I might see if I can upload it onto here.

Isn't Zoe Ball vacuous? Still, the catankerous and miserable Ken is back next week. Ho Hum.

Sue Sanders wrote:21 in the 2nd round but only THREE in the first But no problem with the BeeGees.

I have a CD of me singing Telephone Man. I might see if I can upload it onto here.

Isn't Zoe Ball vacuous? Still, the catankerous and miserable Ken is back next week. Ho Hum.

It was bad news for me today, 9 and 3 but Bee Gees were food and drink - I got about six out in the time.

I agree about the vacuous Zoe but I prefer her music. I'm not so fussed on Ken's choices but On balance I prefer curmudgeonly Ken overall.

By the way - Wasn't Cat Stevens - Oops! sorry - Yusuf - brilliant. I have always admired his songs and I thought they came across really well from Maida Vale.

By the way can anyone understand a chuffing word that mad Sarah Kennedy is on about? The other day she said that had never heard of a crisp or fried egg sandwich - Shakes head in disbelief. She must have been brought up on the planet Zog!

Bring on your CD Sue - It would be good to hear it mate.

Had to do a big catch up today for the whole week. Yep, first round was a stinker - got 21 and 36 for the second. Did he really fail to name three Bee Gees songs?!

Bob De Caux wrote:Had to do a big catch up today for the whole week. Yep, first round was a stinker - got 21 and 36 for the second. Did he really fail to name three Bee Gees songs?!

Well, once you've got your finals out the way, time to apply, Bobbo.

This forum has been blocked by the firewall at work now. Boo! I'm scoring similarly as ever, beat the two muppets today, and could probably reel off a good dozen Bee Gees songs pretty quickly.

Zoe is indeed amiably vacuous, but this grates after a while. Looking forward to Ken coming back.

Grrr. By rights I should have got 30 in the first round today. I can't believe one of the bonus questions was a TRex one that I couldn't answer. 2nd round straight in with the first 12 points then crashed and burned with 15. Commodoresschmommodores. Who know anything other than 3 times a school disco lady?