A group for contestants and lovers of the Channel 4 game show 'Countdown'.
http://c4countdown.co.uk/
That zoom out shot has been done sporadically a few times this year, typically during part 3 of the programme. In previous years I don’t think they did that before. I like it though; creates a ‘countdown’ effect as it pans out.Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 5:02 pm I don't pay much attention to the in-round shots but when I saw it slowing zooming out from the clock in one of the rounds, I didn't think I recognised it. What does Philip say? Have they changed anything recently?
R14 the first way I tried worked: (5-1)*6*10-(9-7)Howie Myers wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 4:25 am r6 alt: 5*((4*25)-9)+6=461
r14 alt: (5-1)*((9*7)-6)+10=238
I didn't think to question this, as I sometimes do. I wonder if it's because adding the r to little doesn't add to the number of syllables, meaning that the comparative has 2 syllables, which is the normal number in 'valid' comparatives. Maybe Susie thought the same?Philip A wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 2:47 pm They've done it again. Another invalid comparative not specified in the dictionary goes unchecked by Dictionary Corner. 'Littler' is not listed and 'little' has 2 syllables, so as per Countdown rules 'littler' is invalid. It should be in the dictionary (littlest pet shop) but it isn't! Why does this keep happening?
In my opinion, it’s because of the behaviour of the dictionary. If you type ‘littler’ is takes you to the word ‘little’.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:26 amI didn't think to question this, as I sometimes do. I wonder if it's because adding the r to little doesn't add to the number of syllables, meaning that the comparative has 2 syllables, which is the normal number in 'valid' comparatives. Maybe Susie thought the same?Philip A wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 2:47 pm They've done it again. Another invalid comparative not specified in the dictionary goes unchecked by Dictionary Corner. 'Littler' is not listed and 'little' has 2 syllables, so as per Countdown rules 'littler' is invalid. It should be in the dictionary (littlest pet shop) but it isn't! Why does this keep happening?
Which is obviously not ideal if a future contestant is about to record, having just seen an invalid word accepted.Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 8:22 amIn my opinion, it’s because of the behaviour of the dictionary. If you type ‘littler’ is takes you to the word ‘little’.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:26 amI didn't think to question this, as I sometimes do. I wonder if it's because adding the r to little doesn't add to the number of syllables, meaning that the comparative has 2 syllables, which is the normal number in 'valid' comparatives. Maybe Susie thought the same?Philip A wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 2:47 pm They've done it again. Another invalid comparative not specified in the dictionary goes unchecked by Dictionary Corner. 'Littler' is not listed and 'little' has 2 syllables, so as per Countdown rules 'littler' is invalid. It should be in the dictionary (littlest pet shop) but it isn't! Why does this keep happening?
They put more effort into checking the dictionary when a contestant offers a word, rather than when they suggest their own. See viewtopic.php?t=16901.
Agree 100%.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:56 amWhich is obviously not ideal if a future contestant is about to record, having just seen an invalid word accepted.Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 8:22 amIn my opinion, it’s because of the behaviour of the dictionary. If you type ‘littler’ is takes you to the word ‘little’.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:26 am
I didn't think to question this, as I sometimes do. I wonder if it's because adding the r to little doesn't add to the number of syllables, meaning that the comparative has 2 syllables, which is the normal number in 'valid' comparatives. Maybe Susie thought the same?
They put more effort into checking the dictionary when a contestant offers a word, rather than when they suggest their own. See viewtopic.php?t=16901.
Maybe, probably not an invalid one though?Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 3:34 pm
Indeed. Am I right in thinking a teaser solution did that once?
Probably not, but shows strange coincidences happen.Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 4:11 pmMaybe, probably not an invalid one though?Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 3:34 pm
Indeed. Am I right in thinking a teaser solution did that once?
Almost happened to me here with TTT1 and R5. Not an invalid word, but an annoying miss even 12+ years later.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 3:34 pm
Indeed. Am I right in thinking a teaser solution did that once?
Oh no..... I'm so sorry to remind you of that!Adam Dexter wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:45 pmAlmost happened to me here with TTT1 and R5. Not an invalid word, but an annoying miss even 12+ years later.Philip Wilson wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 3:34 pm
Indeed. Am I right in thinking a teaser solution did that once?
https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_5780