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Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:17 pm
by Allan Harmer
Has anyone seen this - Looks like we may have an 11 year old Octochamp coming up :) Lucky Debbi and Junaid - lol

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... s-old.html

Allan

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:23 pm
by Jon O'Neill
Uh oh.. spoilers. :shock:

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:07 pm
by Michael Wallace
"Despite his young age, Kai recently obtained a B grade in AS Level Maths."

I never understand why people do exams early if they're not going to get the top grade, it's just retarded.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:08 pm
by Charlie Reams
Very minor spoilers but yes, don't read the link if you don't want to know today's conundrum.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:17 pm
by Kate Horton
Worry not, chaps.
All of the rounds quoted in the press were from Kai's audition test back in January and not today's show...

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:58 pm
by Jason Larsen
Whoa!

Look out Bradley Cates, here comes Kai Laddiman! It'll be the bird, it'll be the plane, it'll be Kai Laddiman!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:00 pm
by Lara Searle
Michael Wallace wrote:"Despite his young age, Kai recently obtained a B grade in AS Level Maths."

I never understand why people do exams early if they're not going to get the top grade, it's just retarded.
Is it just me or is that a bit of a mean thing to say? Given he's 11 and completed an AS level is maths, I don't think he could be described as retarded......

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:12 pm
by Michael Wallace
Lara Searle wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:"Despite his young age, Kai recently obtained a B grade in AS Level Maths."

I never understand why people do exams early if they're not going to get the top grade, it's just retarded.
Is it just me or is that a bit of a mean thing to say? Given he's 11 and completed an AS level is maths, I don't think he could be described as retarded......
I wasn't calling him retarded, I was calling the act of doing exams early when it's ostensibly just so you've done it early (I would hope it is obvious I am allowing for people having a bad day or whatever, as clearly I can't know his particular circumstances) as a bit pointless. One so often sees "7 year old gets a C in GCSE IT", or whatever, and it just seems like such a waste of time.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:31 pm
by Jason Larsen
The fact that I like Bradley Cates doesn't mean I won't like Kai Laddiman, and I won't jump to conclusions!

By the way, Lara, is that you? If so, I'm not surprised you're so sweet and no wonder!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:38 pm
by Charlie Reams
Difficult to know how to comment on today's game. I don't think we're looking at the next Allan Saldanha/Conor, but he was pretty exceptional for an 11 year old and it was good to see him win. I suspect his opponent's poor performance was out of embarrassment at taking on a child and he seemed rather sulky about it (although Des was amused so maybe I misread him.) The post-match banter was good.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:46 pm
by Lara Searle
I have to say James, Kai's opponant took the defeat very well and was a real gent.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:50 pm
by Jason Larsen
Lara, do you mean to tell us you don't feel so bad about today's game after all?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:51 pm
by Charlie Reams
Yes, fair enough. It's hard to come across well in that situation (embarrassing whether you win or lose) but he won me round at the end.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:00 pm
by Jason Larsen
Charlie... Charlie Reams? I'm trying to come clean and you...

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:23 pm
by Charlie Reams
Jason Larsen wrote:Charlie... Charlie Reams?
James Bond's more hesitant cousin.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:48 pm
by Dinos Sfyris
Jason Larsen wrote:By the way, Lara, is that you? If so, I'm not surprised you're so sweet and no wonder!
The picture doesn't do her justice. She's even more gorgeous in person ;)

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:51 pm
by Jason Larsen
You are both funny people!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:49 pm
by Damian E
Dinos Sfyris wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:By the way, Lara, is that you? If so, I'm not surprised you're so sweet and no wonder!
The picture doesn't do her justice. She's even more gorgeous in person ;)


This is nauseating. :o

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:11 pm
by Richard Priest
KateHorton wrote:Worry not, chaps.
All of the rounds quoted in the press were from Kai's audition test back in January and not today's show...
Yeah, I thought so because those rounds came up in my audition which was also in January.

Just out of interest, as Junaid had just gone, was James a standby contestant? The fact of him being from Sheffield made me wonder.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:25 pm
by Charlie Reams
Damian E wrote:This is nauseating. :o
I wouldn't say the photo was that bad.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:02 am
by Kate Horton
Just out of interest, as Junaid had just gone, was James a standby contestant? The fact of him being from Sheffield made me wonder.[/quote]


No flies on you Mr Priest! Yes, James was a standby (and I bet he wishes he wasn't now!)

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:05 pm
by Allan Harmer
No one has mentioned that Kai is a very unusual boy's name in the UK.

The only one I have ever heard of before is Kai (or Kay) in the Hans Kristian Andersen tale and the 2002 film version.
p.s. I played a woodpigeon in a 1964 junior school production of it 8-)

Anyone know of any others?

Al

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:13 pm
by Ben Wilson
aagharmer wrote:No one has mentioned that Kai is a very unusual boy's name in the UK.

The only one I have ever heard of before is Kai (or Kay) in the Hans Kristian Andersen tale and the 2002 film version.
p.s. I played a woodpigeon in a 1964 junior school production of it 8-)

Anyone know of any others?

Al
It is gaining popularity, slowly but steadily. Dunno why anyone would name their child after a character from Lexx though.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:37 pm
by Kirk Bevins
My cousin's son is called Kai - not sure what relation he is though - anyone know?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:17 pm
by Jon O'Neill
Second cousin to you. Probably not related to Kai.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:19 pm
by JimBentley
Kirk Bevins wrote:My cousin's son is called Kai - not sure what relation he is though - anyone know?
Second cousin? That might be completely wrong, mind.

Anyway, according to the scintillating statistics.gov website, Kai was the 62nd most popular boy's name in England and Wales in 2007, and had been there or thereabouts for the previous five years. I don't think it was very popular before the 1990s though; I've definitely never met a Kai and can't think of any famous Kais.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:35 pm
by Ben Wilson
Kirk Bevins wrote:My cousin's son is called Kai - not sure what relation he is though - anyone know?
First cousin once removed iirc.

Quick way of working it out- number of generations back to find a common ancestor-1 (e.g. shared grandparents= first cousin, shared great-grandparents= second cousin). The 'removed' part is how many generations apart you are.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:40 pm
by Jon O'Neill
Oh yeah, sorry.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:47 pm
by Jason Larsen
Kai is usually an Asian name!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:47 pm
by Paul Howe
I remember it as second cousin is the grandchild of your great aunt or uncle , as this naturally extends the familiar aunt/uncle/cousin relationships.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:48 pm
by Jason Larsen
Paul, how do you know Ben's family?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:49 pm
by Kirk Bevins
Jason Larsen wrote:Paul, how do you know Ben's family?
Read carefully.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:52 pm
by Paul Howe
Well I've met Ben's mum at various Countdown tournaments but apart from that I don't know Ben's famiy, not sure where you got that from.

Just out of interest is there a collective word for your aunt and uncle just like your mum and dad are your parents?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:57 pm
by Jon O'Neill
Paul Howe wrote:I remember it as second cousin is the grandchild of your great aunt or uncle , as this naturally extends the familiar aunt/uncle/cousin relationships.
I think the confusion came from you saying "your" when you meant to say "one's". Easy mistake.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:00 pm
by Jason Larsen
I bet Ben's mom is a lovely lady!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:33 pm
by Paul Howe
Jon O'Neill wrote:
Paul Howe wrote:I remember it as second cousin is the grandchild of your great aunt or uncle , as this naturally extends the familiar aunt/uncle/cousin relationships.
I think the confusion came from you saying "your" when you meant to say "one's". Easy mistake.
I suppose that's true if you, I mean one, reads it very literally. I don't think it's bad grammar if it's contextually clear I'm speaking to you, whoever happens to read this message, and not you, a specific individual. Or maybe it is. I haven't got a clue really :(

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:57 pm
by Ian Volante
I used to play rugby with a Kai. His brother was an Iron Maiden fan too. This is irrelevant.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:11 pm
by Jason Larsen
Is that right?

Ian, did they let people of all ages play rugby where you were?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:21 pm
by Ian Volante
Jason Larsen wrote:Is that right?

Ian, did they let people of all ages play rugby where you were?
The local rugby league leagues generally start at under-eight level.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:53 pm
by Jason Larsen
My, my, my!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:58 am
by Dinos Sfyris
There is a Cai in my Chem class at Sheffield and other than Kai Laddiman I've seen one other person called Kai on tv (fictitious though)

As for a collective word for aunt and uncle, using the aforementioned logic, how about second parents?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:25 pm
by Jason Larsen
I don't understand you, Dinos.

I'm sorry.

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:16 pm
by Gavin Chipper
Dinos Sfyris wrote:There is a Cai in my Chem class at Sheffield and other than Kai Laddiman I've seen one other person called Kai on tv (fictitious though)

As for a collective word for aunt and uncle, using the aforementioned logic, how about second parents?
Would a sibling be a second self?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:54 am
by Jason Larsen
Maybe

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:19 am
by Dinos Sfyris
Gavin Chipper wrote:
Dinos Sfyris wrote:There is a Cai in my Chem class at Sheffield and other than Kai Laddiman I've seen one other person called Kai on tv (fictitious though)

As for a collective word for aunt and uncle, using the aforementioned logic, how about second parents?
Would a sibling be a second self?
I like it :) Especially for a twin. In fact I often call my younger brother "Little Dinos" :lol:

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:53 pm
by Jon Corby
Dinos Sfyris wrote:I like it :) Especially for a twin. In fact I often call my younger brother "Little Dinos" :lol:
When you say "younger brother", you mean "cock", right?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:55 pm
by Dinos Sfyris
:lol: No that has another affectionate name which I wont be sharing!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:06 pm
by Debbi Flack
Dinos Sfyris wrote::lol: No that has another affectionate name which I wont be sharing!
Oh, go on!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:49 pm
by Jason Larsen
Your family must be very special, Dinos!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:09 pm
by Michael Wallace
Dinos's little brother is a cock?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:06 pm
by Dinos Sfyris
DebbiF wrote:
Dinos Sfyris wrote::lol: No that has another affectionate name which I wont be sharing!
Oh, go on!
No way. Well maybe I will if I win the plate




Maybe

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:48 am
by Jason Larsen
No, no, no, Michael!

You've just won a doggie bag, Dinos!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:31 pm
by Kai Laddiman
Rich Priest wrote:
KateHorton wrote:Worry not, chaps.
All of the rounds quoted in the press were from Kai's audition test back in January and not today's show...
Yeah, I thought so because those rounds came up in my audition which was also in January.

Just out of interest, as Junaid had just gone, was James a standby contestant? The fact of him being from Sheffield made me wonder.
Yeah, he was a stand-in. Rich, are you actually going on the show?

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:54 pm
by Kirk Bevins
Kai Laddiman wrote:
Rich Priest wrote:
KateHorton wrote:Worry not, chaps.
All of the rounds quoted in the press were from Kai's audition test back in January and not today's show...
Yeah, I thought so because those rounds came up in my audition which was also in January.

Just out of interest, as Junaid had just gone, was James a standby contestant? The fact of him being from Sheffield made me wonder.
Yeah, he was a stand-in. Rich, are you actually going on the show?
I hope that's a joke!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:06 pm
by Jason Larsen
Kai, I don't know what a guy like you is doing up so late at night, but I must commend you for pulling a lot of all-nighters!

Good young man!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:34 pm
by Dinos Sfyris
Kirk Bevins wrote:
Kai Laddiman wrote:Rich, are you actually going on the show?
I hope that's a joke!
Yeah he sucks! He'd probably blag his way to the finals with about 6 wins before being beaten by an Irish drag queen!

Re: Today on Countdown

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:47 pm
by Jason Larsen
I don't think Kai knows, Richard was the runner-up in the last series!