c4countdown

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

The third regular annual Leicester tournament will take place again in October this year (click here for details), but since I will be celebrating one of my more significant age milestones in the summer, you are all invited to a special Co-event on Saturday 31 July.

The venue is the usual Stoneycroft Hotel - http://www.stoneycrofthotel.co.uk .

The basic format will consist of eight contestants playing straight knockout matches, just like in the series finals on television. So that's seven games altogether, presented exhibition-style which the audience at large can enjoy.

At this stage, I'd be grateful for expressions of interest...

* if you would like to be a contestant;
* if you would like to be a co-host;
* if you would like to be in dictionary corner;
* or just in the audience;
* if you like a champagne reception afterwards;
* if there's anything else!

Happy to run this as an open thread or for people to contact me via PM.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers
Jeff

Wow

It sounds so fantastic, Jeff.

Unfortunately, I'm heading off on holiday on that very day, so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pass on this one.

So sorry.

Hopefully everyone else will have a good time.

I'd be up to be a contestant for this including champagne etc. I'll happily sign photos and accept cash from willing audience members.

In order of preference - 1) contestant 2) in DC 3) audience member.

Great news Jeff, looking forward to both events

Rich Priest wrote:In order of preference - 1) contestant 2) in DC 3) audience member.

Great news Jeff, looking forward to both events

Same order of preference for me too. Although I suspect you can get 8 worthier contestants than me.

Oh ffs. Wedding anniversary

All sounds good. I'd be up for dictionary corner. and champagne. always.

This sounds fun, I'd like to get involved anyway possible. It would be great practice to be a contestant at this, for when I eventually go on the show, but there are probably 8 more deserving and entertaining people to put in as contestants over me.

This sounds fun, I'd like to get involved anyway possible. It would be great practice to be a contestant at this, for when I eventually go on the show, but there are probably 8 more deserving and entertaining people to put in as contestants over me.

This sounds fun, I'd like to get involved anyway possible. It would be great practice to be a contestant at this, although since I have no real intentions to eventually go on the show, there are probably 8 more deserving and entertaining people to put in as contestants over me.

Jack, Dinos and I would be terrible leaders of the three main political parties. We all seem to agree with each other...

First objective is to actually have eight people say aye!

Matt Bayfield wrote:It would be great practice to be a contestant at this, I have real intentions to go on the show

Woo

Call me paranoid if you wish, but sometimes I think people only listen to 92% of what I say.

Brilliant idea, terrible date (it's my bird's birthday )

Jon Corby wrote:Brilliant idea, terrible date (it's my bird's birthday )

How old is your albatross nowadays?

Great idea! I'd love to help out as a host, a DC guest or 'Susie' (perhaps I'd better say 'Richard Samson' instead?) in any games going. Failing that, I'm happy to just come along, watch and quaff champagne to celebrate Jeff's lifetime event. As Jack et al said, I'm sure there are plenty of worthier people to make up the eight players, so I think I'll give that bit a miss.

Exactly what Mike said - only I'm a probable rather than a definite attendee.

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Jon Corby wrote:Brilliant idea, terrible date (it's my bird's birthday )

How old is your albatross nowadays?

You'll be having to consider such things yourself now....

Dan Vanniasingham wrote:Exactly what Mike said - only I'm a probable rather than a definite attendee.

Either stands to improve your current CoLei attendance record, Mr. V!!

Jeff Clayton wrote:

Dan Vanniasingham wrote:Exactly what Mike said - only I'm a probable rather than a definite attendee.

Either stands to improve your current CoLei attendance record, Mr. V!!

Nobody (that's inviting me) is getting married on that date this time around, and no work or bowling commitments - looking good for third time lucky!

I'm thinking that the first four matches would be good for special fixtures like grudge matches, revenge tactics, what ifs... and so on. One or two of you have sent me your preferences - what would everyone like?

James Robinson wrote:Wow

It sounds so fantastic, Jeff.

Unfortunately, I'm heading off on holiday on that very day, so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pass on this one.

So sorry.

Hopefully everyone else will have a good time.

Anywhere nice?

Guys and girls - could you kindly message me to let me know if you're coming or not? It is a freebie but I do need some sort of confirmation for headcounts, setting up games etc.

Cheers
Jeff

I'm in for the 31 July bash, Jeff.

Matt Bayfield wrote:I'm in for the 31 July bash, Jeff.

Me too

count me in.

Excellent, that's seven altogether so far. Keep 'em coming!!

Jeff

This sounds great Jeff, please count me in. Preferably as co-host, but if you can squeeze me into a game as a contestant that'd be cool too. Thanks!

Douglas Wilson wrote:

James Robinson wrote:Wow

It sounds so fantastic, Jeff.

Unfortunately, I'm heading off on holiday on that very day, so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pass on this one.

So sorry.

Hopefully everyone else will have a good time.

Anywhere nice?

Portugal, actually.

Thank goodness I'm back from Whitby. Not that it wasn't nice, but being without the forum for 5 days is complete hell

But, I'll be back with my recap later on.

Joy for some ......, pain for probably everyone else.

I think we can arrange that Junaid cheers.

And have we got graphics for you lucky, lucky people..........!!

If your interested in having someone who has not been on the show, I can fill that void.

Yup that would be grand, Jack. If the first four matches are rather interesting pairings / have interesting contenders, before the true elitism starts coming through in the semis and final, then I think this will make for a much more colourful and entertaining day all round.

Jeff

In an attempt to stir up some interesting competiton:

If it fits into Jeff's programme, I will happily play a non-English game if anyone wants to take me on in an exhibition, perhaps for those who like to turn up early, rather than as part of the main tournament. (We will need to have access to the appropriate dictionary, of course.) Any challengers? I will play French, Dutch, German, or a mixture of any apterous languages.

Althoguh thinking about it, don't knwo how much time there'll be for exhibition type stuff, if we've got to fit 7 full games into a day...

The Co:Lon 2010 and CoLei 2009 exhibition finals both lasted about half an hour, so multiply that by seven, and we have got room for manoeuvre.

If someone wants to host on the beloved software, I'll play you in French, Matt. Any offers for hostingness??

Really? No takers??

Jeff: If a host (and/or DC) steps forward, then I'll get practising my French. If no-one's that interested in hosting (or watching us play foreign language games) then I'm always happy to play a couple of rounds of French on the side.

Of course, you should be able to kick my butt, although I have topped 100 a few times on French language 15-round apterous, so hopefully I won't be a complete pushover.

Jeff Clayton wrote:Really? No takers??

Oh, I'll host if no-one else will. But, it's well known that I am completely rubbish at hosting.

I will even bring along my Petit Robert.

Merci Karen.

I have a Petit Larousse for reference aswell.

Have a look at this and let me know what you think........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZI59NA_tlA

TIA
Jeff

Jeff--

--looks good for those who are numerically inclined. As an alternative, maybe you could allow as many different games as possible (rather than a max of 10 games), with players then having to trade off a few extra clicks to get an exact solution, versus maybe getting to solve another game within the 2m30s.

On a personal level, I'll be happy to take part in any kind of Numbers challenge if you want everyone to have a go. However, Numbers games really aren't my thing, and my past modest success at Co-events is entirely in spite of, not because of, my Numbers ability. So I'd be even happier to give it a miss and just watch everyone else!

--Matt

Thanks Matt.

I considered a limit of 10, rather than unlimited, since you have to think about what you're faced with rather than just passing.

Any other takers?

Jeff

Current list of participants:

Matt Bayfield
Kirk Bevins
Mike Brown
Jack Hurst
Junaid Mubeen
Karen Pearson
Rich Priest
Ben Wilson
Anna Woodward


Jeff

Thought my post parrotting Jack's reply was enough indication that I'd like to take part but I don't appear to be on the list so I'll clarify my position:

Jeff if there's still room I'm happy to participate either as a contestant, in DC or as host (in that order)

Cheers

D

Legend.

Not keen on parrots.

Cheers
Jeff

Question or nominate...

Another random idea for an interlude event between Countdown matches - anyone (or rather, any three) fancy a 15-to-1 final with 40 questions?

Jeff

Jeff Clayton wrote:Question or nominate...

Another random idea for an interlude event between Countdown matches - anyone (or rather, any three) fancy a 15-to-1 final with 40 questions?

Jeff

Ooohh. Me, me, me, please!!!

Splendid - thank you darling. Two more!

I'd play, or host, or even set questions, for 15-to-1, but since I'm already (hopefully) playing Jeff in French, I don't want to hog playing time at the expense of others who'd like to participate. And I've seen a number of you working pub quiz machines, so I know there are some general knowledge buffs who should be volunteering to play against Karen. :p

I'd love to play 15-to-1 but won't be able to make it in July. I was thinking about a quiz day for Countdowners but wondered how many Countdowners are actually interested in quizzing. I would happily set questions for 15-to-1 though if you needed anybody to.

Ryan Taylor wrote:I was thinking about a quiz day for Countdowners but wondered how many Countdowners are actually interested in quizzing.

That'd be a brill idea. I'd certainly attend, Ryan.

I'd also be up for that Ryan - great stuff.

Feel free to launch some questions my way if you want to aswell.

Cheers
Jeff

Ryan Taylor wrote: I was thinking about a quiz day for Countdowners but wondered how many Countdowners are actually interested in quizzing.

I'd definitely be interested in that Ryan. I'm bound to have more chance of doing well at that than I ever will of doing well at Countdown!

4 weeks to go people - I just want to take a check on my list of confirmed entrants:

Matt Bayfield
Kirk Bevins
Mike Brown
Mary Jo Clayton
Jack Hurst
Junaid Mubeen - requested to co-host a game(s)
Karen Pearson - requested first round game vs Richard Priest
Richard Priest - requested first round game vs Karen Pearson
Dinos Sfyris
Ben Wilson
Anna Woodward

Can you let me know if anything is in/correct etc?

Merci
Jeff

*nod* I'll be there, Jeff. There's a chance I'll be bringing Mrs B along too, which I hope is ok... although I'm sure by the time the weekend of 31 July rolls around, she'll have found something she thinks is more interesting to do!

Is there still time for me to enter this too?

Edit: Just read about the initial parameters (8 contestants) so never mind. Might watch it!

Yep Jeff, I should still be able to make it.

Definitely planning to be there

Erm yeah changed my mind. Decided to head to Spain around the same time.

i will certainly be popping in at some stage after 5 to spectate and maybe even help out if you need any extras

Jeff Clayton wrote:I'd also be up for that Ryan - great stuff.

Feel free to launch some questions my way if you want to aswell.

Cheers
Jeff

OK, so I should be able to make this event now. Are you still thinking about this mini 15-to-1 game (or any other quiz game)? If so, do you want me to just write some questions for it and you present or for me to do something more?