Spoilers For Tuesday September 22nd 2009

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:35 pm

So Jeffrey has become a half-octochamp. It does seem strange that only a week ago, discussions were going on about whether Bob would become an octochamp having just reached his half-octochamp status.

Anyway, hopefully Jeffrey will do us proud and make it a week as champ.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:56 pm

Half-octochamp? So someone who's won two is a quarteroctochamp? A semidemioctochamp?
And today Jeffrey's bidding to become what, a fiveeighthsoctochamp? A sixtytwopointfivepercentoctochamp?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:13 pm

As I've suggested before, Matt, there really does need to be some sort of generic words for people who win so many shows. We've already got octochamp for 8, but obviously I don't think that half-octochamp will ever catch on, if anyone has any ideas, then come forward.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:17 pm

Four-play?

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:21 pm

An Arthur

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:27 pm

Hmmm, Jeff continues to think of himself as a stand-up comedian ...rather than an annoying git.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:28 pm

Yay, Jeff has finally got Jeffrey's name right.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:39 pm

For an equaller - NURDIEST in round 3 assuming variant spelling of NERD is allowed.

(Re Colin Murray's bit .... I knew a girl called Kerry Oakey,another called Theresa Green and another called Bertha Day and a bloke called Cliff Moth who called his son Chris Moth. Stupid).

Jeffrey Burgin · Post by **Jeffrey Burgin** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:42 pm

Sue Sanders wrote:Hmmm, Jeff continues to think of himself as a stand-up comedian ...rather than an annoying git.

Was that Stelling or me?

It must seem weird to people at home seeing me make the same COUNT/CONFUTE mistake only a few days later, although there were 3 months in reality between the two!

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:43 pm

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:
Sue Sanders wrote:Hmmm, Jeff continues to think of himself as a stand-up comedian ...rather than an annoying git.
Was that Stelling or me?

It must seem weird to people at home seeing me make the same COUNT/CONFUTE mistake only a few days later, although there were 3 months in reality between the two!

Not you, Pet - the vacuous Stelling.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:52 pm

Boring easy numbers rounds must be the most anticlimactic thing on the whole show.

More interesting alternate for round 10: (50+10+7+2) x 5 = 69 x 5 = 345

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:54 pm

Ian Volante and Sue Sanders - Bravest Male and Bravest Female on the forum.

Apparently the challenger is fairly hot today. What's his name?

Edit: Oh no, I'm making the same jokes as Jon Corby now!
2nd Edit: There is a whole topic about unfortunate names here: http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic. ... 08&p=42496

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:57 pm

Sue Sanders wrote:a bloke called Cliff Moth who called his son Chris Moth.

I used to work with a guy called Terry Christmas.

John Douglas · Post by **John Douglas** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:59 pm

The most anticlimactic thing is Jeff Stelling asking the board if an answer to the conundrum is right. This could be made more exciting if the board was interrogated every time a contestant offered a solution. If "wrong" the board would bleep/flash "NO".
Perhaps too much technology for this show?

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:00 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:Ian Volante and Sue Sanders - Bravest Male and Bravest Female on the forum.

Apparently the challenger is fairly hot today. What's his name?

'Marie' -Not sure of spelling. Brave -pourquoi?

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:06 pm

WOOOOOOOOOO!

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:06 pm

Oh, sorry Jeffrey, but I wasn't rooting for you right then.

Karen Pearson · Post by **Karen Pearson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:08 pm

(5+2)*7=49
49-3=46
46*10=460
460+4=464

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:08 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:WOOOOOOOOOO!

I was about to announce how excited Charlie was at that game. All thanks to my magnificent live transcribing commentary skills.

Hella game. Best I've seen for a while I think. Awesome. Even though I miss her already.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:10 pm

First numbers round:

75 + 50 = 125
9 × 4 = 36
125 - 36 = 89
89 × 7 =623
623 + 100 = 723

Didn't get it in 30 secs, though.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:12 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:Boring easy numbers rounds must be the most anticlimactic thing on the whole show.

You were saying?

That was well tense. When Jeffrey screwed up the last numbers I thought for a moment he'd lost, then realised it was still a crucial conundrum. Mhairi was an excellent player but I have to say I was rooting for JB.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:14 pm

Man she was fit. I scribbled down her name (spelt MHAIRI) but then Jeff said she lived with her boyfriend and I lost interest.

Well done Jeff - risking an 8 when your opponent had a 7 (which turned out to be dodgy) and then you both scoring 0 must hurt. It happened between me and Zussman when he risked a 7 and I was forced into risking a 9, both of which turned out to be shite.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:19 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Man she was fit. I scribbled down her name (spelt MHAIRI) but then Jeff said she lived with her boyfriend and I lost interest.

Yeah, cos other than that, you'd 've been in with a chance wouldn't you.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:20 pm

Sue Sanders wrote:
Yeah, cos other than that, you'd 've been in with a chance wouldn't you.

Err, yes.

Ian Dent · Post by **Ian Dent** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:20 pm

So you don't like Jeff?

Jeffrey Burgin · Post by **Jeffrey Burgin** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:21 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Well done Jeff - risking an 8 when your opponent had a 7 (which turned out to be dodgy) and then you both scoring 0 must hurt. It happened between me and Zussman when he risked a 7 and I was forced into risking a 9, both of which turned out to be shite.

What was even worse for Mhairi was that she had a valid 7 (MEMENTO) but was worried about saying it wrong and sounding stupid, which must be gutting for her. Add in the fact she could have done 4x3 to get 462 on the last numbers and she could have easily beaten me. I was also annoyed at gambling on NODDIER as I had DRONED for 6, but assumed she would have a 7, only to find out she didn't and that the max was a 6 (to the best of my knowledge).

Sue Sanders wrote:Oh, sorry Jeffrey, but I wasn't rooting for you right then.

To be honest, I don't even think my mum was rooting for me, so nice was Mhairi!

Phil Reynolds wrote:That was well tense. When Jeffrey screwed up the last numbers I thought for a moment he'd lost, then realised it was still a crucial conundrum. Mhairi was an excellent player but I have to say I was rooting for JB.

You're not the only one- the second said Rachel said 56 and not the 48 I had in my head I was frantically trying to work out how close Mhairi was.

In an outrageous slice of luck as well, I'd brought some conundrum cards with me from the old Countdown board game, and one I'd read that morning was MAGNETISM, which I remembered as a scramble of SEMMATING. When the conundrum turned over, I was racing through -ING suffixes and said to myself the scramble ZEEMATING. I thought it sounded familiar, then realised what it sounded like, then realised a Z meant an -IZE suffix.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:23 pm

Also, Susie mentioned LOURCHE^ in her origins of words spiel. What I would find amazing is if in round 11 LOURCHE came out and a contestant offered it, Susie would say "it's not in" and they'd argue "you've just told me it's a game to which we don't know the rules!". Could prove interesting.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:34 pm

Tense.
After the conundrum, I wasn't sure if that look on your face was one of ecstasy or relief.
This is very wearing, (and a little bit sore.)
Well done Jeff.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:06 pm

pICZ PLZ!

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:40 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:pICZ PLZ!

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:52 pm

hahahaha

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:57 pm

Excellent. Jeffrey has clearly just eaten a grape.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:56 pm

Jeff must have been to name pronunciation classes. Mhairi is a very unusual name, and I just checked, and it is indeed pronounced with the "v" sound at the beginning. I agree, a lovely-looking girl with wonderful cheekbones.

Interesting Urban Dictionary results for her name too. The first definition definitely fits, and the second could be wishful thinking, but I think we'll leave the other four!

This game could go straight into Damian's Classic Editions thread, were it not possible to watch it again anyway, what with the Thomson-Sarre-esque combination of eye candy AND the tense gameplay.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:55 pm

SPIRALS in round 7. Still can't get over its relatant word.
MEMENTO in round 11.

Well done, Jeffrey. As you told me before, that was a very tight game. What a time to get your first conundrum. Here's hoping for the 8!

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:26 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Man she was fit.

She wasn't that fit, just under 60. She did seem like a really nice person though, shame she had to lose to the Mighty Burginator.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:58 pm

Quality game.

Well, not high-quality, but quality entertainment

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:09 pm

James Robinson wrote:Here's hoping for the 8!

Here's hoping this isn't a spoiler.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:11 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Here's hoping for the 8!
Here's hoping this isn't a spoiler.

I've honestly no idea, Kirk. As you should know, I wasn't there that day. I'd have quite liked to have been since I was there for his first 3 back in June, but I'm just having to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:15 pm

James Robinson wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Here's hoping for the 8!
Here's hoping this isn't a spoiler.
I've honestly no idea, Kirk. As you should know, I wasn't there that day. I'd have quite liked to have been since I was there for his first 3 back in June, but I'm just having to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I thought you're always there James. Don't you ever get sick of it? They'd be not much point of watching Countdown on TV for you.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:39 pm

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:What was even worse for Mhairi was that she had a valid 7 (MEMENTO) but was worried about saying it wrong and sounding stupid, which must be gutting for her. Add in the fact she could have done 4x3 to get 462 on the last numbers and she could have easily beaten me.

Yeah, came in to point that out, about doing 4*3 instead of just adding them on, and you'd have been dust mate. Sorry Jeffrey, nice though you are I was absolutely gutted for the poor girl at the end. We need more great female players so it's very sad to see good ones fall at the first hurdle (okay, andI fancied her too)

If anyone's at all interested, I did (7*(10+5+2)-3)*4 for the last numbers game in a couple of seconds - one of those where you just think "hmm it's divisible by 4, and there's a 4 there" and everything just flukily falls neatly into place.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:59 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:I thought you're always there James. Don't you ever get sick of it? They'd be not much point of watching Countdown on TV for you.

No, not really. My problem is that I hardly ever get to watch it live, as in at 3:25pm everyday, because I'm at work, which clearly hardly anyone else on here is, although I will be able to tomorrow, since I'm taking the day off.

I find it relaxing being in the studio. I think it's better to take days off doing something you enjoy, rather than just lying around doing bugger all. I enjoy watching Countdown and apart from being a contestant (which I think we all miss once we've done it), being in the audience is the best place to be. It's just nice to be able to see the players in action and seeing if you can beat them. You get to see the whole gang which is nice, although being there a few times means that Dudley's jokes become repetitive obviously. Plus, you get to see all the mistakes, if there are any, since they'd only be shown on a blooper show. Also, when you do see it on the TV at its transmission date, it's quite fun trying to beat your own score that you got that day.

When I saw you 2 weeks ago, was that your first time back since you became champ

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:16 pm

James Robinson wrote:
When I saw you 2 weeks ago, was that your first time back since you became champ

Yes it was. Never been to the Manchester studios for Countdown before but I've been in the building before when I filmed Identity.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:38 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
James Robinson wrote:When I saw you 2 weeks ago, was that your first time back since you became champ
Yes it was. Never been to the Manchester studios for Countdown before but I've been in the building before when I filmed Identity.

You were on Identity, that was with Donny Osmond wasn't it? How did you do?

Craig Beevers · Post by **Craig Beevers** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:53 pm

He wasn't a contestant, he was on as a trainspotter so got identified then trotted out some groanworthy line.

Jim Treloar · Post by **Jim Treloar** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:01 pm

Pardon my ignorance but how does one get to be in the audience. I've checked both Countdown and Channel 4 sites but no information on this. MTIA

Jim T.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:42 pm

Jim Treloar wrote:Pardon my ignorance but how does one get to be in the audience. I've checked both Countdown and Channel 4 sites but no information on this. MTIA

Jim T.

You ask James Robinson nicely.

Jeffrey Burgin · Post by **Jeffrey Burgin** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:27 am

Jon Corby wrote:Yeah, came in to point that out, about doing 4*3 instead of just adding them on, and you'd have been dust mate. Sorry Jeffrey, nice though you are I was absolutely gutted for the poor girl at the end. We need more great female players so it's very sad to see good ones fall at the first hurdle (okay, andI fancied her too)

Tbh, if it wasn't for the fact I reckoned I needed at least 5 wins to make the quarters, I would have had no qualms about going out at this stage- nice girl and I'd had an enjoyable run. Relieved though I was (and evidently I was VERY relieved) I felt more than a pang of guilt once the dust had settled and the lights went down for the credits, as overall she deserved to win it and I got an outrageous slice of luck with the conundrum, which I'm not entirely sure I would have got without having seen a similar one that morning. That said, I think after a while I would have realised -ING was a no-goer and that the Z must mean -IZE, but then it's debatable if I'd have unscrambled the MAGNET part in the remaining time.

Derek Hazell wrote:Jeff must have been to name pronunciation classes. Mhairi is a very unusual name, and I just checked, and it is indeed pronounced with the "v" sound at the beginning. I agree, a lovely-looking girl with wonderful cheekbones.

Mhairi told him how to pronounce her name as probably most people say it like Mary.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:33 am

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:Mhairi told him how to pronounce her name as probably most people say it like Mary.

Well, the emerging virgin Burgin told Jeff how to pronounce his name too, but it still didn't stop him getting it wrong several times, as Phil pointed out.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:35 am

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:nice girl and I'd had an enjoyable run.

Lucky you.

And don't worry about it mate, nobody's seriously getting at you for winning!

Ian Fitzpatrick · Post by **Ian Fitzpatrick** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:51 am

Jeff must have made plenty of friends on the show because as the credits roll he can be seen having a good old gossip with his opponent - and not just the pretty girl either!

Jeffrey Burgin · Post by **Jeffrey Burgin** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:58 am

Jon Corby wrote:And don't worry about it mate, nobody's seriously getting at you for winning!

Oh, I know what you mean, but I was genuinely more concerned about hopefully making the quarter-finals than any dreams of vanquishing all before me. If I'd got my 5 and then taken on Mhairi (or Darren, for that matter) they were such nice people I could have gone home happy that I'd provided some good entertainment, not humiliated myself in my first game, made the quarter-finals and enjoyed the whole experience.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:59 am

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:I felt more than a pang of guilt once the dust had settled and the lights went down for the credits, as overall she deserved to win it and I got an outrageous slice of luck with the conundrum

I don't see how you can say that. If Mhairi had been a significantly better player than you, it wouldn't have gone to a crucial conundrum. She was in the lead for much of the time, it's true, but you stepped up your game towards the end. You both deserved to win, and your conundrum spot was less about luck than the fact that you'd been putting in lots of practice, which paid off.

Ian Fitzpatrick wrote:Jeff must have made plenty of friends on the show because as the credits roll he can be seen having a good old gossip with his opponent - and not just the pretty girl either!

Bob de Caux also did this, I noticed. As the lights went down he would always turn to his opponent and engage them in conversation rather than just sitting there blanking them. Really nice touch I thought.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:15 am

Jeffrey Burgin wrote:Relieved though I was (and evidently I was VERY relieved) I felt more than a pang of guilt once the dust had settled and the lights went down for the credits, as overall she deserved to win it and I got an outrageous slice of luck with the conundrum, which I'm not entirely sure I would have got without having seen a similar one that morning. That said, I think after a while I would have realised -ING was a no-goer and that the Z must mean -IZE, but then it's debatable if I'd have unscrambled the MAGNET part in the remaining time.

I think you've been reading too many Neil Zussman posts

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:09 pm

James Robinson wrote:I'm at work, which clearly hardly anyone else on here is, although I will be able to tomorrow, since I'm taking the day off.

You say that, but what proportion of the forum actually posts in the spoilers thread as the show is on air?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:20 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
James Robinson wrote:I'm at work, which clearly hardly anyone else on here is, although I will be able to tomorrow, since I'm taking the day off.
You say that, but what proportion of the forum actually posts in the spoilers thread as the show is on air?

I would say quite a lot of the good words that DC miss for example. Obviously you can congratulate whoever if they happen to be on the forum, etc. Hopefully, I'll be able to find some today, but probably someone else will beat me to it.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:26 pm

James Robinson wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:
James Robinson wrote:I'm at work, which clearly hardly anyone else on here is, although I will be able to tomorrow, since I'm taking the day off.
You say that, but what proportion of the forum actually posts in the spoilers thread as the show is on air?
I would say quite a lot of the good words that DC miss for example. Obviously you can congratulate whoever if they happen to be on the forum, etc. Hopefully, I'll be able to find some today, but probably someone else will beat me to it.

I think you misread my post. I was taking issue with your claim that "hardly anyone" on the forum has a job.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:30 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:I think you misread my post. I was taking issue with your claim that "hardly anyone" on the forum has a job.

Well then, Michael.

Are you at work at the moment?
* If yes, do you watch it live at work and if you do, how?
* If no, are you at home, preparing to watch it?

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:32 pm

James Robinson wrote:Are you at work at the moment?
* If yes, do you watch it live at work and if you do, how?
* If no, are you at home, preparing to watch it?

I think that calls for a poll, James.
I've certainly got a poll (sic) in my pants thinking about it.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:35 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Are you at work at the moment?
* If yes, do you watch it live at work and if you do, how?
* If no, are you at home, preparing to watch it?
I think that calls for a poll, James.
I've certainly got a poll (sic) in my pants thinking about it.

Since you came up with the poll idea, Derek, I'll let you set it up.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:37 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Are you at work at the moment?
* If yes, do you watch it live at work and if you do, how?
* If no, are you at home, preparing to watch it?
I think that calls for a poll, James.
I've certainly got a poll (sic) in my pants thinking about it.

Already been done.James Robinson may be a little surprised at the results. Although Derek, feel free to implement a new poll that we can pick to pieces for lack of thoughtful and complete voting options as per usual etc etc.