Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)

[Jon Corby]

Countdown recap for Thursday 2 July 2009.

C1: Champion Innis Carson (5 wins, 542 points.)
C2: Challenger Mike Moran.
DC: Susie Dent and Matt Le Tissier.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.

R01: P H R A I A T D I
R02: R O T E S U K A H
R03: S J N I E D E N F
R04: M E M A T A S I T
R05: 25, 75, 6, 3, 3, 8. Target: 237.
TTT: FAKECORE - "The environment is his world."
R06: R O G I R O S I R
R07: X C N E O E M T L
R08: V I W U S E C A N
R09: O A L G Y N O D T
R10: 25, 4, 10, 8, 3, 9. Target: 878.
TTT: CORNTUNE - "Pass at dominoes for this piano piece."
R11: S N A E P N U Z P
R12: N I S E B A L E R
R13: M S U I E T Q O D
R14: 75, 50, 100, 25, 5, 10. Target: 136.
R15: G R I F S M I N I (conundrum)


And now a brief interlude before our main feature:

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Well just as I predicted last week when Innis made his debut, he's still battling away and going for his sixth win today (I think that's the first such prediction of mine that has been correct, incidentally). He's an A-Level student from Bearsden in East Dumbartonshire who is a future chemistry student and keen trumpeter although he modestly claims he's not skilful enough to be a professional musician. Well, I assume it's modesty, he might actually just be shit for all I know.

The poor sap with the onerous task of stopping Innis today is Swansea's Mike Moran. He's a finance officer and an avid watcher of sports, and if you're wondering where you recognise him from (which doesn't make sense because you're reading a recap and can't actually see him), he has appeared previously on TV when he married his wife Laurie because she had a dress designed by the same bloke wot done Lady Di's.

Alongside Susie in Dictionary Corner is Southampton LEGEND Matt Le Tissier who could sit there blowing raspberries and I'd still eulogise about him, but he hasn't - he's contributed well, been very vocal in congratulating the contestants (well, Innis mainly) on their efforts, and generally come across like the top bloke he is. As a keen fan of the show, I'm hoping (and expecting) that he'll be invited back again after this week, and if you disagree you're probably best off keeping that to yourself unless you want Corby-style vitriol from a great height. Nah, only joking, it's a forum so the whole point is to discuss such things. Nah, only joking, shut your face.

Enjoy the show.

Round 1: P H R A I A T D I

C1: PARIAH (6)
C2: RADII (5)
DC: DIAPIR (6)
OT: PATRIA (6)
Score: 6–0 (max 6)

Round 2: R O T E S U K A H

C1: AUTHORS (7)
C2: shakeout
DC: EARSHOT (7)
OT: KASHRUT (7) KURTHAS (7) THAKURS (7) SHOUTER (7)
Score: 13–0 (max 13)

Shake-out is in but hyphenated. Unlucky for Mike, although he did seem aware that it was a bit dodgy so was it maybe a little early to start taking risks?

Round 3: S J N I E D E N F

C1: DEFINES (7)
C2: DEFINES (7)
DC: DJINNS (6)
OT: INFEEDS (7) JENNIES (7)
Score: 20–7 (max 20)

Round 4: M E M A T A S I T

C1: MATIEST (7)
C2: TAMEST (6)
DC: SATIATE (7)
OT: IMAMATES (8) STEMMATA (8)
Score: 27–7 (max 28)

Round 5: 25, 75, 6, 3, 3, 8. Target: 237.

C1: 236. 75*3+8+3 (7)
C2: 236. 3*75+25-6-8 (7)
RR: 237. ((3*8)/6+75)*3 (10)
Score: 34–14 (max 38)

A fairly surprising numbers miss from Innis means Mike is still within touching distance going into the first break.

Teatime teaser: FAKECORE -> ECOFREAK

Round 6: R O G I R O S I R

C1: RIGS (4)
C2: RIGORS (6)
Score: 34–20 (max 44)

Innis' lead is cut to just fourteen points as Mike picks out the darren.

Round 7: X C N E O E M T L

C1: CLEMENT (7)
C2: CLEMENT (7)
OT: TELECOM (7)
Score: 41–27 (max 51)

Good spot from both players.

Round 8: V I W U S E C A N

C1: WINCES (6)
C2: cavines
DC: VICUNAS (7)
Score: 47–27 (max 58)

Another risk from Mike backfires on him, and Innis' lead is back to twenty.

Round 9: O A L G Y N O D T

C1: GONDOLA (7)
C2: TODAY (5)
Score: 54–27 (max 65)

An excellent darren by Innis and it's looking like curtains for Mike...

Round 10: 25, 4, 10, 8, 3, 9. Target: 878.

C1: 876. Mistake in working.
C2: 878. Mistake in working.
RR: 878. (25*9-3)*4-10 (10)
Score: 54–27 (max 75)

Teatime teaser: CORNTUNE -> NOCTURNE

Round 11: S N A E P N U Z P

C1: PANES (5)
C2: NAPES (5)
DC: PAUSE (5) PUPAE (5) PANNE (5)
OT: NAPPES (6) PANNUS (6) UNSNAP (6)
Score: 59–32 (max 81)

NAPPE is a material, and even though the recap writer is suggesting NAPPES I'd approach with caution seeing as Susie specifically mentioned NAPPE but said they only had fives...

Round 12: N I S E B A L E R

C1: REALISE (7)
C2: ENABLERS (8)
DC: BASELINE (8) (Jeff)
OT: ABSEILER (8)
Score: 59–40 (max 89)

Another good spot from Mike, and the comeback is back on...

Round 13: M S U I E T Q O D

C1: MISQUOTED (18)
C2: QUIETS (6)
Score: 77–40 (max 107)

...briefly, as a no-doubt relieved Innis finally kills the game off with an excellent nine.

Round 14: 75, 50, 100, 25, 5, 10. Target: 136.

C1: 135. 100+25+10 (7)
C2: 135. 100+25+10 (7)
OT: 136. 75+50+10+5-100/25 (10) (MLT)
Score: 84–47 (max 117)

Jeff was beginning to move onto the conundrum here before Matt raised his hand and pointed out the above neat solution. Genius. Is there anything this man can't do?! If you're saying "yeah, lead a successful takeover of Southampton FC" then fuck off.

Round 15: G R I F S M I N I

C1 buzzes on 1 second to say MISFIRING which is correct.
Score: 94–47 (max 127)

Another lightning quick conundrum from Innis to finish with a bit of a flourish, but it certainly looks like tiredness is setting in as he posts his lowest score to date. Commiserations to Mike who made some good spots, but if Innis doesn't wake himself up a bit before tomorrow he'd better hope he's not facing somebody a little more ruthless...

Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=61

[David Williams]

What's a telecom? I've only got a NODE, and that has telecoms only. Can someone enlighten me.

[Kirk Bevins]

What's a telecom? I've only got a NODE, and that has telecoms only. Can someone enlighten me.

It is listed under TELECOMS and says "[as modifier] (also telecom) telecom companies"

[David Williams]

Thanks. Seems pretty obvious now!

[Matt Morrison]

Quality 'cap Corby. I don't even care about the recaps, I just like reading your stuff. Excellent. I might reinstate your vote for Awesome Person after removing it.

[Chris Corby]

It has to be said Le God is excellent in DC. Prove me wrong stattos but I don't recall any other guest getting a numbers game that has defeated the two contestants and Carol/Rachel. He contributes to the games, his anecdotes maybe are a bit weak, but he still comes over really well, although working with Jeff obviously helps the rapport. I want him back soon.

[Jon Corby]

I might reinstate your vote for Awesome Person after removing it.

[Derek Hazell]

The poor sap with the onerous task of stopping Innis today is Swansea's Mike Moran. He's a finance officer and an avid watcher of sports, and if you're wondering where you recognise him from (which doesn't make sense because you're reading a recap and can't actually see him), he has appeared previously on TV when he married his wife Laurie because she had a dress designed by the same bloke wot done Lady Di's.

Not to mention he has also been on this show before, in 1998, according to Innis! Amazing that we haven't had a debate on Lady Di on this forum . . .

[Jon Corby]

The poor sap with the onerous task of stopping Innis today is Swansea's Mike Moran. He's a finance officer and an avid watcher of sports, and if you're wondering where you recognise him from (which doesn't make sense because you're reading a recap and can't actually see him), he has appeared previously on TV when he married his wife Laurie because she had a dress designed by the same bloke wot done Lady Di's.

Not to mention he has also been on this show before, in 1998, according to Innis! Amazing that we haven't had a debate on Lady Di on this forum . . .

OMG Countdownwiki agrees!

[David Williams]

It has to be said Le God is excellent in DC. Prove me wrong stattos but I don't recall any other guest getting a numbers game that has defeated the two contestants and Carol/Rachel. He contributes to the games, his anecdotes maybe are a bit weak, but he still comes over really well, although working with Jeff obviously helps the rapport. I want him back soon.

I remember Rick Wakeman doing it once. It's strange that playing honestly, being enthusiastic and coming over as a decent bloke are all it really takes. Other celebs take note. I was hoping for more important stuff in his anecdotes. Like, did he really go to bingo with his missus every week, as reported on Danny Baker's phone-in?

[Matt Morrison]

I might reinstate your vote for Awesome Person after removing it.

I decided to introduce some morals and rebel against your begging for votes in another thread. "This'll learn him", I thought.
Plus you already know I think you're awesome, if you drop behind I'll reinstate it but for now it's more fun to see a close competition.

[Jon Corby]

I decided to introduce some morals and rebel against your begging for votes in another thread.

I can't remember exactly where I wrote that, but I believe it was juxtaposed with something fairly insulting to everybody/a large number - hence, not serious.

[Matt Morrison]

I decided to introduce some morals and rebel against your begging for votes in another thread.

I can't remember exactly where I wrote that, but I believe it was juxtaposed with something fairly insulting to everybody/a large number - hence, not serious.

Well, obviously! Not much you say is serious, that's why you're awesome. I also wasn't really being serious. Apart from the bit about removing your vote. You shit.

[Jon Corby]

Apart from the bit about removing your vote. You shit.

I did think that one had vanished actually - I assumed it was Matt Green after our little disagreement yesterday