Countdown for Comic Relief

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:48 pm

Hi there! Countdown news!

Myself and Innis are going to play some Countdown for charity.

The comedian Mark Watson is doing a 25 hour stand-up comedy show for Comic Relief. Concurrent to this, he wants the show's audience to participate in fundraising activities for those same 25 hours, either at the venue or somewhere else where it can be reported upon. Those activities will then be made into a part of the show, which, ultimately, is the point of the show. If that makes sense. He explains it better himself here, if you have a minute to read it.

In that explanation, Watson presents some ideas of what people can do to raise funds at/with the show. One of those ideas was for two people to play some kind game for 25 straight hours. Ever the anagram addict, this idea appealed to me immediately, and I have spoken to Watson about whether a couple of us Countdowners could get together and play a 25 hour Countdown marathon as a part of the show. It is a way for those of us mildly addicted to the game to play it socially, have some fun, do something novel, and most importantly raise some funds for charity along the way. Watson was REALLY KEEN about this, which was nice, so now the whole thing is a go.

In a back room in the theatre, we will be playing a gruelling 25 hour long head-to-head Countdown marathon. It might be the most insanely monotonous thing anyone has ever attempted, and we might have trouble spelling our own faces after hour 20, but my God, we're doing it anyway.

The whole shaboodle is going to go down on the 28th February-1st March. On those dates, with the official endorsement of Mr Countdown Team, we hope to put our endless amounts of practice and enthusiasm for the game to the best use possible, and raise a significant amount of money to a worthy cause. We can do this with your support. Please visit the Just Giving.com page below and donate.

Thanks!

https://www.justgiving.com/CountdownMarathon

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:01 pm

Does that mean you'll be playing during the CoC final? I don't get it. But I like it so I've donated. Awesome.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Before, during, and a few hours after. Yeah. Unavoidable, sadly. Thanks!

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:29 pm

Why do you need the blessing of the Countdown Team? Is it gonna be on TV and that?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:34 pm

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:54 pm

We've decided what we're going to do is play one reaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllly long game of Countdown; LLLNLLLN for 24 hours and 55 minutes, then ending with a final Conundrum flourish. This way scores will run into the tens of thousands, which most behooves an endurance event.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 7:14 pm

Set up a YouTube account and do a livestream of this thing.

And give all the notes to Robbo or me and we'll try to recap this.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:11 pm

We're not sure if we're allowd a DC or not yet. If we are, it all becomes easier. Either way, notes will be taken.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:21 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:LLLNLLLN

You can break this down further by saying "LLLN". That should help.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:29 pm

You're lucky you bought my affection or else I'd totally be ripping you for your pedantry right now.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:39 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:DC

I Googled this and couldn't find anything noteworthy. Unless this means Dictionary Corner (which doesn't answer the question), explanation please.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:43 pm

Rhys Benjamin wrote:
Mark Deeks wrote:DC
I Googled this and couldn't find anything noteworthy. Unless this means Dictionary Corner (which doesn't answer the question), explanation please.

It stands for direct current- the loser gets electrodes attached to their balls.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 11:26 pm

David Coulthard isn't it? He's playing too.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 11:32 pm

Rhys, yes it's obviously Dictionary Corner. The electrodes are just to keep us awake. And David Coulthard turned us down, the git.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:01 am

Rhys Benjamin wrote:
Mark Deeks wrote:DC
I Googled this and couldn't find anything noteworthy. Unless this means Dictionary Corner (which doesn't answer the question), explanation please.

Perhaps you found David Cameron in the search and didn't find him noteworthy. This is the first step. Good on you.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:56 am

Awesome idea! I don't usually donate if the person has fun in the process so you have to promise me for every max you miss you have to stab yourself with a pencil.

In all seriousness this is so exciting, I look forward to the mega-recap and I've donated.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:13 am

Thanks Kirk, and everybody. We've hit 55% of the fundraising target in only one day! That's pretty awesome, so hopefully we can hit it all really soon and then make an even bigger target!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:32 am

I'd like to know the precise setup please before I donate. Do you have a target number of rounds? Breaks? Etc.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:40 pm

Jon Corby wrote:I'd like to know the precise setup please before I donate. Do you have a target number of rounds? Breaks? Etc.

That's a good point. I'd want a refund for every minute one or other playing was shitting instead of playing. Unless the two events were concurrent, I might donate more in that case.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:38 pm

Jon Corby wrote:I'd like to know the precise setup please before I donate. Do you have a target number of rounds? Breaks? Etc.

Aiming for approximately 750 rounds. LLLLN indefinitely, then a final conundrum. Piss and poo when we need to, but as quickly as possible, and with otherwise no breaks (eat and drink at the table).

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:40 pm

The World Record rules stipulate you can have 5 minutes per hour per break, and you can save them up for longer breas if you wish. We're not setting a world record, but we'll adhere to that as closely as possible. The amount of rounds we can play ultimately determines on whether we have a host or not - if we do, the less time we spend faffing about with the scoring and cards and stuff, so the more we can cram in.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:51 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:Aiming for approximately 750 rounds.

That's a round every two minutes, you'll never manage that surely unless you have a dedicated host + DC?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:53 pm

Might do depending on the scoring tekkers.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:55 pm

In any case, that's a ballpark figure. If we manage only 700 or 650 or whatever, it changes nothing. The grind comes from the sheer amount of time rather than the round count.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:38 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:In any case, that's a ballpark figure. If we manage only 700 or 650 or whatever, it changes nothing. The grind comes from the sheer amount of time rather than the round count.

Well, to a point. If you only did 250 rounds I'd say you were taking the piss and demand my money* back from the charity.

Have you considered using apterous?

*haven't donated yet

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:51 pm

We're gonna cram in as much as possible. I can't be any more specific than that because I don't know, but we're not gonna play for half an hour then go watch the show or play FIFA for half an hour. We're in for the grind. The grind is the lure, the purpose.

Apterous would make things much easier from a logistical point of view. However, Watson wants this to be about Countdown (and all non-Aptos in the world will only engage with it that way). Apterous isn't Countdown, and furthermore is proud not to be. So we could play more rounds with Apterous, by quite a long way, but for reasons of purism and visual display, we're going to play the actual game.

Thomas Carey · Post by **Thomas Carey** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:54 pm

Anyone notice that Carl Williams donated £100?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:55 pm

Me and him always got on really.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:00 pm

If this goes well, I'm hoping Innis will join me for a world record attempt in two years time. The current world record for board game playing marathon is 61 hours. If we can do 40% of it, we can surely do ALL OF IT.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:41 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:We're gonna cram in as much as possible. I can't be any more specific than that because I don't know, but we're not gonna play for half an hour then go watch the show or play FIFA for half an hour. We're in for the grind. The grind is the lure, the purpose.

Apterous would make things much easier from a logistical point of view. However, Watson wants this to be about Countdown (and all non-Aptos in the world will only engage with it that way). Apterous isn't Countdown, and furthermore is proud not to be. So we could play more rounds with Apterous, by quite a long way, but for reasons of purism and visual display, we're going to play the actual game.

Are Countdown providing you with proper tiles and stuff then? Or are you going to be using some shitty board game?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:49 pm

I've asked them for them!

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:58 pm

Won't proper tiles be a bit cumbersome?

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:58 pm

Also you're gonna need hundreds haha!

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:00 pm

The whole thing will be cumbersome to be honest. I get what you mean. But there's an obligation to give some kind of official tilt to the viual display of it all (which is why we'll bring our name boards, so they'll help with that,

Zarte Siempre · Post by **Zarte Siempre** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:17 pm

Who owns the thingy that played the music in the final of CoLin?

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:19 pm

Where is this happening? Presumably it would be pretty easy to get a few volunteers to host in rotation?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:22 pm

Zarte Siempre wrote:Who owns the thingy that played the music in the final of CoLin?

That might do our nut after a while. I'm thinking of cutting together a variety of 30 second samples of songs popular in the hit parade to mix it up a little.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:26 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:Where is this happening? Presumably it would be pretty easy to get a few volunteers to host in rotation?

If they let us, we will. Out of our hands though.

Zarte Siempre · Post by **Zarte Siempre** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:24 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:
Zarte Siempre wrote:Who owns the thingy that played the music in the final of CoLin?

That might do our nut after a while. I'm thinking of cutting together a variety of 30 second samples of songs popular in the hit parade to mix it up a little.

You should make sure that all the Comic Relief singles are included, then

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:12 pm

Zarte Siempre wrote:
Mark Deeks wrote:
Zarte Siempre wrote:Who owns the thingy that played the music in the final of CoLin?

That might do our nut after a while. I'm thinking of cutting together a variety of 30 second samples of songs popular in the hit parade to mix it up a little.
You should make sure that all the Comic Relief singles are included, then

Not the Hale & Pace one though, that would be a deal-breaker for me.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:19 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:The World Record rules stipulate you can have 5 minutes per hour per break, and you can save them up for longer breas if you wish.

Presumably this is according to one arbitrary bunch of people who have set themselves up as some sort of "governing body" for such things. Make up your own if you want.

I might donate on the condition that it's a double max game. I wouldn't expect anything less.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:00 pm

Are we allowed to do the Gevin form of maxing which involves liberal, unapologetic and frankly boastful use of Lexplorer? If so, DEAL.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:01 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:Are we allowed to do the Gevin form of maxing which involves liberal, unapologetic and frankly boastful use of Lexplorer? If so, DEAL.

Have you got a massive phone with a bright yellow cover? If so, it's on.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:02 pm

The cover wasn't as bright as that SODDING LIGHT.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:42 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:The cover wasn't as bright as that SODDING LIGHT.

Yeah, sorry about that. I actually had no idea that it was on, as it was in my blind spot, the other side of the camera. At least I know that it can do that now.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:49 pm

You could've saved 35 minutes of everyone's life if you were at the Superbowl the other night.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:54 pm

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:07 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:You could've saved 35 minutes of everyone's life if you were at the Superbowl the other night.

Why? What?

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:41 pm

We've raised £920 in, what, three days? And it's all because of you guys. You guys rule.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:01 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:We've raised £920 in, what, three days? And it's all because of you guys. You guys rule.

I'm about to make that £921

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:17 pm

^ This guy. This is the guy.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:48 pm

Some people are asking if they can come and watch. I'm hopeful, but it's not likely. Tickets sold out within four minutes of going on sale. However, it is possible that you may be able to buy them at the door. The tickets are 25 pounds for the full 25 hours, but, if someone leaves after 6 hours, they can sell their remaining 19 hours worth of ticket for 19 pounds on the door. If that makes sense. I don't know how much this goes on, but it's the strategy.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:52 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:Some people are asking if they can come and watch. I'm hopeful, but it's not likely. Tickets sold out within four minutes of going on sale. However, it is possible that you may be able to buy them at the door. The tickets are 25 pounds for the full 25 hours, but, if someone leaves after 6 hours, they can sell their remaining 19 hours worth of ticket for 19 pounds on the door. If that makes sense. I don't know how much this goes on, but it's the strategy.

That sounds like a stupid strategy to me, if you're raising money for charity I wouldn't expect to be refunded the full prorated amount (or anything).

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:55 pm

The idea, I assume, is it keeps attendance at its highest level possible for the full 25 hours, and a full room makes for both a better show and better on-the-night donations.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:57 pm

Since you got moved to a separate room rather than the main theatre, there's surely going to be space for a few extra spectators/helpers, even if it's only 10. Something ought to be done.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:57 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:The idea, I assume, is it keeps attendance at its highest level possible for the full 25 hours, and a full room makes for both a better show and better on-the-night donations.

Yeah, by all means have a ticket reselling policy, but why refund those on the way out? There's no way that'll keep attendance higher, it's an incentive to leave.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:58 pm

That's as may be. But, if it behooves those of us who might want to come in late, then it works in our favour.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:06 pm

Mark Deeks wrote:That's as may be. But, if it behooves those of us who might want to come in late, then it works in our favour.

Yes, but that would happen irrespective of whether those leaving got a refund.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:07 pm

I'd have thought they just hand the ticket it in at the ticket office and then the first in line gets to pay £1 per remaining hour on that ticket. Which would go to charity. Surely that is what they would do? It makes more sense from a charity point of view. You could in theory have one ticket generate £300 this way.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:09 pm

Well whatever. That's not my remit. I'm just sorting the Countdown bit.

We will be seated separate from the stage, in a "Countdown Arena", occasionally called onto the stage for updates and some possible live game action. This will essentially be our stage debut. IMDB entries to follow.