Spoilers For 8 out of 10 Does Countdown (12th April 2013)

[James Robinson]

It's that time again when top Channel 4 game show merges with top Channel 4 comedy panel show.

But, this time for only the 2nd time (proper), this matchup will be a 2 vs. 2 affair, as we have Lee Mack and Rob Beckett taking on Rhod Gilbert and returning competitor Jon Richard son.

Joe Wilkinson will return as Rachel's "assistant" again, while Tim Key will be in Dictionary Corner with Susie.

I'll be around with the recap later.

[James Robinson]

Lol, the dreaded "C word" has appeared......

[James Robinson]

WHENUA in round 1.

[James Robinson]

2nd Numbers Alt.: ((50 + 9) x 8) - ((8 + 1) x 5) = 427

[Rhys Benjamin]

I hate to say it, but I told you so... they seem to be doing as little Countdown as possible.

James: a request - for that horrible round where they're putting up the letters randomly, can you put the selection as the "true" Countdown version.

Carr's being payed a lot to do this, but "Let's Countdown" is actually pretty good!

[Chris Philpot]

James, can I request that the recap has a sideways L?

[James Robinson]

James, can I request that the recap has a sideways L?

Do you know if it's possible to do that, Chris

[Andy Platt]

Lol enjoyed that, very impressed with Lee's 9, and Rhod's conundrum speed. First half of the show in particular was very funny

[Graeme Cole]

I hate to say it, but I told you so... they seem to be doing as little Countdown as possible.

It's not meant to be taken seriously. They're comedians doing a mashup with a comedy panel show. You don't book a bunch of professional comedians and just have them play a word game and make the occasional humorous quip as time allows. The comedy has to be made a big part of the whole thing, as that's why most people are watching it.

James: a request - for that horrible round where they're putting up the letters randomly, can you put the selection as the "true" Countdown version.

Why is the order in which the letters were picked any more "true" than the order in which they were displayed?

[John Garcia]

Alt last numbers: 100+25+7+2=134; 134x6=804; 804-3=801.

Does anyone know how many of these progs they are going to do?

[Andy Platt]

When they filmed the one we just saw, they also filmed one more, John.

As for its broadcast date, I'm not sure. Someone suggested it might be on TV next Friday.

Edit.

Info about next week:

It will be a 2 vs. 2 battle again with Jon Richardson & Stephen Mangan taking on Lee Mack & Richard Osman. German comedian Henning Wehn will be the DC guest, while Joe Wilkinson will be "helping" Rachel again.

That's next week at 9pm.

[Gavin Chipper]

Contestant beater in the introductions: Rhod Gilbert could have offered Jon Richardson his "h" to get the spelling of his own name right when Jon suggested that Rhod couldn't spell his own name.

[John Garcia]

When they filmed the one we just saw, they also filmed one more, John.

As for its broadcast date, I'm not sure. Someone suggested it might be on TV next Friday.

Edit.

Info about next week:

It will be a 2 vs. 2 battle again with Jon Richardson & Stephen Mangan taking on Lee Mack & Richard Osman. German comedian Henning Wehn will be the DC guest, while Joe Wilkinson will be "helping" Rachel again.

That's next week at 9pm.

Ok thanks Andy. Knew it was on again next week - checked in Radio Times. Thought it might have been a mini-series, but 2 is better than 1. Really enjoyed tonight's prog.

[Rhys Benjamin]

I hate to say it, but I told you so... they seem to be doing as little Countdown as possible.

It's not meant to be taken seriously. They're comedians doing a mashup with a comedy panel show. You don't book a bunch of professional comedians and just have them play a word game and make the occasional humorous quip as time allows. The comedy has to be made a big part of the whole thing, as that's why most people are watching it.

James: a request - for that horrible round where they're putting up the letters randomly, can you put the selection as the "true" Countdown version.

Why is the order in which the letters were picked any more "true" than the order in which they were displayed?

I really enjoyed the very first edition of these "mash-ups" in January 2012. There, I think they managed to get the balance, if you will, just right between Countdown and comedy. The second one, shown last August, was a little bit too silly for my liking, and this one was going over the edge.

Put it this way:

January '12 - 7 rounds in 24 mins.
August '12 - 10 rounds in 48 mins.
April '13 - 8 rounds in 48 mins.

I appreciate it's not a "real" game of Countdown, but it seems as if they want to do as little Countdown as possible. I personally don't like 8 out of 10 Cats, and only watch this for the Countdown (and for the fact that Nick Hewer's not presenting...).

Or to put it another way:

Normal Countdown - 2.4 mins per round.

Jan '12 - 3.4 mins per round.
Aug '12 - 4.8 mins per round.
Apr '13 - 6 mins per round.

So in the time it almost takes "normal" Countdown to do three rounds, this mash-up only does one.

[James Robinson]

Put it this way:

January '12 - 7 rounds in 24 mins.
August '12 - 10 rounds in 48 mins.
April '13 - 7 rounds in 48 mins.

I think you'll find there were 8 rounds last night.............

[Jon O'Neill]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

[Giles]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Not if he misses "easy" 9s like STEADINGS.

[Jon O'Neill]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Not if he misses "easy" 9s like STEADINGS.

Depends on the standard of his opposition, no?

[Gavin Chipper]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Not if he misses "easy" 9s like STEADINGS.

Depends on the standard of his opposition, no?

Most "Apterite" octochamps might hsve got STEADINGS but most players probably wouldn't so it probably wouldn't stop him.

[Andy Platt]

The real thing I want to know is whether or not James Robinson got a MAX GAME?!

PS I think Giles was being sarky

[James Robinson]

The real thing I want to know is whether or not James Robinson got a MAX GAME?!

PS I think Giles was being sarky

Lol, no, didn't get ANERGIA in the last letters game, AP.

The recap should be up in the next few minutes, as long as Town don't collapse, otherwise I might go well sad...................

[Guy Barry]

I can only presume that STEADINGS was meant as a joke, since Lee Mack looked just as shocked as everyone else when it was revealed to be a legitimate word. Did the comedy element actually play to his advantage?

[Dave Preece]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Jon reminds me of Adam Gillard, don't ask me why?

[Dave Preece]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Not if he misses "easy" 9s like STEADINGS.

LOL

[Dave Preece]

I thought it was great, and I also think Jon Richardson is octochamp material.

Not if he misses "easy" 9s like STEADINGS.

Depends on the standard of his opposition, no?

What a bitch???

[Adam Gillard]

Jon reminds me of Adam Gillard, don't ask me why?

He came 2nd in Heat's Weird Crush 2013, perhaps I am of the same ilk :p

[Dave Preece]

LOL