Spoilers for Tuesday 17th December 2024 (Series 90, QF4)
Moderator: James Robinson
Spoilers for Tuesday 17th December 2024 (Series 90, QF4)
The last quarter-final sees David Roe, appearing in his second series finals, up against Pointless winner Alex Call. Who’s going to win this time?
Series 78 Runner-up
Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 17th December 2024 (Series 90, QF4)
Commiserations to Alex. David’s numbers are excellent: a well-earned 40 points out of 40.
I had FRETSAW and the conundrum took me 1 second. The suffix -ITY is a good one to use.
Just noticed what I think is a first: all 4 semi-finalists are returnees.
I had FRETSAW and the conundrum took me 1 second. The suffix -ITY is a good one to use.
Just noticed what I think is a first: all 4 semi-finalists are returnees.
Series 78 Runner-up
Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 17th December 2024 (Series 90, QF4)
Well when it comes to consistency on Countdown, I guess it's quite debatable because there was no Christmas ident to start the show plus the Teatime Teasers switched back to eight letters after just one day, not to mention the nougat issue from yesterday still being discussed. But, if there's one thing consistent we can look forward to, I guess it's Rachel's outfits in preparation for Christmas. "To make tea or not to make tea?" That is the question posed to David (who I will say looks professional as ever with his ties, you'll see why later) who has two teapots but doesn't do so, and Alex, my word, Bert's Book's popularity has exploded to the point that Susie Dent came over for a book signing? How did we not know about this earlier, that's nice 
Letters: Alex takes an early lead with BROMINE (which I admit as a Science guy, I cringed at his pronunciation, but whatever) in R1, but David catches up to him with CURLING in R2. Nice Christmas themed words in the second third of the show with CAROLLED, HARKENS and FIESTAS, two of which was spotted by DC and one by Alex, sadly no bonus points, aw
Then came the last third with both getting MUDDIEST in R10, and Alex closes the gap slightly with QUILTERS to beat David in R12, but with no possible nine out of the selection in R13 despite the -ING, Alex had to concede.
Numbers: As expected for David, he goes for his favourite selection, 6 Small in R3 and R9, and with a low target and knowing his multiples of 10s respectively, he gets both easily. Alas to Alex who failed to see it, unlucky Then came Alex's turn in R6, and this is finally a 1 Large puzzle you will need to think since there's loads of ways to get one away. I got it just out of time, but David finds an unconventional way to get it which earns him another ten points, wow (There were some in the Daily Chat that compared his thinking to a former Semi-Finalist from three years ago, Jeremy Slaney, who if those of you can recall, had unconventional ways to solve the rounds here)! Alex is 0-30 on the Numbers by R14, and he goes for what I termed a "suicidal" move with 4 Large, because if he doesn't get it he would have dug his hole even deeper. Fortunately, he doesn't mess up here and redeemed himself thanks to knowing that you must intentionally use the "1" at the end from 575 to get there, phew! 
Conundrum: Haha, what a reference to David I bet with his GLINTY TIE every time he appears with one on the show
Most of us managed to solve this in the Daily Chat, and we were left utterly disappointed when both contestants blanked out. With that, all four Quarter-Final Conundrums are left unsolved, a rare thing to happen to the point I can't even recall when was the last time this happened. I don't have much hope for what's to come for the next three episodes after that for this portion in view of this too
Contrary to what Colin mentioned at the top of the show, while QF4 episodes in a Series Final are traditionally close fights, for me, this was never going to happen and I predicted David would win comfortably with a margin of around 40 points. The margin was lower at 30 points eventually, and you can't help but feel for Alex after seeing him stumble especially on the Numbers. However, I'm sure his experience of his bookstore flourishing can never compare to David's success here, after all, making front page news on your local newspaper for two days with crowds coming to the point police had to enforce crowd control says something. Nevermind about the nickname "Alphabeti-Call"
, your calling I'm sure is in the book business and all the best for years to come, may you keep selling stories that are worth telling to the public out there! Most importantly, I'm sure you made your mother Elaine proud and she is fortunate to have a son like you!
I don't think this has ever happened before (correct me and others too if I'm wrong), but we have all four Semi-Finalists as returning contestants, with half having experience in a previous Series Finals match! David's off to take a short break, but will he survive his match against Chris who looks to stop his second run after 23 years? Will we see a similar situation like last Series where Arthur Page and Jessica Pratesi fought until the very end? Don't keep your eyes off the screen just yet!
Progress:
QF1 (12 December 2024): Chris Kirby (#1) vs Neil Holland (#9) (96 - 68)
QF2 (13 December 2024): Fiona Wood (#2) vs Helen McGivern (#7) (107 - 83)
QF3 (16 December 2024): Rob Barkess (#3) vs Terence Newnham (#6) (87 - 100)
QF4 (17 December 2024): David Roe (#4) vs Alex Call (#5) (97 - 67)
SF1 (18 December 2024): Chris Kirby (QF1 Winner) vs David Roe (QF4 Winner)
SF2 (19 December 2024): Fiona Wood (QF2 Winner) vs Terence Newnham (QF3 Winner)
GF (20 December 2024): (SF1 Winner) vs (SF2 Winner)
Letters: Alex takes an early lead with BROMINE (which I admit as a Science guy, I cringed at his pronunciation, but whatever) in R1, but David catches up to him with CURLING in R2. Nice Christmas themed words in the second third of the show with CAROLLED, HARKENS and FIESTAS, two of which was spotted by DC and one by Alex, sadly no bonus points, aw
Then came the last third with both getting MUDDIEST in R10, and Alex closes the gap slightly with QUILTERS to beat David in R12, but with no possible nine out of the selection in R13 despite the -ING, Alex had to concede.Numbers: As expected for David, he goes for his favourite selection, 6 Small in R3 and R9, and with a low target and knowing his multiples of 10s respectively, he gets both easily. Alas to Alex who failed to see it, unlucky
Then came Alex's turn in R6, and this is finally a 1 Large puzzle you will need to think since there's loads of ways to get one away. I got it just out of time, but David finds an unconventional way to get it which earns him another ten points, wow (There were some in the Daily Chat that compared his thinking to a former Semi-Finalist from three years ago, Jeremy Slaney, who if those of you can recall, had unconventional ways to solve the rounds here)! Alex is 0-30 on the Numbers by R14, and he goes for what I termed a "suicidal" move with 4 Large, because if he doesn't get it he would have dug his hole even deeper. Fortunately, he doesn't mess up here and redeemed himself thanks to knowing that you must intentionally use the "1" at the end from 575 to get there, phew! Conundrum: Haha, what a reference to David I bet with his GLINTY TIE every time he appears with one on the show
Most of us managed to solve this in the Daily Chat, and we were left utterly disappointed when both contestants blanked out. With that, all four Quarter-Final Conundrums are left unsolved, a rare thing to happen to the point I can't even recall when was the last time this happened. I don't have much hope for what's to come for the next three episodes after that for this portion in view of this too Contrary to what Colin mentioned at the top of the show, while QF4 episodes in a Series Final are traditionally close fights, for me, this was never going to happen and I predicted David would win comfortably with a margin of around 40 points. The margin was lower at 30 points eventually, and you can't help but feel for Alex after seeing him stumble especially on the Numbers. However, I'm sure his experience of his bookstore flourishing can never compare to David's success here, after all, making front page news on your local newspaper for two days with crowds coming to the point police had to enforce crowd control says something. Nevermind about the nickname "Alphabeti-Call"
, your calling I'm sure is in the book business and all the best for years to come, may you keep selling stories that are worth telling to the public out there! Most importantly, I'm sure you made your mother Elaine proud and she is fortunate to have a son like you!I don't think this has ever happened before (correct me and others too if I'm wrong), but we have all four Semi-Finalists as returning contestants, with half having experience in a previous Series Finals match! David's off to take a short break, but will he survive his match against Chris who looks to stop his second run after 23 years? Will we see a similar situation like last Series where Arthur Page and Jessica Pratesi fought until the very end? Don't keep your eyes off the screen just yet!
Progress:
QF1 (12 December 2024): Chris Kirby (#1) vs Neil Holland (#9) (96 - 68)
QF2 (13 December 2024): Fiona Wood (#2) vs Helen McGivern (#7) (107 - 83)
QF3 (16 December 2024): Rob Barkess (#3) vs Terence Newnham (#6) (87 - 100)
QF4 (17 December 2024): David Roe (#4) vs Alex Call (#5) (97 - 67)
SF1 (18 December 2024): Chris Kirby (QF1 Winner) vs David Roe (QF4 Winner)
SF2 (19 December 2024): Fiona Wood (QF2 Winner) vs Terence Newnham (QF3 Winner)
GF (20 December 2024): (SF1 Winner) vs (SF2 Winner)