Spoilers and comments for Wednesday 11/02/2009

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:19 pm

Amirite in thinking that today is Kate Richardson's debut?

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:29 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:Amirite in thinking that today is Kate Richardson's debut?

You certainly are. Are we to presume anything from Kate's "you should just play the game for the game's sake, not to win" post?... we shall see!

Mark Kudlowski · Post by **Mark Kudlowski** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:40 pm

TELECOM for game 1 ?
(Not sure if it is a trade word, or has it become generic ?)

ANODAL for game 4

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:42 pm

Mark Kudlowski wrote:TELECOM for game 1 ?
(Not sure if it is a trade word, or has it become generic ?)

ANODAL for game 4

I was wondering about ANODAL in round 4 but played safe with NODAL. TELECOM is also ok (that beats me as well). Good start from Kate, not the easiest letters so far, either.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:56 pm

I actually got this in the time (very rare for me) using the multiple of nine rule:

75 - 10 - 10 + 1 = 56
56 * 9 = 504
504 + 4 = 508

Ta-da.

Innis Carson · Post by **Innis Carson** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:04 pm

THEROPODS? Brilliant.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:04 pm

THEROPODS, one of the best words we've ever had! I was fairly happy with DOORSTEP.

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:04 pm

Bugger me, that was quite a spot!

Edit: was I alone in waiting for John Sergeant to declare himself the ROUNDEST Strictly contestant?

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:06 pm

When he was talking about 8s that described him on Strictly I was sure ROUNDEST would appear.

THEROPODS is one of the all-time great spots, very impressive.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:08 pm

Chris Philpot wrote: Edit: was I alone in waiting for John Sergeant to declare himself the ROUNDEST Strictly contestant?

Yeah, that's it, edit your post after I carefully checked no-one else had said that.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:09 pm

Pretty good game, shame about the disallowed words, really. Good stuff.

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:10 pm

Sorry Gary!

Mark Kudlowski · Post by **Mark Kudlowski** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:11 pm

Numbers 3 :

(75 - 5 - 2) x 9 = 68 x 9 = 612; 612 + 5 - 4 = 613.

Chris Davies · Post by **Chris Davies** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:27 pm

Mark Kudlowski wrote:Numbers 3 :

(75 - 5 - 2) x 9 = 68 x 9 = 612; 612 + 5 - 4 = 613.

I did this too.

Kate Richardson · Post by **Kate Richardson** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:30 pm

yes this is my debut game, I still don't know where theropods came from, but I wrote it straight down and thought I've got to play this I'll be so gutted if it is correct and don't play it. Thought some form of animal as pods = feet that's about it

I am amazed at my ability to see phantom letters, a great talent, completely wasted on countdown

Clare Sudbery · Post by **Clare Sudbery** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:42 pm

Kate Richardson wrote:I am amazed at my ability to see phantom letters, a great talent, completely wasted on countdown

LOL!

I forgot to check the final score, but am I right in thinking you would have won even without THEROPODS (which was indeed a gobsmackingly good spot)?

Great game. I had cotton-wool-for-brains while I was playing along - you would have beaten me by a mile. Although like the others I did see ROUNDEST. As well as ROUNDIEST. Which almost certainly isn't a word.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:51 pm

Refreshing to hear Jeff refer casually to a contestant's same-sex partner in their intro. Don't believe I've heard that happen on Countdown before. Also refreshing to hear Susie say ARSIEST, though it seems odd that it's deemed OK to say that on afternoon TV but not WANKERS.

Kathleen Batlle · Post by **Kathleen Batlle** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:55 pm

Kate Richardson wrote:yes this is my debut game, I still don't know where theropods came from, but I wrote it straight down and thought I've got to play this I'll be so gutted if it is correct and don't play it. Thought some form of animal as pods = feet that's about it

I am amazed at my ability to see phantom letters, a great talent, completely wasted on countdown

You did really well, Kate, and the 'phantom letters' syndrome seems to hit me almost every day. I was shouting DENTIST at my tv today when there was only one T in the selection. It must be a bit embarrassing when you're actually in the game though. THEROPODS was a great spot though. Hope you can keep it up tomorrow. Incidentally, my spell check doesn't recognise Theropods and has underlined the word in red, I wonder why?

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:13 pm

Kathleen Batlle wrote:
Kate Richardson wrote:yes this is my debut game, I still don't know where theropods came from, but I wrote it straight down and thought I've got to play this I'll be so gutted if it is correct and don't play it. Thought some form of animal as pods = feet that's about it

I am amazed at my ability to see phantom letters, a great talent, completely wasted on countdown
You did really well, Kate, and the 'phantom letters' syndrome seems to hit me almost every day. I was shouting DENTIST at my tv today when there was only one T in the selection. It must be a bit embarrassing when you're actually in the game though. THEROPODS was a great spot though. Hope you can keep it up tomorrow. Incidentally, my spell check doesn't recognise Theropods and has underlined the word in red, I wonder why?

Just a really rare word, plus your spell checker probably uses a smaller dictionary than the ODE.

Lisa Thomson · Post by **Lisa Thomson** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:18 pm

Well done Kate! Glad I wasn't up against you!

Kate Richardson · Post by **Kate Richardson** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:20 pm

A few other things
Yes it did feel good to be able to mention my partner sara without a big deal being made out of it (I've been out for 25 years so I think we can safely say it's not a phase), it is a terrifying ordeal but worth it for the teapot.

Theropods means "beast feet" there's a lot of information on wikipedia and even a blog called why i hate theropods, if anyone wants to find out more.

I want to pay tribute to Janet. She was a smashing woman, me and sara went out to dinner with her. I'm really glad she won a few games.

I had a blast and I cannot recommend the experience enough, it was brilliant spending the day with people who all supported each other and just played the game (like cricket !)

The production team were welcoming and supportive as well....so don't be shy if you're dithering get auditioning (which is almost poetry)

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:28 pm

Chris Davies wrote:
Mark Kudlowski wrote:Numbers 3 :

(75 - 5 - 2) x 9 = 68 x 9 = 612; 612 + 5 - 4 = 613.
I did this too.

And me.

Very impressive stuff today Kate, well done.The female dominance of this series continues, although us guys have still to unveil the Bevatron missile which should hopefully start to even the score for us.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:29 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:Refreshing to hear Jeff refer casually to a contestant's same-sex partner in their intro. Don't believe I've heard that happen on Countdown before. Also refreshing to hear Susie say ARSIEST, though it seems odd that it's deemed OK to say that on afternoon TV but not WANKERS.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2000/12/12 ... n_britain/

I can't find a newer list than 2000, but apart from the racist words the list possibly won't change much. WANKER comes in at #4 on the offence league table, ARSE-type words (excluding arsehole) is way down at #20

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/no ... ing.uknews is a newer article that suggests WANKER is losing it's status though. Interesting that TITS isn't considered offensive in the slightest but was part of George Carlin's routine on words you cannot say on television.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:28 pm

I typed big tits into images.google.com, and it came up with this.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:31 pm

Martin Gardner wrote:I typed big tits into images.google.com, and it came up with this.

A lovely pair there.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:33 pm

Gary Male wrote:http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/no ... ing.uknews

Weird that for some reason that list includes "bloody" under the heading "Religious words", presumably as a result of the common misapprehension that it is derived from "by our lady" as a reference to the Virgin Mary.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:37 pm

At the risk of being off-topic, what did I type to get this?

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:47 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Gary Male wrote:http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/no ... ing.uknews
Weird that for some reason that list includes "bloody" under the heading "Religious words", presumably as a result of the common misapprehension that it is derived from "by our lady" as a reference to the Virgin Mary.

Couldn't it just be the blood of Christ though?

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:03 pm

THEROPODS....simply amazing. Easily the most arousing 9 since Charlie's ERECTIONS. Was chuffed to get 508 in the time (Martin's way).

Steven Tew · Post by **Steven Tew** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:06 pm

4 x 75 = 300

300 + 9 - 5 = 304

304 x 2 = 608

608 + 5 = 613

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:28 pm

Rich Priest wrote: Very impressive stuff today Kate, well done.The female dominance of this series continues, although us guys have still to unveil the Bevatron missile which should hopefully start to even the score for us.

Awww what a nice thing to say! I did miss THEROPODS though which is easily the best word of the series so far. Awesome stuff Kate.

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:39 pm

Great display Kate - What a blinding finish with THEROPODS and a quick spot on the Conundrum.

Looking forward to seeing how you progress.

Well done!

Al

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:19 pm

Martin Gardner wrote:At the risk of being off-topic, what did I type to get this?

That would be your common shag.

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:27 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Martin Gardner wrote:At the risk of being off-topic, what did I type to get this?
That would be your common shag.

Yep! - Looks like a good shag to me

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:57 pm

Allan Harmer wrote:
Phil Reynolds wrote:
Martin Gardner wrote:At the risk of being off-topic, what did I type to get this?
That would be your common shag.
Yep! - Looks like a good shag to me

Interesting, in the USA you can "shag fly balls" which is not a homosexual act, but rather in baseball when you chase down some balls hit in the air to the outfield area, and catch them. It's funny how that sounds out of context.

Martin Bishop · Post by **Martin Bishop** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:55 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:Also refreshing to hear Susie say ARSIEST, though it seems odd that it's deemed OK to say that on afternoon TV but not WANKERS.

It was half-term when Charlie came up with that gem of a seven. One of the producers (I want to say Kate) told me that that was the reason for WANKERS falling foul of the bleeper.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:59 pm

Congratulations Kate, and I join just about everyone else on the planet in being in awe of THEROPODS. When you declared 9 I paused the TV for another minute or so to look for it, eventually deciding that there wasn't one, and instead I should just try and find out what daft word you were about to declare. I even gave up on that, and decided that you must have used a letter twice or something. Brilliant stuff.

I also can't let this pass

Rich Priest wrote:unveil the Bevatron missile

without a childish snicker.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:53 am

Phil Reynolds wrote:Refreshing to hear Jeff refer casually to a contestant's same-sex partner in their intro. Don't believe I've heard that happen on Countdown before.

Yeah, I thought that was nice as well. I doubt some previous presenters could've handled it so relaxedly.

Kate Richardson wrote:I've been out for 25 years so I think we can safely say it's not a phase

lol. Does anyone still say this?

Tracey Lilly · Post by **Tracey Lilly** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:21 am

Super start Kate.
Wonder if any one else in the country got THEROPODS and how long it will be before it comes up again?

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:57 am

THEROPODS! What can I say? I also was sat pretty on DOORSTEP and...

Congrats Kate. Its a shame about those phantom letters you could have "knocked up" a century in your first game. Was thrilled to deduce TELECOM after getting to the break room late and seeing the board for under one second. Also FEIJOA was there in the AIRFARE round. Here's an excerpt between me and my dim supervisor:

Me: TORPEDOS for 8... No wait DOORSTEP as an anagram.
Kira: Oh I see because that one's more letters.
Me:

No its the same
Kira: ... Yeah but its a bigger word

Also its nice to hear such admiration for your opponent, and that you and Sara ate out with her afterwards.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:03 pm

Dinos Sfyris wrote:Also its nice to hear such admiration for your opponent, and that you and Sara ate out with her afterwards.

hahahaha... I just shed a tear of laughter... inter-thread humour at its greatest!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:06 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:
Dinos Sfyris wrote:Also its nice to hear such admiration for your opponent, and that you and Sara ate out with her afterwards.
hahahaha... I just shed a tear of laughter... inter-thread humour at its greatest!

I lolled too, but I wasn't going to draw attention to it, what with 'the current climate'

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:10 pm

Jon Corby wrote:I lolled too, but I wasn't going to draw attention to it, what with 'the current climate'

Jon 'Diplomacy' Corby. I hope we're not suddenly going to be having to get acquainted with a new cut-down, boring, respectful version of you. That would suck.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:12 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:Jon 'Diplomacy' Corby. I hope we're not suddenly going to be having to get acquainted with a new cut-down, boring, respectful Corby.

Heh, nah

I was just concerned about not dragging poor old Dinos into it unnecessarily!

Rosemary Roberts · Post by **Rosemary Roberts** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:33 pm

Jon Corby wrote:I was just concerned about not dragging poor old Dinos into it unnecessarily!

There must be a robust manly joke to be made there, if I were a robust man.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:12 pm

Only just now caught up with the show. THEROPODS was awesome, one of the best spots ever - well done!

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:32 pm

David O'Donnell wrote:Only just now caught up with the show. THEROPODS was awesome, one of the best spots ever - well done!

Agreed, I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't get that. Anyone who spotted that would feel justified in feeling a bit smug!

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:34 pm

Just watched this today. Fantastic game, Kate!

Wonderful 9, and a great win. Looking forward to watching Thursday's game.