c4countdown

Has everyone got their breath back after yesterday? Let's hope the excitement will be maintained in the 2nd semi final.
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Hamish slowly reclined into his chair, at a 45 degree angle,
His wild and pure white hair, was all in a tangle,
Young Jimmy tried to remain cool,
As he waited for the duel,
Just who will win the wrangle, in the final sector of this quadrangle?


(p.s. My font colours have reappeared)

What's the Reams Index showing today?

I think it was about 120%. I really, really wanted Jimmy to win (because Jimmy vs Kirk had been my dream final from the first day of the series) and I knew that, although Jimmy was much stronger, Hamish was capable of moments of absolute brilliance that could really turn the game on its head. But it was slightly tempered by the come-down from the previous game which had ruined about four pairs of my best underpants.

Charlie Reams wrote:I think it was about 120%. I really, really wanted Jimmy to win (because Jimmy vs Kirk had been my dream final from the first day of the series) and I knew that, although Jimmy was much stronger, Hamish was capable of moments of absolute brilliance that could really turn the game on its head. But it was slightly tempered by the come-down from the previous game which had ruined about four pairs of my best underpants.

Good forward thinking though to wear four pairs at once and save your trousers.

And how excited are you that Philip Jarvis can post his poems in colour again?

Spotted this one in studio, BENTONITE, if only I was in the chair

I like the way that Mad Hamish McMad says cuntsonant quite a lot. And his eyes at the start of the show.

james doohan wrote:Spotted this one in studio, BENTONITE, if only I was in the chair

Bravo! Forgot you mentioned there was a 9 there...

I'm looking forward to Corby posting a screencap of Rachel standing next to LABIRE (sic).

That was the best bit of Dr. Phil yet.

Matt Morrison wrote:That was the best bit of Dr. Phil yet.

Totally.

'The paraphysical healing is coming out of my third eye' -

Matt Morrison wrote:That was the best bit of Dr. Phil yet.

I'm actually massively disappointed with the editing at the end of that segment; the look of absolute revulsion on Susie's face (in the studio) when he said it had come from Hamish's pocket was priceless. It looked as though she was about to cough it straight back up.

Charlie Reams wrote:I think it was about 120%. I really, really wanted Jimmy to win (because Jimmy vs Kirk had been my dream final from the first day of the series) and I knew that, although Jimmy was much stronger, Hamish was capable of moments of absolute brilliance that could really turn the game on its head. But it was slightly tempered by the come-down from the previous game which had ruined about four pairs of my best underpants.

Pretty high on the sphincter scale then?

Simon Myers wrote:

Matt Morrison wrote:That was the best bit of Dr. Phil yet.

I'm actually massively disappointed with the editing at the end of that segment; the look of absolute revulsion on Susie's face (in the studio) when he said it had come from Hamish's pocket was priceless. It looked as though she was about to cough it straight back up.

Oh what! Yeah, it was brilliant

RETICLES

PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Was surprised to find APELIKE is invalid in the round where Hamish got in a pickle.

Matt Morrison wrote:I like the way that Mad Hamish McMad says cuntsonant quite a lot.

You should hear him when he says "country"!

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Chemistry related mass noun, think Susie would allow it? I see it's valid on Apterous, though it's not in my version of Jimdic (which I thought was up to date). If valid then the max for this game must be very high indeed.

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Nice one, a lot of nines in this show

alternate 2nd numbers:

50 x 10 = 500
8 + 7 + 4 = 19
500 + ( 19 x 5 ) = 595

Wouldn't have chanced PROPANOLS myself (I had PROPOSAL).

SERICITE as a beater in addition to the aforementioned RETICLES.

Another alternative (small only): (10x8+5)x7

ENORMITY

3rd numbers alt:

(100 - 6) x 9 = 846; 846 + (2 x 10) = 866

Well done Jimmy!
Another smashing display, done in a pleasing manner.

Good game, well done Jimmy. Hamish gave it a go and was so nice at the end. The audience reaction to his best wishes to Jimmy was audible. Did he hang around for a beer afterwards?

Well done Jimmy, you seemed much more relaxed in this game, awesome again, good luck for the final, can't wait

Andy Wilson wrote:Good game, well done Jimmy. Hamish gave it a go and was so nice at the end. The audience reaction to his best wishes to Jimmy was audible. Did he hang around for a beer afterwards?

He sure did, Hamish is brilliant, give him his own TV show

I seem to remember Hamish's final words lasting longer than that, though there was a big edit so maybe it got lost.

Does Hamish not get anything for making the semi-finals? Finalists always used to get some sort of special memento, (a pen or something IIRC), but Jeff never mentioned anything. Seems a bit harsh that someone making the semis of a series gets nothing more than any random person that won 1 show, even if the prestige is far more important?

Congrats on making the final, Jimmy, well deserved. Also commiserations to Hamish, who was very sporting in defeat.

Can't wait for the big final tomorrow, could be an absolute classic.

Thanks guys

Hamish is just brilliant. A Countdown legend.

Matt Morrison wrote:That was the best bit of Dr. Phil yet.

What until you see what he has in store tomorrow with his surprise guest Annie. He gets really quite intense and Susie seemed a bit taken aback by it all.

Well done Jimmy - great game and excellent spot for REEDLINGS (I missed that but Ben Hunter who was sat next to me got it). I'm sure you'll give your best against Kirk.

Well done also to Hamish - what a great character. I was talking to him afterwards with a group of people in the beer garden area. Part of the conversation went like this:

PJ - "Don't take this the wrong way Hamish ............ but when was the last time you had your hair cut?

HW (In a deep Scottish brogue and with a stare that could kill) - "When was the last time YOU had your hair cut?"

PJ (Stroking the bristles) - "I had the clippers out this morning actually".

A great bloke and it's not often you get a contestant who's as laid back as Hamish. He made great viewing.

Simon Myers wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Chemistry related mass noun, think Susie would allow it? I see it's valid on Apterous, though it's not in my version of Jimdic (which I thought was up to date). If valid then the max for this game must be very high indeed.

Well you can have two types of propanol:

Propan-1-ol CH3CH2CH2OH

and

Propan-2-ol CH3CHOHCH3

Still not entirely convinced though, but if it were valid that means a 5 niner game with a 164 Max!

Also congrats Jimmy. In the final! What will you do with the grand?

TIERCELS

Also, my mom got REEDLINGS while I got ENGIRDLES. Hi fives were exchanged.

Simon Myers wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Chemistry related mass noun, think Susie would allow it? I see it's valid on Apterous, though it's not in my version of Jimdic (which I thought was up to date). If valid then the max for this game must be very high indeed.

Straight from the horse's mouth:

Susie Dent (by email) wrote:So yes, I'd allow propanols given the definition. If it ever comes up I will be amazed but hopefully not forgetful.

Simon Myers wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Chemistry related mass noun, think Susie would allow it? I see it's valid on Apterous, though it's not in my version of Jimdic (which I thought was up to date).

It's not in my version either

Edit: Just seen Charlie's latest post, so I'll add it. How about METHANOLS and BUTANOLS (ETHANOLS is already in) and, thinking on, what about ETHANALS and METHANALS?

Dinos Sfyris wrote:

Simon Myers wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:PROPANOLS in round 1. (C) Craig Beevers 2009.

Chemistry related mass noun, think Susie would allow it? I see it's valid on Apterous, though it's not in my version of Jimdic (which I thought was up to date). If valid then the max for this game must be very high indeed.

Well you can have two types of propanol:

Propan-1-ol CH3CH2CH2OH

and

Propan-2-ol CH3CHOHCH3

Still not entirely convinced though, but if it were valid that means a 5 niner game with a 164 Max!

Also congrats Jimmy. In the final! What will you do with the grand?

ZOMGSPOILERZ!!

JimBentley wrote:Edit: Just seen Charlie's latest post, so I'll add it. How about METHANOLS and BUTANOLS (ETHANOLS is already in) and, thinking on, what about ETHANALS and METHANALS?

I can refer that question upwards but I think Susie's decision was influenced by my drawing attention to the definition which begins "Each of two...", to me strongly suggesting that talking of the two propanols is perfectly sensible. BUTANOLS might then be allowed on the same basis, whereas METHANOLS not so much. This seems like a pretty reasonable, and consistent, basis for making these decisions.

Another alternative for 3rd numbers:

9 x 100 = 900

(10 + 1 + 6) x 2 = 34

900 - 34 = 866

Glad PROPANOLS is okay, didn't hold out much hope for that one.

Congrats on the win Jimmy. You seemed pretty nervous, and no wonder when your opponent is prone to moments of brilliancy. But you spotted some nice words when it mattered. Good luck in the final, am looking forward to it.

Andrew Hulme wrote:Does Hamish not get anything for making the semi-finals? Finalists always used to get some sort of special memento, (a pen or something IIRC), but Jeff never mentioned anything. Seems a bit harsh that someone making the semis of a series gets nothing more than any random person that won 1 show, even if the prestige is far more important?

Losing quarter-finalists and semi-finalists get a glass trophy saying 'Series 61 Finalist' (unless they're in a different series of course). So there is a difference between winning one game and winning enough to make the quarters, but no difference between losing in the quarters and the semis (or at least I don't think there is).

Neil Zussman wrote: Losing quarter-finalists and semi-finalists get a glass trophy saying 'Series 61 Finalist' (unless they're in a different series of course). So there is a difference between winning one game and winning enough to make the quarters, but no difference between losing in the quarters and the semis (or at least I don't think there is).

Why choose Series 61 when you should say Series 60 really.

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Neil Zussman wrote: Losing quarter-finalists and semi-finalists get a glass trophy saying 'Series 61 Finalist' (unless they're in a different series of course). So there is a difference between winning one game and winning enough to make the quarters, but no difference between losing in the quarters and the semis (or at least I don't think there is).

Why choose Series 61 when you should say Series 60 really.

Although he was replying to Andrew who is going to be in Series 61, so either seems appropriate.

Kai Laddiman wrote:my mom got REEDLINGS while I got ENGIRDLES. Hi fives were exchanged.

To be fair, Mrs Kai had the slight advantage of having seen the game already...

I was looking forward to seeing today's game again for several reasons...

Hamish had produced his bag of what appeared to be extra strong mints just before the game was due to start and plonked them on the desk in front of him, resulting in a stern message from the gallery (relayed via Jay the floor manager) to put them somewhere out of camera shot. Just as he was putting them in his pocket, Dr Phil asked if he could have one - and then seamlessly incorporated it into the punchline of his act. Sheer genius.

GAVOTTES was my best spot of the finals - I waved my piece of paper excitedly at Charlie, who pointed languidly at the same word written on his own pad.

The last numbers round caused a bit of a headache in the gallery, a long delay in recording (and to a much needed tea break - it was swelteringly hot in the studio) and a tricky retake. It was only after both players had given their solutions and the game had progressed to the conundrum (it may even have been after the conundrum - can anyone else remember?) that someone spotted that Hamish's solution was invalid as he'd used the 9 twice. It wasn't just the declarations that had to be reshot but also Jeff's subsequent comments about the scores, the incorrect shots of the score readouts etc. However, it's a tribute to the people in the gallery and to the editor that the whole thing looks seamless in the final cut.

BUTANOLS would be ok, as there's butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol; but there's only one isomer of each of methanol, methanal and ethanal so they should be mass nouns.

Phil Reynolds wrote:However, it's a tribute to the people in the gallery and to the editor that the whole thing looks seamless in the final cut.

A nice bit of acting from Hamish, too. Another shocking story for the tabloids.