Spoilers For Wednesday December 2nd 2009

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:29 pm

We're on Wednesday now, which can mean only 2 things, there's a show on in around 2 hours, and it's also the first half of the Robinson Recap later.

Tom has now got 2 wins under his belt after beating ex-pro footballer Adrian Coote yesterday. Will he get the hat-trick today?

The words "still" and "unsure" seem to describe my feelings towards DC guest Jon Gaunt at the moment. But, as we all know, there is no universal favourite guest on the show, and no universal least favourite guest on the show.

Unless you wan't to prove me wrong, of course.

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:05 pm

Nice to see you in early James. I take it the new batteries in the alarm clock worked OK?

I've made up my mind about Jon Gaunt. I'm going to tape it then FF when he is spouting.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:17 pm

James Robinson wrote:We're on Wednesday now

No shit, most helpful.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:23 pm

D Eadie wrote:
James Robinson wrote:We're on Wednesday now
No shit, most helpful.

Niall Seymour wrote:For the record I actually like it when James starts them off, it's quite useful to be reminded what day of the week it is

James Robinson, the human calendar.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:29 pm

Today's challenger mentioned that he works on a film crew; I wonder if he is same guy who used to tour with Roy "Chubby" Brown?

Edit: No it's not the same guy. Just found the other one, and he's based in Blackpool and is a little older: http://www.quilligansfc.co.uk/halloffame.htm#rh
However uncommon a name appears, seems there's still another one someone.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:33 pm

KINGED in round 2
There is a 9 in round 3

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:37 pm

PROUDEST also in round 4

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:37 pm

1st numbers alt: (50-4*3)*(9+7)

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:41 pm

If the situation's as bad as he claims, then why are all the fresh ingredients still so readily available everywhere?

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:42 pm

I wonder what gem Jon Gaunt will have worked up to for Fridays dose of "forward to the past"?
Perhaps: "Kids up chimneys & down mines will make a healthier & more sociable close knit family unit"?

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:43 pm

Davy Affleck wrote:I wonder what gem Jon Gaunt will have worked up to for Fridays dose of "forward to the past"?
Perhaps: "Kids up chimneys & down mines will make a healthier & more sociable close knit family unit"?

Oh, so you couldn't resist listening to it in the end then.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:48 pm

That guy is such a fucking cock.

On a side note, the whole show just went pixellated and then came back to normal.
Viewing on Sky - but not the sort of distortion you get with bad weather outside, a very fluent morph to pixellated and then morph back again. Most odd.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:55 pm

2nd numbers alt- 50*9+everything else.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:01 pm

Way to go Jeff.

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:13 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:
Davy Affleck wrote:I wonder what gem Jon Gaunt will have worked up to for Fridays dose of "forward to the past"?
Perhaps: "Kids up chimneys & down mines will make a healthier & more sociable close knit family unit"?
Oh, so you couldn't resist listening to it in the end then.

I didn't listen. I have got a HNC in lipreading.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:19 pm

I was well awesome today...missing AILERON in the process

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:31 pm

John of Gaunt

Thanks James for keeping it on the boil and thanks Davy for stirring it some more. It makes me feel so good that I am not alone in this. It is nearly enough to stop me watching Countdown - but instead my wife (thank her cotton socks) switches off the sound whenever he speaks, but we can still see his obnoxious, self satsified face.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:36 pm

John Bosley wrote:It is nearly enough to stop me watching Countdown - but instead my wife (thank her cotton socks) switches off the sound whenever he speaks, but we can still see his obnoxious, self satsified face.

Do you ever get the urge to run up to the screen and tickle his little chin?
Or does your wife quell that urge too?

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:03 pm

Marc Meakin wrote:KINGED in round 2
There is a 9 in round 3

What was the selection again?

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:16 pm

Eoin Monaghan wrote:
Marc Meakin wrote:KINGED in round 2
There is a 9 in round 3
What was the selection again?

Wasn't it SEALSTONE Eoin?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:27 pm

Eoin Monaghan wrote:
Marc Meakin wrote:There is a 9 in round 3
What was the selection again?

HOARSELY + D

Andy Thomson · Post by **Andy Thomson** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:35 pm

I rarely comment on the spoilers threads because I'm at work when Countdown's on so I record it and watch it while I'm having my evening meal. The upside of that is, when the DC guest is a complete twat (like this week's) I can FF and not listen to him.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:41 pm

Marc Meakin wrote:PROUDEST also in round 4

How did you feel after getting that?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:01 pm

Allan Harmer wrote:
Eoin Monaghan wrote:
Marc Meakin wrote:KINGED in round 2
There is a 9 in round 3
What was the selection again?
Wasn't it SEALSTONE Eoin?

No, it was HYDROLASE. SEALSTONE was in Round 8.

Alternative to 2nd numbers:

100 + 25 - 9 = 116, 116 x 5 = 580, 580 + 1 = 581

Eoin Monaghan · Post by **Eoin Monaghan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:34 pm

Cool, thanks.

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:11 pm

The letters were quite nice today. Here's one for the statto's: when was the last time, before today, that every letters round contained at least a 7 in the selection?

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:26 pm

Darren Carter wrote:The letters were quite nice today. Here's one for the statto's: when was the last time, before today, that every letters round contained at least a 7 in the selection?

Not a definitive answer, but it happened at least as recently as 24 July.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:59 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:I was well awesome today...missing AILERON in the process

At least you didn't go for IRONABLE like I did :facepalm:

Ben Hunter wrote: James Robinson, the human calendar.

PMSL

Clive Brooker · Post by **Clive Brooker** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:46 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Darren Carter wrote:The letters were quite nice today. Here's one for the statto's: when was the last time, before today, that every letters round contained at least a 7 in the selection?
Not a definitive answer, but it happened at least as recently as 24 July.

It's difficult to be completely sure because the data becomes patchy before series 49, but it the 15-round era it seems to happen in about 20% of games.

I can't find any instances of the minimum max being 8 - 9/11 away seems to be the closest, on about 10 occasions.

Far more noteworthy is the very rare achievement of scoring 7 or more in every letters round - three instances that I can find. I'll now allow a little tension to build - always assuming someone's actually reading this.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:51 pm

Clive Brooker wrote:
Charlie Reams wrote:
Darren Carter wrote:The letters were quite nice today. Here's one for the statto's: when was the last time, before today, that every letters round contained at least a 7 in the selection?
Not a definitive answer, but it happened at least as recently as 24 July.
It's difficult to be completely sure because the data becomes patchy before series 49, but it the 15-round era it seems to happen in about 20% of games.

I have to admit, I didn't search very thoroughly. For example, there was one only a few weeks ago. 20% seems surprisingly high though, I had to go through about 10 games to find one.

Clive Brooker wrote:Far more noteworthy is the very rare achievement of scoring 7 or more in every letters round - three instances that I can find. I'll now allow a little tension to build - always assuming someone's actually reading this.

Do tell!

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:04 pm

I thought it would be quite rare seeing as there is normally at least one tricky letters round - obviously it isn't!

Clive Brooker · Post by **Clive Brooker** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:36 pm

My 20% should be a pretty robust estimate. I pulled out a load of data a few weeks ago from the Wiki (because I felt like it!) and have resolved most of the inconsistences. I have 11 instances of a minmax of 7 in series 61 (up to the end of October), 8 in series 60, rising to 32 in both series 53 and series 54. I've looked at a number manually and they've all checked out.

The famous three are:

Holden
Welsby
O'Donnell (on debut)

It's amazing how often you spot your own mistake just after posting - not this time I hope!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:42 pm

Darren Carter wrote:I thought it would be quite rare seeing as there is normally at least one tricky letters round - obviously it isn't!

We nearly had a minimax 7 again today, but Round 12 spoiled it for us all. Damn those 3 N's.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:06 pm

Clive Brooker wrote:My 20% should be a pretty robust estimate. I pulled out a load of data a few weeks ago from the Wiki (because I felt like it!) and have resolved most of the inconsistences. I have 11 instances of a minmax of 7 in series 61 (up to the end of October), 8 in series 60, rising to 32 in both series 53 and series 54. I've looked at a number manually and they've all checked out.

The famous three are:

Holden
Welsby
O'Donnell (on debut)

It's amazing how often you spot your own mistake just after posting - not this time I hope!

O'Donnell didn't score in round 1 (unless this is flat scoring you're talking about).

Clive Brooker · Post by **Clive Brooker** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:36 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:O'Donnell didn't score in round 1 (unless this is flat scoring you're talking about).

Well spotted. I did think about which to use, and TBH I'd forgotten what I'd decided.

Something's just occurred to me. S53 - 32, S60 - 8. Shuffling.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:15 pm

Clive Brooker wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:O'Donnell didn't score in round 1 (unless this is flat scoring you're talking about).
Well spotted. I did think about which to use, and TBH I'd forgotten what I'd decided.

Something's just occurred to me. S53 - 32, S60 - 8. Shuffling.

It could also be to do with the numbers of vowels the contestants go for too. Although I guess this probably evens itself out through a series. Contestants like the current champion who seem to go for 3 vowels every time, are reducing the chance of finding longer words in a selection, so a series with lots of contestants like this (which s 61 seems to have provided) might not have as many games with "nice letters". Having said that, I don't recall S60 to have many contestants who were going crazy with their vowels, so It is probs more likely to be the shuffling.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:28 am

JackHurst wrote: Contestants like the current champion who seem to go for 3 vowels every time, are reducing the chance of finding longer words in a selection

I commented to my daughter about this yesterday, it's always CCCVVCCCV.

Have we located his bar yet? I'm in London at the weekend, I might pop in and say hi to Sienna Miller.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:11 am

Jon Corby wrote:
JackHurst wrote: Contestants like the current champion who seem to go for 3 vowels every time, are reducing the chance of finding longer words in a selection
I commented to my daughter about this yesterday, it's always CCCVVCCCV.

Have we located his bar yet? I'm in London at the weekend, I might pop in and say hi to Sienna Miller.

Check it out here http://www.thehideawaybar.co.uk/

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:13 am

Marc Meakin wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
JackHurst wrote: Contestants like the current champion who seem to go for 3 vowels every time, are reducing the chance of finding longer words in a selection
I commented to my daughter about this yesterday, it's always CCCVVCCCV.

Have we located his bar yet? I'm in London at the weekend, I might pop in and say hi to Sienna Miller.
Check it out here http://www.thehideawaybar.co.uk/

That looks pretty cool. But I've just been told we already have a table "booked" in another bar for the night. Bloody city types

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:20 am

Davy Affleck wrote:I wonder what gem Jon Gaunt will have worked up to for Fridays dose of "forward to the past"?
Perhaps: "Kids up chimneys & down mines will make a healthier & more sociable close knit family unit"?

Well it's Friday and the gut wrenching pain is nearly all over, but I am probably going to see the Doctor on Monday for a perk me up.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:04 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:Viewing on Sky - but not the sort of distortion you get with bad weather outside, a very fluent morph to pixellated and then morph back again. Most odd.

Cool, wasn't just my box, then.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:05 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:Do you ever get the urge to run up to the screen and tickle his little chin?

Which one??

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:13 pm

Alec Rivers wrote:
Derek Hazell wrote:Do you ever get the urge to run up to the screen and tickle his little chin?
Which one??

[Like]

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:04 pm

Aye, just catching up, Jon o' Gaunt (quite funny that), bit of a dip shit.