c4countdown

Joe McGonigle is now a half octochamp, and a 5th will definitely secure him a place in the finals. Can he do it? He does have a tough task in front of him though, by the name of aptoforumite Mark Ivey. Even though his rating isn't as high as some of the recent apterous contestants,from first hand experience I can confirm he definitely has some skill, so I think it will be a tough test for Joe. Also, even if Joe loses, a score of 77 or more will put him ahead of Rachael Moran, and secure him a spot in the finals anyway.

Join James for the recap later.

Jordan F wrote:Join James for the recap later.

Andy's doing it today, I think?

I am very nervous about watching this... I hate seeing myself on video.

Don't worry, we'll only make fun of you a little bit

Strange bit of editing for the first numbers game there. Alternative solution for 920: ((10+4+4) x 50)) + 25 - 5

Yeah interesting one, I think Joe was timed out. UNDERLIT in round 4 as a DC beater.

My alternative method for round 6 was (75 x 4 + 10 + 5) x 3 - 2

Edit: THERMION as a DC beater in round 7

Edit: Awesome solve by Joe in round 10 there, I was nowhere near. Well. 2 away. But still.

Edit: DEVOURS and GROUSED in round 12, probably amongst others

DEVOURS for a beater which I'm really surprised nobody got.

Did Mark declare SURGED in round 12 (RVGUESDOR)? Fucking housemate was making noise

Andy Platt wrote:Did Mark declare SURGED in round 12 (RVGUESDOR)? Fucking housemate was making noise

Yes he did.

And unlucky Mark, from playing you first hand I know you're capable of some good stuff, but Joe's been pretty good himself lately. Seems like from your posts that you had a good time though.

Also DROGUES in that round. Alt for second numbers (100-8)x8-50-(10x5).

Thanks Jordan, recap up on the wiki now that I know what he declared.

Unlucky Mark, some tricky rounds there today.
On another day you probably beat Joe as he does come out with some good stuff but is quite inconsistent.

Thanks guys. It feels good I can talk about how I did now.

Yeah, I didn't win. I put it partly down to nerves and also some tricky letters selections (including an unfairly hard conundrum), but I also don't want to take away from Joe as he did very well today and I look forward to seeing how he does.

Here's some random facts:

- I'd like to start by apologizing to Goths everywhere. The whole 'constantly wearing black' thing is a stereotype, and I wish I'd pointed this out. But I was so nervous I probably would have agreed if Nick told me to shave my hair off.
- On the afternoon of recording, Nick was showing everyone in the dressing room the 'Goldfinger' trail of The Apprentice.
- Unlike other contestants, I chose not to enter the studio until I was actually recording so I was very much in awe when I was playing. It really does look amazing.
- You may have noticed this while watching, but very few shots while in play doesn't show me looking at the screen in front of my but across at the letters. I don't know why I chose to do this, and didn't even remember before watching today.
- This caused another problem, as in R2 (my first time selecting letters) I accidentally wrote down eight letters instead of nine and instead of using my monitor I looked at the board and saw the Phantom N for INTERN (although Joe beat me anyway).
- When re-watching, look for me sticking my tongue out when concentrating and please don't screencap it.
- The clock sequence for the last letters game had to be re-filmed for some reason so me and Joe were asked to just look like we were working. Hence me actually looking at my screen for once.
- The girl who got the conundrum 'MASOCHIST' was very embarrassed about it (which wasn't helped when Nick referred to her as 'Masochist Girl' when she came down for a photo. Still, she got a mug out of it.

So yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't pull a win but in the end it doesn't matter. It was still a fantastic experience, one I'll never forget.

Well played Mark, Joe's a good player as others have said. Great to know that you had a great experience like many others!

Jack Worsley wrote:Well played Mark, Joe's a good player as others have said. Great to know that you had a great experience like many others!

Thanks Jack

Unlucky Mark. It's difficult coming up against someone who's already got a few wins behind them but you put in a good performance. There wasn't much in it on the letters rounds but Joe seems to be especially strong on the numbers, as his brilliant spot in round 9 showed.

Andy Platt wrote: Edit: DEVOURS and GROUSED in round 12, probably amongst others

I had DROVERS in round 12. Really surprised that DC could only come up with six-letter words.

Tony Atkins wrote:Also DROGUES in that round

Also GOURDES as a 2nd anagram of GROUSED.

Bad luck Mark. Congrats to Joe on another win. Just like another McGonigle, he gets results ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXSpPvb9lhk

I'm totally with Janet about 'rewash' not being allowed! If Susie lived in Falmouth it would have been in long ago, with they pesky seagulls flying around ******** all over your car when you just washed it!

Good to see Mark on the prog, sorry he went out too soon.

Just watched this.

Unlucky Mark, you were unfortunate to come up against Joe. Glad you enjoyed it!

Awesome numbers solve by Joe in Round 9, I think I was one or two away in that round.