c4countdown

Countdown recap for Tuesday 26 December 2000.

C1: Champion Robert Roden (1 win, 55 points.)
C2: Challenger Dave Ryan from Buxton, Derbyshire.
DC: Damian Eadie and Joan Bakewell.
CV: Carol Vorderman.
OT: Other words or solutions.

R01: B S T N E O I L D
R02: R W A L E G I R T
R03: S M N K E A O Z F
R04: 50, 9, 2, 9, 3, 7. Target: 254.
R05: H V U P I G D A N
R06: T R M L E O I S C
R07: J A E Y D T A S O
R08: 100, 75, 25, 10, 1, 7. Target: 377.
R09: G I N R A N G E R (conundrum)


And now a brief interlude before our main feature:

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This is the first episode of a new series, so we're back to the regular sponsor of Flora Proactiv, and a regular nine-round game, and a slightly early time slot of 4.15. The Christmas decorations are still up, though.

Round 1: B S T N E O I L D

C1: BONIEST (7)
C2: BLINDEST (8)
DC: BOILED (6) STONED (6) BLONDEST (8)
Score: 0–8 (max 8)

Round 2: R W A L E G I R T

C1: WAITER (6)
C2: TRAWLER (7)
DC: RETRIAL (7)
OT: RETIRAL (7) TRAILER (7) TWIRLER (7) WARTIER (7)
Score: 0–15 (max 15)

Round 3: S M N K E A O Z F

C1: MONKS (5)
C2: FOAMS (5)
DC: ZONES (5) MAZES (5) SMOKE (5) SNAKE (5)
OT: NOSEMA (6)
Score: 5–20 (max 21)

Round 4: 50, 9, 2, 9, 3, 7. Target: 254.

C1: 255.
C2: 254. 50*(7-2) + 3 + 9/9 (10)
Score: 5–30 (max 31)

The challenger has built up a massive lead in the first half of the game. Can our champion pull it back in the second half?

Round 5: H V U P I G D A N

C1: HAVING (6)
C2: DUPING (6)
DC: PAVING (6) DAUPHIN (7)
Score: 11–36 (max 38)

Round 6: T R M L E O I S C

C1: COSTLIER (8)
C2: MOISTER (7)
DC: CLOISTER (8) MORTICES (8)
OT: CORTILES (8) CORMLETS (8)
Score: 19–36 (max 46)

Round 7: J A E Y D T A S O

C1: STEADY (6)
C2: TODAYS (6)
OT: STAYED (6)
Score: 25–42 (max 52)

Round 8: 100, 75, 25, 10, 1, 7. Target: 377.

C1: 377. 100*(75/25) + 7*(10+1) (10)
C2: 367.
Score: 35–42 (max 62)

The eight-letter word in round 6 and a slightly tricky numbers game here means that the conundrum is crucial.

Round 9: G I N R A N G E R

C2 buzzes on 4 seconds to say RANGERING which is incorrect.
C1 does not buzz.
The answer was GARNERING.
Score: 35–42 (max 72)

Dave knew it was wrong when he hit the button, but Rob is unable to fix it, so Dave holds on for the win and the first winner's goody bag of series 44 (which is the same as the previous goody bag, except for "Himoff!").

Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=44