Monday 1st November 2010 (Series 63, Prelim 81)
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:22 pm
Well, well, well, boys and girls what a show we have in store for you today on what is now a new month. For half of you this month is a time to put that razor away and embrace Movember and grow that retro tash you so badly crave and for the male population there's Bonfire Night.
I can't let October pass me by without saying a few words about just how good it was. We witnessed Countdown history starting with the lowest ever winning score as well as the lowest ever combined score in a 15 round game. I think you'll admit it was truly remarkable and quite ironically it will take some beating.
After that dark day for Countdown, Jack Hurst popped by and caused a media frenzy by scoring 946 points in 8 games shattering the previous record. The octochampion dazzled the world with spots of POTATOES, PIMENTOS and PASTA which he learnt from the countdown website he plays on.
Steve Turvey closed October's door by winning last Friday and is back today on the 1st November, so give yourselves a pinch and a punch from me and I'll stop my lollygagging /larsen.
Countdown recap for Monday 1 November 2010.
C1: Champion Steve Turvey (2 wins, 196 points.)
C2: Challenger Marcus Hares.
DC: Susie Dent and John Parrott.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: C S R E U I T N A
R02: X E I A T D B O S
R03: F M T I E A D G O
R04: S U E O V T D E W
R05: 50, 3, 2, 10, 9, 7. Target: 378.
TTT: MORECOPS - "The answer is Haydn away in there"
R06: C A I O L N R I V
R07: P L T A E O B S E
R08: R A U O G L K I W
R09: R T Y U E A N G E
R10: 25, 1, 7, 6, 1, 10. Target: 714.
TTT: VINECURL - "This small ball should be fired"
R11: R T L I O I R Q E
R12: D A U E N P R U H
R13: L F D A E A N P E
R14: 50, 10, 3, 1, 6, 6. Target: 788.
R15: G I V E N D I C E (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Jeff opens the show talking about the firemen's job on Bonfire night coming up but I don't think he's been watching the news too closely.
Steve "Topsy" Turvey must be feeling pretty good right now after capping off his second win with a century on Friday. He is of course the transport consultant from Coventry although he supports the scummy Leicester City. Quite interesting is how Steve comes to be sitting in the 2nd most famous black (dark brown?) chair on TV. It actually came about because of a bet he had with one of his friends saying that if Steve failed a module he would have to go on Countdown one day. And fail it he did.
Marcus Hares may not need much of an introduction to apterous folk or maybe even Countdown folk as he appeared on the show back in 1996 winning 2 games. But who is the real Marcus Hares? Well, he's an office administrator from Street in Somerset and he is a mad tennis fan. Later this year he hopes to become a line judge with the ultimate goal of sitting in a high chair watching balls go back and forth.
John Parrott returns for another stint and I'm assuming it's a welcome return even if you're not a snooker fan. He's a great guest and seems to really have a go at the game and engage with contestants. John's best achievement was his 1991 Crucible victory over the Whirlwind Jimmy White in the final (Jimmy's third successive final defeat).
Enjoy the show.
Round 1: C S R E U I T N A
C1: URINATES (8)
C2: URINATES (8)
DC: CURTAINS (8) TRUANCIES (18)
Score: 8–8 (max 18)
Steady 8's to begin with from champ and challenger but Marcus may rue the missed opportunity of an attainable 9.
Round 2: X E I A T D B O S
C1: BOASTED (7)
C2: BOATIES (7)
DC: BOXIEST (7)
OT: BASTIDE (7) SABOTED (7) IODATES (7) TOADIES (7) OXIDASE (7)
Score: 15–15 (max 25)
A flat second round means both lads move on to 15 apiece.
Round 3: F M T I E A D G O
C1: motifed
C2: GODETIA (7)
Score: 15–22 (max 32)
The class of Marcus is starting to show as a classic apto selection means he spots the darren and with it takes all available points and with it a lead. For some reason I thought GEOMATID^ was valid.
Round 4: S U E O V T D E W
C1: DEVOTES (7)
C2: STEWED (6)
DC: outseed
Score: 22–22 (max 39)
From the highs of GODETIA Marcus manages to overlook the darren in this round and the guys are level again. Bad news for Marcus, then again, nothing much good ever comes of something ending with a Dew.
Round 5: 50, 3, 2, 10, 9, 7. Target: 378.
C1: 378. (50+9-3-2)*7 (10)
C2: 378. (50+3)*7+9-2 (10)
Score: 32–32 (max 49)
Steve chooses perhaps the more elegant solution but it's maximum points for both and we march on to hear what John has to say.
DC Guest Time: John talks about the recent tour he was on with the likes of Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Cliff Thorburn and the snooker referee Michaela Tabb (the lass who makes snooker worth watching just that little bit more). No mention of the inaugural Power Snooker but there was a moment to remember the snooker legend that was Alex "Hurricane" Higgins.
Teatime teaser: MORECOPS -> COMPOSER
A very cryptic clue from Damian Eadie here (mentioned purely so that when you next egosurf you will be massively disappointed by this non-bitchy and boring comment made by me).
Round 6: C A I O L N R I V
C1: ACORN (5)
C2: IRONIC (6)
DC: CLARION (7) IRONICAL (8)
Score: 32–38 (max 57)
Marcus declares 6 after hearing Steve only had a 5 but Marcus did actually have IRONICAL written down which DC said would have been fine. The right decision at this moment in the game as a 6 point lead could have become a 5 point deficit. RAVIOLI was also there as a 7 if you're that way inclined.
Round 7: P L T A E O B S E
C1: POTABLE (7)
C2: POTABLE (7)
DC: PELOTAS (7) postable
OT: APOSTLE (7) BOATELS (7) OBLATES (7) BOLETES (7) OLEATES (7)
Score: 39–45 (max 64)
Another very flat round means the scores increase but Marcus' 6 point lead is still in tact.
Round 8: R A U O G L K I W
C1: LURK (4)
C2: GIAOUR (6)
DC: GROWL (5)
OT: AIRGLOW (7)
Score: 39–51 (max 71)
Another classic word from Marcus (which Susie has ready on pencam) sees him extend the lead to 12 points and put some breathing space between him and Steve. Everybody though missed the tricky spot AIRGLOW.
Round 9: R T Y U E A N G E
C1: turnage
C2: GANTRY (6)
DC: GAUNTER (7) REAGENT (7)
OT: GRANTEE (7)
Score: 39–57 (max 78)
Steve's very audacious risk lands him in trouble as he doesn't score for the second consecutive round. A trio of 7's were in the mix but Marcus will be content that he pulls further clear and is surely in command of the game now. He just needs to secure the next numbers game to tighten his grip on this match and the third "half" should be a breeze. But first, over to Susie...
Susie's Origins of Words: Susie tells us that the word swansong has it's origins with the Ancient Greeks as they believed that swans were mute until the final moment of their life when they let out some noise and then died. Also the Suffragette's are to thank for the phrase cat and mouse as the Cat and Mouse Act was introduced in 1913 specifically for them.
Round 10: 25, 1, 7, 6, 1, 10. Target: 714.
C1: 714. ((10-6)*25+1+1)*7 (10)
C2: 710.
Score: 49–57 (max 88)
A crushing blow for Marcus right before the break sees his 16 point lead that he forged turned into the very uncomfortable less than 10 points. The numbers game itself wasn't tricky once you'd noticed it was 7*102.
Teatime teaser: VINECURL -> CULVERIN
Round 11: R T L I O I R Q E
C1: LOITER (6)
C2: LOITER (6)
DC: OILIER (6) TOILER (6) RIOTER (6)
Score: 55–63 (max 94)
Steve, Marcus and DC find all the 6's available in a very flat selection.
Round 12: D A U E N P R U H
C1: UNHEARD (7)
C2: PANDER (6)
Score: 62–63 (max 101)
Another hammer blow for Marcus as Steve closes the gap to just 1 point. OK now time for me to spark some controversy. After Steve declares UNHEARD we get a shot of DC being sort of unusually lively as Susie comments that John just spotted that one in the last few seconds. Is it possible that John's word actually didn't go UNHEARD? I know when I was on I heard a 7 letter word mentioned by Susie at one point but I went with another 7 instead. Shoot me down, tell me to shut up if you want...I am just throwing that shit out there...
Round 13: L F D A E A N P E
C1: PLANED (6)
C2: DEPLANE (7)
Score: 62–70 (max 108)
After the drama of last round Marcus manages to come up with a fine spot under real pressure having bossed this match for so long. The gap he has re-established is now 8 points and this could be vital in this final numbers game. Marcus over to you...
Round 14: 50, 10, 3, 1, 6, 6. Target: 788.
C1: 788. Mistake in working.
C2: 790. (10+6)*50-(6+3+1) (7)
RR: 788. (10+6)*50-(3-1)*6 (10)
Score: 62–77 (max 118)
"No sorry I've gone wrong" are some of the nicest words you can hear on Countdown and Marcus just has to read out his 790 solution to take game, set and match. (Tennis terminology for you Bunny).
Round 15: G I V E N D I C E
C2 buzzes on 2 seconds to say DECEIVING which is correct.
Final Score: 62–87 (max 128)
Marcus confirms victory with a quick solve finishing up 25 points clear of Steve in the end but it certainly didn't feel like that.
Steve made a couple of mistakes early on opening the door for Marcus only for Marcus to let Steve back in a little later. But ultimately Marcus' calm exterior and word spotting pulled him through just about and he seals victory #1.
Just a quick note, the series 63 finals begin filming tomorrow with the first two quarter-finals taking place (1 vs 8 and 2 vs 7). Will Marcus be making an appearance at the studios again or will he just be a blot on the series 63 canvas. Find out when either me or the series 62 champ will fill you in tomorrow. Can't remember who it is.
Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=63
I can't let October pass me by without saying a few words about just how good it was. We witnessed Countdown history starting with the lowest ever winning score as well as the lowest ever combined score in a 15 round game. I think you'll admit it was truly remarkable and quite ironically it will take some beating.
After that dark day for Countdown, Jack Hurst popped by and caused a media frenzy by scoring 946 points in 8 games shattering the previous record. The octochampion dazzled the world with spots of POTATOES, PIMENTOS and PASTA which he learnt from the countdown website he plays on.
Steve Turvey closed October's door by winning last Friday and is back today on the 1st November, so give yourselves a pinch and a punch from me and I'll stop my lollygagging /larsen.
Countdown recap for Monday 1 November 2010.
C1: Champion Steve Turvey (2 wins, 196 points.)
C2: Challenger Marcus Hares.
DC: Susie Dent and John Parrott.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: C S R E U I T N A
R02: X E I A T D B O S
R03: F M T I E A D G O
R04: S U E O V T D E W
R05: 50, 3, 2, 10, 9, 7. Target: 378.
TTT: MORECOPS - "The answer is Haydn away in there"
R06: C A I O L N R I V
R07: P L T A E O B S E
R08: R A U O G L K I W
R09: R T Y U E A N G E
R10: 25, 1, 7, 6, 1, 10. Target: 714.
TTT: VINECURL - "This small ball should be fired"
R11: R T L I O I R Q E
R12: D A U E N P R U H
R13: L F D A E A N P E
R14: 50, 10, 3, 1, 6, 6. Target: 788.
R15: G I V E N D I C E (conundrum)
And now a brief interlude before our main feature:
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Jeff opens the show talking about the firemen's job on Bonfire night coming up but I don't think he's been watching the news too closely.
Steve "Topsy" Turvey must be feeling pretty good right now after capping off his second win with a century on Friday. He is of course the transport consultant from Coventry although he supports the scummy Leicester City. Quite interesting is how Steve comes to be sitting in the 2nd most famous black (dark brown?) chair on TV. It actually came about because of a bet he had with one of his friends saying that if Steve failed a module he would have to go on Countdown one day. And fail it he did.
Marcus Hares may not need much of an introduction to apterous folk or maybe even Countdown folk as he appeared on the show back in 1996 winning 2 games. But who is the real Marcus Hares? Well, he's an office administrator from Street in Somerset and he is a mad tennis fan. Later this year he hopes to become a line judge with the ultimate goal of sitting in a high chair watching balls go back and forth.
John Parrott returns for another stint and I'm assuming it's a welcome return even if you're not a snooker fan. He's a great guest and seems to really have a go at the game and engage with contestants. John's best achievement was his 1991 Crucible victory over the Whirlwind Jimmy White in the final (Jimmy's third successive final defeat).
Enjoy the show.
Round 1: C S R E U I T N A
C1: URINATES (8)
C2: URINATES (8)
DC: CURTAINS (8) TRUANCIES (18)
Score: 8–8 (max 18)
Steady 8's to begin with from champ and challenger but Marcus may rue the missed opportunity of an attainable 9.
Round 2: X E I A T D B O S
C1: BOASTED (7)
C2: BOATIES (7)
DC: BOXIEST (7)
OT: BASTIDE (7) SABOTED (7) IODATES (7) TOADIES (7) OXIDASE (7)
Score: 15–15 (max 25)
A flat second round means both lads move on to 15 apiece.
Round 3: F M T I E A D G O
C1: motifed
C2: GODETIA (7)
Score: 15–22 (max 32)
The class of Marcus is starting to show as a classic apto selection means he spots the darren and with it takes all available points and with it a lead. For some reason I thought GEOMATID^ was valid.
Round 4: S U E O V T D E W
C1: DEVOTES (7)
C2: STEWED (6)
DC: outseed
Score: 22–22 (max 39)
From the highs of GODETIA Marcus manages to overlook the darren in this round and the guys are level again. Bad news for Marcus, then again, nothing much good ever comes of something ending with a Dew.
Round 5: 50, 3, 2, 10, 9, 7. Target: 378.
C1: 378. (50+9-3-2)*7 (10)
C2: 378. (50+3)*7+9-2 (10)
Score: 32–32 (max 49)
Steve chooses perhaps the more elegant solution but it's maximum points for both and we march on to hear what John has to say.
DC Guest Time: John talks about the recent tour he was on with the likes of Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Cliff Thorburn and the snooker referee Michaela Tabb (the lass who makes snooker worth watching just that little bit more). No mention of the inaugural Power Snooker but there was a moment to remember the snooker legend that was Alex "Hurricane" Higgins.
Teatime teaser: MORECOPS -> COMPOSER
A very cryptic clue from Damian Eadie here (mentioned purely so that when you next egosurf you will be massively disappointed by this non-bitchy and boring comment made by me).
Round 6: C A I O L N R I V
C1: ACORN (5)
C2: IRONIC (6)
DC: CLARION (7) IRONICAL (8)
Score: 32–38 (max 57)
Marcus declares 6 after hearing Steve only had a 5 but Marcus did actually have IRONICAL written down which DC said would have been fine. The right decision at this moment in the game as a 6 point lead could have become a 5 point deficit. RAVIOLI was also there as a 7 if you're that way inclined.
Round 7: P L T A E O B S E
C1: POTABLE (7)
C2: POTABLE (7)
DC: PELOTAS (7) postable
OT: APOSTLE (7) BOATELS (7) OBLATES (7) BOLETES (7) OLEATES (7)
Score: 39–45 (max 64)
Another very flat round means the scores increase but Marcus' 6 point lead is still in tact.
Round 8: R A U O G L K I W
C1: LURK (4)
C2: GIAOUR (6)
DC: GROWL (5)
OT: AIRGLOW (7)
Score: 39–51 (max 71)
Another classic word from Marcus (which Susie has ready on pencam) sees him extend the lead to 12 points and put some breathing space between him and Steve. Everybody though missed the tricky spot AIRGLOW.
Round 9: R T Y U E A N G E
C1: turnage
C2: GANTRY (6)
DC: GAUNTER (7) REAGENT (7)
OT: GRANTEE (7)
Score: 39–57 (max 78)
Steve's very audacious risk lands him in trouble as he doesn't score for the second consecutive round. A trio of 7's were in the mix but Marcus will be content that he pulls further clear and is surely in command of the game now. He just needs to secure the next numbers game to tighten his grip on this match and the third "half" should be a breeze. But first, over to Susie...
Susie's Origins of Words: Susie tells us that the word swansong has it's origins with the Ancient Greeks as they believed that swans were mute until the final moment of their life when they let out some noise and then died. Also the Suffragette's are to thank for the phrase cat and mouse as the Cat and Mouse Act was introduced in 1913 specifically for them.
Round 10: 25, 1, 7, 6, 1, 10. Target: 714.
C1: 714. ((10-6)*25+1+1)*7 (10)
C2: 710.
Score: 49–57 (max 88)
A crushing blow for Marcus right before the break sees his 16 point lead that he forged turned into the very uncomfortable less than 10 points. The numbers game itself wasn't tricky once you'd noticed it was 7*102.
Teatime teaser: VINECURL -> CULVERIN
Round 11: R T L I O I R Q E
C1: LOITER (6)
C2: LOITER (6)
DC: OILIER (6) TOILER (6) RIOTER (6)
Score: 55–63 (max 94)
Steve, Marcus and DC find all the 6's available in a very flat selection.
Round 12: D A U E N P R U H
C1: UNHEARD (7)
C2: PANDER (6)
Score: 62–63 (max 101)
Another hammer blow for Marcus as Steve closes the gap to just 1 point. OK now time for me to spark some controversy. After Steve declares UNHEARD we get a shot of DC being sort of unusually lively as Susie comments that John just spotted that one in the last few seconds. Is it possible that John's word actually didn't go UNHEARD? I know when I was on I heard a 7 letter word mentioned by Susie at one point but I went with another 7 instead. Shoot me down, tell me to shut up if you want...I am just throwing that shit out there...
Round 13: L F D A E A N P E
C1: PLANED (6)
C2: DEPLANE (7)
Score: 62–70 (max 108)
After the drama of last round Marcus manages to come up with a fine spot under real pressure having bossed this match for so long. The gap he has re-established is now 8 points and this could be vital in this final numbers game. Marcus over to you...
Round 14: 50, 10, 3, 1, 6, 6. Target: 788.
C1: 788. Mistake in working.
C2: 790. (10+6)*50-(6+3+1) (7)
RR: 788. (10+6)*50-(3-1)*6 (10)
Score: 62–77 (max 118)
"No sorry I've gone wrong" are some of the nicest words you can hear on Countdown and Marcus just has to read out his 790 solution to take game, set and match. (Tennis terminology for you Bunny).
Round 15: G I V E N D I C E
C2 buzzes on 2 seconds to say DECEIVING which is correct.
Final Score: 62–87 (max 128)
Marcus confirms victory with a quick solve finishing up 25 points clear of Steve in the end but it certainly didn't feel like that.
Steve made a couple of mistakes early on opening the door for Marcus only for Marcus to let Steve back in a little later. But ultimately Marcus' calm exterior and word spotting pulled him through just about and he seals victory #1.
Just a quick note, the series 63 finals begin filming tomorrow with the first two quarter-finals taking place (1 vs 8 and 2 vs 7). Will Marcus be making an appearance at the studios again or will he just be a blot on the series 63 canvas. Find out when either me or the series 62 champ will fill you in tomorrow. Can't remember who it is.
Further summaries are at:
http://www.apterous.org/cdb/series.php?series=63