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Episode Cats105

From Countdown

Episode Cats105, billed as Christmas Special 2018 was a special episode broadcast on 23 December 2018, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 17.

Regulars Sean Lock and Jon Richardson were the contestants, along with Kathy Burke and David Mitchell who were their teammates respectively, while Jimmy Carr reprised his role as the host.

The match saw Jon Richardson, with the assistance of David Mitchell, winning by 45 – 32 in an 7-rounder and they won a Countdown Christmas "turkey".

Rachel Riley was, as ever, the arithmetician. The Dictionary Corner guest was James Acaster, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent. Joe Wilkinson also made a special appearance just before Round 5 by coming in a "spacecraft" after sending Jimmy an A4-sized card with the cover featuring him showing the middle finger and the caption "Up Yours".

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) During the Introduction, Sean offered food although with a twist; other than containing Christmas treats and condiments, it also contained disgusting food items and to top it off, he coined each of the combinations a funny name. Later, Jon passed a custom-made Advent calendar with facts behind each day to Kathy as a gift.

2) During the 30 seconds in Round 1, Jimmy opened a front door and was greeted with carolers singing Jingle Bells, to which he slammed it on them as soon as the clock music was about to finish and proceeded to call them "Arseholes".

3) In view of the Christmas Theme, in Round 2, the clock music was replaced by Deck the Halls played by five people with brass instruments in the centre of the studio with Jimmy finishing it off with a trombone. In Round 3, it was replaced by Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with both Jimmy and Rachel performing in the same location. In Round 4, it was replaced by Let It Snow played by three people in a Hawaiian style with Jimmy finishing it off with a Triangle.

4) Just before Round 5, as Joe made his appearance, he ended up knocking down the Christmas tree besides the letters board. Also, Jon played a game of "Catching Brussel Sprouts Fired Out of Fabio's Bumhole" where he had to catch as many brussel sprouts as he could on his hat. As a reward for catching at least one, he got a "Bonus Card" from Joe but as this was not an official bonus round, no extra points or assistance could be rendered.

5) During the 30 seconds in Round 6, "snow" continuously fell on the celebrities from the roof, to the point it created a "snow mountain" covering Jimmy.

NOTE 1: In this version, both players' declarations were allowed, although points were only awarded for the best answer.

NOTE 2: Due to an incorrect assumption that the Conundrum was only worth five points, Jimmy wrongly stated that Sean's team had 27 points at the end of the game when in fact, they had 32.

Portions of this episode were sampled in the second 2020 Christmas special of Meet the Richardsons.

Rounds

Rnd Selection Kathy & Sean Score Jon & David Others Max.
1 DNPOITAEN POINTED
POINT
7 – 7 PENDANT
patioed ☓
ANOINTED, ANTINODE*, ANTIPODE*, ENDPOINT*, PINNATED* 8
2 50 3 8 10 8 2 → 785
7 – 17 785

50 × 2 × 8 − (10 + 8 − 3)


18
TTT GIANTLOG It's nothing to show off about. GLOATING
Rnd Selection Kathy Burke Score David Mitchell Others Max.
3 RATELDOTD related ☓ 7 – 23 DOTTED DELATOR*, DRATTED*, LEOTARD*, RATTLED, ROTATED, TOADLET*, TODDLER 25
Rnd Selection Sean Lock Score Jon Richardson Others Max.
4 50 75 1 5 9 2 → 238 238
5 × 50 − 9 − 2 − 1
17 – 33 238
5 × 50 − 9 − 2 − 1


35
TTT ELFROAST Didn't go down well. FLOATERS
Rnd Selection Kathy & Sean Score Jon & David Others Max.
5 SGCATOHAI COATS
gasi ☓
17 – 40 GOATISH
THIS
AGOSTIC*, GOTCHAS, TAIHOAS* 42
TTT ELVESROD Get it all straight and done. RESOLVED
6 MOASKFENO MONKS
22 – 45 fooks ☓
MEANS
ENMASK*, FOEMAN*, MONOSE*, NOAKES*, NOEMAS*, NOSEMA, SONOFA* 48
7 ANUTROAST ASTRONAUT
(6.25 seconds)
32 – 45 58