Episode Cats137

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Episode Cats137, billed as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 22, Episode 1, was a special episode broadcast on 7 January 2022, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 22.

The Team Captains were Roisin Conaty and Jon Richardson, their teammates were Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Rob Beckett respectively, while Jimmy Carr reprised his role as the host.

The match saw Jon Richardson, with the assistance of Rob Beckett, winning by 33 – 6 in a 6-rounder and they won a Countdown cocktail set.

Rachel Riley was, as ever, the arithmetician. The Dictionary Corner guest was Huge Davies, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent. Joe Wilkinson also made a special appearance just before Round 5 where he was introduced as the magician "The Amazing Alfonzo" along with four dancers and appeared drunk on set.

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) During the Introduction, in an effort to be carbon-neutral, Jon introduced "Andy" who supposedly was in a furnace room since 1982 to mimic the Countdown clock's sound effects. In addition, to recycle clothing, he was also dressed in Rachel's skirt and high heels, to which he showed off to the audience.

2) In Round 1, Rob left the selection up to Rachel to pick. Also, the clock music was replaced by a version of it played on basic instruments by Jimmy, Rachel and Susie.

3) In Round 2, Roisin initially did not declare anything, however after being convinced by Jimmy to say what she had anyway, she got to 910 with the solution: (25 + 50) × (7 + 5) + 10.

4) Joe initially wanted to perform a trick on a lion but did a card trick instead with Rachel's assistance. However, when trying to reveal what card she had behind a curtain, it turned out to be a picture of former arithmetician Carol Vorderman on both sides of the board, to which he blamed it on printing issues.

5) During the Conundrum, Jimmy gave a hint to the answer. This resulted in Rob buzzing in with a word not only less than half the length of the solution, but also with half the letters not on the board.

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

NOTE 2: With a maximum score of 48, this is the lowest maximum on this version of the show to date.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Kiri & Roisin	Score	Jon & Rob	Others	Max.
1	RADEMAPIS	PRISM DREAMS	0 – 7	DESPAIR DRAPE	ASPERMIA*, PARADISE, PAREMIAS*	8
2	25 50 10 7 10 5 → 908	913 910	0 – 14	907 500 (25 + 10 + 5 + 50) × 10 + 7	RR: 908 = (25 − 7) × 50 + 10 − 10 ÷ 5	18
TTT	TURDPOSE	It's popping out.			SPROUTED
Rnd	Selection	Roisin Conaty	Score	Rob Beckett	Others	Max.
3	ETLAIYBRM	BREAM	0 – 21	REALITY	AMBRITE*, BALMIER*, BARMILY*, BILAYER*, IRATELY*, LAMBERT*, LIBERTY*, LIBRATE*, MALTIER*, MARLITE*, MEATILY*, REMBLAI*, RIMABLE*, TABLIER*, TIMBALE*, TIMBREL*, TREMBLY*, TRIABLE*	25
TTT	RODINGOB	I need to think about that.			BROODING
Rnd	Selection	Kiri & Roisin	Score	Jon & Rob	Others	Max.
4	UAEPTDHKE	THEE thudep ☓	0 – 27	UPTAKE DEEP	DEPUTE*, HEAPED*, HEATED*, HEPTAD*, PATHED, PEAKED, PEATED*, PEDATE*, UPDATE	31
TTT	MINGEAIR	It'll blow your vision.			MIGRAINE
5	IEGTOWRCL	TROWEL TOWER	6 – 33	GLOWER coiler ☓	CITOLER*, CORTILE*, COWGIRL, GLOWIER*, RIGOLET*	38
6	IFEELCRAP	☓ (30 seconds)	6 – 33	coat ☓ (25 seconds)	FIREPLACE	48