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Episode Cats150

From Countdown

Episode Cats150, billed as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 24, Episode 1, was a special episode broadcast on 6 January 2023, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 24.

The Team Captains were Jonathan Ross and Roisin Conaty, their teammates were Joe Wilkinson and Ahir Shah respectively, while Jimmy Carr reprised his role as the host.

The match saw Jonathan Ross, with the assistance of Joe Wilkinson, winning by 51 – 41 in a 7-rounder and they won a Countdown picnic hamper.

The arithmetician was Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, standing in for Rachel Riley who was on her second maternity leave (although her voice would be heard in Round 6). The Dictionary Corner guest was Catherine Cohen, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent. Actor Frazer Hadfield [1] also made a special appearance as a pianist for Catherine's anecdotes.

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) During the Introduction, Joe wore a balaclava attached to his sweater, to which he called out two male models who wore items of clothing attached to each other in an unusual manner based on his description.

2) During the 30 seconds in Round 1, "Jimmy" performed stunts using a rugby ball from the centre of the studio before throwing it at "Susie", resulting in "her" being knocked onto the floor.

3) In Round 2, when Joe was about to select the numbers, he called out "Consonant Please, Carol", generating much laughter and applause from the audience.

4) In a break to the convention in Round 3, only two vowels were used, with an I being swapped out for an E. Later in that same round, Jimmy presented all the celebrities with lollipops carved in the shape of their faces.

5) In Round 5, it was dubbed a Vibrator Round. Only Joe and Ahir took part where both would stand on vibration pads and declare their words on a whiteboard. Points were doubled, thus, the maximum was worth 16 points in this case. Notably, the background behind them also shook as the clock was running.

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

NOTE 2: All three teasers featured Ahir's name, with him exposing his nipples after the first in a reference.

Rounds

Rnd Selection Joe & Jonathan Score Roisin & Ahir Others Max.
1 GSAENRDOL GRAND
DONGLES
7 – 7 LOGS/SALE/DOGS
SLANDER
DANGLERS, GLANDERS*, GOLDRANS*, LADRONES*, SOLANDER* 8
2 100 25 1 2 8 10 → 996 996
470
100 × 10 − 8 ÷ 2
17 – 17 996 ☓
996
100 × 10 − 8 ÷ 2


18
TTT AHIRNIPS Grip it tight. HAIRPINS
3 ATNSWTGNI wantings ☓
WANTING
24 – 24 TAINTS
WANTING
SWATTING 26
4 4 9 8 8 7 5 → 981
506
24 – 24

AMI: 981 = (9 × 8 + 4) × (8 + 5) − 7

36
TTT RUBSAHIR Not a wrinkle in sight. AIRBRUSH
Rnd Selection Joe Wilkinson Score Ahir Shah Others Max.
5 HFUSRIETS FRITES 36 – 36 SHITES RESHIFTS*, SHIFTERS*, SURFEITS 52
TTT AHIRDONG Can't get enough. HOARDING
Rnd Selection Joe & Jonathan Score Roisin & Ahir Others Max.
6 POAMLCPUV CLUMP
CLUMP/CLAMP
41 – 41 vula ☓
VOCAL
COPULA, COUPLA*, CUPOLA* 58
7 SHAGINBIN BANISHING
(5.75 seconds)
51 – 41 68