Due to persistent vandalism, account creation has been suspended. If you would like an account, please contact Charlie Reams on Apterous.

Episode Cats52

From Countdown

Episode Cats52, billed as 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 8, Episode 1 was a special episode broadcast on 15 January 2016, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 8.

8 Out of 10 Cats regulars Sean Lock and Jon Richardson were the contestants, along with Jason Manford and Roisin Conaty who were their teammates, while Jimmy Carr reprised his role as the host.

The match saw Jon Richardson, with the assistance of Roisin Conaty, winning by 33 – 31 in an 7-rounder and they won a Countdown table tennis table which came with a racket with Jimmy's face on one side and a ping pong ball.

Rachel Riley was, as ever, the arithmetician. The Dictionary Corner guest was Sam Simmons, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Just before Round 5, a bonus acting round took place. Jon and Roisin acted out a scene from When Harry Met Sally... (1989) while Jason and Sean acted out a scene from Return of the Jedi (1983). Jimmy felt that Jason and Sean were the better team that acted, thus five points were awarded to their team.

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) In Round 2, the original target was 525 which could have been reached using 50 × (7 + 3) + 25. However, as Jimmy felt it was easy, Rachel pressed CECIL again for the eventual target of 987. Oddly enough, Round 4's easiest solution was as easy as the original easiest solution to Round 2, yet the target was not changed in this case.

2) During the first anecdote after Round 2, as part of it Sam threw Iceberg Lettuce all over the centre of the studio, to which he grabbed a leaf and placed it on his head. Later, he would do the same to Sean's head.

3) In Round 4, the clock music was replaced by the Mission Impossible Theme, to which "Jimmy" slid down from the ceiling sneakily in reference to the laser scene from the original 1996 movie and stole the OED from Dictionary Corner.

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

Rounds

Rnd Selection Jason & Sean Score Jon & Roisin Others Max.
1 EUAPBTSMY BUSTY
STEAMY
6 – 6 UPBEAT
TAUPE
SUBTYPE, UPBEATS* 7
2 50 25 9 1 7 3 → 987 982
982
6 – 13 991
975
(7 × 3 − 1) × 50 − 9

RR: 987 = (50 × 3 − 9) × 7

17
TTT GRABPIPE Just squeeze the bag and blow. BAGPIPER
Rnd Selection Sean Lock Score Roisin Conaty Others Max.
3 EOEPHRUME humper ☓ 6 – 13 phume ☓ HEROUM*, REHOME 23
Rnd Selection Jason Manford Score Jon Richardson Others Max.
4 50 7 1 7 10 9 → 492 492
50 × 10 − 7 − 1
16 – 23 492
50 × 10 − 7 − 1


33
TTT LETSFART It makes me feel good. FLATTERS
Rnd Selection Jason & Sean Score Jon & Roisin Others Max.
5 OEOTWVDES twoo ☓
STOWED
27 – 29 VESTED
wodes ☓
DEVOTES 45
TTT GAYWANGS Hello, sailor! GANGWAYS
6 RIDNURIBU BIRD
RIND
31 – 33 unbird ☓
BIRD
BIDRI*, BINDI*, BRUIN, BRUNI*, BUNDU*, BURIN*, INDRI* 50
7 ORALPARTY palatorry ☓
(29.75 seconds)
31 – 33 PORTRAYAL 60