Episode Cats129

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Episode Cats129 was broadcast on 21 December 2020, as the 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 2020 Christmas special, and thus was part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 20.

David Mitchell and Sean Lock played Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican, with Sean and David winning 46 – 21. The Dictionary Corner guest was David O'Doherty, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

The episode appears to have been filmed during the production of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 20, or possibly during the filming of the Series 81 finals on account of the Christmas decorations, nearly a full year before its original broadcast: there was no social distancing or precautions seen in response to COVID-19.

Joe Wilkinson came onto the set in a giant fatsuit "naked" after the second advert break and played a game where Mitchell and Richardson were asked to find a box of dates hidden in a flap of skin, which turned out to be up his bottom, meaning neither wanted to touch it. As a result, no bonus points were awarded. He then proceeded to annoy Riley for the rest of the show.

The selection for Round 5 was not put up in the order it was selected; in addition, the first two vowels, A and O, were tile-shaped props eaten by Wilkinson. Had the nine proper letters been displayed in order, the selection would have been DLHOESRAU. Interestingly, a scramble on the following programme - an edition of Celebrity Crystal Maze - required Anne Hegerty to find the letters for SHOULDER, that round's maximum.

Most rounds were accompanied by "the Countdown Gospel Choir" singing, rather than the clock music.

After round five, a game of "Pull My Cracker" was played - contestants had to buzz in with Christmas cracker joke answers. The first question, "why does Santa have three gardens?", went unsolved, but was correctly answered by Susie Dent. David & Sean won, and were therefore awarded five bonus points.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	David & Sean	Score	Jon & Sarah	Others	Max.
1	ANGPIDSOT	PANTOS PASTING	7 – 0	tapings ☓ TAPING	ADOPTING	8
2	75 25 7 10 3 7 → 834	— 834 ☓	7 – 7	830 — (75 + 7) × 10 + 7 + 3​	RR: 834 = (75 − 7) × 10 + (25 − 3) × 7​	18
TTT	ICEDDONG	You can crack it.			DECODING
Rnd	Selection	David Mitchell	Score	Jon Richardson	Others	Max.
3	RUEVITASC	CRUST	7 – 13	CARVES	CURATIVES	36
Rnd	Selection	Sean Lock	Score	Sarah Millican	Others	Max.
4	50 5 10 9 7 6 → 754	754 (10 + 5) × 50 + 6 − (9 − 7)	17 – 13	—		46
TTT	SLYSANTA	He's checking it twice.			ANALYSTS
Rnd	Selection	David & Sean	Score	Jon & Sarah	Others	Max.
5	RSOEDLHAU	LOADERS SHOULDER	25 – 21	SHOULDER SHOULD	ROULADES	59
TTT	YULEWIND	That's a heavy one.			UNWIELDY
6	TNKTDOIAS	DITTOS TOAST	36 – 21	TOAST STINK	STOTINKA	67
7	MINCEPOLE	POLICEMEN (26.75 seconds)	46 – 21			77