Episode Cats129

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Episode Cats129, billed as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 20, Episode 4 was a special episode broadcast on 21 December 2020, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 20. This was the 2020 Christmas Special as well and the episode appears to have been filmed in 2019, nearly two years before its original broadcast. There was no social distancing or precautions seen in response to COVID-19.

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

The match saw Sean Lock, with the assistance of David Mitchell, winning by 46 – 21 in a 7-rounder and they won Countdown Christmas dog outfits.

Rachel Riley was, as ever, the arithmetician. The Dictionary Corner guest was David O'Doherty, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent. Joe Wilkinson also made a special appearance just before Round 5 where he was in a giant, "naked" fatsuit after "over-indulging" on food during the Christmas period.

Just before Round 6, a game of "Pull My Cracker" was played where contestants had to buzz in by answering the questions Jimmy read out in the form of Christmas puns. Sean's team won the game with the score at 3 – 2, thus five points were awarded to his team.

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) Just before Round 1, Jon made a "letters-based cocktail" which he coined an "18-pointer" by mixing several tonics which sounded like letters and topped it off by throwing a cherry which he initially gave Sean perfectly into his glass. Later on, just before Round 4, he made a "numbers-based cocktail" which was called "One From the Top and Any Other Five Alive" by pouring a liquid labelled "20/20" and finally, just before the Conundrum, made an Espresso Martini with "snow" and "Conund Rum".

2) In view of the Christmas Theme, the clock music was replaced in Round 1 with Deck the Halls accompanied with Jimmy playing on a trombone, saxophone, electric keyboard and triangle at various intervals, in Round 4 with Santa Baby, in Round 5 with Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) and in Round 6 with Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by an uncredited acapella group.

3) In Round 3, Sarah spotted the word CURSIVE, to which Jimmy gave Sean the option whether to allow Jon's team to extend their lead despite her not playing in that round. Ultimately, it was denied but she did receive much applause for her effort.

4) Just before Round 5, Joe asked Fabio, the show's permanent male model to hide a box of dates under his flap of skin and invited Jon and David to find it within 30 seconds while he was being rotated on a stand in the centre of the studio. However, it turned out it was inserted in his bottom, resulting in both players walking off as well as leaving Jimmy and Rachel disgusted. Also, a Christmas variant of the clock music was played out during that time.

5) In Round 5, the first two vowels, an A and an O, were tile-shaped props eaten by Joe and the letters were not placed in order on the board. Had it been that way, the selection would have been DLHOESRAU.

6) During the 30 seconds in Round 6, similar to the Christmas Special the previous year, "snowflakes" were seen falling down from the ceiling of the studio which ended with "snowballs" dropping down.

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

NOTE 2: In Round 2, Rachel did not write down the perfect solution as is the convention, and instead verbally said it out from her chair.

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	54
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