Episode Cats143

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Episode Cats143, billed as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 23, Episode 1, was a special episode broadcast on 29 July 2022, as part of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 23. Starting from this episode, due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the plexiglass which used to separate the guest and the lexicographer no longer exists. However, all celebrities are still socially distanced.

The Team Captains were Richard Ayoade and Jon Richardson, their teammates were Joe Wilkinson and Lucy Beaumont respectively, while Jimmy Carr reprised his role as the host.

The match saw both teams tied with a score of 28 – 28 in a 7-rounder. Following a change in rules from this Series, this meant that no one won the prize which was a Countdown changing kit.

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

Interesting and notable moments from the episode are listed below:

1) During the Introduction, after Jimmy took a swipe at Lucy, Richard commented that Jon should slap him, in a reference to the infamous slapping incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock earlier that year. In addition, the male models were dressed in the same clothes as Joe and Jon when presenting the prize, with both of them standing beside them corresponding to their attire later on.

2) In Round 1, the clock music was replaced with Uptown Funk, with "Jimmy" recreating some of the moves in the music video on a treadmill and ending with a split hanging upside down.

3) In Round 3, Jimmy modelled the studio using LEGO pieces, even going so far as to model the celebrities and the same letters on the letters board.

4) In Round 5, it was dubbed a Lightning Round. Only Joe and Jon took part where both would be jolted with an electric shock at random times by Jimmy via a pad attached on their spine. Points were doubled and the clock music was replaced with a spooky version of it coupled with sparks shooting out in front of the celebrities at various intervals, notably scaring everyone. Thus, the maximum was worth 14 points in this case.

5) During the 30 seconds in Round 6, Jimmy tried to pack a luggage with holiday items but ended up getting "tangled" within it. Notably, he threw out a copy of Susie's Word Perfect in the process of doing so.

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

NOTE 2: The solution in Round 4 was provided by Jon Richardson, who initially tried to assist Lucy by giving her the solution, but was caught cheating by Jimmy.

NOTE 3: During the Conundrum, in a situation similar to Episode Cats87, despite Richard's team pressing the buzzer first which was indicated by the sound and the light, Jimmy went for Jon's team instead as he had voiced out he had it. Thus, had Richard's team given the correct answer on that try if Jimmy had noticed the light, the score would have been 38 – 18 in their favour.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Joe & Richard	Score	Jon & Lucy	Others	Max.
1	TILSANCUO	scount ☓ TOILS	0 – 8	CAUTIONS TOILS	LOCUSTIAN*	18
2	25 50 6 5 7 2 → 717	717 ☓ 25	0 – 18	717 — (50 × 7 + 6) × 2 + 5		28
TTT	GNAWNIPS	The wider, the better.			WINGSPAN
3	RMAEHOIFG	GAMIER haremfig ☓	6 – 18	fromage ☓ HOME	FOAMIER, HOMAGER*	35
Rnd	Selection	Richard Ayoade	Score	Lucy Beaumont	Others	Max.
4	75 25 6 4 10 8 → 885	888 75 × 10 + 25 × 6 − 8 − 4	13 – 18	885 ☓	RR: 885 = (6 × 4 − 8 + 75) × 10 − 25	45
TTT	FEEDITIN	This will work.			DEFINITE
Rnd	Selection	Joe Wilkinson	Score	Jon Richardson	Others	Max.
5	WSEPILSUB	BUSES	23 – 18	publess ☓	PILUSES*	59
TTT	RICOSHAT	It's on fire.			CHARIOTS
Rnd	Selection	Joe & Richard	Score	Jon & Lucy	Others	Max.
6	TOXETBMEC	TEET OCTET	28 – 18	exocet ☓ btec ☓	BECOME, OBTECT*	65
7	LUBEDNERD		28 – 28	BLUNDERED** (16 seconds)		75