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Difference between revisions of "The Complete Countdown Companion"
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*'''The Countdown to ''Countdown''''' by John Meade | *'''The Countdown to ''Countdown''''' by John Meade | ||
− | *'''Pignuts - and Why Not?''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Pignuts - and Why Not?''' by Peter Newby. An in-depth examination of the validity or otherwise of confusing words. |
− | *'''Aardvarks (A little Aardvark never hurt anyone)''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Aardvarks (A little Aardvark never hurt anyone)''' by Peter Newby. A comparison of the way different dictionaries treat words, and the sometimes absurd contradictions. |
− | *'''Target Practice''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Target Practice''' by Peter Newby. Four word games playd by the Pears Word Games Society, which work as good training tools for ''Countdown''. |
*'''Alternative ''Countdown'' Word Games''' by Peter Newby | *'''Alternative ''Countdown'' Word Games''' by Peter Newby | ||
− | *'''Looking at Words''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Looking at Words''' by Peter Newby. Word-building exercises. |
*'''Short Cuts to Success''' by Peter Newby | *'''Short Cuts to Success''' by Peter Newby | ||
*'''Anagrams''' by Peter Newby | *'''Anagrams''' by Peter Newby | ||
− | *'''''Countdown'' Crosswords''' | + | *'''''Countdown'' Crosswords'''. Crosswords where each clue is 9 mixed-up letters, the specified number of which must be extracted to make a word. |
*'''Those Who Dwell in Dictionary Dell''' by John Meade | *'''Those Who Dwell in Dictionary Dell''' by John Meade | ||
*'''The Contestants''' by John Meade | *'''The Contestants''' by John Meade | ||
− | *'''Coinage''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Coinage''' by Peter Newby. Champter on "sportmanteaux" words, which are deliberately-constructed fun portmanteau words. |
*'''The Vital Statistician''' by John Meade | *'''The Vital Statistician''' by John Meade | ||
*'''Bringing Numbers into Play''' by Peter Newby | *'''Bringing Numbers into Play''' by Peter Newby | ||
*'''Sum Fun''' by Peter Newby | *'''Sum Fun''' by Peter Newby | ||
− | *'''Classic ''Countdown'' Games''' by John Meade | + | *'''Classic ''Countdown'' Games''' by John Meade. Profiles of the [[Episode 288|Seriss 6 final]], [[Episode 338|Series 7 final]], [[Episode 397|Series 8 final]], [[Episode 444|Series 9 final]], [[Episode 544|Series 11 final]], [[Episode_644|Series 13 final]], [[Episode 812|Series 16 final]], [[Episode 191|Championship of Champions I final]], [[Episode 404|Championship of Champions II final]], [[Episode 601|Championship of Champions III final]] and [[Episode M37|Masters Game 37]] between prodigies [[Tim Morrissey]] and [[Allan Saldanha]]. |
− | *'''Glossary''' by Peter Newby | + | *'''Glossary''' by Peter Newby. A list of dictionary abbreviations, and useful ''Countdown'' words with definitions. |
− | *'''''Countdown'' Honours List''' | + | *'''''Countdown'' Honours List'''. Series winners, Championship of Champions winners and highest scorers. |
*'''Acknowledgements''' | *'''Acknowledgements''' |
Revision as of 13:54, 11 March 2010
The Complete Countdown Companion was a 1990 book written by word-puzzle specialist Peter Newby together with series producer John Meade.
The book was published by Peltham Books in association with Channel 4 and Yorkshire Television, and was dedicated in memory of people who had worked on the show and had passed away - Dictionary Corner guests Russell Harty, Ted Moult and Kenneth Williams, the show's first executive producer Frank Smith, and Calendar Countdown director David St. David-Smith. The foreword was written by Richard Whiteley.
This 188-page paperback book was very much an earlier version of Countdown:Spreading The Word with its blend of behind the scenes stories from the producers, peppered with anecdotes and some word games.
Chapters
- Preface by John Meade (as John B. Meade).
- Foreword by Richard Whiteley.
- The Countdown to Countdown by John Meade
- Pignuts - and Why Not? by Peter Newby. An in-depth examination of the validity or otherwise of confusing words.
- Aardvarks (A little Aardvark never hurt anyone) by Peter Newby. A comparison of the way different dictionaries treat words, and the sometimes absurd contradictions.
- Target Practice by Peter Newby. Four word games playd by the Pears Word Games Society, which work as good training tools for Countdown.
- Alternative Countdown Word Games by Peter Newby
- Looking at Words by Peter Newby. Word-building exercises.
- Short Cuts to Success by Peter Newby
- Anagrams by Peter Newby
- Countdown Crosswords. Crosswords where each clue is 9 mixed-up letters, the specified number of which must be extracted to make a word.
- Those Who Dwell in Dictionary Dell by John Meade
- The Contestants by John Meade
- Coinage by Peter Newby. Champter on "sportmanteaux" words, which are deliberately-constructed fun portmanteau words.
- The Vital Statistician by John Meade
- Bringing Numbers into Play by Peter Newby
- Sum Fun by Peter Newby
- Classic Countdown Games by John Meade. Profiles of the Seriss 6 final, Series 7 final, Series 8 final, Series 9 final, Series 11 final, Series 13 final, Series 16 final, Championship of Champions I final, Championship of Champions II final, Championship of Champions III final and Masters Game 37 between prodigies Tim Morrissey and Allan Saldanha.
- Glossary by Peter Newby. A list of dictionary abbreviations, and useful Countdown words with definitions.
- Countdown Honours List. Series winners, Championship of Champions winners and highest scorers.
- Acknowledgements