Apologize, wasn't that hard for two fairly high scoring contestants. I wonder if they were both thrown by the zee! Not disallowed, but afaik the first time an American spelling has come up in the conundrum? Bit cheeky, if so.

Agree about Zed being American but Suzie always insists that it is English and is in the dictionary.

I don't think it's as simple as American vs UK English. If you consult three of the leading UK dictionaries (Chambers, Collins and Concise Oxford) you will find -ize as the first listed spelling and -ise as an alternative, with no mention of Americanisms.

But what's interesting is that moving up the Oxfords to the Shorter Oxford and the Oxford Dictionary of English, neither lists -ize at all, and since the second of these is the official Countdown dictionary there is something very wrong in having a "conundrum" word that Suzie would be obliged to disallow if offered by the contestants in a letters round because you can't have words that aren't in the book. Unless of course it's another misprint!

I didn't agree with the use of apologiZe. Bit of shark jumping going on there

As I said previously, whenever an "ize" word crops up, even Nick pulls a face but Suzie always insists it is correct English not American.

First numbers game today
75 2 6 1 5 5 to make 643



Rachel could only get one away before the break (which is still being shown )

I was too distracted by Rachel's tight dress to concentrate on the game.

yea, I got that too. I think because Rachel is an intelligent person, she sometimes doesn't concentrate...probably thinking about the big bang, or shopping.

Do you bother with with pen and paper to work these things out, or just do it in your head?

I always do the letters and numbers games in my head, so that I can use that as an excuse..

I play in my head. Always do fairly well, in the high 70's most days. I know if I applied to go on though I would get in the studio and go to pieces. I know I would, I fell to pieces during my GCSE's.

I'm the same - visually, from a distance I can see the letters and potential for words more objectively, as I whiz them around in my head, whereas writing them down somehow personalises them and changes my perception of them.

Regarding the use of -ize or -ise, I must admit I assumed that the UK originally used the former, many years ago, but was surprised to read that the Times only changed to -ise in the early 90's.

I always write down the numbers, but don't always use pen and paper to work out the answer. If that makes sense.
Occasionally I will write down the letters - usually if I want to double check what letters are left over if, for example, I take 'tion' or 'ing', out of the selection.

Most days I'm about level with the contestants - even beating the winner on occasions, but other days I'm complete rubbish. So I'm another person who won't be applying to appear on your TV screens.

Played along with it on Tuesday, and worked out that if you scored maximum every round the highest score per show is 230. I scored 92. But I know in front of a camera I wouldn't even get half that.

Just an example of how tv can & is much better WITHOUT the Superstars, & it is cheaper too Win win all round!

Rachel likes a bit of Afternoon Delight.

So close again. The very first letters game was almost an anagram of my name, only the final pick let me down. Gutted. It'll happen one day......

So, coming up after Janet Street Porter is Jo Brand. Followed by Helen Skelton, then Dan Snow then the week of the grand final it is Myleene Klass.

When a contestant guesses a conundrum wrongly, it now comes up as INCORRECT on the display.

I wonder what would happen if they deliberately guess 'INCORRECT', whatever the letters happen to be? They can hardly say that's not right, because it will match the display!

Just watching the early morning repeat...I cannot bare Jo Brand on this programme, she is so annoying..

Yeah...even more so than JSP.

Every letters round she lines up her unfunny mock words, and always takes the scenic route. :yawn:

Dan Snow gets a thumbs up but Klassless for the finals is not a nice prospect

I'm hoping Myleene will change my perception of her. I find that a lot of the time my perceptions of people are wrong. Take Patsy Kensit for example, never liked her but after she did Strictly I changed my mind about her. Totally nice person, and it just shows how a few unflattering headlines can shape peoples views. Lulu on the other hand, I went off her after Strictly. The way she kept going 'HE did this, HE didn't do this'. Felt it was totally rude to her pro partner.

Really been enjoying Helen Skelton this week. Far more interesting than I thought. Bloody nerve of that boss who asked her to row faster in the Amazon! I would have shoved the oar/paddle somewhere or told him to do it.

Must confess I've never heard of Helen Skelton. Must say her physical achievements are surprising in view of her slightly fragile appearance.

Unlike some posters on here, I'm really looking forward to Myleene, who is very talented, beautiful and articulate. When she was on 'I'm a Celebrity' some years ago, she came over as a thoroughly nice woman.

Never watched I'm A Celeb, which is why I'm hoping she will be quite good. I've only heard negative stuff about her, so hoping that I will change my mind. She must have some very interesting stories to tell, time in the jungle, Hearsay, clothing range, etc.