Pffft. Never mind how she got IN, how did she get OUT?
Countdown - so much better these days!
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alancracker - you wanted ideas on who is the greatest Countdowner. This has been discussed in depth on other forums, and any conclusions have been ridiculed by the show's producer. I'm sure we'll be no more successful.
There is some decent data available - not yet going back far enough to include guys like Harvey Freeman, but I think that's being worked on. Since 2000, the three strongest players statistically have been Julian Fell, Craig Beevers and Kirk Bevins. This is based on percentage scored of the maximum available in each round (I'm being kind to the Bevin Boy by conveniently forgetting his initial 2004 appearance, something he'd no doubt be pleased about).
The 9-point bonus for a nine-letter word distorts things quite a bit, since getting an 8 as opposed to a 9 maximum loses 10 points, whereas a 7 against an 8 max loses only 1. One player whose average suffered quite a bit in this way was David O'Donnell, and if the scores are reworked on a 9 for a nine basis, he is only a lttle behind the three mentioned above. Conor Travers is a close fifth, a little way ahead of the last series champion Chris Davies.
Craig Beevers is a tournament Scrabble player, the 2009 UK national champion no less. Countdown was a brief diversion for him, not wanting to confuse himself for too long carrying 2 separate dictionaries in his head, wheras the others are, or were, dedicated Countdowners for a considerable period of time.
One thing to remember is that Countdown is quite a limited game when compared to other intellectual sports like Chess and Scrabble. The guys mentioned above often come pretty close to perfection, so they're not far from having completely mastered the game - something which will never happen in Chess, for example.
By the way, I also like Rachel's dresses, but I don't look at them while I'm playing the game.
There is some decent data available - not yet going back far enough to include guys like Harvey Freeman, but I think that's being worked on. Since 2000, the three strongest players statistically have been Julian Fell, Craig Beevers and Kirk Bevins. This is based on percentage scored of the maximum available in each round (I'm being kind to the Bevin Boy by conveniently forgetting his initial 2004 appearance, something he'd no doubt be pleased about).
The 9-point bonus for a nine-letter word distorts things quite a bit, since getting an 8 as opposed to a 9 maximum loses 10 points, whereas a 7 against an 8 max loses only 1. One player whose average suffered quite a bit in this way was David O'Donnell, and if the scores are reworked on a 9 for a nine basis, he is only a lttle behind the three mentioned above. Conor Travers is a close fifth, a little way ahead of the last series champion Chris Davies.
Craig Beevers is a tournament Scrabble player, the 2009 UK national champion no less. Countdown was a brief diversion for him, not wanting to confuse himself for too long carrying 2 separate dictionaries in his head, wheras the others are, or were, dedicated Countdowners for a considerable period of time.
One thing to remember is that Countdown is quite a limited game when compared to other intellectual sports like Chess and Scrabble. The guys mentioned above often come pretty close to perfection, so they're not far from having completely mastered the game - something which will never happen in Chess, for example.
By the way, I also like Rachel's dresses, but I don't look at them while I'm playing the game.
Originally Posted by alancracker:
“The last 5 posters - embarassing yourselves or what?”
“The last 5 posters - embarassing yourselves or what?”
I hope your sense of humour bypass wasnt too painful.
Rachel always looks lovely whenever I tune in to the early morning repeats.
She makes Mr Happy sit up and put his purple hat on.
She makes Mr Happy sit up and put his purple hat on.
Originally Posted by Ocado:
“Pffft. Never mind how she got IN, how did she get OUT?”
“Pffft. Never mind how she got IN, how did she get OUT?”
And next time can i watch
.
Originally Posted by andy1886:
“Did anyone else get AROUSED during yesterdays game ?”
“Did anyone else get AROUSED during yesterdays game ?”
eh?
was that the conundrum
Originally Posted by Ocado:
“No, as AROUSED is only 7 letters. It did come up in one letters round though, I remember seeing it.”
“No, as AROUSED is only 7 letters. It did come up in one letters round though, I remember seeing it.”
Not bad.
Rachel's backside looked as incredible as ever today.
I was a big Vorderman fan myself and didn't think much of Rachel at first but she's certainly grown into the job.
I was a big Vorderman fan myself and didn't think much of Rachel at first but she's certainly grown into the job.
Originally Posted by currysocks:
“Rachel's backside looked as incredible as ever today.
I was a big Vorderman fan myself and didn't think much of Rachel at first but she's certainly grown into the job.”
“Rachel's backside looked as incredible as ever today.
I was a big Vorderman fan myself and didn't think much of Rachel at first but she's certainly grown into the job.
”
Who remembers Vorderman in her earlier days wearing those tight leather trousers and turning her back to the camera ? phew
I don't but YouTube is a marvellous friend. Espeically for the weatlh of Rachel Riley clips on there.
Well I'd watch it if Ann Widdecombe was putting the letters out as it is a light hearted entertaining quiz show with a slightly intellectual content not a beauty contest or fashion show.
Tbh I am not that keen on Rachel as
1) She is a Man U fan (and I support Liverpool)
2) I liked Carol who comes from the part of North Wales where I live. I also met her once (in 1992) when she did a talk for some Maths teachers in our area and I know her Mum who used to work where I used to work. Nice people all. I have written to Carol to donate items for charity auctions in the past and she has always responded.
(Rachel on the other hand is from Sarfend!!)
and
3) At times she takes the mick out of Jeff which he takes in good heart but she seems a bit touchy if she gets it back.
None of this would make me not watch the prog tho as I watch it for the quiz not the presenters
Tbh I am not that keen on Rachel as
1) She is a Man U fan (and I support Liverpool)
2) I liked Carol who comes from the part of North Wales where I live. I also met her once (in 1992) when she did a talk for some Maths teachers in our area and I know her Mum who used to work where I used to work. Nice people all. I have written to Carol to donate items for charity auctions in the past and she has always responded.
(Rachel on the other hand is from Sarfend!!)
and
3) At times she takes the mick out of Jeff which he takes in good heart but she seems a bit touchy if she gets it back.
None of this would make me not watch the prog tho as I watch it for the quiz not the presenters
Originally Posted by Flying Fox:
“alancracker - you wanted ideas on who is the greatest Countdowner. This has been discussed in depth on other forums, and any conclusions have been ridiculed by the show's producer. I'm sure we'll be no more successful.
There is some decent data available - not yet going back far enough to include guys like Harvey Freeman, but I think that's being worked on. Since 2000, the three strongest players statistically have been Julian Fell, Craig Beevers and Kirk Bevins. This is based on percentage scored of the maximum available in each round (I'm being kind to the Bevin Boy by conveniently forgetting his initial 2004 appearance, something he'd no doubt be pleased about).
The 9-point bonus for a nine-letter word distorts things quite a bit, since getting an 8 as opposed to a 9 maximum loses 10 points, whereas a 7 against an 8 max loses only 1. One player whose average suffered quite a bit in this way was David O'Donnell, and if the scores are reworked on a 9 for a nine basis, he is only a lttle behind the three mentioned above. Conor Travers is a close fifth, a little way ahead of the last series champion Chris Davies.
Craig Beevers is a tournament Scrabble player, the 2009 UK national champion no less. Countdown was a brief diversion for him, not wanting to confuse himself for too long carrying 2 separate dictionaries in his head, wheras the others are, or were, dedicated Countdowners for a considerable period of time.
One thing to remember is that Countdown is quite a limited game when compared to other intellectual sports like Chess and Scrabble. The guys mentioned above often come pretty close to perfection, so they're not far from having completely mastered the game - something which will never happen in Chess, for example.
By the way, I also like Rachel's dresses, but I don't look at them while I'm playing the game.”
“alancracker - you wanted ideas on who is the greatest Countdowner. This has been discussed in depth on other forums, and any conclusions have been ridiculed by the show's producer. I'm sure we'll be no more successful.
There is some decent data available - not yet going back far enough to include guys like Harvey Freeman, but I think that's being worked on. Since 2000, the three strongest players statistically have been Julian Fell, Craig Beevers and Kirk Bevins. This is based on percentage scored of the maximum available in each round (I'm being kind to the Bevin Boy by conveniently forgetting his initial 2004 appearance, something he'd no doubt be pleased about).
The 9-point bonus for a nine-letter word distorts things quite a bit, since getting an 8 as opposed to a 9 maximum loses 10 points, whereas a 7 against an 8 max loses only 1. One player whose average suffered quite a bit in this way was David O'Donnell, and if the scores are reworked on a 9 for a nine basis, he is only a lttle behind the three mentioned above. Conor Travers is a close fifth, a little way ahead of the last series champion Chris Davies.
Craig Beevers is a tournament Scrabble player, the 2009 UK national champion no less. Countdown was a brief diversion for him, not wanting to confuse himself for too long carrying 2 separate dictionaries in his head, wheras the others are, or were, dedicated Countdowners for a considerable period of time.
One thing to remember is that Countdown is quite a limited game when compared to other intellectual sports like Chess and Scrabble. The guys mentioned above often come pretty close to perfection, so they're not far from having completely mastered the game - something which will never happen in Chess, for example.
By the way, I also like Rachel's dresses, but I don't look at them while I'm playing the game.”
Thanks for that - I must admit I have had spells when I have not watched every single episode in a series (pre Sky+) but I can remember a Scrabble guy being good (from Cleveland was he?) - prob the Craig Beevers you refer to.
Since Jeff (and Rachel - lol) took over with the Sky+ I have hardly missed an episode.
Originally Posted by Ocado:
“No, as AROUSED is only 7 letters. It did come up in one letters round though, I remember seeing it.”
“No, as AROUSED is only 7 letters. It did come up in one letters round though, I remember seeing it.”
yes i know i was being
Originally Posted by alancracker:
“Well I'd watch it if Ann Widdecombe was putting the letters out as it is a light hearted entertaining quiz show with a slightly intellectual content not a beauty contest or fashion show.
Tbh I am not that keen on Rachel as
1) She is a Man U fan (and I support Liverpool)
2) I liked Carol who comes from the part of North Wales where I live. I also met her once (in 1992) when she did a talk for some Maths teachers in our area and I know her Mum who used to work where I used to work. Nice people all. I have written to Carol to donate items for charity auctions in the past and she has always responded.
(Rachel on the other hand is from Sarfend!!)
and
3) At times she takes the mick out of Jeff which he takes in good heart but she seems a bit touchy if she gets it back.
None of this would make me not watch the prog tho as I watch it for the quiz not the presenters”
“Well I'd watch it if Ann Widdecombe was putting the letters out as it is a light hearted entertaining quiz show with a slightly intellectual content not a beauty contest or fashion show.
Tbh I am not that keen on Rachel as
1) She is a Man U fan (and I support Liverpool)
2) I liked Carol who comes from the part of North Wales where I live. I also met her once (in 1992) when she did a talk for some Maths teachers in our area and I know her Mum who used to work where I used to work. Nice people all. I have written to Carol to donate items for charity auctions in the past and she has always responded.
(Rachel on the other hand is from Sarfend!!)
and
3) At times she takes the mick out of Jeff which he takes in good heart but she seems a bit touchy if she gets it back.
None of this would make me not watch the prog tho as I watch it for the quiz not the presenters”
not a beauty contest or a fashion contest but you dont like her because she is a Man U fan?
you like carol as she was from North wales
Dont like Rachel having a personality.
biggest hypocrite in the world. ^^^^^
Originally Posted by garbage456:
“not a beauty contest or a fashion contest but you dont like her because she is a Man U fan?
you like carol as she was from North wales
Dont like Rachel having a personality.
biggest hypocrite in the world. ^^^^^”
“not a beauty contest or a fashion contest but you dont like her because she is a Man U fan?
you like carol as she was from North wales
Dont like Rachel having a personality.
biggest hypocrite in the world. ^^^^^”
I'll second that.
Originally Posted by FlaviaCacake:
“I'll second that.”
“I'll second that.”
Man U fan... oh no, I used to fancy her.. not any more. Thought she had brains
Originally Posted by Randy:
“Man U fan... oh no, I used to fancy her.. not any more. Thought she had brains”
“Man U fan... oh no, I used to fancy her.. not any more. Thought she had brains
”
I know. It's the one tiny flaw that stops her being perfect.
I caught the repeat this morning and it looked as though RR was wearing something designed for a ballerina or gymnast. Although she did seem to stretch the upper part of it more than those others would. Good just she's got an ass on her otherwise she would have toppled over. 
More surprising was the word lady. She used to be not only flat chested but boney chested (which was a bit off putting). Suddenly she's grown breasts
More surprising was the word lady. She used to be not only flat chested but boney chested (which was a bit off putting). Suddenly she's grown breasts
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