8 Out of 10 Cats (read more here) ran, on C4, from 2005 to 2020. 2012 was C4’s 30^th Anniversary and, as a part of their celebrations, they announced a “mash up”, where they smushed together some of their biggest and best loved shows (at that time).

• Million Pound Drop – host Davina McCall has to play the game herself and the hosting roll is taken over by Phil Spencer (of Location, Location, Location)
• Location, Location, Location – Kirsty Allsop is partnered up with Alan Carr
• Come Dine With Me / Made in Chelsea
• River Cottage – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is joined by surprise guests
• 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown – Jimmy Carr hosts Countdown and 8oo10c team Captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson attempt to play.

I don’t think I need to tell you which show has surpassed 165 episodes (with compilations), been sold around the world and (presumably) makes C4 a nice bit of pocket money from the YouTube videos.

The Special Episode / Mash Up

The special episode was broadcast on January 2^nd 2012 and it featured:

• Jimmy Carr – Host
• Sean Lock – Contestant
• Jon Richardson – Contestant
• Rachel Riley – Arithmetician
• Susie Dent – Lexicographer
• Joe Wilkinson – Dictionary Corner

Notice how Sean and Jon are not “Team Captains” yet, because they don’t have anyone on their team.

You can watch the full show on Archive.org here

Jon beat Sean in 7 rounds by 45-21 points (details are on the Countdown Wiki) and a rematch was called for.

The Rematch

As this point these are really kind of pilot shows as nothing has been properly commissioned. This rematch was broadcast 7 months after the first show, on August 24^th 2012.

• Jimmy Carr – Host
• Sean Lock – Contestant
• Clarke Carlisle – Assisting Sean
• Jon Richardson – Contestant
• Joe Wilkinson – Assisting Jon, but switched places with Rachel in round 5
• Rachel Riley – Arithmetician
• Susie Dent – Lexicographer
• David O’Doherty – Dictionary Corner

The 2^nd show was billed as The Rematch and can also be watched on Archive.org – here

Sean beat Jon in 10 rounds by 50-41 points (details on the Countdown Wiki).

Other Information

The writing team, on the first show, included

• Jimmy Carr
• Gary Delaney
• Matt Forde

Jimmy and Matt went on to write for the 2^nd show.

On C4’s YouTube Channel some of the later series have full shows available, but also there are MANY compilation videos – here.

To browse all blog posts related to this show – see this tag.