This first post refers to the 2012 mash up / rematch shows that were the birth of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Sometimes referred to as Cats-Countdown or even Catsdown.

Following on from that Jan 2013 saw a charity special of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Deal Or No Deal (see here).

But then we get into what started out as “2 specials” but were later renumbered as Series 1, by C4, when it became obvious that the show was going to have a log run. Unfortunately, this wasn’t until 2018 so a lot of websites, with database type information, may have confused numbering (for 2013-18) or refer to both.

Jimmy Carr was host from the start but the Team Captains, while predominantly Sean Lock and Jon Richardson throughout the series, were positions often filled by other comedians (depending on filming commitments).

Two shows are normally filmed in one day – but they then are not always shown chronologically, in the series. Sometimes this seems to be because someone has been booked to appear on both shows and so the person may be moved to the other team and the broadcast dates split.

Otherwise, the format and regulars were pretty much in place from the start.

Richard Osman was one of the Executive Producers.

Series 1, Episode 1

• Broadcast April 12^th 2013
• Jimmy – host
• Jon Richardson – team captain
• Rhod Gilbert – contestant
• Lee Mack – team captain
• Rob Beckett – contestant
• Tim Key – dictionary corner
• Susie Dent – lexicographer
• Rachel Riley – arithmetician
• Joe Wilkinson – assisting Rachel

The Countdown Wiki has full details of points scored, words played etc.

Series 1, Episode 2

• Broadcast April 19^th 2013
• Jimmy – host
• Jon Richardson – team captain
• Stephen Mangan – contestant
• Lee Mack – team captain
• Richard Osman – contestant
• Henning Wehn – dictionary corner
• Susie Dent – lexicographer
• Rachel Riley – arithmetician
• Joe Wilkinson – assisting Rachel

The Countdown Wiki has full details of points scored, words played etc.

Writers

The writing team, for both episodes, included

• Jimmy Carr
• Gary Delaney
• Matt Forde

More information

• IMDB – series 1
• C4 YouTube – many clips, but not full S1 shows
• Jimmy Carr YouTube – mostly repeating links from C4 YouTube

For all blog posts relating to Cats-Countdown – see here.