Celebrity Letters and Numbers
Celebrity Letters and Numbers is an Australian comedy panel game show on SBS which premiered on 2 October 2021. It is a revived version of the game show Letters and Numbers, which aired on SBS from 2010 to 2012, with an altered format with celebrity contestants competing rather than members of the public.[1] Co-hosts David Astle and Lily Serna returned from the original series, while comedian, journalist and actor Michael Hing replaced presenter Richard Morecroft as host.[2][3][4]
| Celebrity Letters and Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy panel game |
| Based on | Des chiffres et des lettres by Armand Jammot |
| Presented by | Michael Hing |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 36 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production company | ITV Studios Australia |
| Original release | |
| Network | SBS |
| Release | 2 October 2021 – 26 December 2022 |
Two series of twelve episodes were commissioned in July 2021[5] with celebrity guests including Hamish Blake, Susie Youssef, Merrick Watts and Matt Okine,[5][6] and the third season will air from 17 September 2022.[7] The show is similar to the British comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, which also features celebrity comedians and airs on SBS in Australia.[8] ITV Studios Australia also took over as the production company (Shine Australia had produced the civilian version); the revamped program uses ITV-owned elements developed for the British Countdown such as its logo style and theme music.[9]
Gameplay edit
Unlike the original version of Letters and Numbers, each episode features three contestants competing individually and the winning contestant does not return for the next episode. Additionally, instead of winning a Macquarie Dictionary, the guest with the most points wins a single volume from the 1980s Oceaniapaedia encyclopedia, allegedly donated by the Hing family (in later series, winner gets an item from Hing's childhood bedroom, e.g. a set of goth rings). Another addition is the inclusion of a Dictionary Corner guest, as in the British show Countdown, who sits beside Astle.[3] The mix of letters and numbers rounds, the final nine-letter conundrum and the eight-letter word mixes preceding the commercial break are retained from the original series.
Scoring also differs slightly from the original Letters and Numbers. All contestants whose answers are valid win points, regardless of whether another contestant declared a longer word (in the letters game) or achieved a closer numerical target (in the numbers game). Spelling variations, such as American spellings, are also valid in Celebrity Letters and Numbers.
Episodes edit
Season 1 (2021) edit
- Note: Winners are listed in bold
| No. | Title | Original air date | Australian viewers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1 | 2 October 2021 | 209,000[10] | |
| Contestants: Suren Jayemanne, Jennifer Wong, Merrick Watts Dictionary Corner guest: Bridie Connell | ||||
| 2 | Episode 2 | 9 October 2021 | 174,000[11] | |
| Contestants: Aaron Chen, Alex Lee, Matt Okine Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 3 | Episode 3 | 16 October 2021 | 137,000[12] | |
| Contestants: Susie Youssef, Dane Simpson, Hamish Blake Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard | ||||
| 4 | Episode 4 | 23 October 2021 | 132,000[13] | |
| Contestants: Nikki Britton, Oliver Twist, Merrick Watts Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard | ||||
| 5 | Episode 5 | 30 October 2021 | 124,000[14] | |
| Contestants: Dane Simpson, Tanya Hennessy, Todd McKenney Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 6 | Episode 6 | 6 November 2021 | 98,000[15] | |
| Contestants: Akmal Saleh, Mark Humphries, Greta Lee Jackson Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 7 | Episode 7 | 13 November 2021 | 108,000[16] | |
| Contestants: Jennifer Wong, Nakkiah Lui, Merrick Watts Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard | ||||
| 8 | Episode 8 | 20 November 2021 | 100,000[17] | |
| Contestants: Lewis Hobba, Concetta Caristo, Susie Youssef Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 9 | Episode 9 | 27 November 2021 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Alex Lee, Adam Richard, Nikki Britton Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 10 | Episode 10 | 4 December 2021 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Susie Youssef, Nina Oyama, Mark Humphries Dictionary Corner guest: Gabbi Bolt | ||||
| 11 | Episode 11 | 11 December 2021 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Matt Okine, Jennifer Wong, Todd McKenney Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 12 | Episode 12 | 18 December 2021 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Bob Downe, Nikki Britton, Susie Youssef Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
Season 2 (Early 2022) edit
- Note: Winners are listed in bold
| No. | Title | Original air date | Australian viewers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 13 | 5 March 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Aaron Chen, Susie Youssef, Merrick Watts Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 2 | Episode 14 | 12 March 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Benjamin Law, Concetta Caristo, Bob Downe Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 3 | Episode 15 | 19 March 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Alex Lee, Dane Simpson, Nakkiah Lui Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard | ||||
| 4 | Episode 16 | 26 March 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Mike Goldstein, Merrick Watts, Sacha Horler Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman | ||||
| 5 | Episode 17 | 2 April 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Aaron Chen, Todd McKenney, Nakkiah Lui Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 6 | Episode 18 | 9 April 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Tanya Hennessy, Benjamin Law, Merrick Watts Dictionary Corner guest: Nakkiah Lui | ||||
| 7 | Episode 19 | 16 April 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Susie Youssef, Dane Simpson, Adam Richard Dictionary Corner guest: Jennifer Wong | ||||
| 8 | Episode 20 | 23 April 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Akmal Saleh, Sacha Horler, Tanya Hennessy Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 9 | Episode 21 | 30 April 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Adam Richard, Merrick Watts, Nakkiah Lui Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 10 | Episode 22 | 7 May 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Nina Oyama, Dane Simpson, Concetta Caristo Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 11 | Episode 23 | 14 May 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Colin Fassnidge, Nikki Britton, Concetta Caristo Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 12 | Episode 24 | 21 May 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Aaron Chen, Tanya Hennessy, Mark Humphries Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
Season 3 (Late 2022) edit
- Note: Winners are listed in bold
| No. | Title | Original air date | Australian viewers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 25 | 3 October 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Dave Thornton, Alex Lee, Luke McGregor Dictionary Corner guest: Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall | ||||
| 2 | Episode 26 | 10 October 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Mark Humphries, Jenny Tian, Matt Okine Dictionary Corner guest: Cal Wilson | ||||
| 3 | Episode 27 | 17 October 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Gen Fricker, Harley Breen, Concetta Caristo Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Saunders | ||||
| 4 | Episode 28 | 24 October 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Ben Lee, Alex Lee, Hamish Blake Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 5 | Episode 29 | 31 October 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Jenny Tian, Rhys Nicholson, Michala Banas Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 6 | Episode 30 | 7 November 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Oliver Twist, Concetta Caristo, Nath Valvo Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie | ||||
| 7 | Episode 31 | 14 November 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann, Alex Lee, Reuben Kaye Dictionary Corner guest: Claire Hooper | ||||
| 8 | Episode 32 | 21 November 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Dylan Lewis, Alex Ward, Mel Buttle Dictionary Corner guest: Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall | ||||
| 9 | Episode 33 | 28 November 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Sam Taunton, Jennifer Wong, Mark Humphries Dictionary Corner guest: Karl Kruszelnicki | ||||
| 10 | Episode 34 | 5 December 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Reuben Kaye, Zoë Coombs Marr, Oliver Twist Dictionary Corner guest: Bridie Connell | ||||
| 11 | Episode 35 | 19 December 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Nikki Britton, Joel Creasey and Urvi Majumdar Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman | ||||
| 12 | Episode 36 | 26 December 2022 | N/A | |
| Contestants: Merrick Watts, Mel Buttle, David Woodhead Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman | ||||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Lennard, Dann (30 September 2021). "Get your dictionaries, calculators and vocal cords ready for 'Celebrity Letters and Numbers'". Special Broadcasting Service. from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Wilson, Zanda (3 September 2021). "Michael Hing confirmed to host Celebrity Letters & Numbers on SBS". Mumbrella. from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ a b Knox, David (3 September 2021). "SBS revives Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Di Lorio, Michael (3 September 2021). "The First Trailer For Celebrity Letters & Numbers Has Landed And I'm Capital 'E' Excited". Pedestrian.tv. from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ a b "After nine years, SBS to air a new season of Celebrity Letters & Numbers". Mediaweek. 3 September 2021. from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (2 September 2021). "Brainiacs, assemble: Letters & Numbers is back". The Sydney Morning Herald. from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Top new series in September 2022". SBS Guide. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ Ward, Sarah (3 September 2021). "SBS Is Bringing Back Beloved Game Show 'Letters and Numbers' — This Time with Celebrities". Concrete Playground. from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (22 February 2022). "Returning: Celebrity Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Knox, David (3 October 2021). "Saturday 2 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (10 October 2021). "Saturday 9 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (17 October 2021). "Saturday 16 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (24 October 2021). "Saturday 23 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (31 October 2021). "Saturday 30 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (7 November 2021). "Saturday 6 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (14 November 2021). "Saturday 13 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Knox, David (21 November 2021). "Saturday 20 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
External links edit
- SBS On Demand: Celebrity Letters and Numbers
- Celebrity Letters and Numbers at IMDb