# Letters and Numbers **URL:** \ **Category:** SBS\ **Created:** [July 4, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921 "2021-07-04T19:29:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/brekkie/32/39965_2.png) [@Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Brekkie)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/81 "2021-11-16T21:16:55Z")
8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown though is built around the comedians, both in dictionary corner and playing the game, doing their own “little skits” during the show Have all the episodes so far used different comedians? Just wondering whether the arrangement with one in DC and three players might see them record more than one episode, rotating who is in DC. ---
**Author:** ![JBar](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/jbar/32/151177_2.png) [@JBar](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JBar)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/82 "2021-11-17T04:54:41Z")
> [@TVHead](#): > > “do a little skit”, remind me never to take seriously any opinions of comedy from you. This is what already happens in “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown”. As @Brekkie said, the captains, competing guests and guests in Dictionary Corner have done their own preprepared skit on that show. Even the host does them. It’s different every show. Depends on how the rest of the show is going. I wouldn’t be surprised if they film a lot more stuff than fits in an hour and the dull bits get edited out. ---
**Author:** ![Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/brekkie/32/39965_2.png) [@Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Brekkie)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/83 "2021-11-17T14:58:37Z")
Well the first 20-25 minutes of the show are devoted to the comedy. Was annoying at first they took so long to start with the game but viewers soon realised it was those opening exchanges which delivered most of the good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![yellow\_sock](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/y/34f0e0/32.png) [@yellow\_sock](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/yellow_sock)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/84 "2021-11-17T22:30:10Z")
Our version has been good and is more focused on the games rather than the sketches. I do love my game shows, but this format should include more sketches with the celebrities. Teams should be paired up, rather than working individually. So they can bounce off each other more. The UK version has plenty of sketches, which initially i didnt like, but it had grown on me. ---
**Author:** ![Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/brekkie/32/39965_2.png) [@Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Brekkie)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2021, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/85 "2021-11-18T14:57:02Z")
I suspect there is also the issue of licencing the format. Celebrity Letters and Numbers being much closer to Letters and Numbers, with the only real change being the third contestant, means they can probably get away with just licencing it on the same terms as Letters and Numbers, whilst if it was closer to 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown that is a co-production between ITV Studios (producers of Countdown) and what was Endemol (producers of 8 out of 10 Cats). I suspect therefore if SBS was to move it more towards the Cats format they’d also need to pay Endemol (now owned by Banijay I think) a fee too. ---
**Author:** ![TheHubMan](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/thehubman/32/276141_2.png) [@TheHubMan](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TheHubMan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 2:16am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/86 "2022-01-09T02:16:43Z")
just watching episode 6 and Akmal reminds me of Joe Wilkinson from Cats Countdown. He should definitely be on more, fits the format perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/87 "2022-02-17T06:51:09Z")
## Season 2 ![image](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/7/b/7/7b79bf41b07521fd7618b76b653fe385f02e96ef.jpeg) From **Saturday 5 March 7:30pm** > Hosted by Michael Hing, each week three celebrity contestants compete in a hilarious version of the classic show ‘Letters and Numbers’. Featuring wordsmith David Astle in Dictionary Corner offering endless nuggets of wisdom that you never knew you didn’t know! Over at the board, numbers expert Lily Serna explains mathematical techniques in a way that makes complete sense. > > Also featuring a special guest each week in Dictionary Corner, assisting David and providing their own brand of knowledge in a dedicated segment. The compulsive play along letters and numbers games are back with the all-important conundrum buzzer round to crown the winning celebrity. Episode 1 ![image](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/0/b/0/0b0abd248847f02f202806419ce985794fcc320f.jpeg) Hosted by Michael Hing and featuring wordsmith David Astle and numbers expert Lily Serna, joined by celebrity contestants Aaron Chen, Susie Youssef, Merrick Watts and special Dictionary Corner guest Carlo Ritchie. ---
**Author:** ![yellow\_sock](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/y/34f0e0/32.png) [@yellow\_sock](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/yellow_sock)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 7:17am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/89 "2022-02-17T07:17:12Z")
Glad the show is returning, but am surprised that it will be another celebrity version and that its returning in the 7.30pm slot on Saturdays. It didn’t rate that well in that slot - even in “SBS standards”. Probably hard to do a normal version and alongside Mastermind, which is returning next week. Susie Yousef has had a busy 12 months - from regular appearances on Letters and Numbers (SBS) and The Project (10); and hosting Making It Australia (10) and co-hosting the Australia of the Year Awards (on the ABC) ---
**Author:** ![Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/brekkie/32/39965_2.png) [@Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Brekkie)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 5:11pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/90 "2022-02-18T17:11:46Z")
The “second” series was commissioned with the first and probably filmed at the same time too so no surprise it is the same format. Suspect if it didn’t rate well it’ll probably put SBS off a revival of the nightly regular version. ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:56am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/91 "2022-02-22T05:56:43Z")
### CELEBRITY LETTERS & NUMBERS RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON DUST OFF YOUR THINKING CAPS AND LET THE BATTLE BEGIN PREMIERING 7.30PM SATURDAY 5 MARCH > Comedian and host **Michael Hing** , maths whiz **Lily Serna** and word master **David Astle** are back for the second season of _Celebrity Letters & Numbers_ , premiering at 7.30pm on Saturday 5 March on SBS and SBS On Demand. > > Produced by ITV Studios Australia, the celebrity adaptation of the popular series _Letters & Numbers_ follows a similar format with guests fighting for the top prize, only this time with a comedic twist. Each week, three courageous and comedic celebrities and a special guest will join David in Dictionary Corner. The new season will welcome guests including **Merrick Watts, Ben Law, Tanya Hennessy, Akmal Saleh, Susie Youssef** and **Aaron Chen** amongst others. > > With twelve, hour-long episodes airing over the span of the season, the quiz show boggles even the sharpest of minds in a quick succession of high-pressure letters, numbers and conundrum games. As time ticks away, each game sees the contestants scramble to beat the clock, proving the simplest of tasks overwhelmingly challenging. Only one celebrity will prevail and take home the grand prize and glory of being Australia’s _Celebrity Letters & Numbers_ champion. > > **Host Michael Hing said:** _“In a world where modern television is an increasingly drug-fuelled haze of sex and madness, it is truly incredible that SBS has seen fit to bring back our Letters & Numbers show for a second season. Will this season be sexier? I’ll be there, so probably not, but it will hav_ _e all the cognitive break downs, scholarly mishaps, and occasional triumphs that you’ve come to know and love, plus, actual answers from Lily and David.”_ > > **SBS Head of Entertainment, Emily Griggs said:** “ _After a successful first season and return of Celebrity Letters & Numbers, we’re so pleased to be announcing the show’s second season. Bringing viewers shows that educate and entertain is something that we strive to do at SBS and Celebrity Letters & Numbers truly brings this to life in humorous quiz form. We can’t wait for Aussies to enjoy even more comedic personalities lined up for our second season.”_ > > **ITV Studios Australia’s Head of Entertainment, Majella Wiemers, said:** _“We are incredibly thrilled to bring a second season of Celebrity Letters & Numbers to SBS audiences. It has proven to be a winning formula with its combination of smarts, wit and comedic relief from the everyday grind. Viewers can sit back and enjoy or interact and play along with some notably familiar faces on screen.”_ _ **Celebrity Letters & Numbers** _ **is produced by ITV Studios Australia.** **Season two of _Celebrity Letters & Numbers_ premieres at 7:30pm Saturday 5 March on SBS and SBS On Demand. Episodes continue weekly.** ---
**Author:** ![Bort](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/bort/32/340984_2.png) [@Bort](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Bort)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/92 "2022-04-09T10:08:35Z")
Watching tonight for the first time in a while. It’s improved somewhat but could really do with a studio audience. Blatantly obvious it’s canned when you get applause at the start, the ad breaks, and when the scores are mentioned, but whenever a joke is made you only hear the panelists laughing. And you’ve got comedians on - drop a game or two and give them some space to do what they do. ---
**Author:** ![JBar](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/jbar/32/151177_2.png) [@JBar](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JBar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/93 "2022-04-09T10:14:28Z")
I really they should have had two teams of two players like the British version. So much humour comes out of two players trying to work together and often failing to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_TV7](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@Tom\_TV7](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Tom_TV7)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/94 "2022-04-16T14:58:10Z")
> [@Bort](#): > > Watching tonight for the first time in a while. > > It’s improved somewhat but could really do with a studio audience. Blatantly obvious it’s canned when you get applause at the start, the ad breaks, and when the scores are mentioned, but whenever a joke is made you only hear the panelists laughing. > > And you’ve got comedians on - drop a game or two and give them some space to do what they do. Are they just rotating the same people over and over again. I feel like I’ve seen Adam Richard and Merrick Watts on almost all the episodes. If this gets renewed I hope they can get some other comedians onboard to play this. The likes of Kitty Flanagan, Mick Molloy and Marty Sheargold would be hilarious on this. The current mix that they have resorted to is very boring. EDIT: On second thoughts, was this filmed along with the first season late last year? Probably explains why they couldn’t get any Melbourne comedians in as they were still locked down. ---
**Author:** ![Bort](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/bort/32/340984_2.png) [@Bort](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Bort)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/95 "2022-04-16T23:52:32Z")
> [@Tom\_TV7](#): > > I feel like I’ve seen Adam Richard and Merrick Watts on almost all the episodes. Merrick certainly seems to be there fairly often, but presumably travel restrictions at the time of filming limited their options, as you’ve said. They could’ve just leant further into the cats does countdown format and had teams, so you’d have an excuse for having the same guests every other week ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/96 "2022-04-16T23:59:46Z")
The contestants are listed each week in the SBS Guide if you want to check back episodes. > [@SBS (main channel) - Programs and Schedules (2015-Apr 2025)](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/sbs-main-channel-programs-and-schedules/452/914): > > Week commencing 24 April 2022 Sunday 24 April 07:30 pm Secrets To Civilisation Series Premiere 08:30 pm Chernobyl: The New Evidence 10:25 pm The Hunt For Shackleton’s Ice Ship Monday 25 April 07:35 pm Britain By Beach 08:30 pm Secrets of The Tower of London S04 E05 09:25 pm 24 Hours In Emergency Rpt 10:20 pm SBS World News Late 10:50 pm Beneath The Surface S01 E05 Tuesday 26 April 07:30 pm Great British Ra… ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/97 "2022-05-14T22:27:32Z")
> [@SBS (main channel) - Programs and Schedules](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/sbs-main-channel-programs-and-schedules/452/923): > > **Saturday 21 May** > 07:30 pm Celebrity Letters And Numbers S02 E12 Contestants: Aaron Chen, Tanya Hennessy, Mark Humphries, and special Dictionary Corner guest Carlo Ritchie. This Saturday is the season 2 finale of Celebrity Letters and Numbers. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/98 "2022-05-21T09:12:59Z")
Season 3 of Celebrity Letters and Numbers began filming in Sydney this afternoon. According to That’s the Ticket website, the show will be recorded at NEP Studios in Eveleigh on these dates: ![CL&N-Sessions](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/2/8/d/28dce805929e817f7ae7d2e67333715683993489.png) ---
**Author:** ![TV\_Addict](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv_addict/32/317_2.png) [@TV\_Addict](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV_Addict)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/99 "2022-05-22T03:46:51Z")
How does it rate compared to the original one from years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_TV7](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@Tom\_TV7](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Tom_TV7)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/100 "2022-05-22T03:48:21Z")
Hopefully the new season means new guests and also some new segments akin to 8O10CDC. Kind of sick and tired of seeing Carlo Ritchie, Adam Richard and Merrick Watts on almost every episode in the last two seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/brekkie/32/39965_2.png) [@Brekkie](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Brekkie)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921/101 "2022-05-22T16:01:27Z")
They should listen to the feedback and switch to the 8 out of 10 Cats format of two teams of two, even if that means ditching the DC guest to switch them to being a competitor. And that way you can have two captains who appear on every episode. [Previous page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/letters-and-numbers/17921.md?page=6)