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
GenreComedy panel game
Based onDes chiffres et des lettres
by Armand Jammot
Presented byMichael Hing
Starring
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes34
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time50 minutes
Production companyITV Studios Australia
Release
Original networkSBS
Original release2 October 2021 (2021-10-02) –
26 December 2022 (2022-12-26)

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
Main article: Letters and Numbers § Gameplay

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. 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
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1122 October 2021 (2021-10-02)18 December 2021 (2021-12-18)
2125 March 2022 (2022-03-05)21 May 2022 (2022-05-21)
3123 October 2022 (2022-10-03)26 December 2022 (2022-12-26)

Season 1 (2021)
Note: Winners are listed in bold
No.TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
1Episode 12 October 2021 (2021-10-02)209,000[10]
Contestants: Suren Jayemanne, Jennifer Wong, Merrick Watts
Dictionary Corner guest: Bridie Connell
2Episode 29 October 2021 (2021-10-09)174,000[11]
Contestants: Aaron Chen, Alex Lee, Matt Okine
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
3Episode 316 October 2021 (2021-10-16)137,000[12]
Contestants: Susie Youssef, Dane Simpson, Hamish Blake
Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard
4Episode 423 October 2021 (2021-10-23)132,000[13]
Contestants: Nikki Britton, Oliver Twist, Merrick Watts
Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard
5Episode 530 October 2021 (2021-10-30)124,000[14]
Contestants: Dane Simpson, Tanya Hennessy, Todd McKenney
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
6Episode 66 November 2021 (2021-11-06)98,000[15]
Contestants: Akmal Saleh, Mark Humphries, Greta Lee Jackson
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
7Episode 713 November 2021 (2021-11-13)108,000[16]
Contestants: Jennifer Wong, Nakkiah Lui, Merrick Watts
Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard
8Episode 820 November 2021 (2021-11-20)100,000[17]
Contestants: Lewis Hobba, Concetta Caristo, Susie Youssef
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
9Episode 927 November 2021 (2021-11-27)N/A
Contestants: Alex Lee, Adam Richard, Nikki Britton
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
10Episode 104 December 2021 (2021-12-04)N/A
Contestants: Susie Youssef, Nina Oyama, Mark Humphries
Dictionary Corner guest: Gabbi Bolt
11Episode 1111 December 2021 (2021-12-11)N/A
Contestants: Matt Okine, Jennifer Wong, Todd McKenney
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
12Episode 1218 December 2021 (2021-12-18)N/A
Contestants: Bob Downe, Nikki Britton, Susie Youssef
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie

Season 2 (Early 2022)
Note: Winners are listed in bold
No.TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
1Episode 135 March 2022 (2022-03-05)N/A
Contestants: Aaron Chen, Susie Youssef, Merrick Watts
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
2Episode 1412 March 2022 (2022-03-12)N/A
Contestants: Benjamin Law, Concetta Caristo, Bob Downe
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
3Episode 1519 March 2022 (2022-03-19)N/A
Contestants: Alex Lee, Dane Simpson, Nakkiah Lui
Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Richard
4Episode 1626 March 2022 (2022-03-26)N/A
Contestants: Mike Goldstein, Merrick Watts, Sacha Horler
Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman
5Episode 172 April 2022 (2022-04-02)N/A
Contestants: Aaron Chen, Todd McKenney, Nakkiah Lui
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
6Episode 189 April 2022 (2022-04-09)N/A
Contestants: Tanya Hennessy, Benjamin Law, Merrick Watts
Dictionary Corner guest: Nakkiah Lui
7Episode 1916 April 2022 (2022-04-16)N/A
Contestants: Susie Youssef, Dane Simpson, Adam Richard
Dictionary Corner guest: Jennifer Wong
8Episode 2023 April 2022 (2022-04-23)N/A
Contestants: Akmal Saleh, Sacha Horler, Tanya Hennessy
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
9Episode 2130 April 2022 (2022-04-30)N/A
Contestants: Adam Richard, Merrick Watts, Nakkiah Lui
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
10Episode 227 May 2022 (2022-05-07)N/A
Contestants: Nina Oyama, Dane Simpson, Concetta Caristo
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
11Episode 2314 May 2022 (2022-05-14)N/A
Contestants: Colin Fassnidge, Nikki Britton, Concetta Caristo
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
12Episode 2421 May 2022 (2022-05-21)N/A
Contestants: Aaron Chen, Tanya Hennessy, Mark Humphries
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie

Season 3 (Late 2022)
Note: Winners are listed in bold
No.TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
1Episode 253 October 2022 (2022-10-03)N/A
Contestants: Dave Thornton, Alex Lee, Luke McGregor
Dictionary Corner guest: Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall
2Episode 2610 October 2022 (2022-10-10)N/A
Contestants: Mark Humphries, Jenny Tian, Matt Okine
Dictionary Corner guest: Cal Wilson
3Episode 2717 October 2022 (2022-10-17)N/A
Contestants: Gen Fricker, Harley Breen, Concetta Caristo
Dictionary Corner guest: Adam Saunders
4Episode 2824 October 2022 (2022-10-24)N/A
Contestants: Ben Lee, Alex Lee, Hamish Blake
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
5Episode 2931 October 2022 (2022-10-31)N/A
Contestants: Jenny Tian, Rhys Nicholson, Michala Banas
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
6Episode 307 November 2022 (2022-11-07)N/A
Contestants: Oliver Twist, Concetta Caristo, Nath Valvo
Dictionary Corner guest: Carlo Ritchie
7Episode 3114 November 2022 (2022-11-14)N/A
Contestants: Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann, Alex Lee, Reuben Kaye
Dictionary Corner guest: Claire Hooper
8Episode 3221 November 2022 (2022-11-21)N/A
Contestants: Dylan Lewis, Alex Ward, Mel Buttle
Dictionary Corner guest: Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall
9Episode 3328 November 2022 (2022-11-28)N/A
Contestants: Sam Taunton, Jennifer Wong, Mark Humphries
Dictionary Corner guest: Karl Kruszelnicki
10Episode 345 December 2022 (2022-12-05)N/A
Contestants: Reuben Kaye, Zoë Coombs Marr, Oliver Twist
Dictionary Corner guest: Bridie Connell
11Episode 3519 December 2022 (2022-12-19)N/A
Contestants: Nikki Britton, Joel Creasey and Urvi Majumdar
Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman
12Episode 3626 December 2022 (2022-12-26)N/A
Contestants: Merrick Watts, Mel Buttle, David Woodhead
Dictionary Corner guest: Tom Cashman

See also

References
  1. Lennard, Dann (30 September 2021). "Get your dictionaries, calculators and vocal cords ready for 'Celebrity Letters and Numbers'". Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  2. Wilson, Zanda (3 September 2021). "Michael Hing confirmed to host Celebrity Letters & Numbers on SBS". Mumbrella. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. Knox, David (3 September 2021). "SBS revives Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  4. Di Lorio, Michael (3 September 2021). "The First Trailer For Celebrity Letters & Numbers Has Landed And I'm Capital 'E' Excited". Pedestrian.tv. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. "After nine years, SBS to air a new season of Celebrity Letters & Numbers". Mediaweek. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  6. Quinn, Karl (2 September 2021). "Brainiacs, assemble: Letters & Numbers is back". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  7. "Top new series in September 2022". SBS Guide. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  8. Ward, Sarah (3 September 2021). "SBS Is Bringing Back Beloved Game Show 'Letters and Numbers' — This Time with Celebrities". Concrete Playground. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  9. Knox, David (22 February 2022). "Returning: Celebrity Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. Knox, David (3 October 2021). "Saturday 2 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  11. Knox, David (10 October 2021). "Saturday 9 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  12. Knox, David (17 October 2021). "Saturday 16 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  13. Knox, David (24 October 2021). "Saturday 23 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. Knox, David (31 October 2021). "Saturday 30 October 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  15. Knox, David (7 November 2021). "Saturday 6 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  16. Knox, David (14 November 2021). "Saturday 13 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  17. Knox, David (21 November 2021). "Saturday 20 November 2021". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
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