Catchword (game show)
Encyclopedia
Catchword was a daytime word game show first shown on BBC1 Scotland from 17 April 1985 until 2 April 1986, hosted by Gyles Brandreth
, and then network on its sister channel BBC2 from 5 January 1988 until 23 May 1995, hosted by Paul Coia
Each contestant (one at a time) had ten different sets of three consonants every four seconds and he or she had to think of a word starting with the first consonant and include the other two in the right order eg P C T could be preconstruction. One point for each valid word and the contestant with the longest word in the round out of the three contestants also scored a bonus. Any word that appears in the Chambers Dictionary
is allowed. Proper nouns and hypenated words are not allowed. This round was notable for regular appearances of very long words such as Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis and Floccinaucinihilipilification.
Hall Of Fame
This round was on the buzzers. The computer generated 10 anagrams (one at a time). The first contestant to buzz in attempted to solve the anagram. If the contestant was correct, one point was scored. The anagrams could be a list of politicians eg EIDSN LEHEYA would be DENIS HEALEY.
Flying Solo
Each contestant (one at a time) was given one set of three letters and in 30 seconds the contestant had to think of as many words as he or she can starting with the first letter and including the other two in the right order. If the words they choose are valid, he or she scored one point for each valid word and also got a bonus if he or she got the longest word out of the three contestants. If the contestants said a word that was from the same root eg profiteer from the same root as profit they don't score a point for the second word because words from the same root as they said were not allowed.
Through The Vowel
This round was played on a framework of nine letters (with a vowel in the centre) and each contestant had to choose one set of three letters (reading horizontally, vertically or diagonally, including the vowel) and make a word that includes those letters eg Y A T could be yactswomen. Each valid word scored one point and the contestant with the longest word out of the three contestants scored a bonus.
Synonym Game
This round was on the buzzers. The computer generated about 13, 14 or 15 words (one at a time) each with its synonym word scrambled. The first contestant to buzz in attempted to unscramble the word. If the contestant was correct, one point was scored. An example of a synonymn could be MANAGE AOCMSPCHLI, the scrambled word is ACCOMPLISH.
Final Round
The final round was the 'Four Second Word Game' again in the same way as the first round.
At the end of the show the contestant with the highest score is the champion and invited to come back on the next show to play against two new contestants. Contestants who are champions can only win up to five matches.
{| class="wikitable"
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{| class="wikitable"
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!
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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! Series !! Start date !! End date !! Episodes
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| 1 || 17 April 1985 || ||
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| 2 || || 2 April 1986 ||
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| 3 || 5 January 1988 || ||
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| 4 || 1989 || ||
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| 5 || 1990 || ||
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| 6 || 1991 || ||
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| 7 || 26 October 1992 || ||
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| 8 || 1 November 1993 || 1994 ||
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| 9 || 24 October 1994 || 23 May 1995 ||
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Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Daubeney Brandreth is a British writer, broadcaster and former Conservative Member of Parliament and junior minister.-Early life:...
, and then network on its sister channel BBC2 from 5 January 1988 until 23 May 1995, hosted by Paul Coia
Paul Coia
Paul Coia is a Scottish television presenter and continuity announcer who was the first voice on Channel 4.-Early life and career:...
Format
Four Second Word GameEach contestant (one at a time) had ten different sets of three consonants every four seconds and he or she had to think of a word starting with the first consonant and include the other two in the right order eg P C T could be preconstruction. One point for each valid word and the contestant with the longest word in the round out of the three contestants also scored a bonus. Any word that appears in the Chambers Dictionary
Chambers Dictionary
The Chambers Dictionary was first published by W. and R. Chambers as Chambers's English Dictionary in 1872. It was an expanded version of Chambers's Etymological Dictionary of 1867, compiled by James Donald...
is allowed. Proper nouns and hypenated words are not allowed. This round was notable for regular appearances of very long words such as Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis and Floccinaucinihilipilification.
Hall Of Fame
This round was on the buzzers. The computer generated 10 anagrams (one at a time). The first contestant to buzz in attempted to solve the anagram. If the contestant was correct, one point was scored. The anagrams could be a list of politicians eg EIDSN LEHEYA would be DENIS HEALEY.
Flying Solo
Each contestant (one at a time) was given one set of three letters and in 30 seconds the contestant had to think of as many words as he or she can starting with the first letter and including the other two in the right order. If the words they choose are valid, he or she scored one point for each valid word and also got a bonus if he or she got the longest word out of the three contestants. If the contestants said a word that was from the same root eg profiteer from the same root as profit they don't score a point for the second word because words from the same root as they said were not allowed.
Through The Vowel
This round was played on a framework of nine letters (with a vowel in the centre) and each contestant had to choose one set of three letters (reading horizontally, vertically or diagonally, including the vowel) and make a word that includes those letters eg Y A T could be yactswomen. Each valid word scored one point and the contestant with the longest word out of the three contestants scored a bonus.
Synonym Game
This round was on the buzzers. The computer generated about 13, 14 or 15 words (one at a time) each with its synonym word scrambled. The first contestant to buzz in attempted to unscramble the word. If the contestant was correct, one point was scored. An example of a synonymn could be MANAGE AOCMSPCHLI, the scrambled word is ACCOMPLISH.
Final Round
The final round was the 'Four Second Word Game' again in the same way as the first round.
At the end of the show the contestant with the highest score is the champion and invited to come back on the next show to play against two new contestants. Contestants who are champions can only win up to five matches.
Transmissions
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