Ep 268: Brydon Coverdale, Miles Tilly (February 25, 2015; originally aired September 7, 2011)

Rounds: Here.

Disclaimer: I watched this episode when it first aired, and although I did not recall any of it I cannot rule out memory being a factor.


Brydon takes his turn in the champion's seat, and Richard opens the conversation by suggesting that Brydon would like David's job.  Specifically, he would like to be a crossword composer if he were not a cricket journalist.  Brydon agrees that he is interested in that, adding that the challenge is getting everything to fit where you want it.  While I agree that is part of it, it feels to me somewhat lesser a challenge than creating the fiendish but (mostly) fair clues that David does.

Opposing Brydon is Miles Tilly, a musician who is currently working on his fourth album.  Richard notes that Miles' second album got a nomination for an award at an international competition.  Miles expands on that to note that his second album release was nominated for Best Electronic Release at the 2005 New Zealand Music Awards (he goes by the handle "Audiosauce").  Richard asks about the style of music involved; Miles responds that it is mainly "chilled-out", with a little bit of Latin and samba styles.


It was yet another close game tonight; Miles gained the upper hand early with two good letters rounds, although I feel that Brydon probably should have done better.  But a gap in Miles' technique in the numbers round saw Brydon reduce the deficit, and a good round five result put Brydon a single point ahead at last.  Miles got those points right back in the next numbers round, then miscued by essaying a rat pack in the final numbers round.  Brydon handled it deftly, and moved into the conundrum ahead but not safe.  He did well to solve it, too, and finished the winner, 47 to 33.

I had a good night on the letters, but flailed around a bit on the numbers.  I can take some consolation in that Lily also had troubles with one of them, at least.  Despite those difficulties I still managed a total in the 70's, which is always nice to have.


As usual, details after the jump.