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Repetition of And's, I's, The's, It's, Is, etc.

Messages in this topic: 1
Robert L. TorresApr 20, 2008
 

 
Okay, here's what I don't get.

In the early parts of the series, there would often be rounds where
someone was not aloud to say certain things like 'I', 'and', 'the',
or 'a' and sometimes people would even challenge on these small words.
But over the years this has been a very slippery slope with regards to
people challenging on these small words. In some cases, Nicholas
wouldn't allow it, but then in other cases he would.

And then, there were some decisions that just seemed to come outta left
field. In one particular episode where the Original Foursome were on
the panel, everyone else tried to challenge Kenneth for repetition
of 'and', and Nicholas wouldn't allow it. Then, later in the program
Kenneth challenges someone on 'and', and Nicholas gives Kenneth the
subject. And I'm sitting there, scratching my head and
thinking 'WTF?'

Another headscratching moment came from Peter Jones' first appearance
on the show. During the subject of 'How I Feel in Hot Pants', Peter
challenged Kenneth on repetition of 'I'. Nick turns around and
says 'if you had challenged him on 'feel' I would've given it to you,
but we don't challenge on small words like that, unless it gets too
obvious.'

However, I will say it does create a very humorous moment when no
sooner does Kenneth start up again, Clement challenges on repetition
of 'feel', and Kenneth goes into a flying tantrum over the fact that
you're allowed to repeat something if its on the card and in the title,
Nicholas reaffirms that 'feel' is on the card, but Clement counters
with the fact that he just told Peter that if he had challenged
on 'feel', he would've had the subject, thus catching Nicholas out in
his lie.

and many were the times when he would state categorically that no one
should ever challenge on these small words again, because if everyone
kept challenging on these small words, there would be no flow to the
show.

Another prime example was during the 80's, it was the second show that
featured Derek, Kenneth, Gyles and Martin Jarvis on the panel, I
think. During the opening moments, Gyles challenged Kenneth on
repetition of either 'one' or 'I', that there were six "I's" or
something, and Nicholas didn't give it to Gyles because Nicholas only
counted five. Which of course led to a very humourous discussion over
Nicholas' innumeracy, which for some reason prompted Nicholas' response
to indicate that Gyles was talking about his sex life, which in turn
led to something about dyslexia having to do with the way Nicholas
walks or something.

Now, the number of times someone repeated something is immaterial,
whether its five, six, seven or a hundred times is totally irrelevant,
if they repeated something it's still repetition.

And yet, here we are 40 years later, and I listen to shows where people
challenge on repetition of 'I', repetition of 'or', repetition of 'of',
etc.

How do people feel in general about this? I'm curious because
sometimes I do find it funny when people challenge on small words, but
on other occasions I think its irritating that people are allowed to do
this at all. I mean, a small word like 'I' or 'the' or 'and' or 'of'
or even 'or', should be overlooked.

 
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