Celebrity Letters and Numbers

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 series4
No. of episodes48
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time50 minutes
Production companyITV Studios Australia
Original release
NetworkSBS
Release2 October 2021 (2021-10-02) –
present (present)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

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]

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] Series three premiered on 17 September 2022,[7] with series four set to air on 5 February 2024.[8] As of February 2024, new episodes of Celebrity Letters & Numbers have been pulled from SBS, after just two episodes. The last 10 episodes in series 4, which broadcast on SBS Viceland at 6.00pm Weeknights starting from 9 September 2024 until 20 September 2024.

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.[9] 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.[10]

  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. ^ a b "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. ^ Knox, David (30 January 2024). "Returning: Celebrity Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Knox, David (22 February 2022). "Returning: Celebrity Letters & Numbers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 June 2023.