Des chiffres et des lettres (; ) is a French television programme which originally aired from 1965 to 2024. It was created by Armand Jammot and tests the numeracy skills and vocabulary of two contestants. It was one of the longest-running game shows in the world and the inspiration for Countdown on the British Channel 4.
The game debuted in 1965 as Le mot le plus long (), using letters only, and reached its present format in 1972. From 2004 to 2024, it was transmitted on France 3 after 39 years on Antenne 2 and later France 2. It had been hosted since 1992 by Laurent Romejko, who was originally assisted by and Bertrand Renard, the latter two respectively checking words proposed by the contestants and providing solutions to the number problems the contestants failed to solve. Renard was hired on the show at the age of 19, after having won as a contestant in 12 consecutive matches. Starting on 17 September 2022, Boulin-Prat and Renard were replaced by Blandine Maire and Stéphane Crosnier respectively due to disputes over their salaries and the terms of their contracts. The show came to an end on 25 August 2024 after a 58-year run; it aired on weekends during its last two years.
The show was seen throughout the world on TV5Monde including TV5 Québec Canada throughout Canada.
Rules Two contestants played against one another. As the title of the game indicates, it was based on two skills, numeracy and literacy, and featured three types of challenges:
Standard letter/number problems, in which both contestants have a chance to score points "Duels," speed problems in which only one contestant can score A "Final Sprint," consisting of two problems that each award points to only one contestant
The first player to win two games out of three, or to win a single game by 50 points or more, wins the match and takes/retains the championship.
Each show is made up of 16 problems presented in three sections. The first and second sections consist of two letter problems and two numbers problems played alternatively and followed by a duel. The third round consists of two letter problems and two numbers problems played alternatively and followed by the final sprint. If the players are tied at the end of the program a buzzer question is used to break the tie.
Winners can remain on the show for up to 10 consecutive matches.
Le compte est bon (Numbers round) Six numbers are chosen at random from a group consisting of the integers 1 through 10 inclusive, 25, 50, 75, and 100. It is possible for the same number to be chosen more than once. A random three-digit target number from 101 to 999 is then generated, and the contestants are given 40 seconds to work out a series of calculations whose final total is equal to that target. They may only use the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and do not have to use all six numbers. Only positive integers may be obtained at any step, and no number may be used more times than it appears in the selection.
Example Numbers given: 8 4 4 6 8 9
Target number: 594
8 + 8 = 16 16 × 4 = 64 6 − 4 = 2 64 + 2 = 66 66 × 9 = 594
Or
8 × 8 = 64 64 − 4 = 60 60 + 6 = 66 66 × 9 = 594
Contestants signal that they have obtained the target number by saying le compte est bon ("the total is good"), then give the details of their calculations. Ten points are awarded for reaching the target exactly, or for coming as close as possible if an exact solution cannot be reached (as verified by a computer). If neither contestant obtains the best possible solution, the one who comes closest to the target scores seven points. Both contestants score in this case if their results are identical or equally close to the target on either side.
Numbo In 1987, Daniel Defays implemented a computer program called "Numbo" which uses probabilistic parallel processing to model human performance in the game Le compte est bon.
Le mot le plus long (Letters round) In this round, one contestant is asked how many vowels they would like to be used in a selection of 10 randomly generated letters, each chosen unseen from all possible vowels or consonants. The same letter may appear more than once. The game originally used seven letters, increasing with time to eight and then nine; the 10-letter rule was instituted on 4 April 2010. Contestants previously selected letters by calling for one vowel or consonant at a time.
Once the letters are selected, the contestants are given 30 seconds to form the longest word possible, using each letter no more times than it appears. The contestant who forms the longer valid word scores one point per letter used; if both contestants find the same word or words of equal length, each one scores. Diacritics are not shown on the letters, but may be added as needed: for instance, the French word épeler (to spell) can be formed with the tiles E P E L E R.
Example With the following letters:
T O C E D A M I T S
it is possible to get the French words dictats, amodies and mastoïde. With the following letters:
R U R E T E C E R Z
it is possible to get the French words recruter and érecteur.
Duels There are several variations of the "duel" section:
The classic version: given a selection of 10 letters, use each of them once and only once to form two words fitting a common theme "L'un dans l'autre" ("one within the other"): with ten given letters, find a ten-letter word and another word, within the first; one a proper noun, the other a common noun "La bonne orthographe" ("correct spelling"): be the first to spell a given word correctly "Le calcul mental" ("mental arithmetic"): be the first to complete a sequence of calculations in one's head (e.g. (((((889 - 662) + 697) / 7) * 6) / 4); answer = 198)
Only one answer is accepted, from the first player to buzz-in. If the answer is correct, ten points (originally five points) are awarded to the player giving it. If the answer is incorrect, the opponent receives three points.
Before the regular letters and numbers rounds, a toss-up duel is played, with the winner earning a "sesame," or joker, that can be used in the final bonus game (introduced in 2016).
Final sprint At the end of the game, the contestants play the "final sprint" where they have to solve two problems. As opposed to the other rounds during the game (except duels), these have been generated prior to the show and they admit at least one perfect solution (either a 10-letter word or a number that can be found with the six given numbers) the contestants must find as fast as possible. As in duels, only one answer is accepted, from the first player to provide one. If the answer is correct, five points are awarded to the player giving it. If the answer is incorrect, the player's opponent receives three points.
Each contestant, starting from the lowest-scored one, chooses which kind of problem they want to play with : numbers or letters.
Les mots de la fin This round was introduced in 2016 along with a new set for the show. Only the winning contestant plays this round, and they have two minutes to find the longest word possible in eight different 10-letter selections, receiving €100 per correct answer given. The length of the longest word is given for each selection. The contestant may pass as often as desired, and the selections are cycled until the time expires or all eight have been solved. If the contestant has a joker earned from the opening duel, they may call "sesame" and receive the €100 for the current letter selection. If the contestant solves all eight selections without using the joker, they win an extra €100 for a daily potential maximum of €900.
The maximum possible winnings a contestant can achieve is €9,000 over 10 matches.
International versions Legend: Currently airing or returning No longer airing Non-broadcast pilot
Country Title Main Presenter(s) Broadcaster(s) Premiere FinaleRichard MorecroftDavid AstleLily SernaSBS One2 August 201027 June 2012Celebrity Letters and NumbersMichael HingDavid AstleLily Serna2 October 2021present Cijfers en LettersWalter De MeyereCarine Van de VenVTM19891993Des mots et des mathsEvariste ToeFlore HienIrène ZoungranaLauricia DakioMaïmouna Rachel SawadogoRTB2009present Stav et tal Sten ØrtingPia Jarvad DR 7 January 1991 26 April 1991Γράμματα και ΑριθμοίGrámmata kai Arithmoí Christos Oikonomou ERT1 13 February 1976 28 December 1981 Kostas Papadonopoulos Mega Channel 20 November 1989 19 February 1990תיק-תקTik-TakRonit KfirEyal KitzisEfrat RaytenSharon TaicherIsraeli Educational Television(Channel 2)19951999ParoliamoLea PericoliGisella PaganoFabrizio FrizziTelemontecarlo (1977–1982)Rai 2 (1982–1989)19771989Cijfers en LettersHan van der MeerRobert ten BrinkKRO19751988Tänk till tusenSVT 119841987ТВ СлагалицаTV SlagalicaMarija VeljkovićKristina RadenkovićMilica GacinRTS122 November 1993presentA Word or 2Jeremy MansfieldSABC219982008Cifras y letrasElisenda Roca (1991–1996)Aitor Albizua (2024–) La 2 (1991–1996; 2024–) 14 January 1991 present (2002–2010) (Telemadrid) (2010–2012) (Telemadrid)Paco Lodeiro (2006–2013) (TVG)Goyo González (2007–2012) (Canal Sur 2)Paola Bontempi (2008) (Televisión Canaria) Telemadrid and FORTA 4 January 2002 2013Xifres i Lletres Esther Sastre La 2 Cataluña 1998 2000Bir Kelime, Bir İşlemLevent ÜlgenYeliz ArmanRaşit YıldırımTRT 1TRT Okul19902014 Countdown Richard Whiteley (1982–2005)William G. Stewart (1997, edition 2000)Des Lynam (2005–2006)Des O'Connor (2007–2008)Jeff Stelling (2009–2011)Nick Hewer (2012–2021) Anne Robinson (2021–2022)Colin Murraystand-in 2020–2021 (2022–present) Channel 4 2 November 1982 presentCountdownMichael Jackson (1990) Unknown (pilot)colspan=2 Brojke i slovaVedrana MeđimorecJRTTV Zagreb19861991
Australian version
An Australian version, called Letters And Numbers (the literal translation of the original), commenced airing on SBS on 2 August 2010. It was hosted by Richard Morecroft. It closely followed the gameplay of the UK version, albeit with a slightly more modern set (with subtly animated background), but the clock, manual letterboards and whiteboard for the maths problems were all present. In the course of the show there were 5 letter rounds, 3 number rounds and a final Conundrum round. The winners of each show carried over to the next episode (up to a maximum of 6 episodes, upon which they must retire), whilst the runner-up went home with a Macquarie dictionary. SBS "retired" the show in June 2012 and replaced it with the British version of the program, Countdown (not to be confused with the Australian music show of the same name).
Danish version The Danish version was called Stav et tal (spell a number) and aired on DR.
Dutch version Cijfers en Letters was broadcast in the Netherlands by public broadcasting organisation KRO from 1975 until 1988. Hosts were Han van der Meer, Maartje van Weegen, Robert ten Brink and Bob Bouma.
Flemish version Cijfers en Letters was broadcast in Flanders on the Flemish commercial television channel VTM from 1989 until 1993. Host of the show was former radio host and DJ Jackie Dewaele, also known as Zaki. Assists were Walter De Meyere and Carine Van de Ven.
Greek version The Greek version of the game show, Grámmata kai Arithmoí (), debuted 13 February 1976 on ERT1 with television host Christos Oikonomou. This version was televised until 28 December 1981.
On Monday 20 November 1989, Mega Channel produced a new version of Grámmata kai Arithmoí with television host Kostas Papadonopoulos, but this was cancelled after 19 February 1990 after 15 episodes, as Papandonopoulos' schedule had more-important obligations and the producers were unable to find a replacement host.
Italian version Paroliamo is the name of the Italian version of the game, aired by Telemontecarlo and Rai Due for ten seasons.
South African version