Victoria Coren Mitchell - Writer, Broadcaster & Poker Player


Final Video Diary

Saturday, 15 January 2011

  I think this will be my last video blog from the PCA, because the techno-guys who load the footage onto the PokerStars website are going home tomorrow. I didn’t know they were leaving, so this one doesn’t have much of a valedictory feel. It’s just another random wander round Atlantis, really, with a passing tip about six-handed Holdem and a sign in a shop that made me laugh.

  I’m still here for a few days so I might write another blog before I leave, or it might suddenly seem JUST TOO BORING without video footage. I was slightly horrified when they handed me the camera on day one and said I had to loom into it shouting something every day, but I’ve quite enjoyed it really and hope the tiny results have been fun to watch. I think my highlight was the number of people on Twitter who told me how “brave” it was to film myself without makeup. Marvellous…

  So here it is, the last act of bravery.

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Comments

JazBenz at 4:40 pm on January 15th, 2011

I’ve enjoyed watching your video diaries tremendously. But that’s not new since I’ve been online stalking you on twitter for a few weeks now. I can’t help it, right now you are my favorite and the most inspiring person in the world. Slightly ahead of Deepak Chopra. No worries, it’ll change again, maybe already next week. It could be anyone I’ll fall deeply in love with for 3 weeks, until I’m over them because they never followed me on twitter. “Is this a threat?” you say? Maybe. I wish you had a vlog on youtube, please consider it.

I feel like ending this comment with a 18th century romantic letter ending, but I suppose that’d be weird. Anywho <3 *your temp. biggest fan*


Ken Singtone at 5:11 pm on January 15th, 2011

You were particularly stunning and gorgeous in the Only Connect final and on HIGNFY, in comparison to routine Only Connect.  I assumed the make up department had made a special effort for the end of the series.  When you said “without makeup” I thought you might be right to be concerned if extra attention to makeup makes you more radiant on TV. ... but NO

For me, one of the great delights and pleasant surprises of your video blogs was discovering that you are EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT MAKEUP.  Perhaps I’m just a bit odd, but I haven’t yet found any complaining comments.
Delightful and charming, how can I not love someone who can make me laugh at a cuddly toy.
Look after your wit and your special sense of humour and worry less about makeup.


cwtch 2 at 6:23 pm on January 15th, 2011

Good vids, have you been watching Charles Trippy ? Plus seen more of you since OC ended, a good thing !!


Amanda at 9:17 pm on January 15th, 2011

The video diaries have been great fun!

I don’t know one end of a game of poker from a hole in the wall, but it was quite exciting to see the “player’s eye view”.

With the unfortunate consequence of upholding a female stereotypical obsession; the chocolate drawer was awesome, I’m still thinking about it. Was it topped up every day? 


Victoria Coren at 2:57 am on January 16th, 2011

Thanks for the kind comments, guys - but too much flattery! Comments are already moderated or deleted if they’re too rude, and I often never get to see them - the moderator’s now threatening to edit them if they go too far the other way! Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful… but too much, too much…

  Amanda: I’m sure they WOULD have filled the drawer up every day, but the secret truth is I never ate any chocolate out of it. It’s about $20 a bar or something. If I had one, I’m sure they’d replace it all too quickly… I would if I were them.


John at 11:29 am on January 16th, 2011

And don’t fill your hand luggage with soft toys and crockery on your return as you’ll need to keep enough space to pack a large cagoule and wellies.


seven2off at 2:04 pm on January 16th, 2011

Need more poker next time, but they were cool to watch, enjoyed.


FMD at 7:21 pm on January 16th, 2011

The vids are good fun.

I like the one, that I don’t think you’ve posted, where you’re off, with a bottle of wine, to play roulette… Then it cuts to you afterwards — pumped on blackjack winnings! Ha, such a degen… ;)


Ja at 1:26 pm on January 17th, 2011

OC finished (only for a brief respite, hopefully!). Leaving Nassau in a couple of days.. what does the future hold for young Vicky, may I ask?


Chris at 1:50 pm on January 17th, 2011

Thanks VC. The vids were a breath of fresh air and sunshine in a cold, damp, dirty grey UK - Personally I DON’T credit you with bravery for going ‘sans slap’ just being very genuine (with a hint of eloquent wit) ..and a clear love of life.. 7/10 then :-) I would love to hear your own views on your bad points.. I just KNOW you’re daft enough to be honest about it. Be lucky.


imsie at 7:25 pm on January 17th, 2011

Been liking these videoblogs, more of them please! Not surprised you look nice without make-up as me thinks you’re pretty anyways. Am not following you on Twitter as I find it all confusing - so i’ll stick to this cool blog - nice one VC :)


jim carr at 9:09 pm on January 17th, 2011

just watched OC, crossworders versus UC winners. very good show,but after the opening minute i heard the voice of jim royle saying,”  maternal my arse!”


The Tim at 12:55 am on January 18th, 2011

I’m now back after a busy 2 months moving house - oh, you didn’t notice….I hope the comment you made at the beginning of tonight’s OC doesn’t mean you’re stepping down for the next series, if, indeed there is one.     


Ken Singtone at 12:56 am on January 18th, 2011

Well Victoria, I often find myself thinking “you do know your stuff”.  You said you had had too much flattery (of course I have never thought that you should be flatter, as I point out to Mistress Understanding of Wurdz).

I watched your “maternal flirting” in the long awaited Only Connect special.  Well that was embarassing, probably the low point of your career.  The sort of level of something you try amongst your friends after a few drinks.

I watched with my mother without tipping her off to expect anything unusual and she turned to me and remarked “what’s wrong with her?  Normally she comments on how clever you are.

You also gave the impression that you had had enough of presenting OC.
Initial reaction only..  rest to usual standard…  I will watch again to make sure.


The Tim at 12:49 pm on January 18th, 2011

One final question - is there any reason there wasn’t a Champion-of-Champions-of-Champions edition between the Crossworders and the Gamblers?


Victoria Coren at 1:05 pm on January 18th, 2011

Hi Tim. The Gamblers (winners of series 3) lost a Champion of Champions match last week against The Epicureans (winners of series 4). So any future Champion of Champions match would be between The Epicureans and The Crossworders.


Sir Linton Paffley-Creem at 2:02 pm on January 18th, 2011

I do not care in the slightest about poker - I find it incredibly dull. I also find you (whoever you are) rather tedious. I found your little video diaries *contemptuous snort* (if they can really be called that) effortlessly tiresome and supremely irritating, as I had the unwilling duty to sit & look at a face in dire need of makeup. At one point I actually became so enraged, I bit into my Reilly Ace of Spies DVD box set & have now damaged my first molar & central incisor. I find this website abhorrent, confusing & hugely dissapointing (old Langher’s recommended it to me & to be honest, I was expecting something slightly different)
& although I have no proof, I am almost 100% certain that your face smells.
Has the balance been restored Miss/Mrs Moderator? (whose face is also a bit whiffy)


The Tim at 2:24 pm on January 18th, 2011

Oops - I should have paid more attention last week - the Epicurians did grab it at the end. That would mean, of course, that the two captains would be husband and wife - could get very interesting - hope all the equipment’s insured against breakage.


Mr Trellis at 5:32 pm on January 18th, 2011

To be honest I found the end of the video a bit childish.
ps Any chance you stand in front of “inium” on the The Reef sign.

Thank you
Mr Trellis


Johnny Nicholls at 11:47 pm on January 18th, 2011

Hi just seen you on The Bubble. I think you should be on more shows of that nature, very funny and intelligent. Can see you on have i got news, qi, mastermind, millionaire, x factor, britain’s got talent and family fortunes. hehe, no seriously I think you are great and I look forward to seeing you again, plus you actually are very gorgeous!! ;o) thanks again…


Ja at 12:23 am on January 19th, 2011

Sorry Ken- I thought Vicky’s flirting - whether maternal or otherwise - was hilarious. Maybe I’ve a wicked sense of humour, but just there you go. I’m not sure if Alex looked terrified or just confused - had you said anything in the Green Room to him, Vicky?


John Northey at 1:29 am on January 19th, 2011

I saw you on Only Connect last night and was very amused by your reaction to Alex Glutenplan (shurely shome mishtake-Ed). Was this staged or did you catch him cold? I fear it put him off as he lost. (you are enough to scramble any man’s brain). Now that Carol Vorderman has gone you are the last “thinking man’s crumpet” on the box and perhaps the best as you are witty and altogether more sexy and worldly than she was. Only Connect is a bit recherche and when J. Paxman retires I see you as his natural successor on University Challenge if you want it of course. Please save us from the prospect of Gavin Hessler or Kirsty Wark! Think of all those young male contestants hanging on your every word! I fear Poker leaves me cold but you certainly don’t.


Victoria Coren at 2:34 am on January 19th, 2011

Oh it was just a bit of fun with Alex G - it wasn’t STAGED, of course not, though I did warn him in advance that I’d probably do a bit of exaggerated adoring at the start for fun. I don’t think it fazed him at all - he’s not an idiot, he’s a very smart guy. That had nothing to do with the result; it’s just the case that, whatever geniuses the world throws up, Only Connect champions are always the best….


Ja at 7:48 pm on January 19th, 2011

I didn’t mean that I thought it was staged - I just thought you might have started “flirting” earlier on - hence the look on his face! Any normal lad of his age would have acted the same. (“lad”?- I’m showing my age!)
He seem to recover well, anyway! I’m sure the story of when VC flirted with him will be retold by him over many a bottle of wine in the future! I bet he tells it to his grandchildren one day!


Victoria Coren

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