The Countdown Thread

[adamiow]

Don't let Channel 4 watch the Serbian version - it might give them ideas on some nifty cost cutting courtesy of a new random number/letter generator!

[JAS84]

You'd still need a mathematician though.

[James2001]

I think the physically picking and placing the letters and numbers has become such an iconic part of the UK version that I can't see it going anywhere.

[Jon]

I think the physically picking and placing the letters and numbers has become such an iconic part of the UK version that I can't see it going anywhere.

Yes, the French version went to automated selection a long time ago, so not like it’s a new idea. They still have a mathematician and a Susie Dent though. I don’t think the French (or any overseas version, apart from the from the Aussie ones based more on the UK show) really ever had the stylish way of the UK version when it came to numbers and letter picking and indeed the Countdown clock. 

The current version in France also has some different style number and letters rounds, but it all seems a bit of a generic gameshow compared to ours. That said in its current form is a very stylish show in its own right.

[Steve in Pudsey]

I have to say that I really like Colin as the host. The show seems to have a much more natural pace to it because he's engaged with the game and playing along, so he has something relevant to say between rounds.

With Anne it felt like she was going through the motions at times, a lot less conversational and more rigid such that the rounds were such a conveyor belt that you got sick of hearing the clock music.

It feels like the show has breathing space now, without feeling excessively slow. In fact it feels a lot like the Richard Whiteley way of presenting the show without being a tribute act (I hope it's clear that I mean that as a compliment).

[Johnr]

A good spot by Thomas Sales over on Bothers Bar, looks like Les Dennis is stepping in to host presumably a week of shows in August

Guessing Colin had the dreaded bug or had another commitment

https://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail/4744671.../countdown

[Brekkie]

Interesting. Of course Les was in the running to front Deal or No Deal too, which I suspect he'd have suited as well.

[adamiow]

Les should be a good fit. I'm not sure if he would do it full time, as he is in demand with his acting these days. He's just been announced as joining Only Fools and Horse The Musical as Grandad.

[SuperSajuuk]

A good spot by Thomas Sales over on Bothers Bar, looks like Les Dennis is stepping in to host presumably a week of shows in August

Guessing Colin had the dreaded bug or had another commitment

https://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail/4744671.../countdown

The apterous wiki confirms Murray got Covid. Susie also got Covid as well [after several previous instances of close contact isolations] and missed the first 3 episodes of the current series.

[Spencer]

“If it’s in there, I’ll give you the teapot myself.”

[Johnr]

Talking of teapots is 'the curse of Colin' in terms of consecutive short lived champions heading towards some sort of Countdown record yet? There'll be more kitchens with Countdown teapots than kettles at this rate!

[Tom]

“If it’s in there, I’ll give you the teapot myself.”

Or, "If it's in the dictionary, I'll give the points myself."