c4countdown

While looking around on the Countdown audience application from site, I noticed an interesting thing that hasn’t happened for over TWENTY YEARS!!!

And it seems that recording on Sunday 20th/Monday 21st October, we will have the return of Celebrity Countdown!!!

Based on the recording slots, it looks like there will be 10 episodes being recorded over the 2 days, but who knows..., hopefully it won’t be 7R format like the originals from 1998, but I do hope that a high calibre of celebrity contestants will be appearing.

Fascinating. Seeing as one of the recording days is on a Sunday, I may book some audience tickets to see what the craic is. Would anyone else be interested in going?

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 4:14 pm Fascinating. Seeing as one of the recording days is on a Sunday, I may book some audience tickets to see what the craic is. Would anyone else be interested in going?

I can only do Monday afternoon as I’m at the Champions League Of Darts in Leicester that weekend, but my ticket is booked.

Maybe it could be an introduction to a potential maternity statistician, so folks get to know them better....

I've booked tickets

Tom S wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 4:40 pm Maybe it could be an introduction to a potential maternity statistician, so folks get to know them better....

But, they've already recorded stuff that is being broadcast next year, I believe....

Unless this is just Catsdown?

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:42 pm Unless this is just Catsdown?

No, tickets available on the usual channels for regular Countdown. You have to buy Catsdown tickets from a different site.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:09 pm

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:42 pm Unless this is just Catsdown?

No, tickets available on the usual channels for regular Countdown. You have to buy Catsdown tickets from a different site.

That's what I'm getting at - a change pf policy?

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:20 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:09 pm

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:42 pm Unless this is just Catsdown?

No, tickets available on the usual channels for regular Countdown. You have to buy Catsdown tickets from a different site.

That's what I'm getting at - a change pf policy?

I can’t see it myself...

It's Celebrity Countdown, nothing to do with Cats.

Ok... if they are gonna feature CD present / former staff members (and they SHOULD!!! ) then we've got to have Susie vs Rachel... or if they wanted to do teams I think Susie & Jeff Stelling vs Rachel & Nick could make for a close contest.

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:32 pm Ok... if they are gonna feature CD present / former staff members (and they SHOULD!!! ) then we've got to have Susie vs Rachel... or if they wanted to do teams I think Susie & Jeff Stelling vs Rachel & Nick could make for a close contest.

Great idea - all you need now is someone to do Susie's job while she plays the game, someone to host the show while Nick plays, and someone to do Rachel's role while she plays too.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:58 pm

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:32 pm Ok... if they are gonna feature CD present / former staff members (and they SHOULD!!! ) then we've got to have Susie vs Rachel... or if they wanted to do teams I think Susie & Jeff Stelling vs Rachel & Nick could make for a close contest.

Great idea - all you need now is someone to do Susie's job while she plays the game, someone to host the show while Nick plays, and someone to do Rachel's role while she plays too.

Yeah, they probably are the only people in the world who could do their respective jobs.

What is the format ? Hope you don’t mind me asking I have tried not to post but I will put the occasional post if that is ok if it isn’t just tell me, but I am sure it is now you know my background. I know you won’t block me.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:58 pm

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:32 pm Ok... if they are gonna feature CD present / former staff members (and they SHOULD!!! ) then we've got to have Susie vs Rachel... or if they wanted to do teams I think Susie & Jeff Stelling vs Rachel & Nick could make for a close contest.

Great idea - all you need now is someone to do Susie's job while she plays the game, someone to host the show while Nick plays, and someone to do Rachel's role while she plays too.

It is done.

I would watch that.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:58 pm Great idea - all you need now is someone to do Susie's job while she plays the game, someone to host the show while Nick plays, and someone to do Rachel's role while she plays too.

Yeah... it is a pipe dream.

It's the kind of thing that *could* happen were Countdown the sort of programme with the profile and viewership of e.g. Mrs Brown's Boys. A one off Christmas Special with suitable celebrity guests in the hosting roles with ample assistance via earpieces.

(My money would be on team R&N btw. Rachel is scarily good at all aspects of gameplay. A true triple threat, quadruple if you include hotness.)

I'm guessing these will air over Christmas? Dec 23rd to Jan 3rd?

Ray Wilding wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:09 am I'm guessing these will air over Christmas? Dec 23rd to Jan 3rd?

jan 2nd is first game of series 82 so probably not (source - saw it filmed)

If anyone is still looking for tickets for the Sunday (either afternoon or evening) I've got a couple spare still.

How many of you guys are going for the first 3 sessions on the Sunday, 1pm-5:30pm? Me and my mum decided we're gonna come so it would be nice to meet some of you there.

Excellent Toby - there's a few of us going - will be great to meet you!

Fiona T wrote: ↑Tue Oct 15, 2019 8:23 am Excellent Toby - there's a few of us going - will be great to meet you!

It will be great to meet you too!

Interesting information I picked up on the studio floor regarding the upcoming celebrity specials, and will certainly throw a few things into the mix.

Latest info I got was that the shows are NOT going to be on Channel 4, but on More4, and they’re NOT going to be shown during the Christmas break, but they’re starting on Tuesday 12 November at 9pm!!

The shows will be an hour long, but the format hasn’t been finalised yet, and they might do some more of these at a later date.

In terms of the players, it’s sort of going to be like a Lincoln style CO-event, where there will be 2 celebrity players, and another one in DC with Susie, and then they move around for the next show.

The only guests I managed to muster out were stalwarts Jo Brand, Chris Packham, Rufus Hound, and a Countdown newbie in radio presenter, Stuart Maconie.

Hopefully, more stuff will come out soon, but this hot off the press from the studio floor today.

Shall I put these in the C series (starting at Episode C9) on the wiki, or in the S series with the "civilian" specials? Gotta be the uber-geek who asks.

Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 11:40 pm Shall I put these in the C series (starting at Episode C9) on the wiki, or in the S series with the "civilian" specials? Gotta be the uber-geek who asks.

I think that's pretty obvious, personally.... (C, just in case you didn't think it was)

Of course the format has been finalised.

Players are.......

Sabrina Grant
Anna Richardson
Charlie Higson
Rufus Hound
Stuart Maconie
James O'Brien
Christine Ohuruogu
Colin Murray
Jay Rayner
Jo Brand
Chris Packham
Charlotte Hawkins

Looking like a good line-up! Look forward to seeing it all- only Sabrina Grant is a new name on me.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:06 pm Sabrina Grant
Anna Richardson
Charlie Higson
Rufus Hound
Stuart Maconie
James O'Brien
Christine Ohuruogu
Colin Murray
Jay Rayner
Jo Brand
Chris Packham
Charlotte Hawkins

Calling it "Celebrity Countdown" is a bit of a stretch.
You could argue Jo Brand was a household name for a period during the 1990s... but that's it really.
I can understand the confusion around filing it under "C" or "S".
Still, nice to see something different. A change is as good as a rest.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:06 pmOf course the format has been finalised.

I'll bite: What's the format?

Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:02 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:06 pmOf course the format has been finalised.

I'll bite: What's the format?

Mocktorun

Although seriously no clue

Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:02 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:06 pmOf course the format has been finalised.

I'll bite: What's the format?

I’m just saying what I was told, they were mentioning bits about possibly having a lot of celebrity chat to fill the extra minutes for the 1 hour slot.

When will the first episode be seen on tv?

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:35 am When will the first episode be seen on tv?

If what I've been told is correct, then it'll be Tuesday 12th November at 9pm on More4...

James Robinson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:42 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:35 am When will the first episode be seen on tv?

If what I've been told is correct, then it'll be Tuesday 12th November at 9pm on More4...

Sweet!

First episode confirmed as being broadcast cast a week today (12th November), and it will be Jo Brand v Jay Rayner, with Chris Packham joining Susie in DC.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:18 pm First episode confirmed as being broadcast cast a week today (12th November), and it will be Jo Brand v Jay Rayner, with Chris Packham joining Susie in DC.

Obviously Nick would be the host right?

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:35 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:18 pm First episode confirmed as being broadcast cast a week today (12th November), and it will be Jo Brand v Jay Rayner, with Chris Packham joining Susie in DC.

Obviously Nick would be the host right?

Yes, Nick is still the host, but I've understood there will be some tweaks to the regular show...

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:58 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:35 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:18 pm First episode confirmed as being broadcast cast a week today (12th November), and it will be Jo Brand v Jay Rayner, with Chris Packham joining Susie in DC.

Obviously Nick would be the host right?

Yes, Nick is still the host, but I've understood there will be some tweaks to the regular show...

Cool! Such as?

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:04 am

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:58 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:35 pm
Obviously Nick would be the host right?

Yes, Nick is still the host, but I've understood there will be some tweaks to the regular show...

Cool! Such as?

Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:47 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:04 am

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:58 pm
Yes, Nick is still the host, but I've understood there will be some tweaks to the regular show...

Cool! Such as?

Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

Ok. Well I can't wait!

The trailer currently running on C4 (during Countdown, no less) is advertising Tue 12 Nov at 7pm, not 9pm.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:47 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:04 am

James Robinson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 11:58 pm
Yes, Nick is still the host, but I've understood there will be some tweaks to the regular show...

Cool! Such as?

Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

Whatever happened to your insider knowledge?

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:47 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:04 am
Cool! Such as?

Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

Whatever happened to your insider knowledge?

I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:34 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:47 am
Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

Whatever happened to your insider knowledge?

I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

Why all the secrecy?

It's basically the same format as the regular show, with a few minor differences. The contestants are celebrities, the DC guest is a random member of the public, the clock has an additional sub-second hand which does one revolution per second, there are six large numbers with the addition of 150 and 200, and buzzer noises are tailored to the episode like on QI.

At the end of the game, each contestant in turn is given one minute to answer as many quick-fire conundrums as they can. All the answers relate to a chosen theme, are of varying sizes and score one point per letter.

In Susie's usual chair there is a rotating set of guest lexicographers. Filming was held up for a while when the turntable stopped working.

Other than that, pretty much exactly the same as normal.

Multiple conundrums, Rachel sharing numbers tricks, alternative scoring method.

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:34 pm The trailer currently running on C4 (during Countdown, no less) is advertising Tue 12 Nov at 7pm, not 9pm.

At the end of yesterday (Thursday)'s show, the caption then said 9pm, and the continuity announcer said 8pm.

I don't know what to believe any more.

(There's a joke there.)

James Robinson wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:34 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:47 am
Well, I’ll leave that until the broadcast, since I missed going to the recordings, cos of the stupid trains, I don’t have first hand knowledge of it, so some of it will be new to me too.

Whatever happened to your insider knowledge?

I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

But you happily posted on here that we didn't have a format, according to your 'sources'....and now you concede you don't have first-hand knowledge....

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:56 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:34 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 pm

Whatever happened to your insider knowledge?

I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

But you happily posted on here that we didn't have a format, according to your 'sources'....and now you concede you don't have first-hand knowledge....

I’m just relaying the information that I had before the episodes were recorded. Anything could’ve changed between that point and the recording.

It’s always good to see the goods first hand, rather than relying on Chinese whispers.

James Robinson wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:41 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:56 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:34 pm
I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

But you happily posted on here that we didn't have a format, according to your 'sources'....and now you concede you don't have first-hand knowledge....

I’m just relaying the information that I had before the episodes were recorded. Anything could’ve changed between that point and the recording.

It’s always good to see the goods first hand, rather than relying on Chinese whispers.

But you can have both!

James Robinson wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:41 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:56 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:34 pm
I have had some, but some of it sounds very confusing to me, so I’d rather not say, as I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

But you happily posted on here that we didn't have a format, according to your 'sources'....and now you concede you don't have first-hand knowledge....

I’m just relaying the information that I had before the episodes were recorded. Anything could’ve changed between that point and the recording.

It’s always good to see the goods first hand, rather than relying on Chinese whispers.

Your informant is clueless.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:21 pm

James Robinson wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:41 pm

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:56 pm

But you happily posted on here that we didn't have a format, according to your 'sources'....and now you concede you don't have first-hand knowledge....

I’m just relaying the information that I had before the episodes were recorded. Anything could’ve changed between that point and the recording.

It’s always good to see the goods first hand, rather than relying on Chinese whispers.

Your informant is clueless.

Well tbf, I was there, and different celeb specials had different numbers of letters rounds - so there wasn't a set 'format' as such. Definitely not one for the purists.

Fiona T wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:01 am
Well tbf, I was there, and different celeb specials had different numbers of letters rounds - so there wasn't a set 'format' as such. Definitely not one for the purists.

Having said that, it was very enjoyable, and I liked the Rachel maths tips, albeit I think they warranted a longer slot.

I’ve just noticed that this week’s episode of Celebrity Countdown has been pulled from the schedule....

James Robinson wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 10:33 pm I’ve just noticed that this week’s episode of Celebrity Countdown has been pulled from the schedule....

That's because it featured Prince Andrew.

Is it not on this week either? It's in the Radio Times but not in the listings if you look online. Has something happened to it?

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:25 pm Is it not on this week either? It's in the Radio Times but not in the listings if you look online. Has something happened to it?

Someone on the Facebook forum asked Channel 4 about and apparently it’s not back on until the New Year...

The phrasing in the email was "We have no plans to screen any more episodes at the moment but the series will be returning next year."