c4countdown

Now that the filming has been in Manchester for a few weeks, how do the 2 places compare?
e.g. facilities, ambience, friendliness, proximity to Hotel used.
Did anybody lose their job or was unable to re-locate?

Davy Affleck wrote:Did anybody lose their job or was unable to re-locate?

Almost everyone on the studio floor has been replaced, since Manchester studios have their own cameramen etc. Most of the people "upstairs" are unchanged. Also I believe Dudley "Maserati" Doolittle has been retained. Can't answer anything else because I haven't been there myself yet.

The one thing that seemed to be missing in Manchester was the legendary free bar.

Clive Brooker wrote:The one thing that seemed to be missing in Manchester was the legendary free bar.

The free bar in Leeds closed years ago, apart from special occasions.

Clive Brooker wrote:The one thing that seemed to be missing in Manchester was the legendary free bar.

The free bar in February was tea, coffe, juice or water.

The letters board now hurts my eyes, is/was there a lighting problem or something?

james doohan wrote:The letters board now hurts my eyes, is/was there a lighting problem or something?

I'm glad someone else noticed that. Something didn't look right today. Everything was a bit blue.

It must be lighting and something else; everybody looked ridiculously shiny today, especially Rachel. Though this didn't really affect her hotness. I'm guessing this is something that will have been ironed out as the shows recorded, and should change again to more normal proceedings once it was noticed there.

It's still the same game, but in a new location.

However, Danielle Davies left Countdown and unfortunately, Charlie doesn't want me to try to get to know her better. I do trust what everyone's said about her, though.

Given that the programme is now recorded with different cameras, different lighting, different video recording equipment, different gallery monitors etc, I'd imagine it would be unlikely to look identical on screen today to how it looked on Friday.

So, in other words it wouldn't make any sense for any prior people of that nature to join the forum, would it?

Matt Morrison wrote:

james doohan wrote:The letters board now hurts my eyes, is/was there a lighting problem or something?

I'm glad someone else noticed that. Something didn't look right today. Everything was a bit blue.

Everything was a bit blue. Well done for noticing that a blue set is coloured BLUE!

Having said that, I've been to some recent recordings (actually the last ones last week), as well as the recording for today's episode, and it still looks a very light shade of blue, but it might be because they had to switch studios, because the one that this week's recordings were done are now where University Challenge is recording, so Countdown was moved to the studio next to that pantheon of TV greatness, The Jeremy Kyle Show.

I thought it looked slightly different today! Well, now that we sixth formers have a TV, the only thing we ever watch is Jeremy Kyle, so it's great that it was so close to Countdown (which I watch when I get the chance, other sixth formers be damned!)

I missed today's show but watching on 4oD where you can jump between last Friday and today, the difference on-screen is plain to see. Nonetheless, I am certain that this will be ironed out as the show progresses.

Daniel O'Dowd wrote:It must be lighting and something else; everybody looked ridiculously shiny today, especially Rachel. Though this didn't really affect her hotness. I'm guessing this is something that will have been ironed out as the shows recorded, and should change again to more normal proceedings once it was noticed there.

The 'blueness' didn't really affect me, but there were shadows all round the letters board which never used to be there, and the picture did look kinda harsh. I'm sure these minor "issues" will be ironed out as they settle in though (I for one won't be watching again until they are though, etc.) What I don't understand is why they didn't consult George Jenkins, he is an artist and knows about colour harmony, and probably also studio lighting and cameras and stuff.

It's interesting that you are all commenting on the visuals, as it was the sound that stood out for me on watching yesterday's show. It had a very echo-ey quality in some parts, and during all of Rachel's bits there was a lot of background noise. In fact at one point when she was reading out letters it briefly cut to audience chat for a couple of seconds.

Derek Hazell wrote: In fact at one point when she was reading out letters

Was this in the new "Dear Rachel" segment?

I know what you mean though, I did notice differences in the sound. I wonder if the average viewer noticed the differences? I also thought they should have stuck the lid down on Jeff's teapot, as when he picked it up it rattled like crazy

Jon Corby wrote:Was this in the new "Dear Rachel" segment?

What a good idea! Although I have a feeling that a good percentage of them would be of the naughty-not-teatime variety that she admitted she likes yesterday.

Jon Corby wrote:I know what you mean though, I did notice differences in the sound. I wonder if the average viewer noticed the differences?

Aww how sweet of you putting me apart from the average viewers

Jon Corby wrote:I also thought they should have stuck the lid down on Jeff's teapot, as when he picked it up it rattled like crazy

Yes, that was rather amusing, particularly when he picked it up a 2nd time, and it started again.

Staff that have changed between Series 60, Episode 1 and Series 61, Episode 1:

Camera Barry Loader --> Richard Bacon
Sound Dean Wright --> Jake Knott
Studio manager Geoff Lonsdale --> Steve Craddock
Vision Control Dan Brown --> John McGrath
Vision Mixer Sarah Millson --> Karen Hall-Carter
VT editor David Sellwood --> Ricky Wild


Staff that have remained the same between Series 60, Episode 1 and Series 61, Episode 1:

Art director Demelza Sampson
Audience coordinator Nick Charlwood
Composer of title music Alan Hawkshaw
Director Derek Hallworth
Deviser Armand Jammot
By arrangement with Marcel (currently spelt Marcell) Stellman
Floor manager Jonathan Yardley
Lighting Neil Yates
Series producer Damian Eadie
Associate producers Sarah Foulkes, Kate Horton, Lara Searle
Production accountant Phil Crabb
Production assistant Cindy Ritson
Production designer Nick King
Production secretary Annette Johnson/Meighan

Unsure
Makeup Janette Anderson + Amy Fletcher (Series 61)
Stage Manager Michael Betts (Series 60)

There was definitely a make-up girl called Amy in Leeds.

Jon Corby wrote:There was definitely a make-up girl called Amy in Leeds.

And her surname is definitely Fletcher . She's from York - how exciting.

James Robinson wrote:

Matt Morrison wrote:

james doohan wrote:The letters board now hurts my eyes, is/was there a lighting problem or something?

I'm glad someone else noticed that. Something didn't look right today. Everything was a bit blue.

Everything was a bit blue. Well done for noticing that a blue set is coloured BLUE!

Having said that, I've been to some recent recordings (actually the last ones last week), as well as the recording for today's episode, and it still looks a very light shade of blue, but it might be because they had to switch studios, because the one that this week's recordings were done are now where University Challenge is recording, so Countdown was moved to the studio next to that pantheon of TV greatness, The Jeremy Kyle Show.

When was the first show at Manchester recorded?

It was recorded sometime in April, Thomas.

Jason Larsen wrote:It was recorded sometime in April, Thomas.

It was actually May 11th, so just 6 weeks ago.

Derek Hazell wrote:Staff that have changed between Series 60, Episode 1 and Series 61, Episode 1:

Camera Barry Loader --> Richard Bacon
Sound Dean Wright --> Jake Knott
Studio manager Geoff Lonsdale --> Steve Craddock
Vision Control Dan Brown --> John McGrath
Vision Mixer Sarah Millson --> Karen Hall-Carter
VT editor David Sellwood --> Ricky Wild

I'm sure Steve Craddock has appeared in the credits before under Vision Control and I think he was Studio Manager during the last stint in Manchester during Series 57. Karen Hall-Carter has been the Vision Mixer on more occasions than Kirk has got the conundrum - and then some - so I guess she has survived the move as well.

I got my times mixed up. Sorry, James.

I was recording Mastermind on 21st May and I think they said they were recording Countdown in another studio. Definitely no free alcohol there ....
I think when I recorded Countdown in 2000 the free bar was only free for the first drink.

I wondered if the differences might be down to the use of HD cameras. I don't know if HD were used in Leeds or not - actualy I don't kow if they're used in Manchester! But I was conscious that facial blemishes etc seem to show up more now so maybe HD is a possible cause.

Andy Thomson wrote:I wondered if the differences might be down to the use of HD cameras. I don't know if HD were used in Leeds or not - actualy I don't kow if they're used in Manchester! But I was conscious that facial blemishes etc seem to show up more now so maybe HD is a possible cause.

I thought Jackie had aged quite a bit in the few weeks she was away but I had put it down to harsh lighting, never thought of HD cameras and whether they could have that effect.

Has anyone else noticed that the Conundrum buzzer noise has also changed?

Thomas Wood wrote:Has anyone else noticed that the Conundrum buzzer noise has also changed?

Yeh, I noticed it too.

My vote is Leeds, the bog roll was softer in the toilets.

Bloody credit crunch..

It's not HD cameras, we don't use them, it was just a different lighting rig and a matter of several changes to personnel on the technical front. We're more or less sorted now and it's business as usual as far as the viewer is concerned.

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Jon Corby wrote:There was definitely a make-up girl called Amy in Leeds.

And her surname is definitely Fletcher . She's from York - how exciting.

And although also credited as make-up, the other one Janette Anderson is obviously a hair stylist, as Rachel gave someone called Janette a plaudit the other day.

Charlie Reams wrote:Almost everyone on the studio floor has been replaced, since Manchester studios have their own cameramen etc.

Jeff mentioned the other day that there are 6 camera operators in the studio. Only the main one has ever been credited on the show, so we have no way of knowing who the others are. I remember Carol saying that some of the camera crew had been there since day one, so it is particularly sad if they lost their jobs as a result of the move. This means that Cindy Ritson is almost certainly the only link to the birth of Countdown now.

To get away from the studio, anyone in the UK can enjoy the facilities of the Manchester City Library online.
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scrip ... mentID=110
This includes the big OED etc..

Derek Hazell wrote:Rachel gave someone called Janette a plaudit the other day.

OH NO YOU DITNT!

Charlie Reams wrote:

Derek Hazell wrote:Rachel gave someone called Janette a plaudit the other day.

OH NO YOU DITNT!

Charlie Reams wrote:Don't agree with PLAUDIT though, when would you ever use that in the singular? "He picked up the plaudits, actually I guess it was just the one plaudit."
Is this what you mean?

Liam Tiernan wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:

Derek Hazell wrote:Rachel gave someone called Janette a plaudit the other day.

OH NO YOU DITNT!

Charlie Reams wrote:Don't agree with PLAUDIT though, when would you ever use that in the singular? "He picked up the plaudits, actually I guess it was just the one plaudit."
Is this what you mean?

Thank you Liam! I've been racking my brains all day trying to figure out if this was some sophisticated joke I "ditnt" want to admit I "ditnt" understand.

Edit: Which also brings up the question of why "brains" is plural in that expression.

Liam Tiernan wrote:

Charlie Reams wrote:

Derek Hazell wrote:Rachel gave someone called Janette a plaudit the other day.

OH NO YOU DITNT!

Charlie Reams wrote:Don't agree with PLAUDIT though, when would you ever use that in the singular? "He picked up the plaudits, actually I guess it was just the one plaudit."
Is this what you mean?

I thought Derek was making a humorous reference to exactly that post, so I was just playing along.

Charlie Reams wrote:I thought Derek was making a humorous reference to exactly that post, so I was just playing along.

Well I'll take credit for it anyway, as I must have picked it up subconsciously after reading that thread, as I'm sure I've never used that word before!
Nice to know that I'm funnier subconsciously than when I'm trying

Jon Corby wrote:

Derek Hazell wrote: In fact at one point when she was reading out letters

Was this in the new "Dear Rachel" segment?

I know what you mean though, I did notice differences in the sound. I wonder if the average viewer noticed the differences? I also thought they should have stuck the lid down on Jeff's teapot, as when he picked it up it rattled like crazy

I think of myself as an 'average viewer'. Personally, I've only got my eyes on the screen for the minimum time required to write down the letter/number selections. The rest of the time I'm scribbling my offerings, or my nose is buried in my dictionary or I'm doddling little hearts and the name of the latest target of my affections in the margins of my paper (I favour the inside of envelopes)

I never realised there is JUST SO MUCH I'm missing, while I'm playing some dull old word game (as an alternative to having to eat oily fish twice a day)

Sue Sanders wrote:I never realised there is JUST SO MUCH I'm missing, while I'm playing some dull old word game (as an alternative to having to eat oily fish twice a day)

I know, we can be so anal sometimes. The first Manchester show I was just thinking "wow, this all just seems so different" and I think by the second show I didn't even notice.

Jon Corby wrote:

Sue Sanders wrote:I never realised there is JUST SO MUCH I'm missing, while I'm playing some dull old word game (as an alternative to having to eat oily fish twice a day)

I know, we can be so anal sometimes. The first Manchester show I was just thinking "wow, this all just seems so different" and I think by the second show I didn't even notice.

You're telling me. I'm seriously gonna have to put Derek over my knee for producing that list of staff Leeds v Manchester. Call me unobservant but I didn't really pick up on a studio relocation at all. As someone who grew up with Carol and Richard, THAT'S what really hit me hard (yeah, though I admit I mourned the passing of the purple set) but, dare I say, I don't tune in til 5 minutes in so I don't catch the scintilating banter along the lines of 'this is a teapot..hear it rattle' and the slathering Jeff inviting Rachel up to see his etchings FOR GOD SAKE. That poor girl. But she REALLY could do with eating more pies.

Oops, sorry I seem to have gone off on one.

I'm surprised that no-one else has commented on the fact that, strictly speaking, the number generator C.E.C.I.L., should now be called C.E.C.I.M., since it's now in Manchester, not Leeds. You know, Countdown's Electronic Calculator In Manchester.

Although, it doesn't seem to have the same ring about it, does it

P.S. I'm desperately trying to remember what the 2nd "C" stood for Why am I thinking it's Computer not Calculator I'm trying to remember what Richard Whiteley said on Episode 1.

James Robinson wrote:I'm surprised that no-one else has commented on the fact that, strictly speaking, the number generator C.E.C.I.L., should now be called C.E.C.I.M., since it's now in Manchester, not Leeds. You know, Countdown's Electronic Calculator In Manchester.

http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic. ... 672#p34672

I notice that the postal address is still being given out Yorkshire TV in Leeds. I take it that, although the studio is now in Manchester the admin is still in Leeds.

Andy Thomson wrote:I notice that the postal address is still being given out Yorkshire TV in Leeds. I take it that, although the studio is now in Manchester the admin is still in Leeds.

Yep.