Welcome! - Post here first

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:30 pm

Benji Hanks wrote:Thankyou Richard, yes I was quite proud of my debut performance. Surpassed my personal goals!

Jason, yes I did, I apologise for spoiling the result.

I don't have a car, no, I'm still a student at university so see no need for one.

David, I suppose it could be argued it's a spoiler, but that's all relative.

No mate, it's not a spoiler ... I made an error

I apologise, I did try to explain in the edit.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:32 pm

It's good that I actually understand that, David.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:09 pm

Jon Stitcher wrote:I will post occasionally on this forum

And so it has proved! Despite being the first non-staff member of the forum, Stitcher has not posted since...

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:27 pm

How Ironic.

Maybe other newer members of this forum will post here more often.

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:26 am

I figured I would join to see what people thought of my appearance/s. Waited til after someone had commented on my hair, naturally

I probably won't hang around long, as I can't actually watch Countdown (student with no telly in the house and intermittent wireless internet connection... oh, and those annoying lecture things...) very often, if at all. Just thought it would be interesting to see people's opinions.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:07 am

Ben, how did you find out about Countdown in the past?

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:34 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Ben, how did you find out about Countdown in the past?

In reference to what?

I watched it as a young child, apparently... demanded that my Gran turned it on if she was ever looking after me for a day... I liked the numbers, you see. Couldn't do more than add them, but i still liked looking at them...

It was a friend of mine who actually put me up to applying, and I must confess, I'd only watched about 10 episodes in total featuring Des til my application was accepted and I was invited to interview!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:57 pm

Ben, is this your first time without a television?

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:02 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Ben, is this your first time without a television?

Since I've been at uni, in my first year I had no tv, there was one communal one which seemed permanently on either sport or soaps.

In my second year, I didn't get on with my housemates who spent most of their time watching the only telly in the kitchen.

This year, it's just been broken all year

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:12 pm

Good luck in more ways than one, Ben!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:58 pm

Benji Hanks wrote: It was a friend of mine who actually put me up to applying, and I must confess, I'd only watched about 10 episodes in total featuring Des til my application was accepted and I was invited to interview!

That's pretty cool. Did you watch religiously after that or are you just naturally quite good?

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:34 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Benji Hanks wrote: It was a friend of mine who actually put me up to applying, and I must confess, I'd only watched about 10 episodes in total featuring Des til my application was accepted and I was invited to interview!
That's pretty cool. Did you watch religiously after that or are you just naturally quite good?

Always been good with anagrams... and no, not religiously, just a few goes to make sure I could do it ok... strange thing is, I'd almost never got a conundrum til Friday!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Benji Hanks wrote: Always been good with anagrams... and no, not religiously, just a few goes to make sure I could do it ok... strange thing is, I'd almost never got a conundrum til Friday!

You should take up Scrabble, it's basically like Countdown but more interesting.

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:39 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Benji Hanks wrote: Always been good with anagrams... and no, not religiously, just a few goes to make sure I could do it ok... strange thing is, I'd almost never got a conundrum til Friday!
You should take up Scrabble, it's basically like Countdown but more interesting.

Way ahead of you there! Quite a fan of scrabble. Once passed the prestigious 600 mark in a "manual" game, beaten 500 3 times in internet games.

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:59 pm

Hello!
I'm one of the other Associate Producers on the programme and thought I'd register to keep and eye on Damian and Kate!
Lara

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:01 pm

Lara Searle wrote:Hello!
I'm one of the other Associate Producers on the programme and thought I'd register to keep and eye on Damian and Kate!
Lara

Fancy a cup of tea, Lara?

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:02 pm

Yeah please. Milk no sugar!

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:03 pm

Will do. Just popping out for a ciggie. Damian? Fag break?

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:11 pm

KateHorton wrote:Will do. Just popping out for a ciggie. Damian? Fag break?

Man: You sit here, dear.
Wife: All right.
Man: Morning!
Waitress: Morning!
Man: Well, what've you got?
Waitress: Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam; spam bacon sausage and spam; spam egg spam spam bacon and spam; spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam;
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam...
Waitress: ...spam spam spam egg and spam; spam spam spam spam spam spam baked beans spam spam spam...
Vikings: Spam! Lovely spam! Lovely spam!
Waitress: ...or Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy and with a fried egg on top and spam.
Wife: Have you got anything without spam?
Waitress: Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
Wife: I don't want ANY spam!
Man: Why can't she have egg bacon spam and sausage?
Wife: THAT'S got spam in it!
Man: Hasn't got as much spam in it as spam egg sausage and spam, has it?
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam... (Crescendo through next few lines...)
Wife: Could you do the egg bacon spam and sausage without the spam then?
Waitress: Urgghh!
Wife: What do you mean 'Urgghh'? I don't like spam!
Vikings: Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up!
Vikings: Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up! (Vikings stop) Bloody Vikings! You can't have egg bacon spam and sausage without the spam.
Wife: I don't like spam!
Man: Sshh, dear, don't cause a fuss. I'll have your spam. I love it. I'm having spam spam spam spam spam spam spam beaked beans spam spam spam and spam!
Vikings: Spam spam spam spam. Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up!! Baked beans are off.
Man: Well could I have her spam instead of the baked beans then?
Waitress: You mean spam spam spam spam spam spam... (but it is too late and the Vikings drown her words)
Vikings: (Singing elaborately...) Spam spam spam spam. Lovely spam! Wonderful spam! Spam spa-a-a-a-a-am spam spa-a-a-a-a-am spam. Lovely spam! Lovely spam! Lovely spam! Lovely spam! Lovely spam! Spam spam spam spam!

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:23 pm

David? Are you ok? Are you getting twichy about the Finals....

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:36 pm

KateHorton wrote:David? Are you ok? Are you getting twichy about the Finals....

Is it that obvious?

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:41 pm

well, your nickname is Shakey in our office!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:44 pm

KateHorton wrote:well, your nickname is Shakey in our office!

Given his previous comments about Dundas, I imagine David is flattered by the implication...

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:45 pm

Lara, you've finally joined! Hi!

First off, you and Kate seem like such nice people. Always happy, open and friendly. I want you to know that I've always liked Countdown. It's always been a great game.

Also, thank you for responding to my e-mail recently. I'll give last week's worth of episodes a download when I get a chance, and if Des O'Connor thinks nothing of my jokes I will keep sending them to Channel 4's account as often as I can. We can't always think of a good joke every time.

I want to hear Des do his Drew Carey giggle.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:58 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
KateHorton wrote:well, your nickname is Shakey in our office!
Given his previous comments about Dundas, I imagine David is flattered by the implication...

LOL! I don't generally believe in karma but I think I deserve the same abuse I gave poor Dundas (which I have got btw in spades!).

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:06 pm

David O'Donnell wrote:LOL! I don't generally believe in karma but I think I deserve the same abuse I gave poor Dundas.

From what we saw, I would say that you & Dundas both abused yourselves equally

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:14 pm

Afternoon Corby!
Wondered when you would pop up. Lara is much classier than me - so don't go calling her a hooker or anything

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:19 pm

KateHorton wrote:Afternoon Corby!
Wondered when you would pop up.

Pretty much in any female company.
(childish snicker)

KateHorton wrote:Lara is much classier than me - so don't go calling her a hooker or anything

I didn't exactly call you a hooker as such, it was simply a Stilgoe-like anagram of your name

Well not even actually your name, but what I thought your name might be. But isn't. I've tried to make anagrams of Lara Searle and I gave up because they are all arse.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:20 pm

KateHorton wrote:Wondered when you would pop up.

Don't worry, that happens every time a woman posts on here.

Edit: Shit, he beat me to it.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:22 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:Edit: Shit, he beat me to it.

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:38 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
KateHorton wrote:Wondered when you would pop up.
Don't worry, that happens every time a woman posts on here.

Edit: Shit, he beat me to it.

Lol. Thanks for the tip (cue: boyish giggles from the Corby residence)

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:00 pm

KateHorton wrote:

Lol. Thanks for the tip (cue: boyish giggles from the Corby residence)

Don't encourage him! Corby is like a dog with two d*cks at the best of times!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:08 pm

David O'Donnell wrote:Don't encourage him! Corby is like a dog with two d*cks at the best of times!

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:09 pm

Corby wrote:
David O'Donnell wrote:Don't encourage him! Corby is like a dog with two d*cks at the best of times!

Richard Brittain · Post by **Richard Brittain** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:00 pm

Mallards?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:48 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:and if Des O'Connor thinks nothing of my jokes I will keep sending them to Channel 4's account as often as I can.

Lara, let me know if you need help setting up an email filter for these.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:48 pm

Corby wrote: I've tried to make anagrams of Lara Searle and I gave up because they are all arse.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:36 am

Jon, thank you for letting me know.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:06 pm

Chris Corby wrote:
Corby wrote: I've tried to make anagrams of Lara Searle and I gave up because they are all arse.

Cheers Dad, I knew it would be too subtle for these morons.

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:56 pm

I'm not sure I like the way this thread is going!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:58 pm

Hello... Lara?

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:17 pm

Lara Searle wrote:I'm not sure I like the way this thread is going!

I can't imagine it being any other way...

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:57 pm

Corby wrote:
Chris Corby wrote:
Corby wrote: I've tried to make anagrams of Lara Searle and I gave up because they are all arse.

Cheers Dad, I knew it would be too subtle for these morons.

I think we all saw the joke but left it to others to comment.

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:45 pm

Gevin-Gavin wrote:
I think we all saw the joke but left it to others to comment.

i giggled. But it was 4am, so wasn't sure if it was actually funny or if i was just hallucinating...

Heather Culpin · Post by **Heather Culpin** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:33 pm

So this is where you've all been hiding! I hadn't looked at the old c4countdown since Christmas but seeing Chris Wills on the telly on Saturday prompted me to have another look at it. It was like going to visit an old friend and finding they had moved house!

My introductory bit is that I was on Countdown for a few days a couple of years ago when the one true Des was on the programme. I was on the last ever (though there weren't that many of them) Saturday Countdown. Before that I was in the same audition as Mr Corby (junior) and coincidentally have the dubious pleasure, no that's definitely not the right word, of being under him on Mauro's picture page. Hello again everyone. If any of you ever play online in the early evening (ie before Eastenders) I'd be up for a game.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:45 pm

Hi, Heather!

It's nice to see you here! Welcome!

Quite a while ago, I had a habit of using too many exclamation points when I type, but I haven't used too many lately. That doesn't change the fact that I am very happy Nick Wainwright won Des O'Connor's first series.

Since I've been here, I have posted a question and asked everyone whether or not Countdown should be on Saturday again. I did not propose this to Channel 4, but I thought about it because the UK version of Deal or No Deal is on Saturday as well. I know, you would have voted yes to my roundabout poll.

Yes, the Yahoo Countdown group is pretty scarce right now. I have left there, and Heather, now, remember, this is where we are. Also, some rather big names in the Countdown world have joined here, and I'm sure you'll be glad to meet them.

Again, it's nice to see you here and I hope to see that you are posting here a lot more often very soon.

Heather Culpin · Post by **Heather Culpin** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:29 pm

Thanks Jason

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:31 pm

Heather, you are very welcome!

I hope you've had a chance to re-acquaint yourself with some of our friends here.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:25 am

Yo Hev.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:52 am

Welcome Heather.

I seem to recall that you were one of the first people I spoke to when attending my first CO-event, at Lincoln in 2007. Hope you settle in well here.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:05 am

Yes indeed, welcome back.

Heather Culpin · Post by **Heather Culpin** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:54 pm

Aw shucks guys you're embarrassing me. Yes that was me at CoLIN last year Howard. I couldn't make it there this year but hope to get to one of the more southerly comps if possible. I really like the forum but it's going to take me weeks to wade through all the stuff on here. I'm sure it will be worth the effort (???)

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:00 pm

If I have it in my mind that Countdown will be on Saturdays very soon, it will be a dream.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:00 pm

Heather Culpin wrote:Aw shucks guys you're embarrassing me. Yes that was me at CoLIN last year Howard. I couldn't make it there this year but hope to get to one of the more southerly comps if possible. I really like the forum but it's going to take me weeks to wade through all the stuff on here. I'm sure it will be worth the effort (???)

You should read every post and compile a Top 10.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:47 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:If I have it in my mind that Countdown will be on Saturdays very soon, it will be a dream.

It WILL be a dream.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:57 pm

I had a very unusual Countdown dream earlier.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:15 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I had a very unusual Countdown dream earlier.

That's Lara - she has that affect on most men of a certain age.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:28 pm

No, I like her and I think the reason why she hasn't been responding to me lately is because she has been so busy.

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:04 pm

Yes, I imagine that must be it.

Tell us about your dream, Jason. You said it was 'unusual'. I'd like to hear about that.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:40 pm

I don't remember every detail of my dream, but I can certainly shorten the story.

I once had a dream that I went to England and saw an episode of Countdown. There was a contestant on the show by the name of Sally Starr, and she was the first American-born contestant on Countdown.

She became an Octochamp, and I had followed her reign the whole time. She made it through the whole series, and when she solved the series-winning, crucial conundrum of EARTHWORM, she screamed and jumped on Des O'Connor.

I began to think to myself, "What would Drew Carey think of this? Wouldn't he love it?"

The Price is Right is one of those shows in which the contestants scream and jump on the host no matter who it is. Des O'Connor isn't exactly boring. I'm not sure why people don't like him, but ever since 30 years ago at the most I had heard British people have become a lot higher-strung.