FAO Charlie/Damian/Kate/Lara

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:17 am

Carol expressed surprise yesterday during the introduction that you ran a Countdown website (or 3), but I'm assuming this was faked for effect, and also that you must have chatted about it - Des/Carol/Susie must browse this place surely?

(If so, what does Carol think of my avatar?

)

Stewart Gordon · Post by **Stewart Gordon** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:55 pm

What surprised me is that Charlie was allowed to advertise this site on the programme. When Mike Brown was on, it was said that he runs a Countdown website, but the URL wasn't given. And I mentioned my numbers game solver on my application form, but this information was completely censored out for some unknown reason.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:27 pm

Jon Corby wrote:Carol expressed surprise yesterday during the introduction that you ran a Countdown website (or 3), but I'm assuming this was faked for effect, and also that you must have chatted about it - Des/Carol/Susie must browse this place surely?

(If so, what does Carol think of my avatar? )

Doubt very much that Carol/Des/Susie browse this place at all. Its never been mentioned by any of them.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:35 pm

(Cue Richard Brittain to make a fake Carol Vorderman user account)

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:28 pm

Stewart Gordon wrote:What surprised me is that Charlie was allowed to advertise this site on the programme. When Mike Brown was on, it was said that he runs a Countdown website, but the URL wasn't given. And I mentioned my numbers game solver on my application form, but this information was completely censored out for some unknown reason.

I think C4's attitude to these things may have changed fairly recently. Or Damian just doesn't like me...

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:51 am

Damian E wrote:Doubt very much that Carol/Des/Susie browse this place at all. Its never been mentioned by any of them.

Oh. I do find that surprising. If somebody told me about a huge site about the place where I worked, with loads of people discussing it, I'd look at it. Oh well, shows what I know.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:18 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
Damian E wrote:Doubt very much that Carol/Des/Susie browse this place at all. Its never been mentioned by any of them.
Oh. I do find that surprising. If somebody told me about a huge site about the place where I worked, with loads of people discussing it, I'd look at it. Oh well, shows what I know.

They might not be internet geeks.

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:33 pm

If I was Susie, I would regard any contestant and any c4c member with nothing but sincere contempt.

Stewart Gordon · Post by **Stewart Gordon** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:39 pm

Damian E wrote:Doubt very much that Carol/Des/Susie browse this place at all. Its never been mentioned by any of them.

But now we know that they know about it, who knows?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:44 pm

It's an official forum!

Therefore, I am not surprised.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:49 pm

It's not official, Jason. It's Charlie Reams' baby and not officially endorsed by C4, YTV, or the programme makers of Countdown.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:50 pm

I don't see any other Countdown forum though, David.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:56 pm

There have been a few. Regardless though it still doesn't make it official.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:58 pm

David, where can you find these forums?

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:29 pm

Mike Brown wrote:
Stewart Gordon wrote:What surprised me is that Charlie was allowed to advertise this site on the programme. When Mike Brown was on, it was said that he runs a Countdown website, but the URL wasn't given. And I mentioned my numbers game solver on my application form, but this information was completely censored out for some unknown reason.
I think C4's attitude to these things may have changed fairly recently. Or Damian just doesn't like me...

Would that be the same Damian who went to the trouble of inviting you to Carol's last show, the after-party and got you tickets for the QF's and SF's of this series, Mike? Hmmm. You can tell i don't like you. Cheeky sausage.

C4's attitude probably hasn't changed, but mine certainly has. We plugged Charlies site because it was far too good an opportunity to pass up. If we want the show to thrive, then the likes of Ben Pugh and other up and coming starlets are only going to benefit by learning of places like apterous.org.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:55 pm

Damian E wrote:Would that be the same Damian who went to the trouble of inviting you to Carol's last show, the after-party and got you tickets for the QF's and SF's of this series, Mike? Hmmm. You can tell i don't like you. Cheeky sausage.

When was Carol's last game recorded?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:25 pm

I thought it was supposed to be next week, Joseph!

In December, there will be an extended episode of Countdown and it will be Des and Carol's last show.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:34 pm

Damian E wrote: Would that be the same Damian who went to the trouble of inviting you to Carol's last show, the after-party and got you tickets for the QF's and SF's of this series, Mike? Hmmm. You can tell i don't like you. Cheeky sausage.

OK, I feel suitably embarrassed now! Sorry if I've overstepped the mark in my cheekiness, Damian, certainly no offence was meant, although I expect you know that. I was very grateful for all the plugs my site got when I was on the show, URL or no URL, and it's great to see Charlie getting all the publicity now.

Damian E wrote: C4's attitude probably hasn't changed, but mine certainly has. We plugged Charlies site because it was far too good an opportunity to pass up. If we want the show to thrive, then the likes of Ben Pugh and other up and coming starlets are only going to benefit by learning of places like apterous.org.

Indeed, and I hope no one in high places gets upset by its (coincidental) similarities to the game of Countdown.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:23 am

Damian E wrote: Would that be the same Damian who went to the trouble of inviting you to Carol's last show, the after-party and got you tickets for the QF's and SF's of this series, Mike? Hmmm. You can tell i don't like you. Cheeky sausage.

Although Mike has for 25 years spent a huge portion of his free time first archiving Countdown results and then running a site which, until very recently, was the primary source for Countdown information and promotion on the internet, and which is/was extensively used as a research tool by the production team themselves... the phrase "the least you could do" springs to mind...

Yikes that was scary... don't kill me Damian, I just think you're a bit harsh towards Mike sometimes, given everything he's done for the show, and that he's always so careful never to say a bad word about anyone involved with it. I don't think Mike was even cheeky at all here, let alone 'overstepping the mark' - I don't see why he should be made to feel like he has to apologize.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:08 pm

Not quite sure what to say to that, Julian.

You sometimes feel i (meaning me personally) am a bit harsh towards Mike?

I genuinely don't know where you are coming from. Do you have any examples? I

I don't believe the countdownpage was 'extensively' used a research tool by the production team, either. Sure, we've had a look to see how many eps a certain guests has made etc, but not extensively. All the information Mike has on his site is available to the production team, but sometimes its far quicker to find it via Mike's site. I browse it about 10 times a year at the most. Still, that's not really why i am replying. Mike's site is unquestionably a terrific piece of work and one that we are very proud to be associated with. I don;'t recall ever suggesting anything to the contrary.

I don't feel while Mike has to apologize for anything either. I presumed / hoped his "Damian doesn't like me" comment was just a joke, and i am pretty sure it was. Mike should have no reason to believe i don't like him. I think he's been treated very well by Countdown over the years and i don't quite get where you are coming from, Julian.

To clear up something also, we DID leave in references to Mike Browns site in the initial recordings, but were not allowed to give out the actual web address because C4 were edgy about breaking regulations. Since then, things have become far more relaxed re website promotions and virtually every show does it somewhere now. Its not a question of favouritism towards Charlie or negativity towards Mike, its a change of attitude within the industry and a more open-minded train of thought about the whole web thing.

Hope this clarifies thing, Julian. You seem to be defensive / rattled by something that really isn't there.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:15 pm

OK, I feel suitably embarrassed now! Sorry if I've overstepped the mark in my cheekiness, Damian, certainly no offence was meant, although I expect you know that. I was very grateful for all the plugs my site got when I was on the show, URL or no URL, and it's great to see Charlie getting all the publicity now

None taken, Mike. None at all. I was being tongue-in-cheek also. I have no reason to doubt you are actually in love with me both physically and emotionally. I really don't blame you. Maybe Julian is getting a trifle jealous.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:07 pm

Damian E wrote:I have no reason to doubt you are actually in love with me both physically and emotionally.

Sorry Damian, you must be confusing yourself with Susie!

Thanks for the reply anyway, and thank you to Julian for his defence. I must admit I can't really think of any occasion in the past where you've treated me harshly; I expect if anyone could be bothered to trawl through several thousand posts there would probably be a few bits of cheeky banter back and forth between us: that's both the joy and danger of these public forums.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:54 pm

Damian E wrote:Maybe Julian is getting a trifle jealous.

Yeah definitely

All it is Damian is that a couple of times now you've made (what looked like) sharp replies to extremely innocuous posts by Mike, which I thought were uncalled for given everything Mike's done for the show. If I were Mike I would've felt hard done by in those cases, but Mike's obviously happy so that's the main thing. Although I do think Mike's sometimes too ready too apologize when he's done nothing wrong, like in this thread for example.

If anyone involved in Countdown over the past 25 years deserves an invite to Carol's last shows and leaving do, Mike does. I'm glad you invited him Damian, but I thought your post almost made it sound like a special favour which Mike didn't deserve, and I took exception to that.

If I've made a mountain out of a molehill, sorry. But at least it's led to Mike's getting more recognition, so some good has come out of it.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:57 pm

Julian Fell wrote:If I've made a mountain out of a molehill, sorry. But at least it's led to Mike's getting more recognition, so some good has come out of it.

Mike who?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:31 pm

Julian Fell wrote:If I've made a mountain out of a molehill, sorry. But at least it's led to Mike's getting more recognition, so some good has come out of it.

This is getting embarrassing! Maybe we could draw a line under this now (after I've shot Corby) and the next time I see you, Julian, I'll buy you a pint!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:35 pm

Man, I want some of this pint action. Mike is a great guy! I'm sure he'll be getting that man's body real soon now.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:16 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:Man, I want some of this pint action. Mike is a great guy! I'm sure he'll be getting that man's body real soon now.

What's that, Charlie, you're saying I haven't already?

Great game today, by the way. Very enjoyable to watch. Hopefully see you later this week; maybe I'll even be able to get you that pint...

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:21 am

Julian Fell wrote:
Damian E wrote:Maybe Julian is getting a trifle jealous.
Yeah definitely

All it is Damian is that a couple of times now you've made (what looked like) sharp replies to extremely innocuous posts by Mike, which I thought were uncalled for given everything Mike's done for the show. If I were Mike I would've felt hard done by in those cases, but Mike's obviously happy so that's the main thing. Although I do think Mike's sometimes too ready too apologize when he's done nothing wrong, like in this thread for example.

If anyone involved in Countdown over the past 25 years deserves an invite to Carol's last shows and leaving do, Mike does. I'm glad you invited him Damian, but I thought your post almost made it sound like a special favour which Mike didn't deserve, and I took exception to that.

If I've made a mountain out of a molehill, sorry. But at least it's led to Mike's getting more recognition, so some good has come out of it.

Maybe we should draw a line underneath this, but i can't help but feel i need to have another bite at clarification.

I've absolutely no idea what you are referring to Julian, in terms of me biting at Mike. I just don't understand where you are coming from. Mike is saying there is no problem, i am saying there is no problem, but you've chosen not to believe me and have chosen to claim that Mike is apologizing when he's done nothing wrong. Mike jokingly implied that perhaps i didn't like him, i jokingly replied calling him a cheeky sausage (hardly one of the more irate terms to use eh?) and said if i didn't like him, i wouldn't have gone out of my way to get tickets for forthcoming shows etc. You are now saying i made that sound like a special favour. I obviously can't win with this. Maybe it's just me, but i can't help feeling i'm not the only person reading all this who is struggling to recognise your agenda. Don't you think you're coming across as just a little bit silly?

PS - just to clarify further, i didn't personally invite MB to Carol's last show. CAROL herself asked me to invite him. I just wanted to get that out of the way before others start questioning why MB has been given favouritism etc. I've had a look back for any sharp reply to MB from myself Julian, all i can find is one where Mike said he was underwhelmed at the summer repeats, to which i replied, "lovely". Sharp, hmm, not really, I can't imagine him scrambling for the leather gauntlets to prevent lacerations to the hands.

PPS - just pinching myself and asking why i'm even bothering to get involved in this.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:13 am

Damian E wrote:
Julian Fell wrote:
Damian E wrote:Maybe Julian is getting a trifle jealous.
Yeah definitely

All it is Damian is that a couple of times now you've made (what looked like) sharp replies to extremely innocuous posts by Mike, which I thought were uncalled for given everything Mike's done for the show. If I were Mike I would've felt hard done by in those cases, but Mike's obviously happy so that's the main thing. Although I do think Mike's sometimes too ready too apologize when he's done nothing wrong, like in this thread for example.

If anyone involved in Countdown over the past 25 years deserves an invite to Carol's last shows and leaving do, Mike does. I'm glad you invited him Damian, but I thought your post almost made it sound like a special favour which Mike didn't deserve, and I took exception to that.

If I've made a mountain out of a molehill, sorry. But at least it's led to Mike's getting more recognition, so some good has come out of it.

Maybe we should draw a line underneath this, but i can't help but feel i need to have another bite at clarification.

I've absolutely no idea what you are referring to Julian, in terms of me biting at Mike. I just don't understand where you are coming from. Mike is saying there is no problem, i am saying there is no problem, but you've chosen not to believe me and have chosen to claim that Mike is apologizing when he's done nothing wrong. Mike jokingly implied that perhaps i didn't like him, i jokingly replied calling him a cheeky sausage (hardly one of the more irate terms to use eh?) and said if i didn't like him, i wouldn't have gone out of my way to get tickets for forthcoming shows etc. You are now saying i made that sound like a special favour. I obviously can't win with this. Maybe it's just me, but i can't help feeling i'm not the only person reading all this who is struggling to recognise your agenda. Don't you think you're coming across as just a little bit silly?

PS - just to clarify further, i didn't personally invite MB to Carol's last show. CAROL herself asked me to invite him. I just wanted to get that out of the way before others start questioning why MB has been given favouritism etc. I've had a look back for any sharp reply to MB from myself Julian, all i can find is one where Mike said he was underwhelmed at the summer repeats, to which i replied, "lovely". Sharp, hmm, not really, I can't imagine him scrambling for the leather gauntlets to prevent lacerations to the hands.

PPS - just pinching myself and asking why i'm even bothering to get involved in this.

I think this should stop now before it gets out of hand. We just need to accept that not everybody gets along with everybody else and that's the way it is. I'm sure Damian has his reasons for not liking Mike (I know I do), but that doesn't mean they need to be aired publicly here.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
I think this should stop now before it gets out of hand. We just need to accept that not everybody gets along with everybody else and that's the way it is. I'm sure Damian has his reasons for not liking Mike (I know I do), but that doesn't mean they need to be aired publicly here.

Jon, you are such a wind up merchant. I also do not see Julian's problem - Damian's message was light hearted, and I see no hard feelings anywhere. Hmmm, I'm also confused, Julian.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:44 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
I think this should stop now before it gets out of hand. We just need to accept that not everybody gets along with everybody else and that's the way it is. I'm sure Damian has his reasons for not liking Mike (I know I do), but that doesn't mean they need to be aired publicly here.
Jon, you are such a wind up merchant. I also do not see Julian's problem - Damian's message was light hearted, and I see no hard feelings anywhere. Hmmm, I'm also confused, Julian.

Well, to be fair, Mike did post

OK, I feel suitably embarrassed now! Sorry if I've overstepped the mark in my cheekiness, Damian, certainly no offence was meant

so he must have felt something but Julian just felt it a bit more.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:05 pm

Why doesn't C4C have an emoticon for yawn?

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:28 pm

My name is Zefeniah P. Thompson, and I'm suing you all for the most boring thread ever on c4c.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:38 pm

Mike Brown wrote:Why doesn't C4C have an emoticon for yawn?

Well you could improvise:

:O (although that maybe just looks like you're about to eat something)

-.- or -_- are sort of tired-ish emoticons

maybe we should have a 'what's your favourite emoticon?' thread (might be more interesting...)

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:40 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
maybe we should have a 'what's your favourite emoticon?' thread (might be more interesting...)

I would have to gouge out my eye with a rusty spoon if a thread like this were to start, so please don't.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:44 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:
maybe we should have a 'what's your favourite emoticon?' thread (might be more interesting...)
I would have to gouge out my eye with a rusty spoon if a thread like this were to start, so please don't.

T_T

(by the way, the emoticon for "I've just gouged my eye out with a rusty spoon" would probably be x.<)

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:47 pm

< YAWN : - )

Man wearing a hat with yawn written on it. I think this does the trick.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:51 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:< YAWN : - )

Man wearing a hat with yawn written on it. I think this does the trick.

I like it, think it needs a pipe though:

< YAWN | : - )

Although mabye that just looks like a bored guy with a monobrow, hmm...

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:45 am

Just to say sorry if I baffled / bored everyone, I thought I had a valid point but Damian and Mike both say I misinterpreted, so fair enough, I accept that. Sorry guys... "aww big hug" as Jono would say