Today's Countdown News... see link

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:32 pm

How are you accessing all this? Is there a link?

James Hurrell · Post by **James Hurrell** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:35 pm

Just heard this on Radio 5 - gutted.

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:36 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:How are you accessing all this? Is there a link?

One of the advantages/perils of being a journalist. PA and other agency stories drop onto our computers all the time.

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:38 pm

And yet more:

VORDERMAN: STATEMENT IN FULL
By PA Reporter
Carol Vorderman's manager John Miles tonight announced that the long-running
presenter was stepping down from Channel 4 gameshow Countdown.
Here is her manager's statement in full:
"It was a difficult decision because she loves Countdown dearly and always
has. The contestants, viewers and crew are like family to her.
"They have, with Carol, been through decades of joy and also tremendous pain
when Richard (Whiteley) died.
"Carol had considered quitting when Richard died suddenly three years ago but
she eventually agreed to continue, turning down the offer to take over as host.
"She has been lucky enough to have worked with two wonderful new co-hosts in
Des Lynam and Des O'Connor. Countdown has been such a huge part of her life for
so long.
"Carol was the first woman on Channel 4 and she is enormously grateful to have
had 26 wonderful years and nearly 5,000 shows on Countdown.
"She wants to thank all of the crew, the thousands of contestants who have
played the game and the millions of Countdown viewers for whom she has the
greatest respect.
"She is extremely sad."
end

251835 JUL 08

Chris Philpot · Post by **Chris Philpot** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:45 pm

It's on the BBC News as well, now - would I be unreasonably pessimistic to reckon this could well be the end of the show?

Mike Brailsford · Post by **Mike Brailsford** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:57 pm

Real end of the end of an era stuff here.

Carol can do many things in her future career of course, but were are 'vital statistitions' of the UK to replace Carol. It is not just about putting someone there to pick up cards. They have to be able to 'do the math'.

Maybe one of the Countdown family, ie a former contestant can take her place. Will the fans accept a man in the job, as not to be sexist in saying few ladies have hit series champion / memorable contestant status.

Wondering what Dr Beverley Isherwood does nowadays ?

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:02 pm

Chris Philpot wrote:It's on the BBC News as well, now - would I be unreasonably pessimistic to reckon this could well be the end of the show?

I don't think the show will end.

Who would you get to replace Carol though.

Ross Allatt · Post by **Ross Allatt** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:25 pm

Just read this on bbc news

what a surprise (to me at least). Perhaps they can have a new reality TV show on C4 as budding mathematics students battle it out to become Clive Bremner-Edmonds' new assistant

Here's a link if anyone wants it...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7526290.stm

I don't think for a minute the show will end - perhaps there's the opportunity for a female presenter and a male mathematician? Exciting times!

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:03 pm

More from PA:

Vorderman, 47, has been with the show since it began in 1982 and was the first
woman to appear on Channel 4.
Ever since she has been a regular part of Countdown, coming into her own as the
show's resident maths expert.
She even became something of an unexpected sex symbol among male fans, many of
whom viewed her as a thinking man's pin-up.
For more than 20 years she acted as a foil to the show's main presenter Richard
Whiteley, who died in 2005.
In today's statement, her manager said she had considered quitting following
his death, but eventually agreed to continue alongside first Des Lynam and then
Des O'Connor.
Earlier this week, O'Connor announced his decision to step down from presenting
the weekday show.
It led to speculation over Countdown's future and the role of the programme's
other regulars.
John Miles, Vorderman's manager, said today that stepping down had been a
"difficult" decision for her.
He added: "Carol was the first woman on Channel 4 and she is enormously
grateful to have had 26 wonderful years and nearly 5,000 shows on Countdown.
"She wants to thank all of the crew, the thousands of contestants who have
played the game and the millions of Countdown viewers for whom she has the
greatest respect."
Aside from being a TV presenter, Vorderman has developed a writing career as
both a newspaper columnist and a best-selling author of Detox books.
Vorderman is due to step down from Countdown at the end of the year.
Fellow regular on the show, lexicographer Susie Dent, said: "It's the end of
an era for Countdown, and it's the end of an era for me - Carol has been my
colleague, my mentor, and my friend for over fifteen years.
"She and Richard together made one of the strongest and enduring shows
television has ever seen, and also built one of the closest teams. For the
programme to lose someone with Carol's astonishing ability, vigour, and passion,
is devastating."
It is believed Vorderman's decision was motivated by a desire not to go through
having to bond with yet another new co-presenter.
Mr Miles said: "She didn't think she could go through that process again. She
just feels that it is time to leave."
Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's director of television and content said tonight: "We
are extremely sorry to see Carol leave. She was the first woman on Channel 4 and
has made an enormous contribution to the success of Countdown over the last
twenty five years.
"We hope to work with her again on other projects."

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:27 pm

Well, I still have the hair to do it...

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:36 pm

Perhaps the thought of Richard Brittain and Jeffrey Hansford was enough to see both presenters off.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:42 pm

In my view, replacing Des should prove no problem. It's been shown over that last few years with DesL and DesO that the programme does not suffer with change of presenter. In fact, a change of presenter every two years or so could well be good for the programme.

What will be more difficult is replacing Carol. As others have said, she does two jobs. In one job, she shares the presenting of the programme, including selecting the letters and the numbers. That job alone would probably be easier to fill than the job which Des is vacating. Her second job is working out solutions to the numbers rounds. Filling that job would clearly take a different type of person.

The obvious solution to me would be to replace her with two people, one for each of her jobs. For her number solution replacement, the job holder could sit with Susie, and give a response for numbers rounds in the same way that Susie does for the letters rounds. Personality is certainly required for the first job, but the second could be done by a very different type of person. I can think of a number of members of this forum who would be more than up to that challenge; they could fill the job in rotation.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:11 pm

I was thinking maybe you could have both Susie Dent and Alyson Heard on and one can be in DC and the other do the letters and numbers (putting on the board) and they could alternate each week.

If going by Howard's suggestion and you were to pick someone in here to do the number solutuions, then I think Kirk would be the best choice.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:15 pm

Wonderful ideas. Keep them coming, its hilarious.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:17 pm

Perhaps Cecil could present the program while John Sergeant takes the role of both contestants. That's about the only thing I can think of that would be worse than the suggestions above.

Dan Peake · Post by **Dan Peake** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:31 pm

Well, I'm always up for a spot of hosting

As I see it, the quest stands on the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and all is doomed. Enough of the LoTR quote - I think this could be the time to make changes to countdown and re-energise it.

New hosts, a slightly newer set (although I like the current one), possibly move production to London if costs are an issue. I think we'd still all like to see a later timeslot, but there's nothing new there, and not much that can be done about it.

Yes, it is a shame that Carol and Des are leaving - but looking for the silver lining in the very thick cloud, Countdown could bounce back from this better than it is now!

Lee Simmonds · Post by **Lee Simmonds** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:38 pm

Howard Somerset wrote:.In fact, a change of presenter every two years or so could well be good for the programme.

I agree.

It is a huge shame about Carol though.

I'm just glad that I was able to be on what will be her last series.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:37 pm

Joseph Bolas wrote:I was thinking maybe you could have both Susie Dent and Alyson Heard on and one can be in DC and the other do the letters and numbers (putting on the board) and they could alternate each week.

If going by Howard's suggestion and you were to pick someone in here to do the number solutuions, then I think Kirk would be the best choice.

Haha - Channel 4 will have to fight for me. Shouting professionally on the darts circuit is also another option of mine as I've been recognised by others for having a good calling voice and quick mental maths. I'll do it for half the money you're paying Carol.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:10 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:I'll do it for half the money you're paying Carol.

I'll top that. I'll do it for 1%.

No wait. I'll do it for free!

No wait. I'll pay you!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:32 am

Damian, first of all, I was talking about Bruce's Price is Right. My Countdown song is to the tune of Bruce's Price is Right theme, which does mention Des O'Connor in an ever so affectionate way!

And yes, I do agree with you, Mr. Witcher!

About the current news, wow, wow, wow! Well, Damian, as long as you don't get fired, Kate or Lara doesn't get fired, and they don't change the arrangement of the theme song, then I will be happy. Regardless, I think you can safely say that at the end of Series 59, it will be the end of an era!

Susie, where will you be?

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:29 pm

Change can be a good thing, people come and go but Countdown is still Countdown - I just hope whatever happens now, the show doesn't change beyond recognition and end up vanishing from the screen and that whoever takes over from Des and Carol fit in well to the show.

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:18 pm

The latest from PA:

Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman said she felt she was forced to quit the
show after she was told to take or leave a 90% pay cut.
end

261608 JUL 08

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:27 pm

More detail:

VORDERMAN FORCED TO QUIT OVER 90% PAY CUT
By Beverley Rouse, PA
Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman quit the show after she was told to take or
leave a 90% pay cut, her manager claimed today.
Vorderman, who worked on the Channel 4 game show for 26 years, had offered to
accept a pay cut of one-third in line with the show's 33% budget cut, John Miles
said.
But she said she felt she was left with no alternative but to quit after she
was told to take or leave the offer on the table.
Her former co-presenter, Richard Whiteley, died in 2005 and Mr Miles claimed
one of the show's bosses told Ms Vorderman: "Countdown easily survived without
Richard, it can easily survive without you."
Ms Vorderman said she was allowing her manager to release the statement "so
that the Countdown viewers and all the team know the truth".
She added: "I am devastated that my joyous time with one of the best
programmes on TV has ended this way."

Mr Miles said: "Carol feels it is important to put the accurate timeline of
events of the past two weeks on record.
"She wants Countdown viewers, who supported the programme so loyally and for
whom she has the deepest respect, to know the facts."
He said during the past few months all those connected with the show "had to
face the reality that if Countdown was to have a future in this current
advertising downturn then there would have to be budget cuts".
He added: "Carol made it clear that she was happy to carry on in her job and
take an equal cut."
Mr Miles said by this she meant that she was willing to take a pay cut of
one-third in line with the 33% budget cuts expected for the show overall.
"Following this proposal a series of events took place which indicated to us
that Carol was not part of the future planning of the programme."
He said Vorderman's contract was due to expire at the end of the year.
She received the first offer of a new contract from ITV Productions on July 16,
offering her only 10% of her current salary and 48 hours to decide, he said.
"It was a non-negotiable 'take it or leave it' offer," he said.
"I discussed the options with Carol but she expressed a desire to stay."
As the 48-hour period ended on Friday, he said one of the show's bosses - who
he refused to name - told Vorderman the show could "easily survive" without
her, a remark he described as "curt" and "callous".
"I was stunned that my client's 26 loyal years were discarded in such a
cavalier manner."
He added: "Having said that, Carol has never claimed she is indispensable."
"Backed into this corner Carol knew she was being forced out and had no option
but to stand down."
He said Vorderman texted each member of the production team to tell them her
decision before she informed the show's bosses.
Mr Miles refused to say how much Vorderman gets paid for appearing on
Countdown, but said it was less than #1 million per year.
She has appeared on almost 5,000 episodes of the show as its resident maths
expert and became an unexpected sex symbol among male fans, many of whom viewed
her as a thinking man's pin-up.
Mr Miles said Vorderman considered quitting following Whiteley's death but
eventually agreed to continue.
Vorderman has also developed a writing career as both a newspaper columnist and
a best-selling author of Detox books.
She is due to step down from Countdown at the end of the year.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We never discuss presenters' salaries."
end

261723 JUL 08

Craig Beevers · Post by **Craig Beevers** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:32 pm

Being reported on the BBC now

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7527091.stm

90% sounds very improbable.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:09 pm

Countdown will never be the same again without Carol - she is irreplaceable, so perhaps it is best not to try.

I think the two Des' left for the same reason, namely they didn't think their "talents" were being used enough. Lynam thought he was a top sports journalist and felt he deserved better than introducing two contestants and pressing a button 15 times per show, or 75 times during a day's recording. O'Connor thinks similarly I bet, apart from the "sports journalist" bit - replace that with "top light entertainer".

A major re-vamp is on the cards and here are my suggestions which will reduce costs immensely:

1) Replace the letters and numbers with a computer - not a flash one that pings every time a letter is revealed - the cards should look as similar as possible to the current pack.

2) Ditch the dictionary corner guest -they are not good value. Would anyone seriously say, "I must catch Countdown every day this week, Barry Norman's on......" Fans of the show record and fast forward their bit to camera at the end of Part 1, with one or two notable exceptions. Keep Susie but pair her up with a Countdown legend for a week to help find the words. Julian Fell, Conor Travers etc. - now they would be DC guests to look forward to.

3) Numbers game - as now but with a computer doing the sums on screen as contestants call out their solution. Computer would then show how it could be done if not solved.

4) During the letters game, each contestant has a telephone type key pad in front of them with numbers 0-9. They press the number as they see the maximum word score - we see it too, it is on the front of their desk, but out of view of the other contestant. So after 5 secs, 5 might be pressed, then 6, and 7 to conclude. Keypad is locked after 30 secs. Contestants then declare their word. This would avoid dubious gamesmanship of the past, where Contestant One says "I'll go for an 8" and Contestant Two says, "In that case I will try an 8 too" whereas if Contestant 2 had been asked first, they would only have declared a 7. Words would still need to be written down where possible and shown to the host in the event of a tie.

5) For the conundrum any key on the keypad would work to guess the solution.

6) The host would have a bit more to do, calling out the letters and guiding the participants through the numbers' games.

Well those are my thoughts, but bet I am not the only one with ideas... Over to you

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:05 pm

I'm not biting Chris, suffice to say whenever there is a stick to grab, you have a brilliant knack of grabbing the wrong end every time.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:13 pm

Listen, everybody hear me out loud and clear!

I wish it was someone else and not Kate who posted this thread, only because she does not usually check her messages on the weekends.

The same thing happened earlier this month with Roger Dobkowitz, the original producer on our version of The Price is Right. He was also fired, but not because of financial reasons. They were thinking of changing the original format of The Price is Right as a result of going in "a new direction," but it never happened.

In Countdown's case, I thought Carol chose to quit Countdown because she couldn't handle host switches and having to bond with new hosts every year. Now, I hear she was fired? Oh... my... goodness!

I know Carol is a very emotional person, because I saw her videotaped speech inserted before the beginning of Richard Whiteley's last show. It was on Youtube, but it has since been removed. I understand she was devastated by Richard Whiteley's passing.

What I don't think Carol realizes is that Countdown is not a host-driven show, like Family Fortunes or Millionaire. By that, I mean that it doesn't take a genius to host the show because it is a very simple game. This is because its format has remained the same for 26 years. Do any of you think Carol doesn't realize that because she has never thought about it?

Before, I thought that Countdown would be ok, but now I'm not so sure!

Someone, please re-assure me!

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:22 pm

Damian E wrote:I'm not biting Chris, suffice to say whenever there is a stick to grab, you have a brilliant knack of grabbing the wrong end every time.

Are you referring to my whole post, Damian, or just the second paragraph?

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:28 pm

I don't understand why Carol's replacement would have to be good at the numbers, couldn't they just cheat the same as Susie does?

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:41 pm

Jimmy wrote:I don't understand why Carol's replacement would have to be good at the numbers, couldn't they just cheat the same as Susie does?

I suppose it's nice to have the "human" element, although I think they should be more open about the fact that Damian and whoever else are getting words for Susie.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:46 pm

Chris Corby wrote:
Damian E wrote:I'm not biting Chris, suffice to say whenever there is a stick to grab, you have a brilliant knack of grabbing the wrong end every time.
Are you referring to my whole post, Damian, or just the second paragraph?

Well the second paragraph eats itself up merely a few lines in. If someone felt they 'deserved better than introducing two contestants and pressing a button 15 times a show', would they have accepted the job in the first place, or are you suggesting they were misled into thinking they could perhaps interview Mohammed Ali halfway through the show or perform a duet with Celine Dion?

Oddly enough, the second paragraph, however incorrect, made more sense than the rest of it.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:49 pm

I am in an uproar!

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:42 pm

Damian E wrote:
If someone felt they 'deserved better than introducing two contestants and pressing a button 15 times a show', would they have accepted the job in the first place, or are you suggesting they were misled into thinking they could perhaps interview Mohammed Ali halfway through the show or perform a duet with Celine Dion?

That's just daft Damian. I think Des O'Connor could get away with interviewing Muhammed Ali but no way will I be convinced that Des Lynam could sing a duet with Celine Dion.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:56 pm

Des O'Connor is not, "Des O' Countdown" anymore, and Carol Vorderman is no longer on either!

JasonCullen · Post by **JasonCullen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:43 am

Here is an exclusive interview with Carol Vorderman in today's papers about her decision to quit the show!

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/2707_ca ... rman.shtml

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:44 am

If the money that's being taken out of the budget is being used by Channel 4 to fund some crap like Big Brother, then it really makes me sad when a decent show that have proven longevity and consistancy over the years is shunned to one side as more populist TV rubbish is being force-fed to the British public - what's so good about the kind of reality shows we see these days anyway? Give me Countdown anyday! Channel 4, buck up your ideas!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:50 am

Stewart Scott wrote:more populist TV rubbish is being force-fed to the British public

Surely populist content is exactly what you don't need to force-feed to the public? If you want to be snobbish about programmes just because you don't like them then at least try to couch it in meaningful terms.

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:04 am

Sorry Charlie, it's just I feel this whole thing is just unfair on a decent programme - I might have let myself get carried away and I apologise for that. Basically I feel Channel 4 should be focusing on all their programmes in a fair and balanced way and not just the ones that pull in the biggest ratings, it's about the quality of the programme at the end of the day in my opinion.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:40 pm

Stewart Scott wrote:Sorry Charlie, it's just I feel this whole thing is just unfair on a decent programme - I might have let myself get carried away and I apologise for that. Basically I feel Channel 4 should be focusing on all their programmes in a fair and balanced way and not just the ones that pull in the biggest ratings, it's about the quality of the programme at the end of the day in my opinion.

Yep, fair enough. It's just the nature of commercial channels to focus on the most lucrative programmes. If Countdown was on BBC then they would probably see things more in your terms.

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:01 pm

I guess that's just how it is, it's annoying, but it's how it works.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:05 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:If Countdown was on BBC then they would probably see things more in your terms.

If only...

Seems most of the blame here lies with Channel 4, and it's hard not to agree with Stewart's assessment of things.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:11 pm

Des leaving is no problem, but Carol leaving is a big controversy!

Damian, it is not funny at all! Boo hiss to you! I thought I liked you!

If you want to be nice to me, please tell me how you and Lara are reacting to this situation!

I'm sorry, but I can't help but to turn this thread into a Countdown Haven thread, as the future of Countdown is uncertain.

Craig Beevers · Post by **Craig Beevers** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:12 pm

Well we've only heard Carol's version of events and she's very media savvy so she's not going to portray herself in a negative light.

We'll probably never know what really happened.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:19 pm

I'm sorry, Craig!

Are you saying that Damian or Lara can't tell us what really happened?

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:28 pm

IF C4 was to ditch the show, would the show work somewhere else i.e another channel? I'll ask this probably knowing the answer but I'll ask it for the heck of asking to guage the forum's opinions.

Dan Peake · Post by **Dan Peake** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:25 pm

It could do well in an afternoon timeslot on BBC TWO.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:40 pm

If she was on £900,000 and she was asked to take a 90% pay cut, that's still a pretty decent wage. It may be insulting to have to take such a cut, but it sounds like she was getting too much to start with.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:43 pm

Stewart Scott wrote:IF C4 was to ditch the show, would the show work somewhere else i.e another channel? I'll ask this probably knowing the answer but I'll ask it for the heck of asking to guage the forum's opinions.

It may work well on another channel, but I don't think that should happen because Countdown was the first programme on Channel 4 and Richard Whiteley was the first face on Channel 4 too.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:12 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:If she was on £900,000 and she was asked to take a 90% pay cut, that's still a pretty decent wage. It may be insulting to have to take such a cut, but it sounds like she was getting too much to start with.

People get used to living on a certain wage. Carol probably has all kinds of costs (mortgages, school fees, etc) which she can't suddenly cut by 90%.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:30 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:If she was on £900,000 and she was asked to take a 90% pay cut, that's still a pretty decent wage. It may be insulting to have to take such a cut, but it sounds like she was getting too much to start with.
People get used to living on a certain wage. Carol probably has all kinds of costs (mortgages, school fees, etc) which she can't suddenly cut by 90%.

I suppose, but I wonder how much of her total income Countdown accounts for. It's unlikely to be anywhere near a drop of 90% of her total income.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:07 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:I suppose, but I wonder how much of her total income Countdown accounts for. It's unlikely to be anywhere near a drop of 90% of her total income.

I have no idea, you might be right. I doubt it's the money per se that's the issue. Assuming her presentation of the situation is accurate, she was given a fairly clear hint that her services were no longer required, and she took the hint.

Andrew Lowe · Post by **Andrew Lowe** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:39 pm

I used to be around quite a bit on the old forum, but to be honest I haven't watched the show very much since Des O'Connor took over. Sad to say, but it lost some of its magic for me when Richard died, because I watched more for the banter between him and Carol than I did for the game itself. The vast majority of people who say that the show can overcome changes of hosts are probably right, but only if they're mainly watching for the game.

As to who should take over from Des, I've really no idea. Perhaps someone a little younger would be ideal, and then they might stick around for a little longer. As to the suggestions that have been mooted so far, I'd prefer Mr Blobby over Clive Anderson and Rory Bremner. Des said that he missed doing what he does best (or worst, depending upon your viewpoint) and that's holding his concerts and one-man shows for television. I think that Clive and Rory would miss the satirical aspect of their current work, and Countdown might end up being seen as just one big farce. It's a fine line, but you need someone who won't prove too shocking to the older generation who have no idea who he (or she, for that matter) is, nor do you want a fuddy-duddy who doesn't appeal to the students who watch the show. It terrifies me that people like Michaels Aspel and Parkinson etc. have apparently been named as possibilites, given that they have already 'retired' from public life. To be truthful, I've absolutely no idea as to who I'd like to take over, because there haven't been any names mentioned yet that I particularly like.

As for the 90% pay cut offered to Carol (which I'm taking as being truthful, given that she seems to have given an interview today to that most reputable of newspapers, the News of the World, stating how upset she is over how she has been treated by the bosses, and quite rightly. It's only the most cynical of people who would argue that she's being paid a mega wage to display some numbers and letters. Given that she said she'd be ready to accept a pay cut of a third, you'd have thought the bosses would've been more than willing to see this as being reasonable. I have no idea as to who could replace Carol. I very much doubt it could be a well-known celebrity, as they wouldn't have the ability with numbers that she has. If you go along with the train of thought that the host is very easily replaced with another old celeb, the same cannot be said of Carol.

I personally think it's time for Countdown to end, since that seems to be what the powers-that-be want, for whatever reason. Technically, everything could be done by computer and two players simply compete in the game, without any host or DC guest etc., but this would be as interesting as that dreadful 100% quiz of yesteryear.

To lighten the mood, I would suggest myself as host, since I'm hopefully going to be sticking around for a few years and would actually enjoy doing it, and a Maths genius from the past series of Countdown. Go on, give it a whirl, it can only go spectacularly wrong!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:56 pm

Could Countdown possibly replace The Weakest Link in its timeslot?

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:16 pm

Why? Is The Weakest Link going off our screens? Maybe I should get that application in ASAP.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:38 pm

Oh, I'm sorry!

The Weakest Link is on BBC 1, not BBC 2, right?

It replaced new episodes of Neighbours, didn't it?

Ross Allatt · Post by **Ross Allatt** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:52 am

The heat seems to be even more intense this morning. Still on the front page of one of the tabloids, and this morning on FiveLive they interviewed Kathryn Apanowicz who gave a very strong pro-Carol argument and quoted some anon C4 exec as having said to her (Carol), "the show survived Richard dying, it can survive without Carol". True or not, this is a PR disaster for C4 who are not coming out of this at all well. They also said on FiveLive that the shows creator (Jaamodt?) was threatening to withdraw the licence to show the programme in protest at Carol's axing.

Jennifer Turner · Post by **Jennifer Turner** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:58 am

Ross Allatt wrote:This morning on FiveLive they interviewed Kathryn Apanowicz who gave a very strong pro-Carol argument and quoted some anon C4 exec as having said to her (Carol), "the show survived Richard dying, it can survive without Carol".

I've seen one of the many news stories about this name the exec as Channel 4's commissioning editor for daytime, Helen Warner.

They also said on FiveLive that the shows creator (Jaamodt?) was threatening to withdraw the licence to show the programme in protest at Carol's axing.

Format owner Marcel Stellman. Jammot died some years ago.

Andrew Lowe · Post by **Andrew Lowe** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:21 am

I think it was a very ill-judged comment by whoever made it that Countdown survived RW's death, so it could survive without Carol - a PR faux-pas if ever there was one. I was interested to read Kathryn's comments in this morning's papers, and couldn't agree more when she said about it being very rare for a female celeb to be on television because of her brains. As I said in an earlier post, you might well be able to replace the host fairly easily, but it's near impossible to replace Carol with another famous face. In fact, I can't think of any celebs who could do her job.

I'm not sure I agree with Kathryn about it being ageism, though, if Jennie Bond is in the frame to take over from Des...

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:38 am

Andrew Lowe wrote:As I said in an earlier post, you might well be able to replace the host fairly easily, but it's near impossible to replace Carol with another famous face. In fact, I can't think of any celebs who could do her job.

Carol wasn't a "celeb" when she took the job; it made her famous. Why shouldn't the same be true of her replacement?

Stewart Scott · Post by **Stewart Scott** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:13 pm

Just search the universities for someone who has the ability and the charm to replace Carol - someone good would be bound to come out of that I'm sure.