“This looks promising” should not be said

[Philip A]

Couple of observations:

Before I start, I unequivocally bet that Colin Murray will still be host in 15, if not 20, years’ time. His passion for the show is obvious and is Countdown’s most exciting presenter.

I have noticed lately that the co-host often says, “This looks promising” before drawing the final letter each time the first 8 letters form a nice selection, such as L N R A E O T S.

In my opinion, the co-host should not say this at all. It can easily put off the contestants and can pressurise them to find a 9-letter word and only find a 6. The number of letters in the longest word should not be indicated at any point during the round; only after the contestants have answered should comments like that be made.

Secondly, the goodie bag now never appears on screen, nor even mentioned to the non-winner and sometimes the host would only speak to the non-winner for 5 seconds when dismissing them. Nick Hewer often dismissed the contestants in a gentlemanly manner by awarding the goodie bag – the Countdown equivalent of the Blankety Blank Chequebook and Pen and the Bullseye Bendy Bullies and tankards – and offering best wishes. This was polite. Do non-winners now walk away with absolutely nothing at all?

[Mark Deeks]

Is saying "the co-host" deliberate snark?

[Ian Fitzpatrick]

I agree with Philip on the point about comments being made about the letters before any declarations, and also the numbers actually.

I do think Colin is quite good at talking to the losing contestant but agree that if there is a goody bag it should be mentioned at times, maybe not every day like Nick did.

[Jamie Weisenberg]

In my opinion, the co-host should not say this at all. It can easily put off the contestants and can pressurise them to find a 9-letter word and only find a 6. The number of letters in the longest word should not be indicated at any point during the round; only after the contestants have answered should comments like that be made.

Nonsense, stop being a grinch .. i like it when the host actively participates in the show and gives his opinion on various things.

[Gavin Chipper]

In my opinion, the co-host should not say this at all. It can easily put off the contestants and can pressurise them to find a 9-letter word and only find a 6. The number of letters in the longest word should not be indicated at any point during the round; only after the contestants have answered should comments like that be made.

Nonsense, stop being a grinch .. i like it when the host actively participates in the show and gives his opinion on various things.

I've heard that the co-host gets it fed through an earpiece when it's a promising selection.

[Philip Wilson]

I also agree with Philip A about the commenting on promising selections, and with Ian that it also applies to numbers games. Seeing the 'co-host' standing at the board after 5 seconds having obviously solved it (unless it's obviously an easy one) doesn't help! In fact it makes it worse because I spend the rest of the time trying to find the easy solution, when one of which isn't always there anyway!

[Gavin Chipper]

Similarly when someone declares e.g. a 7 Colin shouldn't respond with something like "Yeah, loads of 7s" when the contestant might have struggled for 30 seconds to find one.

[Gavin Chipper]

Is saying "the co-host" deliberate snark?

The understated nature that makes one ask the question is what makes it so good.

[Ian Volante]

If an opponent can't recognise a good set of letters, this sort of comment isn't going to save them.

[David Roe]

I also agree with Philip A about the commenting on promising selections, and with Ian that it also applies to numbers games. Seeing the 'co-host' standing at the board after 5 seconds having obviously solved it (unless it's obviously an easy one) doesn't help! In fact it makes it worse because I spend the rest of the time trying to find the easy solution, when one of which isn't always there anyway!

I take the point, but from personal experience I am sure that I had not a clue what Rachel was doing while I was solving either letters or numbers. I suspect any contestant in a position to see what Rachel is doing, must have already solved it.

I accept that it makes the solution easier if you know there is a reasonably straightforward one. (Though I dare say Rachel can get dead complicated ones in 5 seconds sometimes!)

[Philip Wilson]

I also agree with Philip A about the commenting on promising selections, and with Ian that it also applies to numbers games. Seeing the 'co-host' standing at the board after 5 seconds having obviously solved it (unless it's obviously an easy one) doesn't help! In fact it makes it worse because I spend the rest of the time trying to find the easy solution, when one of which isn't always there anyway!

I take the point, but from personal experience I am sure that I had not a clue what Rachel was doing while I was solving either letters or numbers. I suspect any contestant in a position to see what Rachel is doing, must have already solved it.

I accept that it makes the solution easier if you know there is a reasonably straightforward one. (Though I dare say Rachel can get dead complicated ones in 5 seconds sometimes!)

Good point. My example only really applies to those watching on TV.