The Ballad of Rachel Riley.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:13 pm

http://mikedunbarcomedy.wordpress.com/podsongs/

This is class.
Enjoy.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:13 pm

That just goes to show you how much Countdown has changed!

It is a lot more hip now.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:01 am

Hello,

Just found this lovely forum. I'm the chap who wrote the song that's been linked to above.

I just popped by to say that I'm not that hip.

(Actually I think I'll probably start posting here because I do love Countdown)

And to say thank you for sharing my song! I can't believe people I don't already know are listening to it!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:38 am

Mike Dunbar.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:24 am

Mike Dunbar wrote:Hello,

Just found this lovely forum. I'm the chap who wrote the song that's been linked to above.

Hi, Mike, and welcome to the forum.

Really cool song, loved it, great!

And since Damian is the producer of Countdown, maybe he'll get Rachel herself to listen to it.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:38 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Mike Dunbar.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hello,

Well I suppose I can't really spam a thread about my song. I'm a 22 year old (Rachel's a few months my senior) Geography graduate. I work in pub at the moment which I don't like. Last December I started doing stand-up comedy, but a couple of weeks ago I started a podcast with my mate Mark. I'm doing a silly experiment you can read about on there, I feel embarrased talking about it. The podcast is updated weekly and I have to write a song every week, I'm always after suggestions for subjects. I chose to write the Riley one myself, though. I'm from Newcastle but don't sound geordie at all. As you may have noticed, I'm also terrible at violin. I'm okay at accordion and guitar, though.

Anyway, that's all I can think to say. Thanks again for your kind words.

Julie T, that concept is somewhat exhilirating, and at the same time terrifying. We can only dream, though if she did hear it I'd probably not want to meet her out of embarrassment.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:12 am

Mike, she has heard it. I emailed her the link yesterday and she said it was hilarious, though not funny enough to prevent her from seeking a restraining order on your good self.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:23 am

D Eadie wrote:Mike, she has heard it. I emailed her the link yesterday and she said it was hilarious, though not funny enough to prevent her from seeking a restraining order on your good self.

Oh good lord!! I didn't know!!

Mark!!! It has to be Mark who's put you up to this!!

Note to self: Mark is never joking.

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my little tune, no doubt you've made Mark's week! Mine too! Though I feel now I should add the song was somewhat "in character" and I harbour no such intense nor scary feelings toward any of the Countdown team. I'm a bit in shock now. It was never seriously considered that you'd ever hear it, especially not Rachel herself. I'm going a bit red recalling certain lyrics about taking people out with protractors and the vaguely unnerving idea of going for a date at Aldi. Hmmm... I think I should best pretend I haven't found out yet, Mark'll be dead upset if he can't suprise me! Thanks so much, again!

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:06 am

Mike Dunbar wrote:I'm from Newcastle but don't sound geordie at all.

Just watched the video of you and Mark buying a panda puppet and you both sound pretty Geordie to me. That's a good thing, though. The softer Tyneside accents are pretty sexy. Make it work for you. You could be the new Ant and Dec.

Anyway, as a young and moderately attractive male, are you planning to apply to be on Countdown? Hope so. There haven't been any decent looking contestants for ages.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:09 am

I'm not sure I'll be allowed on set.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:06 pm

"Like in the conundrum when there's really no doubt."

This line converted me. Nice one.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:50 pm

I was going to say Rachel should listen to it, and thank you, Damian, for letting us know she has! If she hadn't, she wouldn't let it get to her. That's how much of a sweetheart she is!

Mike, I was born in September of 1986.

So, you are a musician and a comedian! That is some talent you have there!

Also, you told us you're not sure if you'll be allowed on the Countdown set, and I know of a similar story that I thought I'd share with you.

There was a contestant on our version of Wheel of Fortune circa 17 years ago. He was not allowed back on their set because he was obsessed with the show.

You're not obsessed with Countdown, are you?

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:There haven't been any decent looking contestants for ages.

Oi. Piss off.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:37 pm

Jason Larsen wrote: You're not obsessed with Countdown, are you?

No, no, I was just making a joke on the whole thing about Rachel not finding it quite funny enough to prevent her getting a restraining order!

The singing's awful, by the way, we can all agree on that now.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:42 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Phil Reynolds wrote:There haven't been any decent looking contestants for ages.
Oi. Piss off.

Haha. How did I know it would be you that protested?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:56 am

Mike, thank goodness your name is not Raymond Taylor!

He's the one who is not allowed back on Wheel of Fortune's set!

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:48 pm

Hi again,

This week's podcast is up, and Mr Eadie get's named as an Evolution Champion, Mark shows me the email he recieved, and a friend of mine remixes the Rachel Riley song. Madness.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:25 pm

Pretty funny . . . although I don't know who "Damian Eddy" is either. Maybe he is a descendant of Nelson Eddy, and if so he could perhaps add some operatic touches to your 2nd remix of the ballad.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:51 pm

Is it Eeeeeeedy?

We had that conversation, but I neglected to record it.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:55 pm

Mike Dunbar wrote:Is it Eeeeeeedy?

We had that conversation, but I neglected to record it.

Yeah, at least that's how it used to be pronounced when he was in Susieeeeeee's seat in Dictionary Corner.

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:01 pm

Ah wow!! Didn't know that. Clearly.

I've only really followed it with Susie... back from about... 2003ish onwards. Predictably, while I was at University.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:08 pm

Mike Dunbar wrote:Ah wow!! Didn't know that. Clearly.

I've only really followed it with Susie... back from about... 2003ish onwards. Predictably, while I was at University.

Ah okay. Well in the old days the Lexicographer used to change regularly. Most of them were picked from a pool of staff at OED. Damian was himself originally a contestant, before moving into DC. I seem to remember him being quite good fun in there, although he apparently didn't really like appearing in front of the camera, and is more at home in his current position.

Incidently, if you've been following it during the Susie era, you would have also probably seen Alison Heard who stood in for her during maternity leave. As you came to our notice through your admiration of Rachel (and apparently Susie) it wouldn't be too prurient for me to ask what you thought of Alison? Personally she is my favourite of any of them (sorry DamO).

Mike Dunbar · Post by **Mike Dunbar** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:15 pm

I know who you mean! Right... I still have to say that I'm plumping with Susie over Alison, at this stage.

c4countdown

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