c4countdown

Rhys Benjamin

But that's the thing - when she was in WL, it was funny because it was hammed up. It's not being hammed up now, so it's just rude.

Rhys Benjamin

When Anne was on The Weakest Link, her act was more of a pantomime villain. Ironically, being deliberately meaner on Countdown would be better, because the viewers would know she's doing it tongue-in-cheek. At the moment, it's just her natural personality (which was never that warm anyway) and it co...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LXII and despite having napped earlier I am absolutely finished. Countdown recap for Thursday 23 September 2021. OTD in 1974, the first TV teletext started. We all remember Ceefax, don't we? Rachel reminisces about buying a holiday from teletext. C1: Champion Steven Grady (1 win, 109 points...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LXI and I had selection meetings on Monday and Tuesday which took up my evenings, and on Wednesday "drinks after work?" turned into "bloody hell, is that the time?". R7/8 Anne asks Steven about some of the derogatory names the kids call him. Steven says he's "down w...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LX and it's part two of the Benjo Countdown recap triple bill. Countdown recap for Tuesday 21 September 2021. It's Miniature Golf Day. "I'm told it spoils a good walk." Crikey, did Anne wake up on the wrong side of bed on this recording day? C1: Champion Ryan Sutton (3 wins, 306 p...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LIX and it's a Benjo triple bill of recaps - but since no one will read this I'll explain the delayedness on Wednesday's recap. Countdown recap for Monday 20 September 2021. Either my sharpness has gone astray or Anne is about to execute me, she's looking even sterner than usual. It's Happi...

Rhys Benjamin

End Countdown? No. Like Doctor Who in the 1980s, it is like a political prisoner for Channel 4: too annoying to live, yet too popular (in British culture*) to kill. Axing it would create a wave of negative press for C4 that they don't need. However... like Doctor Who in the 1980s, it needs a complet...

Rhys Benjamin

In one of the earlier briefings, Jenny Harries said that she felt masks weren’t worth it (and indeed we’ve never made them compulsory outdoors unlike others). Noticeably, she’s been conspicuous by her absence since. Mind you, I don’t think there’s any conspiracy going on there, I just think that’s h...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LXIII and insert witty joke here. Countdown recap for Friday 17 September 2021. International Country Music Day. By the way, All4 is very inconsistent as to which device you're using and its ad lengths. I normally watch these on my iPad (where you get nearly 4-minute ad breaks) but there we...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LVII and I was absolutely bed-ridden when this episode was broadcast. And my recap of this was interrupted by my PCR test kit arriving, which needed to be sent off quickly pronto today. Countdown recap for Thursday 16 September 2021. C1: Champion Mike Lee (2 wins, 209 points.) Apterite &quo...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LVI and I'm sorry I'm two days late. I've been ill. Still not 100% either. But it's not Covid, so... yay, I guess? Countdown recap for Wednesday 15 September 2021. On this day in 1890, Agatha Christie was born. C1: Champion Mike Lee (1 win, 102 points.) Apterite and super smashing great con...

Rhys Benjamin

Only just watching this now.

Do C4 not have a bleep machine any more?

Rhys Benjamin

How is Peston still in a job!? This is a crime against basic statistics. https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-11/peston-covid-infections-higher-in-doubled-vaxxed-aged-40-79-than-for-non-vaxxed (in case it's not immediately obvious, if I have 100 people, 90 of whom are vaccinated, then of course there's ...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LV and Mum spoiled the result of this game for me, annoyingly. Countdown recap for Tuesday 14 September 2021. Today's the birthday of Margaret Sanger, who coined the phrase "birth control". Loose Women-down has returned! C1: Champion Jodine Lawrence (2 wins, 159 points.) Black to ...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LIV and it's back to Loose Women-down after Blackdown on Friday. Anne's wearing one of her electric shock collars again. Countdown recap for Monday 13 September 2021. Anne tells us it's Roald Dahl day, with Charlie & The Chocolate Factory one of her favourite books. C1: Champion Adele H...

Rhys Benjamin

Trevor: good.
Marverine: great.
Lemn: great.
Anne-Marie: not so good.

Rhys Benjamin

Welcome to Black Countdown. Blackdown? Now, no Adele Hannigan today - we *think* the winner of this game plays her on Monday. Countdown recap for Friday 10 September 2021. Trevor gets us started with a conversation about home schooling. Anne-Marie gets her CV read out to her by Trevor. C1: Challenge...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LIII and it's the last day before the super massive Black To Front day. Countdown recap for Thursday 9 September 2021. Anne tells us the first computer bug was discovered on this day, so named because it was a moth. C1: Champion Adele Hannigan (2 wins, 155 points.) Super scientist who will ...

Rhys Benjamin

The phrases "cancelled" and "cancel culture" - these trivialise a genuine concern regarding overzealous no-platforming.

Rhys Benjamin

I woz furst

Rhys Benjamin

For some reason, this episode is already on All4.

Rhys Benjamin

Remind me never to make a joke again.

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LII on a bizarre day in Countdonia. I didn't really want to do a pottery course at work today, Anne's wearing her electric-shock Slitheen collar again, today's Apterous duel is Hyper German (mein gott muss das sein, si en brockmist aber auch!), and yet, still no Spoilage duel. It's been 84 ...

Rhys Benjamin

After all the positive replies I think it's time I had a look at these lists , if they're good enough for all the monsters they'll be more than good enough for me! Beware the dark side. Words, endings, compounds, chemicals. For once you start down the dark path of dictionary swallowing, forever wil...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LI and I'm still falling asleep the minute I get in from work. Advice please? Countdown recap for Tuesday 7 September 2021. In 1936 on this day, Buddy Holly was born. C1: Champion John Edwards (2 wins, 172 points.) Former immigration officer from Southampton. C2: Challenger Adele Hannigan. ...

Rhys Benjamin

I didn't say I dislike the idea - just that 90% of England fans do.

Rhys Benjamin

The Ashes is a best-of-five series, whereas a tournament would be a series of one-offs where the best team may just have a bad day at the office. They have just started a World Test Championship, which was won by New Zealand this year, but for English fans that feels a bit naff anyway.

Rhys Benjamin

It's one thing being up for five years, it's another thing being played over the PA at a Grand Prix...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown L and I really need to stop falling asleep the second I get back from work. Countdown recap for Monday 6 September 2021. It's Know Your Numbers Week, according to Anne, which is somehow a synonym for checking blood pressure. C1: Champion John Edwards (1 win, 81 points.), "who was here ...

Rhys Benjamin

Apparently this meme song got played out, straight-faced, on multiple occasions at Zandvoort today... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43HCYSX ... itstopBoys

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLIX, if that's even the correct Roman Numeral. Countdown recap for Friday 3 September 2021. It's "Lazy Mums Day". Feminism-down continues with Anne suggesting there should be "Lazy Househusbands Day" instead, based on her theories. C1: Champion Kevin Wenn (2 wins, 151 p...

Rhys Benjamin

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown LXVIII on a day where I'm working from home, but not currently following David Mitchell's advice about it. Countdown recap for Thursday 2 September 2021. Rachel talks about contactless payments, which somehow takes Anne by surprise. C1: Champion Kevin Wenn (1 win, 72 points.) Used to smell ...

Rhys Benjamin

Not a fan of Johnny Vaughan.

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLVII on a day where my new employers didn't realise I'm allergic to manual labour. Countdown recap for Wednesday 1 September 2021. Anne says September is "World Funfair Month". "Fun and fair" accurately describes her, it would seem. C1: Champion Steve Gamble (2 wins, 19...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLVI on a day where TFL have had to remove one of the worst ad campaigns in history, by Channel 4 . Countdown recap for Tuesday 31 August 2021. Anne says children will be going back to school tomorrow. Will they? Won't they be going back on Monday? C1: Champion Steve Gamble (1 win, 90 point...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLV and we have had back-to-back octochamps, will today's champion set themselves on the path to three in a row? Countdown recap for Monday 30 August 2021. Anne tells us It's Mary Shelley's birthday today - behind every great monster, there's a great woman. C1: Challenger Steve Gamble. Bus ...

Rhys Benjamin

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:29 pm
Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Aug 27, 2021 11:11 am Is there a CIMC (Countdowners in my Car) or did I imagine that?
With respect, we can probably pre-emptively retire this in my name, as a decade of Co:Lins has seen me shepherding about over 6,000 former contestants.

What, all at once?

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLIV and it's the end of her ninth week in the crazy chair. Will we have back-to-back octochamps? Let's see. Countdown recap for Friday 27 August 2021. Anne says that on this day in 1955 the Guinness Book of World Records was first published. Rachel reminds Anne about Countdown's appearance...

Rhys Benjamin

Wednesday 26 August?

Rhys Benjamin

Nice one. Good "who's who" of post-2000 Countdown in there.

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLIII and it's also the anniversary of my womb exit today. Yay. Countdown recap for Thursday 26 August 2021. Anne tells us it's Kiss and Make Up day. Being my birthday, I'm not going to take that advice. My exes will not be contacted today... C1: Champion Jeremy Slaney (6 wins, 573 points.)...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLII and England are having a wonderful day at Headingley. Hopefully I can watch this episode in 20 minutes. Countdown recap for Wednesday 25 August 2021. Amelia Earhart had her trans-atlantic flight today in 1932. Rachel and Anne joke about how, in 1932, they were probably expecting her to...

Rhys Benjamin

I think I've now updated the wiki's version of the FOCAL table. If there's a blunder I'm sure someone will point it out... I'll be updating the official FOCAL stuff this afternoon so can cross-compare it then. Thanks very much as ever for your wiki work Rhys. No problem. I've got my own Excel book ...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XLI and we're on an hour later today due to the Paralympics opening ceremony. Countdown recap for Tuesday 24 August 2021. Anne is wearing some really scary glasses. Humungous black rims. It's Stephen Fry's birthday today, says Anne. C1: Champion Jeremy Slaney (4 wins, 370 points.) Returnee ...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XL and she's got her old, overly-big glasses on. Boo. Prefer the smaller ones. Countdown recap for Monday 23 August 2021. Rachel and Anne seemingly play celebrity name droppers from their home towns. C1: Champion Jeremy Slaney (3 wins, 282 points.) Returnee from 2002. Gardner from Kent. C2:...

Rhys Benjamin

It's Rachel's 3000th episode (her 3,009th if you include Catsdown, specials, unbroadcast eps, etc. - or around 2,850 without any of those), and Pasha and Maven make an appearance to commemorate this. I thought this was a bit weird. You'd Pasha and Maven to make the presentation if she didn't see th...

Rhys Benjamin

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:26 amthey were heavily reliant on straight people splashing their cash too and probably still are.

Probably depends on a case-by-case basis pre-pandemic (the bar I alluded to above would cope perfectly well), but I think given the pandemic this hasn't ever been truer.

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XXXIX and IT'S FRIDAY THEEEEEEEEEEEEN... IT'S SATURDAY, SUNDAY, WHAT!? Countdown recap for Friday 20 August 2021. It's Rachel's 3000th episode (her 3,009th if you include Catsdown, specials, unbroadcast eps, etc. - or around 2,850 without any of those), and Pasha and Maven make an appearanc...

Rhys Benjamin

Personally, I don't want a 40BC event on the same scale of 30BC to happen, as it's far too soon for another Champion of Champion of Champions. We had one in Series 33 and Series 67/68, so I would suggest that Series 100 would be the ideal time to have another one, "best over 100 series of Count...

Rhys Benjamin

Damian, it's a joke on my part rather than a complaint I have personally, but many others do genuinely have such a grievance, so I will clarify that for you. As I'm sure you know, a gay bar whose target market is LGBT+ people. The one I used to go to in Brighton, for example, had lots of rainbow dec...

Rhys Benjamin

I think I've now updated the wiki's version of the FOCAL table. If there's a blunder I'm sure someone will point it out...

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XXXVIII and Jeremy Slaney is back, back, back again. Countdown recap for Thursday 19 August 2021. It's World Photography Day. "A picture is worth a thousand words", so Anne asks what the point of captions are. C1: Champion Jeremy Slaney (1 win, 96 points.) Gardner, or possibly a r...

Rhys Benjamin

Question Time, Afghanistan Special, in short: James Cleverly: took so long to answer the questions that he kept being interrupted just when he was getting to the good bits. Lisa Nandy: the government did everything wrong, but we're not saying what we'd do better. Rory Stewart: Afghanistan was a succ...

Rhys Benjamin

Really sad news. Quite a shock. Certainly compared to other celebrity deaths for me. Edit - in the BBC article it says he left 8 out of 10 Cats in 2016 and was replaced by Rob Beckett, but I think it's more than 8 out of 10 Cats was replaced by 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown on Channel 4, but then...

Rhys Benjamin · Re: Wednesday 18 August 2021 (Series 84, Preliminary 37) -N+R = not safe

-N+R = not safe

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XXXVII and it's two new contestants. Will either of them instigate a P*nk N*ws pile-on? We'll see. Countdown recap for Wednesday 18 August 2021. Anne tells us it's National Management Training Week. "We all love an excuse to celebrate management training!" C1: Challenger Nick Smit...

Rhys Benjamin

I loathe Pink News, it has to be said.

Rhys Benjamin

Annedown XXXVI and it's also Mattdown VIII - will we have our second octochamp of the series? Countdown recap for Tuesday 17 August 2021. Anne tells us it's Robert De Niro's birthday today. He's waiting, talking Italian... C1: Champion Matt Gould (7 wins, 591 points.) C2: Challenger Jean Dullea. She...

Rhys Benjamin

I have no compunction with spelling out racist terms when required (such as in recaps). Would f*ggot have been bleeped? Probably.

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