Today's Countdown News... see link

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:25 pm

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... 461054.ece

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:34 pm

This.

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:45 pm

Jon Corby wrote:This.

This what?

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:59 pm

Jon Corby wrote:This.

Only three signatures, and two of them have been rejected.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:00 pm

That has to be an old petition - it mentions Des Lynam and not O'Connor. My vote for new host would be Richard Digance - bring back the Richard and Carol show!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:29 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:My vote for new host would be Richard Digance - bring back the Richard and Carol show!

I know he's probably the guest who has appeared the most times in the DC Corner (although if memory serves me correct, it's been quite some time since his last appearance), but I just don't think he would make for a good host.

I would probably hope for someone like Magnus Magnusson or William G. Stewart etc (EDIT: what I mean is a well known gameshow host.

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:35 pm

Joseph Bolas wrote:I would probably hope for someone like Magnus Magnusson

That would certainly make for interesting viewing!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magn%C3%BAs_Magn%C3%BAsson

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:45 pm

jimbentley wrote:
Joseph Bolas wrote:I would probably hope for someone like Magnus Magnusson
That would certainly make for interesting viewing!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magn%C3%BAs_Magn%C3%BAsson

Yeah lets just have Richard Whiteley back! Myself and some other members of the Krazy Khemist Klub have been working on reanimating corpses using benzene.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:49 pm

jimbentley wrote:
Joseph Bolas wrote:I would probably hope for someone like Magnus Magnusson
That would certainly make for interesting viewing!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magn%C3%BAs_Magn%C3%BAsson

My bad, I didn't know that Magnusson had died

.

I still say though that it should be a gameshow host to replace Des. My number one choice would definitely be Stephen Fry, but I don't think he would be obtainable.

Maybe you could get Carol to present and get someone else to do Carol's current job

JasonCullen · Post by **JasonCullen** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:52 pm

Or you could just employ ME to host

. I think a fresh young face would be ideal for the show and I know I will last much longer than what the two veteran Desmond's managed

. Also, you can exploit me for less than minimum wage so everyone would be happy

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:19 pm

Get Stephen Fry this time. I love that man.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:00 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:Get Stephen Fry this time. I love that man.

At last a suggestion I can agree with!

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:07 pm

Whoever thinks Nigel Rees should host Countdown should be shot, the man's a lizard. And the good kind of lizard either.

My first choice would be Philip Schofield. Don't ask me to quantify it in any detail but he strikes me as having all the necessary qualities and actually being under the age of 50.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:39 pm

They could pick an unknown - someone who Countdown would make famous rather than using an already famous person. Someone youngish as well so could be the host for a while.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:45 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:They could pick an unknown - someone who Countdown would make famous rather than using an already famous person. Someone youngish as well so could be the host for a while.

jasoncullen wrote:Or you could just employ ME to host . I think a fresh young face would be ideal for the show and I know I will last much longer than what the two veteran Desmond's managed . Also, you can exploit me for less than minimum wage so everyone would be happy

Consensus.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:05 pm

Today's other news...............

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... tdown.html

Long live us.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:47 pm

KateHorton wrote:http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... 461054.ece

Ah well, Stuart Earl will be happy. (ok, to be fair, I admit I haven't found Des all that great either)

Does this mean that the new presenter's first task will be to host a CofC?

I agree re Stephen Fry - a) that he should do it, b) that he won't

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:28 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:That has to be an old petition - it mentions Des Lynam and not O'Connor.

Maybe, but I don't think it has lost any of its considerable authority or relevance.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:29 pm

I'm not convinced by the Stephen Fry idea. I always felt that one of the reasons Des Lynam was a bit crap was because he was a bit too clever for it (or at least seemed it), and that one of the reasons Des O is so entertaining is his constant amazement at *everything* (including words that have come up time and time again which he still doesn't remember).

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:34 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:I'm not convinced by the Stephen Fry idea. I always felt that one of the reasons Des Lynam was a bit crap was because he was a bit too clever for it (or at least seemed it), and that one of the reasons Des O is so entertaining is his constant amazement at *everything* (including words that have come up time and time again which he still doesn't remember).

Lol yes I love when he does that. Like the other day when Rick Wakeman was on about writing a book called Larking about. And Carol said that should be Frank's book (Frank Larkin, the champion at that time) and Des cottoned on and nearly imploded with joy!

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:33 am

Well, I don't know about you guys, but for Damian...

I hereby apply for the job!

I can send you a cv if you like, i've been on tv before!

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:07 am

Interesting that Kate picked the Sun article over any other. I picked the daily mail which is similar.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... years.html

Mentions 4 possible candidates (not sure where their information comes from!) including our friend Stephen Fry.

mackenzie · Post by **mackenzie** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:55 am

I wouldn't mind seeing Gyles Brandreth host.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:43 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:Mentions 4 possible candidates (not sure where their information comes from!) including our friend Stephen Fry.

My order of preference is definitely the same as the order quoted in the article.

Clive Anderson, Stephen Fry, Jeremy Paxman and even Noel Edmonds are now being tipped as likely replacements by insiders.

I really wouldn't want Noel Edmonds; I can't stand his style in DOND. Jeremy Paxman probably a little too serious. Clive Anderson would, imo, be ideal.

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:42 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:Interesting that Kate picked the Sun article over any other. I picked the daily mail which is similar.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... years.html

Mentions 4 possible candidates (not sure where their information comes from!) including our friend Stephen Fry.

...It was the first newspaper to run the story. I think it says more about you that you read the Daily Mail.

GordonQ · Post by **GordonQ** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:39 am

Channel 4 will probably try an 'alternative' approach and get the Leeds based comic Leigh Francis to present the show in the guise of his hilarious Keith Lemon character. Or maybe share the presenting duties amongst celebrities (as they did with Have i Got News For You). All things considered Tom O'Connor would make a brilliant host. He's very witty and has a warm good natured manner which isn't overbearing. Perfect for Countdown.

My top 5:
1. Tom O'Connor
2. Terry Wogan
3. Gyles Brandreth
4. Stephen Fry
5. Leigh Francis

PS - If they ask Angela Rippon to host it then i'm never watching it again.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:11 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Interesting that Kate picked the Sun article over any other. I picked the daily mail which is similar.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... years.html

Mentions 4 possible candidates (not sure where their information comes from!) including our friend Stephen Fry.

The Article wrote:Can we please have someone who doesn't 'chew' all his words and has a larger vocabulary that "Okey doke" next time please?
I would probably start watching it again then.

- Lizzy, West London, 23/7/2008 18:17

Knew someone wouldn't be able to resist it.

Ross Allatt · Post by **Ross Allatt** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:17 pm

On a tangent, has anyone seen Des Lynam on Sport Mastermind? He looks like he's aged 10 years in 5 minutes and is a desperately unconvincing host - and I'll bet that's filmed in London, a lot less than 250 miles from home

Given that the show's surviving happily with a new host every two years or so, it doesn't seem to matter to me whether the Des' successor is old or young, just that they have a good relationship with all in the studio and can create a rapport with the audience at home. I'll bet the Countdown offices are being inundated with agents' calls and emails.

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:44 pm

I'll bet the Countdown offices are being inundated with agents' calls and emails.

....like you wouldn't believe!!!

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:46 pm

Lara Searle wrote:
Ross Allatt wrote:I'll bet the Countdown offices are being inundated with agents' calls and emails.

....like you wouldn't believe!!!

Get back to work then

RGoodMan · Post by **RGoodMan** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:50 pm

Firstly I think it's a real shame Des O'Connor is leaving Countdown - I was just getting used to his style and have found his recent shows to be rather entertaining.

As for the replacement, I agree with the previous comments about Clive Anderson, I think he would make a decent host and I was going to put his name forward but I was beaten to it! Stephen Fry, would be excellent in my opinion, but there is surely no way he could do both Countdown and the insanely popular QI, which I can't see him giving up for a while yet.

But Nigel Rees, Noel Edmonds and Gyles Brandreth? Good god no. Terry Wogan, hmm, I'd have to see him host it before I could make any judgments. But if Noel Edmonds gets his hands anywhere near that button I think Countdown is well and truly doomed.

Lara Searle · Post by **Lara Searle** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:52 pm

Not sure my comment warranted a "mad" face...

JasonCullen · Post by **JasonCullen** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:59 pm

I thought Vernon Kay would be a good replacement

. But lets face it, he would never go for this job. This show is too clever for Boltonians

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:15 pm

jasoncullen wrote:I thought Vernon Kay would be a good replacement . But lets face it, he would never go for this job. This show is too clever for Boltonians

He is quite funny on Family Fortunes.

Two more people I can think of that would make good hosts are Brian Blessed and Danny Wallace.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:17 pm

KateHorton wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:Interesting that Kate picked the Sun article over any other. I picked the daily mail which is similar.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... years.html

Mentions 4 possible candidates (not sure where their information comes from!) including our friend Stephen Fry.

...It was the first newspaper to run the story. I think it says more about you that you read the Daily Mail.

Haha touche. However, I don't read any newspapers (is that worse?). I just browsed a couple of newspaper titles online and searched for Countdown. Voila.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:17 pm

Are we not all forgetting the new Des rule? We've had Lynam and Des O, the only other famous Des I can think of is Tutu...

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:33 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:Are we not all forgetting the new Des rule? We've had Lynam and Des O, the only other famous Des I can think of is Tutu...

They could get Richard "Dirty" Desmond, proprietor of the Daily Star and numerous cable porn channels?

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:59 pm

Hang on, does this mean Des O's replacement will do the CoC? They should get Des Lynam back just for that so he can rekindle his romance with Richard Brittain - surely the greatest 21st Century words-and-numbers-based-gameshow love story never told.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:32 pm

So the newest proposals after an evening with pals:

Gary Lineker (although we don't think he's old enough)
Les Dennis (too bouncy)

which left us with

Guy Smiley

Right? Right??

Benji Hanks · Post by **Benji Hanks** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:36 pm

Well, i finished with a Desmond (2:2) in my degree, does that make me more qualified?

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:00 am

Please please please ....

Christopher Biggins

.... would be PERFECT!

Dan Vanniasingham · Post by **Dan Vanniasingham** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:46 am

Got to be Drew Carey - then every weekday can be "Carey Countdown"!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:21 am

I was surprised to hear this too, and I am very glad that I got my e-mail read by Des at the beginning of this series.

And Dan, this is what I think the US Price is Right's opening spiel would have been if things hadn't been official:

"And now, here is the star of The Price is Right, DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES O'CONNORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

Seriously, my pick to replace Des would be a man who has had his own gardening and daytime talk show in the UK as well as someone who I'll bet was made fun of a lot when he was younger, Alan Titchmarsh! Why? Because he knows when to perk it up and tone it down when he's hosting any type of TV show. Heck, he might even go crazy if he doesn't believe when a contestant solves a crucial conundrum! His fluctuation of letting different things flow when dealing with certain things is perfect! He also is going to hold his own on Countdown, just as the two Desses have when they replaced Richard.

I wasn't going to do this, but I am going to post a few of my song lyrics in honor of Des in this trying time. Here they are:

Oh, Des!
Des O'Connor, we love you so
Yes, we love Des
We love you so, we love you so
We love Countdown
We go to town

That was the middle verse of my song, "We Love Countdown," which Charlie Reams and Jon O'Neill will perform in the next podcast.

Sad news. Des, I wish you well in whatever you do, and good luck in the near future!

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:35 am

Jason Larsen wrote: I wasn't going to do this, but I am going to post a few of my song lyrics in honor of Des in this trying time. Here they are:

Oh, Des!
Des O'Connor, we love you so
Yes, we love Des
We love you so, we love you so
We love Countdown
We go to town

That was the middle verse of my song, "We Love Countdown," which Charlie Reams and Jon O'Neill will perform in the next podcast.

That's something i cannot wait to hear.

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:50 am

If only they could get either Richard Hammond, James May or Jeremy Clarkson to be the new host

.

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:01 am

MediaGuardian.co.uk this morning says that Rory Bremner has emerged as the favourite to take over, with other names in the frame including Aled Jones, Gyles Brandreth, and Michael Aspel. It also says there's a question mark over Carol's future, as Channel 4 is trying to cut costs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/ju ... television

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:09 am

Would it save on costs at all if you were to dispense with the half of the enormous clock that never gets used?

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:21 am

MediaGuardian wrote:Vorderman has been with the show since it started and turns over the letters on the programme, as well as seemingly effortlessly adding up the numbers at the conclusion of each round.

(bold is mine)

Has this person ever watched the show? It makes Carol sound like a glorified scoreboard

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:51 am

Michael Wallace wrote:
MediaGuardian wrote:Vorderman has been with the show since it started and turns over the letters on the programme, as well as seemingly effortlessly adding up the numbers at the conclusion of each round.
(bold is mine)

Has this person ever watched the show? It makes Carol sound like a glorified scoreboard

Haha yes I thought that! And they call themselves a decent newspaper!? You wouldn't get that in the Daily Mail

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:12 pm

Damian, my new Countdown song is to a tune you will absolutely recognize, (Hint: You probably heard this tune a lot when you took days off from work due to illness. When it ended at the beginning of a certain UK TV show, a certain UK legend would say, "Let's meet the stars of our show, whoever you are!")

Rory Bremner? I'll have to google his name and find out who he is! I don't recognize that name!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:17 pm

I just looked up Rory Bremner on Wikipedia, and I have to say, he would be a really good host!

Honestly, a lot of game show hosts today are comedians, so that doesn't surprise me that Rory is the frontrunner!

Come to think of it, figuratively he's the Drew Carey of Countdown!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:37 pm

Adam Porter wrote:Gyles Brandreth

I think he should be considered. He was good in DC and he jumpers were very colourful too

.

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:43 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Damian, my new Countdown song is to a tune you will absolutely recognize, (Hint: You probably heard this tune a lot when you took days off from work due to illness.

I've no idea what you're talking about. I've not been ill.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:22 pm

Damian, in 1995, Bruce Forsyth hosted a show called Bruce's _________ _________ _________. Does that help you?

Damian E · Post by **Damian E** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:37 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Damian, in 1995, Bruce Forsyth hosted a show called Bruce's _________ _________ _________. Does that help you?

I know about the show Jason, it was made in the very same studio as Countdown. It's the illness thing that's lost me.

Is the answer Bruce's Miracle Magic Syrup?

(and i wasnt meaning a medicine)

Jason Witcher · Post by **Jason Witcher** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:11 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I was surprised to hear this too, and I am very glad that I got my e-mail read by Des at the beginning of this series.
Seriously, my pick to replace Des would be a man who has had his own gardening and daytime talk show in the UK as well as someone who I'll bet was made fun of a lot when he was younger, Alan Titchmarsh! Why? Because he knows when to perk it up and tone it down when he's hosting any type of TV show. Heck, he might even go crazy if he doesn't believe when a contestant solves a crucial conundrum! His fluctuation of letting different things flow when dealing with certain things is perfect! He also is going to hold his own on Countdown, just as the two Desses have when they replaced Richard.

Beat me to it, I was going to suggest him as well - and he has the advantage of being from oop North so the commute might not be an issue (although I don't know if he still lives there).

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:18 pm

Just dropped on PA:

Presenter Carol Vorderman has decided to step down from television game show
Countdown, her manager said tonight.
end

251817 JUL 08

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:20 pm

Dropped on PA? Which public announcement was this?

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:23 pm

PA is the Press Association.

Adam Porter · Post by **Adam Porter** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:29 pm

Slightly more detail now:

CONUNDRUM FOR COUNTDOWN AS VORDERMAN QUITS
By Matt Williams, PA
Carol Vorderman is to step down from her role in the long-running Channel 4
gameshow Countdown, her manager said tonight.
The presenter, who has been with the programme for 26 years, was said to be
"extremely sad".
Her decision follows the announcement on Wednesday that Des O'Connor, the
76-year-old current host of Countdown, is also to quit the show.
mfl

251828 JUL 08