I can't believe it, but I'll have to

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:25 am

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to apologize for getting my hopes up too high when I originally began to talk about Countdown in its current state.

It turns out that James Robinson was right. Countdown's ratings are dropping.

Its future is now in limbo.

Source: About 1/4 of the way down on the page http://www.gameshownewsnet.com

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:33 am

I just called Lara Searle to express my sympathy.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:13 am

I can't believe it, but I'll have to

Is this a new brand of margarine?

Jason Larsen wrote:I just called Lara Searle to express my sympathy.

So did i.

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:01 am

How do the ratings compare to other programmes in that time slot? Quite favourably I would imagine.

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:17 am

Jason Larsen wrote:I just called Lara Searle to express my sympathy.

I bet that made her feel better.

Douglas Wilson · Post by **Douglas Wilson** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:17 pm

Why don't you finally do those recaps you've promised for ages Jason.

It will cheer Lara Searle up hugely.

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:57 pm

D Eadie wrote:
I can't believe it, but I'll have to
Is this a new brand of margarine?

It's a new type of forumite called James Robinson- 'I can't believe its not Jason Larsen, but I'll have to.'

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:10 pm

Reminds me of this

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:14 am

No, I am dead serious about all of this!

Now, everybody, please watch this thread.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:48 am

Here is a message from me.

http://www.box.net/shared/jrhg2tpnij

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:41 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Here is a message from me.

http://www.box.net/shared/jrhg2tpnij

THIS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:15 am

The "figures in its heyday" were taken when there really only 4 channels that people watched (and a handfull on early Sky).
Viewing figures on ALL channels are down compared with then due to many reasons including the massive choice of channel & the variety of ways to record or watch "non live" TV. Advertising income is also down to those reasons & also the current financial state of the world.
So there.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:59 pm

I admire the passion in your message Jason. Thank you.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:59 pm

Oliver Garner wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:Here is a message from me.

http://www.box.net/shared/jrhg2tpnij
THIS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful message, Jason. Thanks for that.

(I hate to be picky, as it was a lovely message, but Countdown has been going on Channel 4 for nearly 27 years now, not 23).

I think, though, that the website you mentioned probably got the info from the recent nasty Daily Mail article, which Damian has trashed in another thread.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2870

You shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet or in the papers.

I hope that we have nothing to worry about. Half a million viewers for a low production cost show isn't bad these days.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:23 pm

Thank you, Oliver, for your kind words! I appreciate your commplements too, Julie and Ralph!

Julie, the reason why I said 23 years is because back when Countdown celebrated its 25rh anniversary, Gordon Brown said that he hopes Countdown will be around for 25 + 25 years. 25 + 25 = 50 and in this case since Countdown is in its 27th year, 50 - 27 = 23. Now, I bet you all understand it!

Again, thank you, everyone!

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:33 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Julie, the reason why I said 23 years is because back when Countdown celebrated its 25rh anniversary, Gordon Brown said that he hopes Countdown will be around for 25 + 25 years. 25 + 25 = 50 and in this case since Countdown is in its 27th year, 50 - 27 = 23. Now, I bet you all understand it!

Ah, but Gordon Brown doesn't always have a good grasp on figures. What if he thought 25 + 25 was 96, or 107, or some other random number seemingly produced from his arse?

Phil Makepeace · Post by **Phil Makepeace** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:51 pm

The University of London has blocked the link to Jason's novella. Is it particularly graphic, or does THE MAN just hate outpourings of emotion towards a TV show? I bet Jason's published the 'I love Lara Searle' tattoo across his tits though.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:27 pm

I just sent Lara and Kate a bear hug e-card with a butterfly stamp wishing them luck in this struggling economy and telling them how wonderful they are!

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:28 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I just sent Lara and Kate a bear hug e-card

Bears don't hug - they kill.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:35 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Bears don't hug - they kill.

Sarah Palin's war-cry, no?

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:56 pm

Just as Matthew Green has lost his avatar, Julie has gained an avatar.

I can't believe it, but I'll have to.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:15 pm

And Lara Searle has responded to my e-card and said that it was sweet of me to send her one but not to worry about her. She's a sweet person herself!

I can believe that, and I didn't have to!

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:16 pm

Now that Jason's favourite hospital-based-drama-starring-a-dond-host has replaced Countdown in the mornings, does that mean that the team have all received a wage cut due to repeat fees? Coming at a time when BBC cuts are also high on the agenda, maybe this is another reason for us to get our sympathy cards out.

I believe it, but I don't know if I should do.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:06 pm

Derek, there is no such thing as repeat fees.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:11 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Derek, there is no such thing as repeat fees.

Oh okay, thanks for letting me know, Jason. Is it only actors who get those then? Will Howie Mandel be getting them through St. Elsewhere being on here, or how does it work?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:40 pm

Derek Hazell wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:Derek, there is no such thing as repeat fees.
Oh okay, thanks for letting me know, Jason. Is it only actors who get those then? Will Howie Mandel be getting them through St. Elsewhere being on here, or how does it work?

Depends entirely on the terms of the contract the artist has with the programme maker. For actors, it tends to be on a reducing scale over time, so that early repeats and overseas sales earn a reasonable proportion of the initial fee while showings many years later earn the actors very little or even nothing. St Elsewhere (of blessed memory) is over 20 years old now, so I suspect a repeated episode on C4 in the wee hours only earns Howie Mandel, Denzel Washington and the rest a few dollars if that.

AndyB2007 · Post by **AndyB2007** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:05 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Derek Hazell wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:Derek, there is no such thing as repeat fees.
Oh okay, thanks for letting me know, Jason. Is it only actors who get those then? Will Howie Mandel be getting them through St. Elsewhere being on here, or how does it work?
Depends entirely on the terms of the contract the artist has with the programme maker. For actors, it tends to be on a reducing scale over time, so that early repeats and overseas sales earn a reasonable proportion of the initial fee while showings many years later earn the actors very little or even nothing. St Elsewhere (of blessed memory) is over 20 years old now, so I suspect a repeated episode on C4 in the wee hours only earns Howie Mandel, Denzel Washington and the rest a few dollars if that.

It's worth noting that St Elsewhere was made by MTM Productions, which was later bought by News Corporation's 20th Century Fox arm (previously MTM was owned by TVS before they lost their ITV franchise back in 1991,then it was sold to International Family Entertainment, and IFE in turn was bought by Fox),and of course 20th Century Fox just happens to produce The Simpsons, also shown by C4.

I wonder how much it costs for C4 to show St Elsewhere, or did they get it as part of The Simpsons deal? The BBC must get a good deal with NBC Universal for Murder She Wrote and CBS Television Distribution for Diagnosis Murder, considering the amount of times they show it.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:11 am

That's right, they have to get the rights to American TV!

AndyB2007 · Post by **AndyB2007** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:19 pm

Julie T wrote:
Oliver Garner wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:Here is a message from me.

http://www.box.net/shared/jrhg2tpnij
THIS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful message, Jason. Thanks for that.

(I hate to be picky, as it was a lovely message, but Countdown has been going on Channel 4 for nearly 27 years now, not 23).

I think, though, that the website you mentioned probably got the info from the recent nasty Daily Mail article, which Damian has trashed in another thread.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2870

You shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet or in the papers.

I hope that we have nothing to worry about. Half a million viewers for a low production cost show isn't bad these days.

Have to agree Julie T. The comments towards Jeff and Rachel are a bit venomous.

To those DM readers criticising Jeff and Rachel on Countdown, they cannot be any worse than what has happened to BBC Newcastle's breakfast show since Mike Parr (their answer to Richard Whiteley) left. In his place we have a stand-up comedian with no journalistic experience unlike his female co-anchor. And yet those DM readers moan at Jeff Stelling, someone who at least has worked from the bottom.

I don't mind Jeff and Rachel on Countdown at all, and hope they continue.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:11 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Bears don't hug - they kill.

I did an internet search for 'Bears' and found a variety of short films. None of them featured killing but most of them did a lot more than just hug I can tell you....

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:32 pm

Chris Corby wrote: I did an internet search for 'Bears' and found a variety of short films. None of them featured killing but most of them did a lot more than just hug I can tell you....

Doubt you'd find many videos on youtube of people dying from bears to be fair but they do kill and you see videos of people mauled and then the aftermath in hospital.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:35 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:Doubt you'd find many videos on youtube of people dying from bears to be fair but they do kill and you see videos of people mauled and then the aftermath in hospital.

Apart from Kirk Bear-vins.
(Sorry, it's what Sue Sanders would have wanted.)

Brian Moore · Post by **Brian Moore** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:59 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Chris Corby wrote: I did an internet search for 'Bears' and found a variety of short films. None of them featured killing but most of them did a lot more than just hug I can tell you....
Doubt you'd find many videos on youtube of people dying from bears to be fair but they do kill and you see videos of people mauled and then the aftermath in hospital.

I didn't write Watership Down.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:07 pm

Brian Moore wrote:I didn't write Watership Down.

Doh! That's because you were too busy writing The Statement and The Colour of Blood. I'd have to say though, you're in remarkable health

Brian Moore · Post by **Brian Moore** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:11 pm

Lesley Hines wrote:
Brian Moore wrote:I didn't write Watership Down.
Doh! That's because you were too busy writing The Statement and The Colour of Blood. I'd have to say though, you're in remarkable health

Writing stuff keeps me occupied when I'm not being a retired rugby player or a dead football commentator.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:44 pm

This is all over, everybody. Ok?

It's all over?

AndyB2007 · Post by **AndyB2007** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:28 pm

Bumping this, but I see there's another change from Monday morning- the US teen drama One Tree Hill (starring Chad Michael Murray of Freaky Friday and Dawson's Creek fame,as well as Sophia Bush who was in the Hitcher remake with Sean Bean)will air in Countdown's old slot at 5.10am, with St Elsewhere back to it's 4.20am berth.

It makes you yearn for Jeff and Rachel back in that slot.

Alec Rivers · Post by **Alec Rivers** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:55 pm

AndyB2007 wrote:It makes you yearn for Jeff and Rachel back in that slot.

Crikey! "Jeff", "Rachel" and "slot" in the same sentence and no innuendo. That's a first.

AndyB2007 · Post by **AndyB2007** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:57 pm

Alec Rivers wrote:
AndyB2007 wrote:It makes you yearn for Jeff and Rachel back in that slot.
Crikey! "Jeff", "Rachel" and "slot" in the same sentence and no innuendo. That's a first.

Thank you. But really if that's what C4 can muster up at 5.20am, then Countdown might as well return.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:32 pm

AndyB2007 wrote:
Alec Rivers wrote:
AndyB2007 wrote:It makes you yearn for Jeff and Rachel back in that slot.
Crikey! "Jeff", "Rachel" and "slot" in the same sentence and no innuendo. That's a first.
Thank you. But really if that's what C4 can muster up at 5.20am, then Countdown might as well return.

Interesting news that I found out earlier this week, but have kept on forgetting to mention to our-early morning forumites.

Since Thursday, Channel 4 seemed to have bowed down to pressure and re-instated Countdown to its early-morning repeat slot. 5am I believe is the default time, so all you early risers don't have to miss out again.

Although with 4OD & Sky+ and all that you shouldn't really anyway.

Sally Taylor · Post by **Sally Taylor** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:50 am

The early morning repeats are useful when my sky plus fails (which it often does) or if you don't have a PC to watch 4OD (which I didn't at the time).

I missed 4 or 5 episodes towards the end of 2009, so glad they have re-instated the early morning shows.