James Robinson wrote:So, it's now 2014, and like last year, our first bit of Countdown action to start the year is in it's mashed-up form, which I think it's fair to say aren't that popular to c4c
Blimey, things have changed since I was here last! I actually switched off around about halfway through the last series as the minutes per round just went up and up and up... I think the reason they've pulled in more viewers is the timeslot, they're pulling in more viewers than normal Cats. There's a market for Countdown, Channel 4 don't see it.
The first special was good, the second was baffling, and Series 1 was awful.
Watching this back on 4OD in hopeless optimism that things have got better.
Live, well, not live, blog:
(4OD time followed by comments)
06:47 No Countdown yet. It looks like Susie doesn't even want to be there.
08:07 At least Carr's introducing in the correct order. But I still feel Jon Richardson should actually go on real Countdown, I think he'd be OK. Hated Sean Lock's dig at the stereotypical Countdown viewer, not funny at all.
09:06 Susie REALLY doesn't want to be there, does she?
09:59 No, he's not doing it in the right order. He almost forgot Rachel Riley altogether. And Sean Lock isn't funny.
10:50 Rachel's just done the best joke of the night.
11:27 11 MINUTES. AND FINALLY SOME COUNTDOWN. But these letters selections are taking forever.
14:54 Good try for UNGLOSSED^ by Carr.
15:56 Sixteen minutes for one round? No ad breaks though.
17:12 The ringing Carol wasn't funny. 740 was easy, surprised Jon couldn't get there.
20:00 This is dragging. And the teaser wasn't brilliant.
21:30 Susie's not being distracted by Jimmy! Good on you!
22:18 Some of the direction here is awful, cutting away from the split-screen letters.
23:23 Comedy first, actually work it out later. 113 was harder than it looked.
26:20 I'm thinking of editing it down to the Countdown section only! TTT's good this time, although it was a plural.
27:07 Joe Wilkinson? Oh god no.
28:11 Rachel's face says it all. I don't think she enjoys Joe's company.
29:18 I wonder if Nick Hewer agreed to that. I suspect not. I still think Jimmy Carr - without the comedy - would be a good host. I like "Let's Countdown". I just wish I could write in to Channel 4.
30:33 It's MediaCityUK, there should be WiFi. Good genuine 'blooper' though, or is it genuine? I hope it is!
31:34 At least Jon's choosing letters sensibly!
32:14 I've just seen the clock go backwards rather than forwards to reset! Blimey!
34:30 The whole drink thing is not funny. And Sean is just not funny.
35:38 Joe Wilkinson is so unfunny. This is ridiculous.
36:55 Kevin is not funny when he's going "588. 100%. Definitely." Nor is Rhod Gilbert with the different numbers.
39:03 Joe's impression of Les Dennis is not funny. Nor does Rachel look impressed. Rachel is clearly trying to act here but she's awful. Quite right too, although CREOSOTE is a good Countdown word from Joe, in the Supreme Championship final, no less. I want Joe Wilkinson sacked. Now.
41:14 The "Y" joke wasn't funny when Carol did it, and it's not funny now. Nor was the "D" joke.
41:51 Jimmy's run out of distractions, we're back to 2012 here.
43:08 I wonder if he was doing a joke on "as in the crisps". Seemed as if it wasn't. Sean Lock still isn't funny.
45:00 That woman in green must have felt very embarrassed by Sean Lock. I'd sue his arse off, and he's now on the "I want him sacked" list.
46:24 It's a plural! That's not allowed!
Overall verdict: awful. Won't be watching the rest of the series.
