Jeff, Rachel, contestants checking

[Matt Morrison]

Hey guys.
Sorry, I haven't been on this forum for a couple of months (or so it seems). Not suggesting you've all missed me, I just mean apologies if I bring anything up that's already been discussed to death, I did check about a bit but didn't have time to read everything - my, you've been a busy lot. Happy New Year too.

contestants checking each other's matching answers
I feel it'd be less likely for a contestant (esp. a nervous one) to want to make a point out of noticing an error in their contestants maths or words... then got me wondering, I don't think I've EVER in all my time watching Countdown actually seen a contestant's answer being checked going wrong - has it ever happened? what was the situation?

Jeff
As I expected, great stuff.
On the first show he made a big point of saying he was honoured to be introducing the "Countdown Clock" for the first time - but I don't recall the clock ever being referred to as anything other than 'the clock' before?
Another terminology issue, noticed the first show's conundrum was 'critical' rather than 'crucial' like it would have been termed for the last x years - a deliberate attempt to extend the show's rebranding?
Football references - making me laugh but almost a bit cringeworthy as everytime he spouts one I'm imagining all the people who really aren't going to enjoy them.

Rachel
Clearly nervous but doing well enough, though whenever Jeff speaks to her I get the sense she's embarrassed as well, seems to be going visibly red with each comment as the camera cuts to another angle. Sure the on-screen confidence will come with time, she seems very nice.
The only issue I had with her style is that she tends to repeat aloud each stage of the contestant's maths working which spoils the flow of the solution somewhat. Carol used to interject a helluva lot less, perhaps just keeping track of intermediate subtotals rather than parrot-ing all workings.
Someone else pointed out elsewhere the numbers and letters boards seem to be too low, Rachel seems to have to stoop - can't agree more, makes for an oddly uncomfortable watch - I wonder, is it purely down to the set's design, or is there some big difference in height between her and Carol that wasn't taken into account for the redesign?

[Clare Sudbery]

Yes, the height thing seems weird. Unless her posture is just awkward cos of nerves, and the height thing is an illusion. If height, hope they can sort it soon for her, poor thing.

[Chris Corby]

Jeff does say 'critical' for the first few shows, then somebody obviously has a word because it gets changed to 'crucial' in later progs.

[Katherine Birkett]

To rectify the stooping thing, could the boards not be raised by 2 inches or so? How hard would this be?

[Chris Corby]

To rectify the stooping thing, could the boards not be raised by 2 inches or so? How hard would this be?

....or her heels could drop by 2 ins

[Clare Sudbery]

"could the boards not be raised by 2 inches or so? How hard would this be?"

well yes, exactly. which makes me wonder if it's not that at all. then again, might be surpsiginly easy to overlook details like that, i dunno - i've never made a game show! ;o)

[Ralph Gillions]

[quote="Matt Morrison"]Hey guys.

contestants checking each other's matching answers
I feel it'd be less likely for a contestant (esp. a nervous one) to want to make a point out of noticing an error in their contestants maths or words... then got me wondering, I don't think I've EVER in all my time watching Countdown actually seen a contestant's answer being checked going wrong - has it ever happened? what was the situation?

A number of contestants have been remarkably quick when checking their opponents answer.
So speedy that it makes me wonder if they actually read it.

[Jason Larsen]

Matt, the first thing you mentioned is new for Series 60.

[Matt Morrison]

Matt, the first thing you mentioned is new for Series 60.

I know, I was trying to spark debate on the psychology of it!

[Jason Larsen]

I'm neutral, to be honest with you.

[jeff wharton]

The bloke who lost yesterday (Wed) seemed to be struggling to read his own writing.
Which made me wonder how he could have possibly checked an opponents answer if their writing had been the very small variety.That has been commented on by the host on a number of occasions when checking a word or numbers answer.

[Jason Larsen]

I haven't seen yesterday's episode yet, but now I know Jeff Stelling has not yet had a male champion!

I wonder if I'll be able to say he reminds me of Andrew Hodges when I see Wednesday's episode!

[Ralph Gillions]

I noticed a contestant yesterday showed his answer papere to Jeff Stelling
without having to leave his seat. So it can be done on the new set.

[Kirk Bevins]

I noticed a contestant yesterday showed his answer papere to Jeff Stelling
without having to leave his seat. So it can be done on the new set.

No it can't. You are reminded to show each other now and he had forgotten. Jeff probably didn't check his word and just said "OK" as it was a game of trust. I believe it was in this game the gentleman said "and the same word" without showing his paper to anyone but nobody asked him to prove it which is again a trust thing I think.

[Ralph Gillions]

I noticed a contestant yesterday showed his answer papere to Jeff Stelling
without having to leave his seat. So it can be done on the new set.

No it can't. You are reminded to show each other now and he had forgotten. Jeff probably didn't check his word and just said "OK" as it was a game of trust. I believe it was in this game the gentleman said "and the same word" without showing his paper to anyone but nobody asked him to prove it which is again a trust thing I think.

Sorry Kirk. I should have said it can physically be done. I didn`t make it clear enough.
Thanks, though, for confirming that contestants are expected to liaise with each other.

[Kirk Bevins]

Sorry Kirk. I should have said it can physically be done. I didn`t make it clear enough.
Thanks, though, for confirming that contestants are expected to liaise with each other.

It really can't. I tried leaning over to Jeff to touch him as he is my new hero and I couldn't get near him. I then got escorted off the set.

[Ian Fitzpatrick]

Sorry Kirk. I should have said it can physically be done. I didn`t make it clear enough.
Thanks, though, for confirming that contestants are expected to liaise with each other.

It really can't. I tried leaning over to Jeff to touch him as he is my new hero and I couldn't get near him. I then got escorted off the set.

And you are still allowed on here?

[Kirk Bevins]

And you are still allowed on here?

No. But nobody has found me out yet.

[Julie T]

And you are still allowed on here?

No. But nobody has found me out yet.

Is it OK for me to form a 'Save Kirk Bevins' society? Or might I get banned?

[Gary Male]

I think Kirk should be banned until he goes into Curry's* and buys a cheap microphone.

*Other less shit electronics retailers are available

[Jason Larsen]

Could that be the same guy?