COUNTDOWN SPECIALS *PLEASE READ*

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:12 pm

We're looking into the possibility of making some special stand-alone 30-min editions of Countdown in a few weeks time, possibly June 17th - the idea being these are aired at a later time of day during the back end of August.

Toying with the possibility of Goat Conundrums, putting different numbers on the 4 Large cards, and generally spicing up the gameplay a little, just for a week, just for 5 shows. Maybe even a numbers game special whereby some of you whizzkids take on Rachel etc. Am sure you get the drift.

Anyway, not really possible to do any of this without contestants, so if anyone is interested in theory, then please add your name to this thread or email me at damian.eadie@granadamedia.com

Only 5 shows, so no need for the purists to start worrying about the normal 45-min edition. Bear in mind that 5 shows equals 10 contestants, and not everyone will come from this forum, so don't feel maligned or upset if you're not asked.

Cheers
Damian

Rob Thomas · Post by **Rob Thomas** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:19 pm

For people who have not been on before right? Or open to all?

Cheers,

Rob.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:19 pm

Sounds great. Unfortunately, I have My FP4 exams on the morning of June the 17th, so theres not much point in me putting my name forward.

Would there be tickets available as usual for these shows?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:25 pm

OH GOD ME ME ME ME PLEASE

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:33 pm

YES YES YES !!!!! (please)

I'd love a crack at a numbers challenge against Rachel, or a 'decider' against Reams, or anything. Anything. In fact, I'd be up for anything at all.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:34 pm

Junaid Mubeen wrote:YES YES YES !!!!! (please)

I'd love a crack at a numbers challenge against Rachel, or a 'decider' against Reams, or anything. Anything. In fact, I'd be up for anything at all.

Anything?

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:38 pm

Rob Thomas wrote:For people who have not been on before right? Or open to all?

I would presume if anything it'd be exclusively for people who'd been on before and are moderately established (but I would also presume Damian will come along and clear it up soon enough).

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:39 pm

It would amuse me to see a game where Jeff plays Rachel. Perhaps with a favourite DC guest taking up Jeffs usual role, and I previous numbers wizard playing Rachels role.

Ian Fitzpatrick · Post by **Ian Fitzpatrick** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:41 pm

D Eadie wrote:................ not everyone will come from this forum, so don't feel maligned or upset if you're not asked.

Cheers
Damian

It would be good to SEE the likes of Charlie, Corby, DoDdie and Junaid doing battle again.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:42 pm

I'd be keen, if only so the British public can see how much prettier I am without facial hair. Any kind of rematch from my earlier appearances would be quite amusing, since all 3 of my biggest scalps (Kai, Junaid, Corby) would probably mince me now.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:42 pm

I'd like to see a Beevers v Hansford rematch.

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:43 pm

Me, preferably against Callum or Conor.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:45 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
Junaid Mubeen wrote:In fact, I'd be up for anything at all.
Anything?

Damian did say that these specials would be aired later in the day, which could mean post-watershed...

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:48 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:Damian did say that these specials would be aired later in the day, which could mean post-watershed...

Your mind, gutter, etc.

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:52 pm

I would be interested even though I haven't appeared on the show yet.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:56 pm

No hard and fast rules re previous appearances, but i do think it's prob likely that debutants wouldn't feature much, it's not an ideal situation for making your first ever Countdown appearance.

Impossible to call any shots though until we know what possibilities we've got to play with.

Again, this is only a 'sounding out' exercise, not saying for definite it'll happen on June 17 or at all - and not post-watershed either, it'll be good clean wholesome stuff.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:00 pm

I nominate Kai Laddiman, he is now amazing and will impress everybody.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:04 pm

Jon Corby wrote:I'd like to see a Beevers v Hansford rematch.

How about just jeffrey on his own, or maybe even a recap of when he was on before showing his best bits. I would literally die with laughter.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:05 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:I nominate Kai Laddiman, he is now amazing and will impress everybody.

That'll be good for him, because everybody thought he was really shit last time and nobody was remotely impressed.

Phil Collinge · Post by **Phil Collinge** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:09 pm

JackHurst wrote:It would amuse me to see a game where Jeff plays Rachel. Perhaps with a favourite DC guest taking up Jeffs usual role, and I previous numbers wizard playing Rachels role.

That would be awesome, although if they were in separate shows (Jeff playing a standard game, Rachel a numbers attack) that would be as good.

Maybe Jeff v Jo Brand / Stephen Fry, Rachel v Junaid.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:13 pm

Another Cool idea:

Jeff team Vs Rachels team. Essentially, there would be a bunch of former contestants and DC guests, and Jeff and Rachel pick teams "kick about style", and then these teams play each other, with players form each team being alternated between rounds.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:16 pm

JackHurst wrote:How about just jeffrey on his own, or maybe even a recap of when he was on before showing his best bits. I would literally die with laughter.

Why would you suggest something that would kill you?

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:22 pm

This sounds like great fun. I'll put my name forward on the off-chance that I might get picked.

Andrew Hulme · Post by **Andrew Hulme** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:23 pm

Would be interested... though obviously not as much of a CD legend as some of the others mentioned above.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:28 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
JackHurst wrote:How about just jeffrey on his own, or maybe even a recap of when he was on before showing his best bits. I would literally die with laughter.
Why would you suggest something that would kill you?

Because i'd be incredibly happy to die under that circumstance.

Andrew Hulme · Post by **Andrew Hulme** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:30 pm

Junaid Mubeen wrote:YES YES YES !!!!! (please)

I'd love a crack at a numbers challenge against Rachel, or a 'decider' against Reams, or anything. Anything. In fact, I'd be up for anything at all.

This would be good. Particularly with a stipulation where you get her job if you win.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:57 pm

With the amount of people interested in playing, how about either having a poll or some sort of tournament on apterous to win the right to play

Presumably Damien would have to agree to it

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:58 pm

marc meakin wrote:With the amount of people interested in playing, how about either having a poll or some sort of tournament on apterous to win the right to play

Presumably Damien would have to agree to it

No, it would be binding whether Damian liked it or not. We control everything.

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:14 pm

D Eadie wrote:We're looking into the possibility of making some special stand-alone 30-min editions of Countdown in a few weeks time, possibly June 17th - the idea being these are aired at a later time of day during the back end of August.

Damian, I know you said it will possibly be on June 17th, but if it was how would that work with the shows already set to be filmed on that day? Like mine, for example.

Thomas Wood · Post by **Thomas Wood** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:17 pm

I'd like to see Jeff vs Rachel like what they did in the 1997 xmas special where it was Richard vs Carol.

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:19 pm

marc meakin wrote:With the amount of people interested in playing, how about either having a poll or some sort of tournament on apterous to win the right to play

Presumably Damien would have to agree to it

Well there's no guarantee that Damian only wants the best players. Viewers may enjoy a Goatdown match more if they are not being beaten by uber-obscure words every round (which would clearly be much more likely to happen in goatdown than normal countdown). Or if he wants to do a grudge match, say between Charlie and Junaid, it would be a bit silly to have people competing for the right to appear in that.

Also, if the best players are the ones playing, that reduces the already minuscule chance that I'll get on.

Is it just contestant spots up for grabs, or can we appear in any capacity? I'd like a crack at Jeff's job...

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:38 pm

Neil Zussman wrote:
marc meakin wrote:With the amount of people interested in playing, how about either having a poll or some sort of tournament on apterous to win the right to play

Presumably Damien would have to agree to it
Well there's no guarantee that Damien only wants the best players. Viewers may enjoy a Goatdown match more if they are not being beaten by uber-obscure words every round (which would clearly be much more likely to happen in goatdown than normal countdown). Or if he wants to do a grudge match, say between Charlie and Junaid, it would be a bit silly to have people competing for the right to appear in that.
Also, if the best players are the ones playing, that reduces the already minuscule chance that I'll get on.

Is it just contestant spots up for grabs, or can we appear in any capacity? I'd like a crack at Jeff's job...

Impressive that you both managed to spell Damian's name wrongly in a thread started by him

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:45 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Neil Zussman wrote:
marc meakin wrote:With the amount of people interested in playing, how about either having a poll or some sort of tournament on apterous to win the right to play

Presumably Damien would have to agree to it
Well there's no guarantee that Damian only wants the best players. Viewers may enjoy a Goatdown match more if they are not being beaten by uber-obscure words every round (which would clearly be much more likely to happen in goatdown than normal countdown). Or if he wants to do a grudge match, say between Charlie and Junaid, it would be a bit silly to have people competing for the right to appear in that.
Also, if the best players are the ones playing, that reduces the already minuscule chance that I'll get on.

Is it just contestant spots up for grabs, or can we appear in any capacity? I'd like a crack at Jeff's job...
Impressive that you both managed to spell Damian's name wrongly in a thread started by him

Shush. No-one saw nuffing.

In my defence, I used the piece I quoted as a reference. Besides, now you see why I don't want the best spellers to get the coveted places, so in effect, it just backs up my point. It was deliberate.

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:55 pm

Jeff vs. Rachel would be nice, but then there'd be the hassle of getting replacements in for a one-off game, so I doubt it'd be on the cards.

Laddiman, Kai vs. Laddiman, Callum surely has to be the perfect match for this sort of format and would certainly get my vote. If there was a vote. Which there isn't.

Another good game would be Joe Bolas vs. Amey Deshpande - TO THE DEATH! - but there may be some problems with that one.

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:59 pm

I think it would be cool to have a completely Apterous game. For example, Junaid on the numbers board, Chris and Kirk in Dictionary Corner, Charlie as presenter, and then two contestants - Kai v Callum?

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:08 pm

Would love to! And I'm sure my girlfriend (Lorraine Murtagh, fellow Apterite) would love to too

Edit: There's an idea: couple v couple, with some aggregate scoring system.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:10 pm

My hat = in the ring.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:32 pm

Neil Zussman wrote:Also, if the best players are the ones playing, that reduces the already minuscule chance that I'll get on.

Aww is that the Series 60 Champion talking?

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:45 pm

JimBentley wrote: Another good game would be Joe Bolas vs. Amey Deshpande - TO THE DEATH! - but there may be some problems with that one.

Could you please explain why this game would be so good? I think these contestants go back to before i was a real fan.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:54 pm

Damian, you are E for excellent! High marks to you!

We gave you good ideas, didn't we?

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:15 pm

Neil Zussman wrote:This sounds like great fun. I'll put my name forward on the off-chance that I might get picked.

Same here. I'd LOVE to do it!

This is so amazingly exciting! CONOR! Definitely. I'd love to see him go back on, being the greatest/most famous in recent times and being even better now than when he went on. Kai would be so fantastic and impressive as well. Also: DoD, Paul Howe, Charlie, Kirk, Junaid, Corby... there's just so many. Wow! Will be so great!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:40 pm

Could this be a coincidence?

Clive Brooker · Post by **Clive Brooker** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:56 pm

Numbers challenge: Rachel vs David Williams would get my vote if I had one.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:34 pm

Awesome, I'm definitely interested if there's even a slim chance of getting my ugly mug on screen again.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:07 am

I knew Jimmy Gough would show interest in that because he is the most recent Octochamp.

Dan Vanniasingham · Post by **Dan Vanniasingham** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:07 am

I may as well volunteer myself for whatever may be in store. I'd be exceptionally keen on spectating on this regardless though as it sounds juicy! Chances are I'll miss out entirely due to being in Thailand from 14th-29th June, but if another date which I can make comes up then there's up to 4 Micra spots from London available.

I'd like to begin the clamour for Tony Warren to be a guest host too btw.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:11 am

Dan, I'd like to see you then because I think you would be very entertaining to see!

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:24 am

Dan Vanniasingham wrote:I'd like to begin the clamour for Tony Warren to be a guest host too btw.

With Carol* doing the numbers?

* (not that Carol, Tony's Carol)

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:29 am

Or how about some young kids playing Junior Countdown?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:09 am

Dan Vanniasingham wrote:I'd like to begin the clamour for Tony Warren to be a guest host too btw.

Thought for a moment you were referring to Tony Warren MBE, a man whose fortunes are inextricably linked with those of the Granada studios. Come to think of it, he'd be a great DC guest.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:13 am

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Dan Vanniasingham wrote:I'd like to begin the clamour for Tony Warren to be a guest host too btw.
Thought for a moment you were referring to Tony Warren MBE, a man whose fortunes are inextricably linked with those of the Granada studios. Come to think of it, he'd be a great DC guest.

I concur! I would also like to see the creator of Coronation Street in DC, and I don't even watch the show!

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:44 am

Put me down Damo, 100%.

What about me and Dino playing hypernumbers?

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=42167

Dan Vanniasingham · Post by **Dan Vanniasingham** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:08 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Dan, I'd like to see you then because I think you would be very entertaining to see!

I think my life is now complete. Thank you, Jason!

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:15 pm

Excellent news. Can't remember when the last specials were on.

Matthew Green wrote:Put me down Damo, 100%.

What about me and Dino playing hypernumbers?

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=42167

Agreed! I'll also toss my hat into the ring as grandmas seem to love me. I'm also liking the idea of grudge matches and the return of Kai.

Stewart Holden · Post by **Stewart Holden** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:23 pm

I'll take part if I'm asked. I'm particularly keen on the 'goatdown' idea of having a 'blank' and/or nominated letter or any kind of letters variants like that. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:23 pm

Matthew Green wrote:Put me down Damo, 100%.

What about me and Dino playing hypernumbers?

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=42167

Ahem.

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:55 pm

I'll throw my hat into the ring please

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:47 pm

Rich Priest wrote:I'll throw my hat into the ring please

hope its a big ring as it has lots of hats in it already

As there can only be a maximum of 10 contestants, what about having most of the audience made up of former octochamps and Apterites

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:57 pm

Real-life versions of the Apterous bots as a speedgoat between Howe and Prime would make great telly.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:00 pm

marc meakin wrote:hope its a big ring as it has lots of hats in it already

As there can only be a maximum of 10 contestants, what about having most of the audience made up of former octochamps and Apterites

Who is the most senior person who bothers to post in here regularly (in terms of longest time ago on the show not age)? Is it Ben Wilson? I think he should be appointed decision-maker, so the final 10 is down to him as a reward for his commitment to the show and all that surrounds it.