Channel 4

Endemol bought it in 2010 but there's no reference to it on their website anymore.

How does Hollyoaks rate these days? I'd love to see that slot opened up for more experimental programming where new talent can be nurtured.

Better than more experimental programming where new talent could be nurtured would.

The Jonathan Ross Show is a co-production between Hot Sauce and ITV Studios, though.



But Hollyoaks is a hugely important show for nurturing new talent - it provides a training ground for people in front of and behind the camera, giving many people their first breaks in writing, directing and acting on a proper TV show. Many of them then go on to do their own shows. In additon that slot is a time when other channels are showing news so it's serving a younger audience not catered for elsewhere. You can slag off C4 for being mainstream elsewhere, but it's valid here.

8 out of 10 Cats is moving to More4 with Rob Beckett and Aisling Bea as new captains, and Jimmy remains as host, whilst 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown remains on C4 with Sean Lock and Jon Richardson remaining as captains, with another 18 episodes commissioned.

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/8-out-of-10-cats-formats-extend-across-channel-4-family


Surprising they're moving Cats to More4 rather than E4, though I guess it probably appeals older. I personally went off the format years ago - mainly because there is little format. I think that is why Cats does Countdown works well - the comedy is still there but behind it all there is actually a clear game. I do think though C4 have (as usual) milked it a bit too much and it's now a case of them constantly churning out episodes rather than it being an occassional treat a few weeks a year.

I love Cats does Countdown but never really got into the regular 8 out of 10 cats. I think the fact the way that they are messing around with a format that I grew up watching - but in a reasonably respectful way - is a big part of its appeal. You just know that Nick Hewer wouldn't approve.

Plus you have the effect Celebrity Juice has, with Rachel and Susie in late night mode.

I do find myself, on the odd occasion I watch a bit of Countdown, looking at Rachel and Susie and can almost hear them thinking, "I wish Jimmy was here so we could have a laugh".

Having watched both Countdown and Catsdown being filmed, I can certainly agree with your view. They film Countdown to a tight schedule and is pretty much wrapped up within 45 minutes or so. Catsdown on the other hand was about two and a half hours filming, the vast majority of it at the beginning gets cut out of transmission, the game wasn't that long.

I'm with Brekkie here too, I don't mind it being on a few times a year, but it's getting milked at the moment, I haven't seen this series since it was moved to Saturday.

That's not unusual, game/quiz shows are bulk TV and Catsdown is a completely different programme in reality.

The like of Countdown is a formula, specifically designed so that in most cases, it can be recorded in one take. This is a setup pioneered by American game producers, who used to produce up to ten shows in a single session -- post-production was kept to a minimum, hence the revolving sets, everything being present in the studio at all times etc and hardly anything being scripted.

I'm assuming Catsdown has a completely different production team as well.

It seems like the kind of show that is likely to do well from on demand, is scheduling that important these days?

Probably not. It's filmed on the same set, so logically some of the same staff would be involved. It won't just be Rachel and Susie involved in both. Someone should check the credits.