I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I'll give Nick time to settle in, obviously probably still nervous due to the fact he's never hosted a show on his own before. But credit where credit is due the man is very knowledgeable and definitely heard him say things that Jeff wouldn't have said in a million episodes.
Nice titles too, but the format still works and I'm sure Nick will settle down not before too long.
The thing I could understand about this episode is how he kept mentioning the 'champion'. This was the first episode of the new series following the final in December (Jeff's last show), therefore how is there a champion already?
Did any body listen to the things he was saying before starting the clock? It was as though he'd spotted a word, and in a tea time teaser style given a cryptic clue.
The thing I could understand about this episode is how he kept mentioning the 'champion'. This was the first episode of the new series following the final in December (Jeff's last show), therefore how is there a champion already?
He won the last show before the Quarter or Semi finals, I think.
The thing I could understand about this episode is how he kept mentioning the 'champion'. This was the first episode of the new series following the final in December (Jeff's last show), therefore how is there a champion already?
I think that would be the last winner from before the finals began. I'd guess that if that winner had happened to make it into the finals, they'd have started with two brand new contestants this series.
Those opening and closing shots do look very wide, though I can't remember if that's a new thing. I wonder if they've got a matte permanently keyed on the shot (one lit, one dark), as Meridian Tonight (probably to name but one) do/did, which would answer the question:
Quote:
shouldn't there be at least one camera in that seemingly massive gap?
He seemed a little stilted and stiff but he'll loosen up and settle in, this is his first TV presenting job after all. He is very well suited to the job, although his sense of humour is a lot dryer than the previous presenters.
The Richard Whitely reference at the beginning sounded a bit desperate though
Last edited by Inspector Sands on 10 January 2012 9:39am
The thing I could understand about this episode is how he kept mentioning the 'champion'. This was the first episode of the new series following the final in December (Jeff's last show), therefore how is there a champion already?
I think that would be the last winner from before the finals began. I'd guess that if that winner had happened to make it into the finals, they'd have started with two brand new contestants this series.
Those opening and closing shots do look very wide, though I can't remember if that's a new thing. I wonder if they've got a matte permanently keyed on the shot (one lit, one dark), as Meridian Tonight (probably to name but one) do/did, which would answer the question:
Quote:
shouldn't there be at least one camera in that seemingly massive gap?
David
That does make sense now. I don't remember any contestants carrying over after a final previously, but maybe that's my mind.
I think the opening & closing shots have been that wide since filming moved to Manchester. Didn't the credits in previous eras pan out from the clock, and then fade into the graphics?
On an almost but not entirely unrelated note, Margaret Mountford was on the 21.30 paper review slot on Sky News last night. I wonder if someone spotted Nick on countdown and thought 'Ooh, I know who we can have!'
Out of interest, I note the credits shot doesn't show the audience. Did it used to or is my mind playing tricks? Also shouldn't there be at least one camera in that seemingly massive gap?
The current credits shot has been the case, IIRC, since Jeff took over.
Also if I remember correctly, there did use to be a audience shot of some sort but this would be going back many years ago (possibly to the Purple strips era) where one could just briefly glimpse the audience either side of frame before cutting to the credit roller.
As to the camera setup for the credits - that appears far bigger now than it did last year. It can't be as big in reality as it looks - can it?
Not sure - these episodes though were filmed around the same time as the 8 out of 10 Cats recording, where Rachel noted the bigger audience, so perhaps they were filmed in a bigger studio than usual.
For the 8 out of 10 cats special there was extra audience seating on the studio floor with the front row almost touching the table that the number tiles go on they were so close, and in shot when letters were being chosen etc.