Countdown : Jeff and Rachel take over

Yeah - it's an improvement on what they had before, but it is really, oppressively blue. They need some highlight colours in there to break it up (not painting the front of the letters and numbers boards blue, f'rinstance - although they should probably have tiled the back of the numbers board to match the background for that bit), and lightening the set a few shades so that it's not all the same shade would probably make things that bit better.

[In that context, Rachel wearing a dark blue dress and Jeff wearing a bluish-purple tie doesn't help]


It's cut-out - they take the LED number and the cards and paste an overlaid blue border around them.

I thought Jeff and Rachel did okay today. The show looks like it's in good hands.

Any one get the copy of the NEW tiles?

Yes, I though Jeff an Rachel done quite well. Although I think now will be the real test for countdown, it has to settle down now. I believe and hope it will with Jeff and Rachel, if not then channel 4 may just decide to pull the plug on it

Replace it with what? this show is Cheap to make, wage bill is also cheaper, there now prizes, only at the end expect a gift bag.

for anyone interested http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7824167.stm

It seem to have the second half all about 15 - 1

It was quite good for a first show: Jeff is actually funny and Rachel was, although a little nervous, very good. I also like the new set more than I expected to.

Jeff was very good, and though Rachel was obviously nervous, given time she should settle in well. I've not really seen the show for ages but Susie Dent seemed to have such an increased role it didn't really seem worth having a dictionary corner guest.

The only change which seems weird was the contestants checking each others answers.

The show seems quite fresh, both in the set, production and presenters. It also feels a bit more 'friendly' than before.
Was also quite funny to see the '503' target come up, and the shots of the contestants chatting during the countdown!

I agree, Jeff's humour was quite good and although it's early days, I think he's the right man for the job. Rachel was also good, but she's also very, very....erm, gorgeous - admittedly, I was paying too much attention to her looks rather than her performance.

Andrew Sachs was very dull as a guest. He only spoke at the start and before the first break of course, but didn't seem to participate when dictionary corner were asked for any better words.

I didnt say that would replace it, just saying if Jeff thought after about 3 months into recording he had enough then I don't know if Channel 4 would be bothered about trying to find yet another replacement to host the show. Although it would be highly unlikely after the revealing of a new set

With regards to what to place it with theres plenty of episodes of a Place in the sun they could fill the gap or even Come Dine With Me which was rolling out when Countdown had it's break

I like the fact they've kept the bloke who can do a laugh louder than everyone else in the audience