I thought Des did all right but he appeared a little wooden and serious to me at first all though I suppose it is probably because he has got such an act to follow. Were the titles any different as I missed them because the programme started early.
Des was a little quiet and doesn't have the boldness that Richard had but I think its down to nerves and Des did very well all things considered. I know he'll get more confident after a few shows.
Watching Deal or No Deal, looks like Noel took a trip to Debenhams for clothes before filming.
Were the titles any different as I missed them because the programme started early.
They were fairly similar to the last series, though didn't have the pictures of Carole and Richard in. Instead if I recall they had the numbers and letters squares coming out of the countdown clock.
Edit: Just watching Deal or No Deal, it seems to be an interesting format. Noel seems well suited to presenting the show.
Countdown wasn't doing it for me today. Des was trying too hard and did seem quite wooden. His ad-libs with Carol were much better though.
I'm sure he will relax and get into it a bit more but I felt quite awkward watching Des on today's Countdown.
Nice to see that the end credits were removed for a "In Memory of Richard Whiteley" graphic over the familiar music.
Deal no deal was quite good and I enjoyed it - the only bad thing I got to say about it is that Noel Edmond's pose reminded me of some of the presenters from Quiz TV - maybe Noel has been watching it for tips on how to drag things out?
Everything seemed to slot into place and fit the theme.
The 2 things I wasn't keen on though was the audience being too close to the contestants, but as the game went on I got used to it.
And the second thing was Noel's cheezyness on the phone to the banker (I wonder what they call him in between takes! ). It could have looked more like a telephone conversation.
The Countdown titles had the same clock and background from the previous set, but instead of the letters/numbers flying in to create images of Richard and Carol, we have them flying out of the centre of the clock. Didn't look that great to be honest!
It's also a shame the set hasn't been tweaked slightly - even if it was changing the colour of the strips (on the website they look more red than pink, which looks quite nice!).
Des had a difficult job to do and he wasn't outstanding on his first show, but I'm sure he'll get used to it. At the moment he's reading out the scores as he'd read out football results!
On to Deal or No Deal - great studio, and Noel was very good - but why the tweaks to the format. The original version has 26 boxes, opening 6 then 5, 4, 3, 2, and then individual boxes. We had 22 boxes, opening 5, then 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 and the players box.
The banker on the phone bit seems odd too - do the international versions do this? I think this bit would work better if Noel took it less seriously and the phonecalls were used for a bit of comedy flirting! Also, I'd have liked to seen more made of selecting the days contestant, rather than just random names on the screen.
Also, what happens if the player accepts the first deal? Is the show over and do C4 squeeze in another episode of Friends?
Anyhow, good show which looks promising.
Final point - I noticed the viewers phone-in comp just asked viewers to phone in without answering a question. I thought they weren't allowed to do this now as this is equivalent to a lottery. OFCOM states some skill should be involved - even if it's just answering a ridiculously easy question!
On to Deal or No Deal - great studio, and Noel was very good - but why the tweaks to the format. The original version has 26 boxes, opening 6 then 5, 4, 3, 2, and then individual boxes. We had 22 boxes, opening 5, then 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 and the players box.
Not a massive deal, this is the same format they've used to good effect on the continent.
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The banker on the phone bit seems odd too - do the international versions do this?
In said same French and Italian shows I believe so, yes.
Anyone notice that in the end credits, the banker was played by 'Himself'?
Certainly seemed like a good show to me. Will have to wait and see whether this becomes either the new WWTBAM, or the new Raise the Roof. Lynam also did well on Countdown, if seeming a little nervous sometimes. I'm sure he'll settle in soon, though.
). It could have looked more like a telephone conversation.