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Des Lynam Quits Countdown

(September 2006)

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:-(
A former member
Planet Rock radio news has just said it's been confirmed Des has quit.
AM
amosc100
A:R:I:S:E posted:
There are a few names I'd like to see considered, they are:

Paul Coia- He did the continuity announcement into the first ever "Countdown" so there's a heritage link there. He was also very good on the BBC quiz "Catchword". I said it last year, and I'll say it again, he'd be my first choice for the job.

Elton Welsby- Another former sports broadcaster, who did a good job on "Busman's Holiday".

Terry Wogan- He'd be a competent choice, but I doubt his schedule would allow it.

Bill Buckley- Another who I think would prove very competent.

Geoff Druett- A familiar face at YTV who could certainly hold his own on Countdown.


Now here is a name that mant may not recognise straight off. An ex-local radio dj (Piccadilly 261/1152/103 , Piccadilly Key103) and ex producer/presenter of quite a few travel-logues of Discovery and old TLC channels....

Plus he is the son of the late great Bill Grundy....

TIM GRUNDY
:-(
A former member
> Gyles!!

Oh god no, not that stupid Tory prat. It's bad enough that he does the dictionary corner.

How ironic it would be if they end up canning the show, given Des Lynam's protestations about not wanting to cause job losses.

Channel Four will be sorry if they cancel Countdown due, ultimately, to pushing it into a graveyard slot to accomodate DOND which has a limited lifespan compared with Countdown.
BA
bilky asko
Jenny posted:
bilky asko posted:
Jenny posted:
Oh no. He did a quiz show for ITV last year called "Watching The Detectives" and he was a truly awful quizmaster.

Last time I remembered, Countdown isn't a quiz. He doesn't really have to do much.


No, but it does involve talking to contestants, something Nicholas Owen is very poor at. This is what I wrote about his turn on "Watching the Detectives":

Jenny, last year, posted:
His manner is that of a rather staid and condescending BBC children's presenter of the 1950s, and he has no rapport with the contestants - indeed, were host and contestants not occasionally shown in the same shot, you'd think he was recording his bits separately.


And while admittedly Des did take a while to settle in, I still don't think Nicholas Owen has the capacity to work well with members of the public.


Although he is very boring at least if they got him he wouldn't be as annoying as a quiz show.

My suggestions are
[*] Jo Brand
[*] Peter Sissons
or
[*] That guy... oh yes, Tom O'Connor
BR
Brekkie
bilky asko posted:
My suggestions are
[*] Jo Brand
[*] Peter Sissons
or
[*] That guy... oh yes, Tom O'Connor



No to the first - no to the second, but how about Michael Buerk - and Tom O'Conner - out of the Countdown regulars he'd be one I wouldn't mind seeing.
BA
bilky asko
Michael Buerk is a total twit. I hate him. He wouldn't really be any good.
:-(
A former member
jason posted:
Channel Four will be sorry if they cancel Countdown due, ultimately, to pushing it into a graveyard slot to accomodate DOND which has a limited lifespan compared with Countdown.


it been at 3.30pm for the past couple of years, and it still has a hugh following...
:-(
A former member
623058 posted:
jason posted:
Channel Four will be sorry if they cancel Countdown due, ultimately, to pushing it into a graveyard slot to accomodate DOND which has a limited lifespan compared with Countdown.


it been at 3.30pm for the past couple of years, and it still has a hugh following...


It moved to 3:30 at the start of the now short lived Lynam era last October. Before that it was at 3:15 for about 2 years, having moved back an hour from 4:15.

If Countdown continues, Channel 4 could return it to the 4:15 slot if the put DOND on at 5pm and strecth it out for an hour - if they axed R&J and TPOGS, which I've never watched. I know, stupid idea. Rolling Eyes
HU
huddy
harshy posted:
Didn't he want Countdown relocated to London, he could have single handily closed down Leeds Studios!


Hmmm..... you seem to have forgotten:

Emmerdale;
My Parents are Aliens;
Bullseye;
The Chase;
Heartbeat;
The Royal;
Where the Heart is;
Wire in the Blood etc. etc.

A lot of people forget how much is made in Leeds, just because it doesn't appear on ITV1 or is badged 'Granada' (yuk!) ot 'ITV Productions' doesn't mean the studios are quiet. Don't forget, a thirteen week run of programmes can keep a studio busy for about 40 weeks.

ITV has recently spent a lot of money at YTV, and don't forget that the Northern Film Lab is based there. The YTV complex is actually 4 buildings - TV Centre, News Centre, Emmerdale Studio and Film Lab. As Manchester is currently using only two of the Granada built studios, and it has plans to replace these with a smaller building, Leeds - being in an industrial area of the city, has a lot of potential. I suggest young Harsh pays a visit - you can walk around the perimiter of the entire complex and see what is going on.
HA
harshy Founding member
huddy posted:
harshy posted:
Didn't he want Countdown relocated to London, he could have single handily closed down Leeds Studios!


Hmmm..... you seem to have forgotten:

Emmerdale;
My Parents are Aliens;
Bullseye;
The Chase;
Heartbeat;
The Royal;
Where the Heart is;
Wire in the Blood etc. etc.

A lot of people forget how much is made in Leeds, just because it doesn't appear on ITV1 or is badged 'Granada' (yuk!) ot 'ITV Productions' doesn't mean the studios are quiet. Don't forget, a thirteen week run of programmes can keep a studio busy for about 40 weeks.

ITV has recently spent a lot of money at YTV, and don't forget that the Northern Film Lab is based there. The YTV complex is actually 4 buildings - TV Centre, News Centre, Emmerdale Studio and Film Lab. As Manchester is currently using only two of the Granada built studios, and it has plans to replace these with a smaller building, Leeds - being in an industrial area of the city, has a lot of potential. I suggest young Harsh pays a visit - you can walk around the perimiter of the entire complex and see what is going on.


Thanks huddy,

Do they have a website with all this info, it saves me from travelling from Bradford to Leeds just so I can walk the perimeter of YTV's building on Kirstall Road!
FA
fanoftv
How about Greggles from Quizmania fame?

Didn't he used to be the warm up man for Countdown, surely he must have known Carol as he seemed to know Richard Whitley well.
PT
Put The Telly On
Countdown wouldn't work for Greggles. Sadly I think I can definately see Gyles Brandreth taking over. Not everyone's cup of tea but he fits the bill. Well either him or The Goodies, Graeme Garden who hosted the ill-fated Beat The Nation.

Mind you when Des goes... I really think they should put Countdown to bed.

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