The tribute most definitely. Because when you normally hear friends of celebrities talking about their recently diseased friends, they somehow remain very cold, but Carol does not hold back her tears at all, and it really gets you going
Yes just seen it, very moving it is indeed to watch
I dont think its been mentioned yet, but Ch4 are planning on continuing Countdown with the guest presenters. The show will be given a 'rest' over the summer before a new series is shown. A decision has yet to be made whether to continue with a cycle of guest presenters a la Have I Got News.. or to appoint a permanent host. Discussions will be held between Ch4, Yorkshire TV and Carol to see how they would feel about continuing with further series.
I can't see that happening, Channel 4 and Yorkshire probably want the show to continue as it is very popular, but I don't think Carol would be able to go on with it, at least they're giving the show a rest for the Summer, so a decision can be made. I think it's too soon after Richard's death to make a decision on the future of the show, leave it for a week or two at least.
RE: The popularity of him seems to be backed up on many websites that have several running topics of Richard Whiteley and Countdown, shows how much he will be remembered.
It's a shame the full documentary from ITV Yorkshire can't be networked, but at least it will be shown on Channel 4.
I watched it the first time, it will be much sadder watching it this time, knowing he know longers live
I dont think its been mentioned yet, but Ch4 are planning on continuing Countdown with the guest presenters. The show will be given a 'rest' over the summer before a new series is shown. A decision has yet to be made whether to continue with a cycle of guest presenters a la Have I Got News.. or to appoint a permanent host. Discussions will be held between Ch4, Yorkshire TV and Carol to see how they would feel about continuing with further series.
I can't see that happening, Channel 4 and Yorkshire probably want the show to continue as it is very popular, but I don't think Carol would be able to go on with it, at least they're giving the show a rest for the Summer, so a decision can be made. I think it's too soon after Richard's death to make a decision on the future of the show, leave it for a week or two at least.
RE: The popularity of him seems to be backed up on many websites that have several running topics of Richard Whiteley and Countdown, shows how much he will be remembered.
It's a shame the full documentary from ITV Yorkshire can't be networked, but at least it will be shown on Channel 4.
Well Carol worked with Richard for 23 years, so she is in the best decision to decide, we can only speculate, but it will be very very hard to replace someone like Richard Whiteley, it was his and Carol's show, I don't think Carol will want to do anymore, knowing that her closest friend will never occupy his position again.
It would be interesting to see what your average Countdown viewer would want - would they want a continuation of the gameshow which they have come to love without the central piece of the show - Mr Whiteley. I personally think that it was Richard that was the key to the programme's staying power, and without him (and Carol??) , I think that the viewing figures would plummet. I really don't think that there is anypoint in continuing the quiz in its current form - I think that now is the suitable point to stop - perhaps there could be a revamp of the programme, but rightly the name Richard Whiteley will always be associated with Countdown. Whoever replaces him would constantly be subjected to comparisons, and that is probably unfair on future hosts.
I can somehow very slightly see Carol taking over as anchor, but then again it just wouldn't be the same. I believe that if Countdown should continue, it should have some sort of change as (previously said) the set, clock etc. gives a reminder of Richard Whiteley. I too just can't see it continuing without Richard though.
Indeed I just can't see Countdown being able to continue without Richard Whiteley. There will just be something missing. If a new host still read out dreadful puns it would just seem like they were reading Richard's script, if the new host played it straight, the show would become very boring as if they were just going through the motions for the sake of it.
Maybe if they are to continue, maybe somehow get rid of the role of the presenter, combine it with Carol's role and those of the people in Dictionary Corner.
People are comparing it with Have I Got News for You, but the difference is, that hasn't been shown practically daily since 1982, and secondly, Angus Deayton isn't dead.
Indeed I just can't see Countdown being able to continue without Richard Whiteley. There will just be something missing. If a new host still read out dreadful puns it would just seem like they were reading Richard's script, if the new host played it straight, the show would become very boring as if they were just going through the motions for the sake of it.
It just wouldn't work, if they were to get someone who is well known with the programme such as Richard Stilgoe or Gyles Brandreth, then it wouldn't work, it would remind us too much of Whiteley.
Andrew posted:
Maybe if they are to continue, maybe somehow get rid of the role of the presenter, combine it with Carol's role and those of the people in Dictionary Corner.
That would be similar to the French version of Countdown, shown daily on TV5 Europe at 12.30pm, where all of the letters and numbers are chosen by computer, with a more modern look, with computers being the norm.
Andrew posted:
People are comparing it with Have I Got News for You, but the difference is, that hasn't been shown practically daily since 1982, and secondly, Angus Deayton isn't dead.
For something like Countdown it would be best to stop, as Richard was Countdown (as is Carol too), no-one could ever replace him, especially after 4000 editions. The difference with HIGNFY is that Angus was sacked for sleeping with prostitues and taking drugs, he wasn't the main asset to the show, more people probably watch for Paul & Ian, this was two and a half years ago, and it's still working. By the time Angus was sacked you could tell the poor on-screen relations between Angus and his colleagues.
When Eammon Andrews died in 1987, ITV took the decision to carry on This Is Your Life, albeit with Michael Aspel as host, though TIYL was a one man show and it always promised something different each time a guest was surprised.
Countdown should really end now, many would agree no matter how hard you try no-one could ever replace Richard Whiteley and how he made the show his own.
Ok, one example where the show went with the host who eventually died. How about Liquid News and Christopher Price. No one can doubt Christopher was a legend. Many thought the show would go in the light of Price's death but eventually when Paddy O Connell and that woman (can't remember her name) the show became watchable again.
Ok, one example where the show went with the host who eventually died. How about Liquid News and Christopher Price. No one can doubt Christopher was a legend. Many thought the show would go in the light of Price's death but eventually when Paddy O Connell and that woman (can't remember her name) the show became watchable again.
And then it was axed.
On the other topic - poor Carol! I've called her a lot of thnigs but no one deserves that. She obviously was very moved and emotional.
