I agree. What is Joe Wilkinson for? Love the forced "isn't this hilarious" smiles from the likes of Jon Richardson, who obviously don't find it remotely amusing.

Depends what's in the OED though.
Chav is probably in there now. Around here we call them Chores

So what do you call chores (like the washing up or ironing for instance)?

So disappointed with this show. They have taken a good concept and turned it into a farce. Nearly 20 minutes to even start the quiz and then the panel act like they couldn't be arsed. Jon Richardson's lets make up stupid words is beyond boring and then when you thought it couldn't get any worse they bring on Joe Wilkinson! Turned it off and wont be watching another series.

All this show needs is new captains each week. They can keep everything else as is, just give us a bit of variety. And yes I know with new Caps this wouldn't be 8oo10cdc but this show feels tired.

Totally agree with this. I like the show, but just haven't got into this run. It's just the same old lazy routine of nonsense words and pretending not to know the rules. Not incredibly funny first time, let alone after several series.

It's always a stronger show when the game is played properly alongside the comedy.

I was optimistic that the whole 'firing' angle at the end of last series meant that we'd seen the last of Joe Wilkinson. Sadly not.


This too. It felt much fresher when Lee Mack stepped in for a couple of shows.

I got the impression that Sean was distinctly unimpressed with Joe this week. I've often wondered what him and Jon really think of Joe's participation.

I really enjoy watching this show every week.

The comedy styles of Jimmy, Sean and Jon compliment each other quite well they all make me laugh at least once every week.

Agree with most people in that Joe Wilkinson adds little to the show and it would be better without him. Don't think I've laughed at any of the bizarre routines he comes up with each week.

The dictionary corner guest is a bit hit and miss, but the guest I've enjoyed the most (by a long way) is Adam Buxton with his 'Commentary Corner' routine and that episode is still on my PVR.

The contributions from Rachel and Susie can be somewhat limited, but I find it interesting watching those two from the real Countdown in a post-watershed comedy show. Rachel does the best she can working with Joe and Susie gets a lot of abuse from the contestants for not allowing their wrong words, but she takes it in good spirit.

Some people complain that they don't take the games seriously enough and to me that's completely missing the point of the show. It's primarily a comedy show and it doesn't matter in the slightest who wins. Sure, it can get a bit repetitive when guests act thick or don't know the rules, but the team captains try to do something a bit different each week.

Since they're there to do a job, it's probably a welcome break from trying to be funny all the time.

I've started watching it again, and it's just a question of fast-forwarding through Wilkinson and (usually) the dictionary corner guest spots, as well as the adverts. Admittedly it's not a particularly long show after that...

It's edited in at both the start and end of the ad break. The audience already hears the joke when Jimmy says it before going to the break so they don't laugh 3 times at the same joke.

Last week there was audience laughter after Sean said "There's many loopholes in Countdown" but the laughter was actually after Jimmy followed it up with a comment about that being why he doesn't play the game. However, they edited out Jimmy's comment and kept the laughter in.

This is basically what I do as well and it makes the show much more enjoyable, albeit, as you say, quite short.

I suppose they're all quite happy to include Joe Wilkinson each week as he's part of the show, but it really does come across he's just contractually obliged to appear - nothing more.

The show flows well enough without him IMO.

The funniest thing I heard him say was when he had to do an out-take when filming last week's show and he said "laugh as much as you did the first time" and then no-one laughed at the joke. Even the warm up guy made fun of how poor Joe Wilkinson is.

often it seems like the two captains feel this way too.

I actually think the show is best for the first 20 minutes and goes downhill once the games start, and dies a death when the beardy bloke appears.

If I wanted a quiz I'd watch real countdown.

The same. They're homonyms.

I think part of the problem is that Jon has clearly been told not to take it so seriously, so you do occasionally get the impression he's a bit hacked off because of that which causes Sean to get a bit hacked off as well.

I know you can't obviously tell how they're feeling through a TV screen but occasionally you do catch them looking rather pissed off.

I've mentioned it before but I think Sean's distain for the show comes across as genuine.

In Radio Times Susie Dent says she's often at loggerhead with Jimmy Carr (and goes on to explain the origin of the word loggerhead) but then says for the record she likes Jimmy Carr very much.

LET'S PLAAAAY COUUNTDOWWWWWN!!!

Although they start playing 15 minutes before he turns up and interrupts the game!

i think he's alright. the fencing panel competition was the best

Get rid of this rubbish and bring back 8 out of ten cats. Love that, hate this

Jeremy Clarkson doll.

whens it gonna start

Bailey played the didgeridoo, today of all days!

Please, no one tell the Daily Mail.