Captain Birdsye has been doing that for years. Catterick, Shooting Stars, House of Fools - All shite. Bob Mortimer sticks with him out of misplaced loyalty but he has far more to offer than Reeves/Moir, is funny on his own and acquits himself well as an actor for hire to boot.

Becoming increasingly difficult to see how/why Richardson will return to this which surely might call into question his captaincy on 8/10 as well?

Yes, did like that

Surprisingly good episode, considering I'm not that much of a fan of Beckett and Vegas.

Vegas and the eclair stuff was utterly gross. Went on too long and was too close to real-life to be even mildly amusing. He's one of the main instigators of the "It's funny if you shout it" sub-sect of comedians that rely on volume more than wit. It's remarkable how he's spun-out his schtick for as long as he has.

Yes, I had to look away. Awful. Not a great episode at all really, but then I wasn't expecting a riot as I don't rate any of the guests.

I was crying with laughter when Sean started feeding Johnny. They're a great double act.

We're is Jon anyway these days?

Probably he's survived because his comedy isn't all about shouting, as you suggest.

Anyway it wasn't his idea to try doing it. Rob Beckett did it and Sean Locke suggested Johnny Vegas should eat the whole of his eclair.

Interesting theory, except Bob Mortimer writes a lot of that "shite", he's not just sticking with his old mate Vic/Jim. The brilliant House of Fools is basically Bob's creation.

Yes Vic Reeves can be unfunny sometimes, but he was funny in this. His song was great. You may not have liked it but the panel (all comedy professionals unlike your good self) clearly did.

Ya got me - Shouting, booze and pies.


Didn't say it was.


Yeah, I watched it too!


Still shite.


I daresay sitting there stonefaced as a fellow comic dies wouldn't go down too well with the producers.

I thought Vegas and the eclair was the highlight of the show. There's not much in the actual game these days, although I was kind of happy that Millican and Beckett did win. At least they did seem to be trying.


I watched a 8Oo10C compilation the other night and it showed that Jon can be a very good comedian and is good as a team captain.


Looking forward to having that back instead of Countdown.

I felt actually embarrassed for Vic Reeves during his origami piece.
It sounded like something I would make up on the spot for my kids.
Dreadful for a professional to present something like that

Couldn't care less. (Unless he's ill, then I hope he gets better soon.) These past few weeks without him have been my faves.

I saw him totally die on stage several years ago. He was the headline act after several lesser known stand-ups. He ended up swearing at the audience and walking off.

A bad workman blames his tools, a bad comedian blames his audience.

Many of the non-famous comedians had got the audience roaring with laughter.

The one thing I really dislike about this show is the 30 seconds ticking down each round with Jimmy Carr performing some "hilarious" act. It's like the producers have said "The audience are idiots who won't want to sit and think of words or sums for 30 seconds, we better keep them entertained so they don't become restless."

Really begs the question why the hell are they even bothering with Countdown?

Because it gets acceptable viewing figures?

It is a bit tedious. The book of disguises wasn't exactly comedy genius.

Just had a look at Friday's one and it's Sean & Mel Giedroyc against guest captain Lee Mack with David o'Doherty and Adam Buxton in Dictionary Corner.

It's a pain because they always seem to almost get the "perfect" lineup and then drop in someone like Joe Wilkinson or, in this case, David o'Doherty.

Seriously!? Your last point completely threw me. I mean, I certainly wouldn't call myself a fan of David O'Doherty, but I also don't mind him. it's Mel Giedroyc that I can't stand. I'd have said she's the one poison pill in that grouping. Whenever she's on a panel show, she turns perfect opportunities for comedy into hair-salon gossip sessions. Watch whenever she's on WILTY or 8OO10C, and she's always leaning in towards the opposing team and trying to engage them in whispered conversation on who's kissed who or which z-list celeb is going out with which. Watching her, I sit there, bemused, and think 'Is this woman for real? Is she not aware that she's on a panel show, where the expectation is that the panelists at least have a decent go at making the audience laugh? Is she even an actual comedian?'

At least Sue Perkins actually tries. She fails horrifically, granted, but at least she tries.

Mel Giedroyc! This is fabulous news. I've been hoping she'd appear for ages. I think she might be quite good with the words rounds too.

Try reading earlier posts.

He got married recently so probably missed 3 weeks of filming (6 episodes) due to his wedding and honeymoon.

And I despise gag-robot Lee Mack! Looks like there's someone for everyone to hate on Friday!

The acts are only during letters games, he never does them during numbers games. Rachel won't allow it and if Rachel tells Jimmy to not do something, he won't do it.

You can support any opinion by making stuff up. Yes he shouts and makes jokes about booze and pies. But that isn't his entire act.


So why pin the blame for it on Vegas?


So Bob isn't funny either then?


I dare say. But somehow the producers persuaded the stone faced fellow comics to give it a standing ovation and the audience reaction seemed genuine too. Or perhaps the panel felt such collective sympathy for Vic that they did it? Have you considered the possibility your view of it might actually be a minority opinion?

Why are you always so desperate to prove your personal opinion is the objective truth? Clearly Vic's song went well, yet you try and portray it as if the reaction was fake.

It never was an actual game. The Countdown format was always only a hook to hang jokes on. It's a comedy panel show. The more seriously the game is played the less funny it would be.

Shouting and tales about booze seem to be the majority of his schtick.



Didn't.


Not when he's propping up the pitiful Reeves/Moir.


But it isn't. Not even on here.


I can't help that you read my posts and are overwhelmed by the fierce authority and conviction with which they're presented can I? I wish I could say the same when reading yours but sadly.....