DS Forums

 
 

The Official Christmas Radio Times Countdown And Christmas TV Thread 2016


View Poll Results: Which Decade Was The Best For Christmas TV
90's 198 78.26%
00's 33 13.04%
2010's 22 8.70%
Voters: 253. You can't vote on this poll right now - are you signed in?

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 19-05-2016, 00:20
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
Looking forward to participating in this for the first time
Brilliant! Hope you'll enjoy it.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 19-05-2016, 13:47
pedrok
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,089
It's May 18th. Just three more months until my Quiz starts. Don't forget to check in on Sunday August 21st for the opening week's questions.

This year, there are no anagrams, nor film specials, nor any other specials. But, each week there will be a variety of questions to answer from films, sitcoms, schedules and the Radio Times itself. The first four weeks will consist of a set of ten questions. The 5th week is a week where 16 questions will appear. Weeks 6-8 will revert back to 10 questions and the very last question in the final week is incredibly easy.

So far I have given details of the first three items of the four things that make up the prize. All prize items are brand new and either purchased or created for the purpose of supplying a prize for the quiz. Here's a recap of those items again:

1. A Poster of a Classic 1950's Christmas Cover.

2. A Tea towel depicting the design of the 1977 Christmas Radio Times.

3. A quality, gift boxed stainless steel keyring with "Radio Times Quiz Winner 2016" engraved on it, plus a poster wall calendar for 2017 featuring three RT covers on it.

4. Find out on Sunday June 3rd what the main part of the prize will be.


Here's a link so you can take a look at the tea towel:

http://shop.radiotimes.com/homeware-...ea-towels.html

Finally, there will be a prize for the participant who finishes in second place and a third prize too. These will be revealed in July.

So, that concludes the latest Quiz update. Next update: 3rd June.
Is there the potential for building in some sort of 'bye week'?

The difficulty is that as much as we all enjoy participating, it is a bit of a commitment to ensure you put in an entry every week over the eight weeks. And if you miss one week then you have all but blown your chance to win a prize. And the prizes are worth competing for.

This is a bit of a personal plee, as I don't think I managed to enter every week in the last couple of years.

I don't wish to complicate things, but it may attract some more entrants?

What do others think?
pedrok is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-05-2016, 14:58
marke09
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: mid west wales
Posts: 9,620
Is there the potential for building in some sort of 'bye week'?

The difficulty is that as much as we all enjoy participating, it is a bit of a commitment to ensure you put in an entry every week over the eight weeks. And if you miss one week then you have all but blown your chance to win a prize. And the prizes are worth competing for.

This is a bit of a personal plee, as I don't think I managed to enter every week in the last couple of years.

I don't wish to complicate things, but it may attract some more entrants?

What do others think?
if it were me and its not I would start it in September as many posters may be on their holidays during the last two weeks of August

Perhaps wizzy can get busy devising something along the lines of a competition for those who enter all weeks and a parallel one for those who want to or have to or forget to enter one week only with a lesser prize to the winner
marke09 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 20-05-2016, 22:22
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
if it were me and its not I would start it in September as many posters may be on their holidays during the last two weeks of August

Perhaps wizzy can get busy devising something along the lines of a competition for those who enter all weeks and a parallel one for those who want to or have to or forget to enter one week only with a lesser prize to the winner
I'm not going to start the quiz in September. Simply because it would finish too close to the start of Claires_dad cover competition starting. It is only fair that there is enough time between my quiz ending and the start of claires_dad competition so that he can promote it in the way he wants to. Sorry to be blunt but I think starting it in August, just before the Bank Holiday weekend is the best time to start it in order to get the weeks in, then a decent break before the cover competition starts. I have also considered your proposal for a parallel quiz but unfortunately I would find it quite hard to manage, so whilst it isn't a bad idea, I won't be implementing it this year. However, I have taken on board both your suggestions and pedroks and have come up with a "bye" week solution. However, I think to be fair, it should be put out to our regular posters as to whether it becomes part of the rules. See below for details.

Is there the potential for building in some sort of 'bye week'?

The difficulty is that as much as we all enjoy participating, it is a bit of a commitment to ensure you put in an entry every week over the eight weeks. And if you miss one week then you have all but blown your chance to win a prize. And the prizes are worth competing for.

This is a bit of a personal plee, as I don't think I managed to enter every week in the last couple of years.

I don't wish to complicate things, but it may attract some more entrants?

What do others think?
You raise a valid point. It's one I've spent a while considering this evening and I have come up with a "bye week" arrangement that could work. Here's my proposals:

Bye Week into the Quiz

1. On Sunday August 7th, I will post 10 questions. These questions will not form part of the quiz.

2. Posters will have 48 hours (until 9th August) to answer these questions. I will issue the answers on Wednesday August 10th and anyone who answers these questions will be notified by PM as to their score.

3. The scores will be known only to the participants and will not be made public. In other words, no other entrant will know whether points of any entrant were gained as part of a bye or as an actual entry for any week. It is fairer and less controversial this way.

4. During the actual 8 week run of the quiz, these scores can be used as a bye into one week, or used across two weeks if you are unable to participate. For example, if you scored 10 points, you can either use all 10 points to cover your week away for one week, or use 5 points one week and 5 points in another week. But, you must notify me by midnight on the Thursday of any particular week you wish to use your bye so that I can add your score to the running total. I would prefer to calculate a persons score during their bye week seperately from the participating posters. IMPORTANT: You can not enter in any week and use your bye week scores. If you want to use your bye week scores, then you can not enter the quiz for that week. Or, if you inform me that you want to use your bye week scores, but then enter after all, your bye week scores will be null and void and will no longer be available. It is strictly a matter of 'one or the other'.

5. The bye weeks are only available to those who participated in the "Bye Week" mini quiz on 7th August, but is available for anyone to enter.

6. If you enter and do not use the bye, the points gained in the "Bye Week" mini-quiz, will not be valid or relevant to your final score.

7. The person who has more points at the end of the 8 week quiz, whether or not a bye was used, is the winner. The maximum score is 86.

What do you think? I'm happy to proceed with this system, but only if I get support from the posters who frequent this thread. Let me know asap.

Cheers.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-05-2016, 23:41
pedrok
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,089
I'm not going to start the quiz in September. Simply because it would finish too close to the start of Claires_dad cover competition starting. It is only fair that there is enough time between my quiz ending and the start of claires_dad competition so that he can promote it in the way he wants to. Sorry to be blunt but I think starting it in August, just before the Bank Holiday weekend is the best time to start it in order to get the weeks in, then a decent break before the cover competition starts. I have also considered your proposal for a parallel quiz but unfortunately I would find it quite hard to manage, so whilst it isn't a bad idea, I won't be implementing it this year. However, I have taken on board both your suggestions and pedroks and have come up with a "bye" week solution. However, I think to be fair, it should be put out to our regular posters as to whether it becomes part of the rules. See below for details.



You raise a valid point. It's one I've spent a while considering this evening and I have come up with a "bye week" arrangement that could work. Here's my proposals:

Bye Week into the Quiz

1. On Sunday August 7th, I will post 10 questions. These questions will not form part of the quiz.

2. Posters will have 48 hours (until 9th August) to answer these questions. I will issue the answers on Wednesday August 10th and anyone who answers these questions will be notified by PM as to their score.

3. The scores will be known only to the participants and will not be made public. In other words, no other entrant will know whether points of any entrant were gained as part of a bye or as an actual entry for any week. It is fairer and less controversial this way.

4. During the actual 8 week run of the quiz, these scores can be used as a bye into one week, or used across two weeks if you are unable to participate. For example, if you scored 10 points, you can either use all 10 points to cover your week away for one week, or use 5 points one week and 5 points in another week. But, you must notify me by midnight on the Thursday of any particular week you wish to use your bye so that I can add your score to the running total. I would prefer to calculate a persons score during their bye week seperately from the participating posters. IMPORTANT: You can not enter in any week and use your bye week scores. If you want to use your bye week scores, then you can not enter the quiz for that week. Or, if you inform me that you want to use your bye week scores, but then enter after all, your bye week scores will be null and void and will no longer be available. It is strictly a matter of 'one or the other'.

5. The bye weeks are only available to those who participated in the "Bye Week" mini quiz on 7th August, but is available for anyone to enter.

6. If you enter and do not use the bye, the points gained in the "Bye Week" mini-quiz, will not be valid or relevant to your final score.

7. The person who has more points at the end of the 8 week quiz, whether or not a bye was used, is the winner. The maximum score is 86.

What do you think? I'm happy to proceed with this system, but only if I get support from the posters who frequent this thread. Let me know asap.

Cheers.
That seems a fair suggestion. The option I was thinking was using the average score, of the 7 weeks you do submit an entry, to calculate your 'bye week'. This wouldn't be calculated until the final scores are know, although you would have nominated your one bye week beforehand. I would suggest one bye week per entrant.

Again, I don't want to over complicate things, and others views would be welcome.
pedrok is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-05-2016, 00:12
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
That seems a fair suggestion. The option I was thinking was using the average score, of the 7 weeks you do submit an entry, to calculate your 'bye week'. This wouldn't be calculated until the final scores are know, although you would have nominated your one bye week beforehand. I would suggest one bye week per entrant.

Again, I don't want to over complicate things, and others views would be welcome.
Blimey! Maths was never my strong point! Averages confuse the hell out of me! Of course though, I will also await any other suggestion too. I devised my system because it was easier for me to work out. How do you work out averages though? Bearing in mind that week 5 of the quiz this year has 16 points to earn.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-05-2016, 01:20
smokeycat
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 480
It's starting to get a bit complicated.
Maybe we should just stick to the original rules.
smokeycat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-05-2016, 07:36
Allan
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Denham
Posts: 189
It's starting to get a bit complicated.
Maybe we should just stick to the original rules.
I think all the Wizz Quiz suggestions are valid and made with the best possible motives. Personally, I like an easy life with maximum simplicity! I missed a week last year and that scuppered my chances of winning, but it didn’t diminish the pleasure and fun I derived from taking part. So, while happy with all the suggestions, I agree with smokeycat and would go for maintaining the status quo. We don’t want to burden wizzywick with an excessive workload!

(Here’s the deal re. averages: I’ll calculate them for you as long as, by way of payment, I am automatically the winner. No? Oh well, it was worth a try!)
Allan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-05-2016, 07:52
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
It's starting to get a bit complicated.
Maybe we should just stick to the original rules.
I think all the Wizz Quiz suggestions are valid and made with the best possible motives. Personally, I like an easy life with maximum simplicity! I missed a week last year and that scuppered my chances of winning, but it didn’t diminish the pleasure and fun I derived from taking part. So, while happy with all the suggestions, I agree with smokeycat and would go for maintaining the status quo. We don’t want to burden wizzywick with an excessive workload!

(Here’s the deal re. averages: I’ll calculate them for you as long as, by way of payment, I am automatically the winner. No? Oh well, it was worth a try!)
Thanks for your feedback guys. I must admit, the simplicity of the scoring system is one that is both manageable and easy for participants to keep track of too. If I make a mistake, a poster can notify me easily because the score is calculated as one correct answer = one point. Obviously, I am keen to be as flexible as possible regarding entrants viewpoints, after all I want people to enter, but I do worry that if it becomes too complicated then mistakes may be made and people may be put off a bit. Anyway, we'll see what responses I get over the next week or so before I make a decision.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 10:40
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
Here's an interesting one! In 2013, the BBC announced it was to be remaking "The Great Escape".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...ed-by-BBC.html

It is now mid-way through 2016 and still no news on this. Does anyone have any idea as to what happened to it? It would have been good Christmas telly considering it is a three-part miniseries that's planned.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:13
Claires_dad
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rainham, Kent
Posts: 4,053
Here's an interesting one! In 2013, the BBC announced it was to be remaking "The Great Escape".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...ed-by-BBC.html

It is now mid-way through 2016 and still no news on this. Does anyone have any idea as to what happened to it? It would have been good Christmas telly considering it is a three-part miniseries that's planned.
That article also says that the Great Escape (the film) is a Christmas stalwart, in fact it has only been shown 6 times in 45 years at Christmas!
Claires_dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:28
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
That article also says that the Great Escape (the film) is a Christmas stalwart, in fact it has only been shown 6 times in 45 years at Christmas!
Only 6 times? Wow!

I can think of 2001, 1987 and 1985. What were the other dates? It was also the Easter Monday afternoon film in 1989 so did get a few holiday slots in the past.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:31
marke09
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: mid west wales
Posts: 9,620
Here's an interesting one! In 2013, the BBC announced it was to be remaking "The Great Escape".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...ed-by-BBC.html

It is now mid-way through 2016 and still no news on this. Does anyone have any idea as to what happened to it? It would have been good Christmas telly considering it is a three-part miniseries that's planned.
I think could have been this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/pro...saturday-drama
marke09 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:34
Claires_dad
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rainham, Kent
Posts: 4,053
Only 6 times? Wow!

I can think of 2001, 1987 and 1985. What were the other dates? It was also the Easter Monday afternoon film in 1989 so did get a few holiday slots in the past.
BBC
1) 1971
2) 1983
3) 1985
4) 1987
5) 2003
6) 2007

According to this article

http://usvsth3m.com/post/how-many-ti...v-at-christmas

It's actually been on 7 times as ITV showed it in 2001
Claires_dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:38
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
Could have been I guess. But the article sepecifically said it was a three part BBC1 series. It was announced at the same time as Dickensian (poor Dickensian ) so I think the idea has secretly been dropped.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:43
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
BBC
1) 1971
2) 1983
3) 1985
4) 1987
5) 2003
6) 2007

According to this article

http://usvsth3m.com/post/how-many-ti...v-at-christmas

It's actually been on 7 times as ITV showed it in 2001
In 1983 I can't see it anywhere in BBC1's schedules. The obvious place to look was Boxing Day afternoon because for a while it seemed traditional to show an epic war film on Boxing Day afternoon. But in 1983 it was Bridge on the River Kwai. Perhaps it was on during New Year which was a seperate Radio Times that year. In 2003 and 2007 I believe that it was shown on BBC2.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:48
Claires_dad
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rainham, Kent
Posts: 4,053
In 1983 I can't see it anywhere in BBC1's schedules. The obvious place to look was Boxing Day afternoon because for a while it seemed traditional to show an epic war film on Boxing Day afternoon. But in 1983 it was Bridge on the River Kwai. Perhaps it was on during New Year which was a seperate Radio Times that year. In 2003 and 2007 I believe that it was shown on BBC2.
Wednesday 28th December 1983 6pm BBC1

http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules...12-28#at-18.00
Claires_dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-05-2016, 11:57
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
Thank you. I was looking at your website, but always forget about genome. Cheers for that! I could have looked in my RT 's but after spending last Sunday devising all the quiz questions, I have now put them back up in the loft - in a plastic box of course for safety!
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2016, 18:34
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894

Late last week it was suggested that a "bye week" could be implemented into the quiz, after all, an 8 week quiz is a firm commitment and if you miss a week there is a chance you might miss out on winning the prize. I put a suggestion out to incorporate a bye week system that enabled you to use points earned in a seperate quiz to carry across to the main quiz. I then asked for feedback.

A couple of you responded publicly on the forum and since Saturday I received 4 personal messages that urged me to keep things as they are. On reflection, I do keep the quiz open for a full 7 days each week and this year, aswell as the top prize, there are pretty good runners up prizes too, so I have decided that this year, there will be no change to the format operated last year. It will remain as 1 point for each correct answer.

I'm sorry if I have caused disappointment and I hope this doesn't spoil anyone's enjoyment of entering the quiz, but thank you to everyone who came up with ideas and suggestions, and to those who gave me feedback.
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2016, 19:07
marke09
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: mid west wales
Posts: 9,620
Top Gear on the front of tomorrows RT

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-...ks-radio-times
marke09 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 25-05-2016, 11:24
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
I didn't notice this bit of information on this thread before, so apologies if someone has already posted, but it seems we could be getting a Jonathan Creek special this Christmas:

http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/04/jonath...-back-5734410/
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-05-2016, 13:35
Claires_dad
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rainham, Kent
Posts: 4,053
Looks like there may be a Christmas Special of Not Going Out

Recording dates/times for series 8 are

24 June: 6.30pm
1 July: 6.30pm
8 July: 6.30pm
15 July: 6.00pm
22 July: 6.30pm

and then
11 November: 6.30pm
19 November: 6.30pm

Tickets available now from http://tvrecordings.com/shows/view/38
Claires_dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-05-2016, 13:52
pedrok
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,089
Late last week it was suggested that a "bye week" could be implemented into the quiz, after all, an 8 week quiz is a firm commitment and if you miss a week there is a chance you might miss out on winning the prize. I put a suggestion out to incorporate a bye week system that enabled you to use points earned in a seperate quiz to carry across to the main quiz. I then asked for feedback.

A couple of you responded publicly on the forum and since Saturday I received 4 personal messages that urged me to keep things as they are. On reflection, I do keep the quiz open for a full 7 days each week and this year, aswell as the top prize, there are pretty good runners up prizes too, so I have decided that this year, there will be no change to the format operated last year. It will remain as 1 point for each correct answer.

I'm sorry if I have caused disappointment and I hope this doesn't spoil anyone's enjoyment of entering the quiz, but thank you to everyone who came up with ideas and suggestions, and to those who gave me feedback.
That's fair enough.
pedrok is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-05-2016, 15:28
wizzywick
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 27,894
That's fair enough.
Thanks for your understanding. I did take on board your comments and as such have come up with something as a form of compromise.

As mentioned previously, there will be a big 1st Prize, a 2nd prize and a third prize too.

However, in addition, as I have spare items, the remaining entrants (after the 3 prize winners have been established) who scored more than 69 points, will be put into a draw and my partner will select a name from the hat. That person will win a "Lucky 70+ Draw" prize.

I will reveal what this will be in July when I announce what the runners up prizes will be.

This is in part, as a thank you to everyone who takes time to enter. I only hope I have more than 4 people entering!
wizzywick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-05-2016, 19:11
marke09
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: mid west wales
Posts: 9,620
According to Sue Johnston who plays Barbara Royle,in the BBC comedy The Royle Family, the cast of the show are keen to have a reunion this year.
marke09 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:09.