He needs a couple of weeks to see how he settles down. I'm pretty sure they tape a bunch of episodes in the one day so the first couple of weeks will be from his initial tapings. He does look a bit nervous and a bit stiff, although he has no sympathy when a contestant makes a mistake. At least he is trying to be a bit chirpy in all the sideshows skits.

I don't really understand your point but as far as I'm aware there's no set rule and never has been, assuming both contestants declare the same number of letters. However, if one of the contestants says theirs is 'dodgy' or it's not written down or otherwise they sound a bit unsure of themselves then they will usually be asked to go first.

If the contestants declare different lengths of word then the question shouldn't arise because the one with the shorter word would go first.

I felt Nick did a lot better today and he had obviously been given some notes between programmes 2 and 3 so that he had mostly stopped saying 'well done' and similar remarks in inappropriate places (e.g. after the letters had been picked) but so far it has all been in the same day's work for him and I wouldn't expect to see a marked change and settling into the role until the second week. I think he's doing all right for an old 'un and it's a nice change to see someone new and of his generation presenting something for a change.

From what I gather, Channel 4 bosses only found out he had said he was leaving when one of the papers called for a comment. Of course, Jeff soon realised what a tit he had been and tried to backtrack on it but bosses said no. To be fair, I'd be the same I think if I only found out through a newspaper.

As for Nick, why does everyone expect people to be perfect straight away? It takes time to bed in, especially if the only TV experience you have is Apprentice related. He'll get better, just be patient.

If not, it will be..

''with regret Nick, you're FIRED!''

That's not the way I heard it and it doesn't even make much sense for it to have happened that way, do you have a link? Even if it was the case it would be the professional thing to do to agree to him staying for the good of the show, certainly Jeff remained professional on the show to the end.


Maybe not perfect but probably better than he has done. Jeff started off flying, true seeing his other work you would have expected this but it does beg the question as to how Nick got the job? I'm sure he will improve but the question will be to what level? He has no previous form to be able to judge.

It's been mentioned before, but to all the critics talking about how Nick hasn't improved after three shows, can I just say once again that everything you have seen so far was recorded on his first day, probably within a couple of hours. Surely you don't expect much change, or even much feedback, after what is in reality about one morning's work?
For goodness' sake, just give the guy a break - if after three or four weeks (like, a week's work) you still find no improvement, maybe that might then be time for some constructive criticism.

Well said Old Bloke. Give Nick a few weeks then see how he is doing.

These lines from Nick always make me laugh:

"Time for the clock"
Time for the Countdown clock"
"Here's the clock"
Last edited by groovesection : 12-01-2012 at 11:39

Why? What's he supposed to say?

Lets hope he doesn't have a pronouncing hiccup in any of them, I don't think I am ready to see the countdowns co- I'll stop

Jeff always had one "Your 30 seconds start now".

Why did Susy seem dubious over "mileages" yesterday?
Presumably "mileage" is in the dictionary and not a mass noun. I don't think I've ever heard her say reluctantly "I'll allow it" - either it's right or wrong.

I thought it was because (unless I'm mistaken) there was only one E in the selection so she needed to verify the spelling MILAGES. If it was a mass noun thing then I agree it was silly to query it. I'd have thought there was more room for doubt over LOVAGES which DC came up with in another round.

it matters who declares first because the seconder can tweak their declaration based on what the first one declares. If 2nder has a dodgy 8 but a safe 7 and the 1ster declares 6 then 2nder might decide to go with the definate points rather than risk their iffy 8.

Sorry, we were at cross-purposes as I misread your posting and thought you were talking about declaring of the actual word not the initial declaration of the number of letters. As you say, it's an important tactical point and I have always assumed they alternate so there's no overall advantage to be had. Are you saying that Nick has not been doing this? I'd expect if he got it wrong it more than once then the producer would direct him through his earpiece to prevent it happening again.

A professional presenter [ which Nick isn't ] shouldn't need a bedding in period, that's why C4 have got it so wrong with Nick.


They passed over a rock solid TV stalwart like Wogan to go for a rookie, devoid of charm, personality or wit.

BBC, please take over Countdown before the idiots at C4 ruin it forever.

They'd never have afforded Wogan and I for one would have switched off because it would then be more about him than the game.

Has anyone just been watching the 10p trick Paul Zenon (spelling on his surname in sure is wrong..!) has just done with Nick on Countdown?
I love magic like that! I can never work out how it's done!
I've not watched any of Countdown since Nick Hewer has started presenting, but I do love him on the Apprentice.
Always thought it seemed like a random choice to have him as a presenter in here tho!

I wouldn't have switched off but I wouldn't have been pleased, it would have been similar to when O'Connor did it - though I prefer TW to DO.

I think they're right to go for a relative unknown, yes I'd have preferred Jeff to stay but I'll certainly give Nick a few weeks to get better. Even if he doesn't improve I prefer someone who seems personable but wooden over someone polished but smarmy who thinks the show is about them.

Why did geoff stelling leave ?

He left because he said his work for Sky was his first priority, and the extra work on Countdown was too much. He changed his mind, but the bosses at Countdown refused to have him stay. Wrong move, and I do think they want this prog to die, and Nick's the man to do it.

Just watched Nick Hewer on Countdown. Dreadful! He isnt cut out to be a presenter thats for sure.
So dreary surely channel 4 could have found someone with a bit more character than him.

Having now thought about this again following your further comments down-thread, the person who picked the letters is the first person to declare the number of letters in their word and this rule hasn't changed.

Cross purposes suck

If Bob was playing Jane then:

if Bob chose the letters for the game, then Jeff would go:
"how long Bob", "how long Jane", "what's the word Jane", "what's the word Bob"

this new guy goes:
"how long Bob", "how long Jane", "what's the word Bob", "what's the word Jane"

Maybe this radically new way of doing things () does in fact offer neither player an advantage, it just struck me as "huh?! what's THAT all about" when he first did it.

nb: this is what both delare the same length, of course when one is smaller than the other, they always go first.

As much as i love Terry Wogan i think he would be too big for Countdown.I think someone much less well known works and i hope nick settles into his new role