... and she could continue the tradition of flirting with Rachel.

I haven't watched CD for yonks but caught it the other day. Rachel's dress was a bit of a let-down, what's happened to the bottom- skimmers she used to favour?

As for a replacement host, I'd give the job to Richard Osman off Pointless. He's got the quick mind that is ideally suited to a word-based gameshow.

This might make some of you laugh. I complained to C4 about the extraordinary lengths the show goes to to pretend it's live, and also the way Susie Dent takes credit for words given to her down the earpiece. This is the response I received from a Mr Dylan Redmond:

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries regarding COUNTDOWN.

We have never tried to convince viewers that Countdown is a live programme. It is well known that episodes are recorded a few weeks in advance and at no point have we ever put out information to deny that.

Susie Dent and whoever the guest is at the time, come up with the words themselves. Every TV presenter on any show wears an earpiece so they can be advised by the producer or director as to what is happening in the show and what is happening next.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate all feedback from our viewers; complimentary or otherwise.

Regards,

Dylan Redmond
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

Haven't you got anything better to do?

LOL It could be worse. I could spend my time posting over a thousand times to DS

Actually your rate of posting is much higher than Ken's (3.12 compared to 0.35).

First few days on a site are, for most people, unrepresentative and will usually be higher - novelty factor etc. But you've got a point - if it was still around that sort of level in, say, seven and a half years time that would be something of a concern. My God, that would push it up to around the 8000 figure. Fortunately there's noone quite THAT sad on this forum

I'm well aware of my post rate but since I don't see anything sad about it then there is no problem. You on the other hand have made a specific point of calling out someone for something which so far you are doing more of.

I'm watching Countdown at the moment and have to say that Nick Hewer has really grown on me and he now seems quite relaxed and laid-back!

Can't believe it took Rachel so long to get the first numbers game. I got it before the clock ran out. (Is there a 'smarty-pants' smilie? )

How bizarre, the show or its presenters have never pretended it was live, as for the earpiece, that's for the director to talk to the presenters, they'll all have one as with any such show.

Rachel Riley came 84th in FHM's sexiest woman on the planet. What an absolute travesty!

I don't think Countdown's target market overlaps much with FHM's!

Just had a little titter when Chris Packham claimed it was his birthday. Didn't realize Countdown had started going out live.

Anybody think the champ chucked it on today's edition? That numbers game was so easy, and if he'd got it, he could have won. Maybe he didn't fancy going through to the final. (although he might get there anyway, we seem a bit short of 'brainboxes' this series.)

Always wanted to see Rachel's little hedgehog.

Couldn't stand the prim and smug Angela Rippon last week, but loving Janet Street Porter as guest in Dictionary corner. Funny seeing Nick a bit scared of her! Straight talking as ever, her anecdote today about having to put up with Paul Burrell in the jungle was hilarious. Sorry to see the sexy Prison officer go yesterday, after a few good wins, was obviously tired and risking too many words that weren't in the dictionary.

Didn't take long for Lesley to start singing

She's so annoying

Phwoar - who is that hottie contestant?!?!

Hmmmm.....
While they don't lie, they do try to give the impression it's live, even if it just minor things like asking contestants not to refer to the fact they are facing other contestants "this afternoon".

I'm not saying there wrong for doing it, but they do make an effort to not let the viewer know that they make several episodes in one day. Yet outside of the show the hosts are happy to talk about the schedule of X shows in one day. So its not a big secret, but in the show itself it appears that someone has considered that the "viewing experience" would be one of it being made "as live".

Of course countdown is far from unique in this.

Exactly what I thought, why can't she do something without bursting into song

Jesus Christ. She's just put all my windows through!

I simply don't understand the fascination with this. What are they supposed to do instead of treating each programme as separate day?

Did anyone else notice how Angela Rippon had hijacked Susie's dictionary but by day 2 she had her own?

I suppose you could say she was enthusiastic, I've seen other guests just sit there like lemons.

Others have done this too. Brandreth for one.