Countdown Conundrum – Why Is It So Crap Now?

This Is My Own Countdown Conundrum Wondering Why It Is So Crap.

So it is now currently presented by Anne Robinson, looking just like the Star Wars Emperor. Actually at times, she sounds just like him too. This is the first time I have watched this in a lot of years and boy it really is crap. Since its debut on 2 November 1982, there have been several hosts, but this is the worst by far. it was only last week, by chance I was in the UK and the tv was on in the background. The show started and I was hooked. Hooked on how crap it is.

We still have the resident lexicographer Susie Dent who is now the leading presenter surpassing Carol Jean Vorderman, MBE in number of appearances. Susie is another boring presenter, she really doesn’t have a personality. I found out she did a short mini series here, but the fact these were 3-4 minutes each, kinda says it all. Like watching paint dry, springs to mind.

I have no idea at all who Anne-Marie Imafidon is or why she is presenting. To be totally honest, I have no fucking desire to even find out. Today, 8th Feb 2022 she looked like Andy Useless Pandy.

The last time I watched it, Rachel Riley was adding some appeal to the show and proving she was not just there as eye candy. Sadly watching it this week, Anne-Marie seems to just stand or sit there, looking bored and uninterested.  I know the title of Arithmetician isn’t that sexy or lively, but at least if you have a younger staff member, let him/her actually do something.

 

Will C4 Bring Back Rachel Riley?

Who knows and in all honesty who cares. While happy Anne is presenting, the show is as flat as a fart. Richard Whiteley was the iconic presenter many years ago. Nick Hewer, was pretty good too, but this was once again Channel 4 going for an older presenter. With more than 2000 shows under his belt, he was clearly a popular choice. Jeff Stelling was more of a fun guy, well known as a football presenter, he kind of livened up the show.
Des Lynam was brought in to try to make the show more appealing to the ladies, with his ever so smooth presentation style. Des O’Connor was another popular figure they rolled out for 470 shows.

 

Anne, You are the weakest link. Goodbye.

Sorry but because you were good and sometimes funny hosting The Weakest Link going back 20 years, it doesn’t mean at almost 80 it still works now.

I guess huddled between all the tv adverts for Tena Lady, Funeral Plan and the OVER 50s Life Insurance, the show blends in nicely as it is. If you’re ever wanting to attract younger audience, revamp the show and get some fun presenters on board.

 

Countdown Conundrum Summary

Do you ever want to watch this crap again, is the only Countdown Conundrum to puzzle over.  Channel 4, here are my suggestions. Get new presenters, who are under retirement age. The show really is poor now.  Prevent guests who are not funny from appearing, hint = Tim Vine.

So why do so many people think Tim Vine is not funny?

During one Edinburgh Fringe, the negative reviews far outweighed the positive as critics said his material had become tired and samey. One paper said simply: “Tim Vine isn’t funny.”

Speaking exclusively to The Times, Tim Vine denied he was not funny. “I don’t think I’m unfunny,” he said. “But obviously people are entitled to their opinion. When I started, most of the stuff about my mother and dead parrots got a big laugh, but I’ve been doing it for a long time and I wanted to try new things. Now some of the old stuff isn’t as well received, but I’m still trying to be fresh and original.”

One critic said: “Tim Vine is an acquired taste who seems to have been around forever. For his legion of fans, he remains one of the funniest acts on the circuit.”

This is certainly true. His CD At The Bottom Of My Trousers, which was released in 2004 and has sold more than 100,000 copies, was nominated for a Grammy Award (he lost out to Michael Bublé). It’s hard to believe there are more than 100k people who even find him funny.