18Nov2011
Channel 4 Celebrates 30 Years with a Special “Million Pound Drop” and “Countdown”
British broadcaster Channel 4 has been around for thirty years. They've given us some great game shows like Countdown, Deal or No Deal, and The Million Pound Drop. They've got special episodes of popular shows like Countdown and The Million Pound Drop that you may want to check out. You won't be seeing Davina McCall and Jeff Stelling host The Drop or Countdown. You won't see regular contestants either. Click here to learn about all the host swaps.
Read MoreView Comments (2)16Nov2011
“The Apprentice” Star Nick Hewer Named New Host of “Countdown”
Ever since Richard Whiteley, the long running host of Channel 4's Countdown, died, there has been a revolving door of hosts. Des Lynam hosted it for a few years, as did Des O'Connor, as did current host Jeff Stelling. Channel 4 has named BBC's The Apprentice board member Nick Hewer the new host of the long running letters-and-numbers game. Nick will begin taping his run starting next month and it will begin airing January 9, 2012. Co-host Rachel Riley will return. Click here to learn more, to see a clip of Nick, and to tell us what you think of the new hire.
Read MoreView Comments (2)10Jul2011
Weekend Replay: Channel 4′s “Countdown”
There are few shows anywhere in the world that give you the level of pure and simple play-along as Channel 4's Countdown. It can't be any easier. You get a group of letters and you make the longest word you can. You get a group of numbers and a target, and you need to find a way to get there. It's a British institution, beginning in 1982, and it's something any American can play along with. Try not to as you watch the clip. It's impossible. Our friend, television personality Greg Scott, was recently a contestant on the show. The prize is nothing more than glory, but he's got to beat his opponent. Can he do it? He did way better than I would have. We had another friend Ryan Vickers, on the show, too. It's strange how many people we know that have been on. It's a lot of fun. And Greg is awesome, of course. Check out his website here. Click here to see some of his show and see if he wins.
Read MoreView Comments (13)25May2011
Morning Buzz for May 25, 2011
Here are a few quick morning updates for your Wednesday. And congratulations to the Canucks on their great double overtime win last night. This morning's updates include syndication ratings, news on British game show Countdown's host Jeff Stelling, information on the new global game show The Biggest Game Show in the World, plus today's game show schedule. Click here for all the updates.
Read MoreView Comments (5)06Dec2010
UK Christmas Game Shows Preview
As Christmas draws near, the UK networks go mad with their game shows, with many shows having celebrity specials. Here is a guide to what is happening on the major networks through Christmas and New Year. BBC One As a yearly Christmas tradition, Celebrity Mastermind will be shown from Monday 27th December through to Friday 7th January with ten celebrity specials. Some of the celebrities sitting in the famous black chair include Red Dwarf's Hattie Hayridge (Holly) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) who will be appearing on separate shows. Comedians Rhys Thomas, Kirsten O'Brien and Richard Herring. Decathlete Dean Macey, food critic and brother of Only Connect's Victoria Coren, Giles Coren and the inventor of Reggae Reggae Sauce (as shown on
Read MoreLeave a Comment22Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: Octochamp Kirk Bevins
I don't think it's that much of a surprise to anyone who watched the episode of Countdown posted here this weekend that the champion of that episode, Kirk Bevins, becomes an octochamp (8-time undefeated champion, pretty much like what a 5-time Jeopardy champion used to be). Here's the ending of Kirk's 8th episode. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CD031709.flv width=630 height=343 bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (7)22Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: March 5, 2009 (Part 3)
Last part of the episode. I'll be posting one more clip for you later tonight, featuring the champion of this episode. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CDs60e24c.flv width=630 height=343 bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (2)22Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: March 5, 2009 (Part 2)
Here's part two of Countdown. The champion is definitely showing his skill the game, isn't he? [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CDs60e24b.flv width=630 height=343 img=image-preview.jpg bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (2)21Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: March 5, 2009 (Part 1)
A while back, Alex posted up the beginning of Jeff Stelling's first episode of Countdown. It was great and all, but it didn't have much gameplay (and I think Jeff Stelling's the best host of the four). So, I'm feeling generous this weekend, and I'm giving you an entire episode. Mostly because this episode features a really smart champion (You'll agree by Monday morning). Here's part one of the episode that aired on March 5, 2009. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CDs60e24a.flv width=630 height=343 img=image-preview.jpg bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreLeave a Comment08Feb2009
The British are Better Than Us: “Countdown”
Next up on our regular series The British are Better Than Us is my personal favorite British game show, Countdown. Countdown is a long running game facing two contestants against each other in a game of spelling and math. If you've played Text Twist, you basically know the spelling portion. In the math game, contestants are given six sets of numbers (either small numbers 1-10 or big numbers 25, 50, 75, or 100) and have to only add, subtract, multiply, or divide them to reach the randomly assigned target number, using each of the sets of numbers only once. I know we've talked about Only Connect being probably the smartest show on television, anywhere, but Countdown beats any other show for the sheer play-along factor. It's impossible no
Read MoreView Comments (31)25Jul2008
Hosts of UK Game Show “Countdown” Leave
Probably my favorite British game show is the exceptionally brainy Countdown. I hate to say it, but if any show could be deemed too smart for America's Deal or No Deal level audience at this point, it's Countdown. It's split into two types of play. In the word rounds, you're given nine letters and have to make the longest word possible. In the numbers game, you're given six different numbers and have to add, subtract, multiply, or divide in order to reach a target. All of this is under the scrutiny of the infamous Countdown clock, which is 30 seconds. Real news for this show comes today as host Des O'Connor announced he is leaving. He's the 3rd host in the past few years, after original longtime host Richard Whiteley passed away, and another host, Des Lynam, quit after a short amount of time. However, the bigger news comes from co host Carol Vorderman announcing she will be leaving as well. It's honestly like imagining Vanna White is leaving. Carol is the thinking person's Vanna White. She's been with the show since 1982 and has been more than a pretty face. She was integral for the show's number round, as she often computed complicated math problems. Representatives have said they will be hunting down replacements for both, though, as a long time fan of the show, it's going to be hard to replace Carol; she was absolutely incredible. Here's an episode of what is probably the smartest show on television for those who haven't seen it. Part one is here and the others are under the page break. You can also read more about Countdown at the UKGameShows, which is probably the best game show website in the world, by clicking this link. (more...)
Read MoreView Comments (22)21Nov2007
“Crosswords” Gets Home Game
The ratings for Crosswords aren't that great, but it's getting some support from a major game company. Hasbro has received the license to develop board and DVD games to the fledgling new syndicated game show. Both of which are expected to be out this coming Fall, hopefully when a second season will come out. Hasbro is getting into the game show business even more as they, as previously stated, are partnering with Denbar-Mercury (Family Feud) for the syndicated Trivial Pursuit game show currently being planned. There should be some form of online game for Crosswords out by now, but it's been in development longer than I think the rules for the actual show were developed. You can make your own Temptation home game by watching E! and when you can guess what is being talked about currently, reach into your pocket and give yourself $5. You probably have a larger budget than the actual show does already.
Read MoreView Comments (7)10Jan2007
“Countdown” To Get Cell Phone Treatment
Dynamo Games has reached an agreement with Granada Ventures, the licensor of Countdown, to distribute a Countdown game for cell phones in the UK and Ireland only. Brian McNicoll, the managing director of Dynamo: “Countdown is ... an institution, which is loved by millions of people of all ages and from all walks of life. The show's combination of word and maths puzzles allows everyone, of every ability to to take part and makes it the perfect programme to bring to mobile phones.” You can get it starting near the end of this month, from here.
Read MoreView Comments (1)21Oct2006
Des O’Connor Named New Host of UK’s “Countdown”
Digital Spy is reporting that 74 year old Des O'Connor will be replacing the vacating Des Lynam as the new host of the popular Channel4 game show "Countdown". The Sun is also reporting that he will screentest next week, having beaten very popular UK personalities, such as (in roles most known in the US) "UK Whose Line is it Anyway?" performer Stephen Fry and FOX's "The Rich Li$t" host Eamonn Holmes. Lynam will finish taping in December, as he says the travel from his home to the studio is too much.
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