22Mar2009
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.
I don’t quite understand what the prize is for winning on this show… is it just that little clock paperweight, or does the good ol’ chap get any cash for his 8-time win? :D
They were talking about his next girlfriend. Should the Octo-Champ meet the Octo-Mom?
But seriously, that was a heck of a job over eight shows. I’m glad he got the record for the highest score over the eight games.
lobster –
In the spirit of competing for the sake of competing alone, the only prize that the winner receives is the Countdown Teapot. Additionally, the winner of the Grand Finals gets a full leather-bound OED. All contestants get the “goody basket,” containing the usual consolation prizes (home game, Countdown shirt, dictionary, etc.)
Now, there, I submit to you, is a lost art in the world of U.S. game shows, competing for the sake of competing and enjoying one’s self. Now I’m not knocking playing for money, but I’m just saying you don’t have to shove a million dollars in everyone’s face to try to make it a good show.
Nick bringing up the Countdown/Jeopardy! reign comparsion got me thinking about the similarities between the two. And really, they are quite alike.
I would go so far as to consider this the “timeless” gameshow for the UK.
It’s gone 25+ seasons (this is its 26th, isn’t it?) and though the hosts have changed, the game stays the same no matter what. That, I admire.
And really, Jeopardy! is the “timeless” gameshow here in the US. Its current syndie version is in its 25th season, and only the set, music, and dollar amounts have really changed- it’s still the same game at heart.
I’ll also mention Wheel of Fortune, seeing as it’s also gone 25+ seasons, and not much of the basic game has changed- there’s still a Wheel, a puzzle board, and a bonus round.
And I have a feeling it’ll be that way for a long time on Jeopardy!, Countdown, and Wheel- they won’t change the basic game as long as people embrace it like they have.
26th? Try 60th. Although previously a series would only last three months, upped to six months in the 90s.
The British terms are different for “series,” similar to Survivor. Using the same “series” terms, in Jeopardy!, a “series” would take 18 months between Tournament of Champions, which is the reference in Countdown.