Talk:Series 82

According to Hello Magazine, a prior recording session took place without an audience due to a snowstorm. Do we know which episodes these were?--Launchballer 22:29, 21 April 2020 (UTC)

Yes, these were back in 2010. JackH 15:36, 30 April 2020 (UTC)

Episode 4974 was the 1st.

Comfirmation from Damian Eadie across Aptochat and ZoomDown YouTube chat: when Countdown returns, the mechanical conundrum board will be replaced with a digital, CGI-animated counterpart. The conundrum and solution will still roll like the mechanical one did, it’ll just be amimated like the teasers are. This will make conundrums much easier to set up, the letters can’t fall off or be upside down. Mclarenguy22 22:14, 8 June 2020 (UTC)

Update regarding filming resumption from Damian (John Beresford): https://www.apterous.org/chat.php?jumptime_hour=16&jumptime_mins=50&jump_day=24&jump_month=06&jump_year=2020 "We're hoping to film in July, the 11th in think? And the likelihood is, the series will run to the end of 2020."

Announced by Damian Eadie in live ZoomDown chat, Countdown to return on screen on 10th of August (barring any potential escalation on hibernation measures); so no more repeats after 7 August. That’s the plan. Mclarenguy22 19:31, 25 June 2020 (UTC)

I sincerely hope they extend the finals to accommodate the longer series.--Launchballer 22:57, 25 June 2020 (UTC)

Not happening, I’m afraid. Finals will air in December. Mclarenguy22 01:35, 26 June 2020 (UTC)

Damian confirmed that he finals will be aired in December TheWikiMan 15:50, 28 June 2020 (UTC)

Apologies - hadn't meant to remove Mclarenguy22's edit, I hadn't seen he'd answered the question - must have been responding to an old version! TheWikiMan 17:46, 28 June 2020 (UTC)

That's fine, I'm quite happy to assume that was an error. I remain steadfastly of the view that the length of this series means its finals should contain preliminaries though.--Launchballer 18:18, 29 June 2020 (UTC)

As a stat of interest, by the time Countdown resumes, it would have endured 99 days off air (if you exclude repeats), making it the the longest break for new episodes since the end of Series 53 and the start of Series 54 (120 days). Mclarenguy22 12:26, 3 July 2020 (UTC)

Been informed by John Beresford (via Fiona) that Paul Zenon will be in Dictionary Corner for next week's recording's- but not sure if it's for the whole set of recording sessions, given that the schedule has switched around a bit.

See if you can find out. In the meantime, put down what you know - if you're not sure, you can always comment it out.--Launchballer 09:26, 12 July 2020 (UTC)

The show is currently only allowing contestants who live in a 50-mile radius, even though they’re allowed to stay in hotels. Mclarenguy22 20:40, 14 July 2020 (UTC)

Think it's probably fine for someone (with the know-how) to create a Series 83 page now given that Damian said on Zoomdown chat that the show has been commissioned until the end of 2022...

You've raised a good point, given that I usually wait until recording sessions for the series show up on eTribez and they won't show up there for obvious reasons. I'm going to say wait until Damian 'announces' the existence of booked recording sessions on Zoomdown chat (or similar if it isn't airing). I can tell you that there is no more knowhow in creating a page than there is in editing one.--Launchballer 14:53, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

Paul zenon as guest

Nick confirmed in his GMB interview today (21st july) that Paul Zenon is due to be in the studio on that day. How would we confirm that in date form? Has there been any other recording sessions between Nina Hossain and Paul?

I've added it is as a comment, I'd like to see the episode first. When in the episode is it?--Launchballer 18:49, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

From 2:18:05.--Launchballer 19:21, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

Do we know as to how many shows each guest is doing?

Well according to someone who went down to mediacity area saw susie, and susie said that rufus hound was due a stint, but didn't turn up, so they got Paul zenon in for another stint of 5 directly after his stint

So ten episodes.--Launchballer 16:45, 22 July 2020 (UTC)

More than likely yes, will try to get some confirmation from DE

Paul Zenon confirmed on his Facebook that he was in the studio for a second day, so I think it’s safe to put down the dates now. Calstorm123 27th July 2020

Richard Digance to be in Dictionary Corner in the next recording block to do a few day's filming. Don't know specifics though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_xm-zbwhQ

When exactly in that does he say it? Damian's on screen for nearly two hours.--Launchballer 14:33, 30 July 2020 (UTC)

1 hr 05- ish

So at https://youtu.be/hV_xm-zbwhQ?t=3922. Rather puts the five episodes per day theory to bed, I'll have a sort out later.--Launchballer 17:15, 30 July 2020 (UTC)

I'm now working on four per day; we can adjust later.--Launchballer 14:47, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

Testing for coronavirus

According to Sam C-L, if anyone tests positive then Countdown will stop filming, as the entire team must self isolate. Social distancing isn’t possible absolutely everywhere. Mclarenguy22 18:30, 4 August 2020 (UTC)

Hi, I'm 90% sure that Sam will end up in the challenger's chair, but thought the general consensus was to wait until we properly know, i.e. he may be on after an octochamp, which could be likely (though I don't know), as I think I recall him saying on Apto that he may have been a reserve player.

Probably more likely at this point than at any other point in Countdown history. I've removed.--Launchballer 16:15, 6 August 2020 (UTC)

Pictures

I suggest we upload pictures of socially-distanced Dictionary corner, the table-top microphones, thick pens and digital conundrum to illustrate the changes. Mclarenguy22 14:04, 10 August 2020 (UTC)

Just doing today's Wikicap.

Sure. :) Mclarenguy22 20:39, 10 August 2020 (UTC)

Incorrect Guests?

Are the guests actually doing 4 or 8 shows? Told it’s 5 or 10. Mclarenguy22 22:13, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

In the Focal talk podcast Damian said Paul Zenon was booked "for 7 or 8 episodes". The Doctor 23:21, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

Phil Hammond filmed 3 shows on Day 1 then 5 the next. Sam Cappleman-Lynes said that Nina and Linda did 5, and have reason to believe that Paul Zenon did 10 as he covered for Rufus Hound the next day. Beyond that it's an unknown.

They will not have regressed to 4 if they're already back to 5. I've restored.--Launchballer 21:06, 18 August 2020 (UTC)

Page creation

On a totally different note, how does someone go about creating a new page? I think the Facebook group Countdowners deserves one.

Simply type the title you want to create a page at into the search bar and follow the instructions.--Launchballer 12:05, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

Super- thanks.

Shappi Khorsandi recording in DC today for future reference.

No audience

Were the last few shows in April audience-less, just out of interest? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mclarenguy22 (talk • contribs) 00:45, 28 August 2020

Top of this page - I think so. The Doctor 01:00, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

Helen Fospero amongst the upcoming DC guests having recorded today.

More guests

https://www.apterous.org/chat.php?jumptime_hour=17&jumptime_mins=21&jump_day=05&jump_month=10&jump_year=2020 <<< Upcoming DC guests here

Replied to you privately. The Doctor 16:44, 5 October 2020 (UTC)

I know this was a few weeks old, but I'm actually inclined to believe it despite the source. The majority of the names mentioned have mentioned they're appearing online etc.... + the likes of Jay Rayner don't explicitly seem to mention they've recorded but are listed in the listings....

Not sure. He's already got one thing wrong, namely the number of episodes Jo Brand's doing.--Launchballer 12:11, 17 October 2020 (UTC)

As a note: Not entirely sure that Rufus will end up doing 8 (or at least I don't think he will in that allocated spot). For the guests this series who've done more than 5, filming has been done over 2 days. If the same was applicable to Rufus, then it would involve him filming 5, then coming back for a new block to do 3...Say he was to do 8 in that block, then that would result in Nina Wadia doing filming on the 30th September, as Samira Ahmed filmed her shows on the 29th https://twitter.com/SamiraAhmedUK/status/1311054502104100866 , so if Nina was filming, then she wouldn't be doing any QF shows. In addition, I'm pretty sure that one of the finalists said on Apterous that they were starting filming at the start of the filming day. Spikeg1 09:29, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

Spoken to one of the finalists. It's definitely wrong. Have removed Hound downwards - won't put it up for a few days until we can have a complete, unbroken list. The Doctor 19:13, 27 October 2020 (UTC)

I've reinstated without guests - no point throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I have my doubts about Hound, as he's busy with Dancing on Ice.--Launchballer 23:08, 27 October 2020 (UTC)

I'll still give it a few days before putting in the finalists guests. As you may not know since you don't use Apterous, they were filmed as 4 (QFs) yesterday and 3 (SF/GFs) today. The Doctor 23:29, 27 October 2020 (UTC)

I do have an Apterous account, but I created it specifically for the purposes of messaging people, back when you could do that on a free account. (Which reminds me, I must amend MediaWiki:Anonnotice at some point.) I can still access the public chat - when was it discussed?--Launchballer 12:24, 28 October 2020 (UTC)

I spoke to a finalist privately. The Doctor 12:34, 28 October 2020 (UTC)

Levi Roots was in DC for the Finals- not specifically sure which day though (or whether he did both days) https://twitter.com/susie_dent/status/1321363954531225600 Spikeg1 08:21, 28 October 2020 (UTC)

OK, that'll do - I'll post the information that I know, then. The Doctor 11:24, 28 October 2020 (UTC)

Filming of Finals In Doubt

Damian Eadie confirmed in ZoomDown chat tonight that due to the fact that Boris Johnson has not yet made each local area official in terms of lockdown tier system, filming of the finals due for 26 October look uncertain (mainly due to enforced closure of hospitality and travel).

According to the BBC Salford will be in tier two from Wednesday.--Launchballer 20:43, 12 October 2020 (UTC)

I think that was well known (isn't Salford in GM?) but what that means for TV, for MediaCity, and for contestants coming to that part of the country from other areas is another matter. He did also say (albeit since he's blocked me on YouTube I only received this second-hand) that in lieu of finals filming (if they can't get the top 8 to Salford) they will just do heats indefinitely. The Doctor 01:11, 13 October 2020 (UTC)

Potentially, this could be the second TV show final Ian Volante is stuck in another country for. I hope they lengthen the finals to accommodate. I'm still not impressed with how they dealt with Corrina Attwood in the last series.--Launchballer 11:55, 13 October 2020 (UTC)

So if anyone's been living under a rock, Salford will go into Tier 3. What this means for Countdown I don't know, as all but essential travel into Tier 3 is strongly discouraged. The Doctor 16:45, 22 October 2020 (UTC) Well it seems that Countdown filming will still go ahead with the finals being recorded tomorrow. According to Sam C-L, players will be handed a note from ITV effectively telling the police to "take it up with them" if any of the finalists are stopped by them for whatever reason. Ian also seems to be going ahead wit the travelling, as he was saying in Public Chat the other day. I can only assume that they're still going ahead with S83 recordings which will be done straight after the final on Tuesday.

Good.--Launchballer 10:00, 25 October 2020 (UTC)

Last few guests

I would have thought it's likely Nina or Samira did 6. I'm pretty sure they only did 4 on QF day because of the need for COVID precautions (not sure they could have had 10 contestants in on one day). The Doctor 02:23, 21 November 2020 (UTC)

Number of episodes

I've worked it out to the best of my ability, and am confident there were 182 episodes in this series, not 181. This includes the one that wasn't broadcast. --CountdownChloe (talk) 16:45, 17 July 2022 (UTC)

For some reason I can't edit the page even though I'm an admin. I posted on Charlie's talk page two months ago to that effect.--Launchballer (talk) 10:24, 18 July 2022 (UTC)