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Difference between revisions of "The Leeds Studios"
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[[Image:800px-Calendar_(News)_Studios.JPG|thumb|The Calendar newsroom, located opposite the main studios.]] | [[Image:800px-Calendar_(News)_Studios.JPG|thumb|The Calendar newsroom, located opposite the main studios.]] | ||
[[Image:2003set.JPG|thumb|right|225px|Example of the set.]] | [[Image:2003set.JPG|thumb|right|225px|Example of the set.]] | ||
| − | The '''YTV studios''' | + | The '''YTV studios''' were located in the Kirkstall area of Leeds, England. The show was originally called ''Calendar Countdown'' as part of the Yorkshire news show ''Calendar'' which still runs in Yorkshire today. Thus, Leeds in the heart of West Yorkshire was chosen as the venue for Countdown. The main studio contained the Countdown set including seats for both contestants, [[Jeff Stelling|Jeff]], and the [[Dictionary Corner]] duo. It also contained a seating area for about 200 people,plus the iconic Countdown clock, the [[letters game]] board and the [[numbers game]] board and tiles. There was also: |
| − | *The green room: A small room with a television that | + | *The green room: A small room with a television that wired into the main studio so future contestants could relax away from the spectators but still watch the games. This was where contestants are usually found in between games, unless they were eating or getting changed. |
| − | *The changing rooms: A male and female changing room which also | + | *The changing rooms: A male and female changing room which also included some spare clothes in case one of the contestants had brought unsuitable material to wear in the studio. |
| − | *The make-up room: Each contestant has to put on some foundation to combat the effects of the lights in the studio, even the male guests and contestants. | + | *The make-up room: Each contestant has to put on some foundation to combat the effects of the lights in the studio, even the male guests and contestants. Richard, the Deses and [[Carol Vorderman|Carol]] also had to put make-up on. |
| − | *The canteen: | + | *The canteen: Where the players and staff ate their meals between the afternoon and evening recording sessions. The canteen was also open to other programmes. |
| − | *The bar: | + | *The bar: Upto [[Series 50]] it used to serve drinks to the contestants and their families at the end of the day. Typically the contestant got one free drink each before they had to start paying. |
| − | *The gallery: Upstairs in the main studio | + | *The gallery: Upstairs in the main studio was the gallery where all the sound and camera shots were coordinated. Typically you would also find [[Damian Eadie]] and [[Michael Wylie]], who gave via earpiece the longest words in the letters rounds to the Dictionary corner duo. Most of the programme was coordinated from the gallery. |
*Various offices for the Countdown team to do clerical work between programs, budgeting, finance and writing down the scores and winners of the games. | *Various offices for the Countdown team to do clerical work between programs, budgeting, finance and writing down the scores and winners of the games. | ||
| − | In March 2009, ITV plc announced that the Leeds Studios were to be closed in an effort to save costs following a reported loss of £2.7 billion for 2008. About 150 jobs | + | In March 2009, ITV plc announced that the Leeds Studios were to be closed in an effort to save costs following a reported loss of £2.7 billion for 2008. About 150 jobs would be lost. The Calendar studios would remain open as would the separate Emmerdale studio. |
The studios officially closed on Wednesday 22nd April 2009, with production of Countdown moving to the Granada Television studios in Manchester. | The studios officially closed on Wednesday 22nd April 2009, with production of Countdown moving to the Granada Television studios in Manchester. | ||
Revision as of 21:20, 14 March 2010
_Studios.JPG)
The YTV studios were located in the Kirkstall area of Leeds, England. The show was originally called Calendar Countdown as part of the Yorkshire news show Calendar which still runs in Yorkshire today. Thus, Leeds in the heart of West Yorkshire was chosen as the venue for Countdown. The main studio contained the Countdown set including seats for both contestants, Jeff, and the Dictionary Corner duo. It also contained a seating area for about 200 people,plus the iconic Countdown clock, the letters game board and the numbers game board and tiles. There was also:
- The green room: A small room with a television that wired into the main studio so future contestants could relax away from the spectators but still watch the games. This was where contestants are usually found in between games, unless they were eating or getting changed.
- The changing rooms: A male and female changing room which also included some spare clothes in case one of the contestants had brought unsuitable material to wear in the studio.
- The make-up room: Each contestant has to put on some foundation to combat the effects of the lights in the studio, even the male guests and contestants. Richard, the Deses and Carol also had to put make-up on.
- The canteen: Where the players and staff ate their meals between the afternoon and evening recording sessions. The canteen was also open to other programmes.
- The bar: Upto Series 50 it used to serve drinks to the contestants and their families at the end of the day. Typically the contestant got one free drink each before they had to start paying.
- The gallery: Upstairs in the main studio was the gallery where all the sound and camera shots were coordinated. Typically you would also find Damian Eadie and Michael Wylie, who gave via earpiece the longest words in the letters rounds to the Dictionary corner duo. Most of the programme was coordinated from the gallery.
- Various offices for the Countdown team to do clerical work between programs, budgeting, finance and writing down the scores and winners of the games.
In March 2009, ITV plc announced that the Leeds Studios were to be closed in an effort to save costs following a reported loss of £2.7 billion for 2008. About 150 jobs would be lost. The Calendar studios would remain open as would the separate Emmerdale studio.
The studios officially closed on Wednesday 22nd April 2009, with production of Countdown moving to the Granada Television studios in Manchester.
