CECIL - Revision history

The Doctor at 00:58, 14 January 2024

2024-01-14T00:58:40Z

The Doctor: info on CECIL MkII (1999-2013)

2022-12-27T17:20:03Z

info on CECIL MkII (1999-2013)

RLSJ1997: Correct me if I'm wrong

2022-01-23T08:34:49Z

Correct me if I'm wrong

The Doctor at 02:13, 28 August 2021

2021-08-28T02:13:18Z

The Doctor: standardise pronoun

2020-05-06T16:50:21Z

standardise pronoun

RLSJ1997: Made a few changes here

2019-05-28T15:21:00Z

Made a few changes here

RLSJ1997: Updated to reflect that "CECIL" has changed appearance...

2017-07-11T15:35:01Z

Updated to reflect that "CECIL" has changed appearance...

JohnnyCanuck: /* Appearance */ definitely noticed this today

2017-07-03T16:01:52Z

‎Appearance: definitely noticed this today

JohnnyCanuck at 00:55, 3 August 2016

2016-08-03T00:55:29Z

Graeme Cole: /* Usage */ Pretty sure that's not correct - recently Joe Wilkinson pressed the button repeatedly and generated separate targets. Also, for retakes they'd have to reset it to 000 anyway.

2013-08-18T14:54:56Z

‎Usage: Pretty sure that's not correct - recently Joe Wilkinson pressed the button repeatedly and generated separate targets. Also, for retakes they'd have to reset it to 000 anyway.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===Usage===
-Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. This lower limit was used for an indeterminate period of time before a 100 target reappeared on the "new CECIL" in [[Series 75]] in 2016. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached simply by declaring a number, without needing to perform any calculations (which notably happened for the very first time in [[Episode Cats139|8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 22, Episode 3]] in January 2022).
+Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. This was used for an indeterminate period of time before a 100 target reappeared on the "new CECIL" in [[Series 75]] in 2016. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached simply by declaring a number, without needing to perform any calculations (which notably happened for the very first time in [[Episode Cats139|8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 22, Episode 3]] in January 2022).
 ===Appearance===
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 CECIL's appearance has varied throughout ''Countdown'' history to match the set design of the time. However, the functionally of its surroundings has remained unchanged. Beneath its display and the aforementioned six recesses is a sheet of card, on which the [[arithmetician]] writes down solutions to the numbers rounds. Collectively this is known as "the numbers board". Throughout most of ''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s history, the numbers board has been integrated into a wall of the main studio set.
-The original CECIL lasted for 17 years before being replaced in 1999 for [[Championship of Champions X]], which coincided with a minor redesign of the set (the colour being changed and the conundrum board moving across the studio), apparently to prevent any chance of the show being affected by the "Millennium Bug". This version of CECIL lasted until 2013. For [[Championship of Champions XI]] in 2003, a new striped set was introduced which moved the numbers board to a separate island isolated from the main desk. The current set design, introduced when [[Jeff Stelling]] became the main presenter of ''Countdown'', has CECIL mounted directly behind the board used for [[letters round]]s.
+The original CECIL lasted for 17 years before being replaced in 1999 for [[Championship of Champions X]], which coincided with a minor redesign of the set (the colour being changed and the conundrum board moving across the studio), apparently to prevent any chance of the show being affected by the "Millennium Bug". For [[Championship of Champions XI]] in 2003, a new striped set was introduced which moved the numbers board to a separate island isolated from the main desk. The current set design, introduced when [[Jeff Stelling]] became the main presenter of ''Countdown'', has CECIL mounted directly behind the board used for [[letters round]]s.
-On 21 January 2013 (during the [[30th Birthday Championship]]), with the advent of ''Countdown'' being produced in high definition, CECIL's display was upgraded from a segmented LED display to a flat-screen monitor, as were the displays used to show the contestants' scores. A further change was made to the displays when the "new" blue-and-brown set was introduced at the beginning of [[Series 77]] in July 2017. The blue colour of the displays was brightened slightly, and CECIL now cycles through random numbers for a notably shorter amount of time before landing on a target.
+This version of CECIL lasted until 2013, but did not survive the show's move to Salford due to a backwards compatibility issue, meaning that CECIL had to become a monitor, as were the displays used to show the contestants' scores. A further change was made to the displays when the "new" blue-and-brown set was introduced at the beginning of [[Series 77]] in July 2017. The blue colour of the displays was brightened slightly, and CECIL now cycles through random numbers for a notably shorter amount of time before landing on a target.
 On 28 May 2019 (during [[Series 80]]), CECIL debuted with a permanent whiteboard, marking the end of 36.5 years of continuous usage of paper clipped to a board.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ===Appearance===
-CECIL's appearance has varied throughout ''Countdown'' history to match the set design of the time. However, the functionally of its surroundings has remained unchanged. Beneath its display and the aforementioned six recesses is a sheet of card, on which the [[arithmetician]] writes down solutions to the numbers rounds. Collectively this is known as "the numbers board". Throughout most of ''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s history, the numbers board has been integrated into a wall of the main studio set. For [[Championship of Champions XI]] in 2003, a new striped set was introduced which moved the numbers board to a separate island isolated from the main desk. The current set design, introduced when [[Jeff Stelling]] became the main presenter of ''Countdown'', has CECIL mounted directly behind the board used for [[letters round]]s.
+CECIL's appearance has varied throughout ''Countdown'' history to match the set design of the time. However, the functionally of its surroundings has remained unchanged. Beneath its display and the aforementioned six recesses is a sheet of card, on which the [[arithmetician]] writes down solutions to the numbers rounds. Collectively this is known as "the numbers board". Throughout most of ''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s history, the numbers board has been integrated into a wall of the main studio set.
 On 21 January 2013 (during the [[30th Birthday Championship]]), with the advent of ''Countdown'' being produced in high definition, CECIL's display was upgraded from a segmented LED display to a flat-screen monitor, as were the displays used to show the contestants' scores. A further change was made to the displays when the "new" blue-and-brown set was introduced at the beginning of [[Series 77]] in July 2017. The blue colour of the displays was brightened slightly, and CECIL now cycles through random numbers for a notably shorter amount of time before landing on a target.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===Usage===
-Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. This lower limit was used for an indeterminate period of time before a 100 target reappeared on the "new CECIL" in [[Series 75]] in 2016. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached simply by declaring a number, without needing to perform any calculations.
+Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. This lower limit was used for an indeterminate period of time before a 100 target reappeared on the "new CECIL" in [[Series 75]] in 2016. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached simply by declaring a number, without needing to perform any calculations (which notably happened for the very first time in [[Episode Cats139|8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Series 22, Episode 3]] in January 2022).
 ===Appearance===

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 On 28 May 2019 (during [[Series 80]]), CECIL debuted with a permanent whiteboard, marking the end of 36.5 years of continuous usage of paper clipped to a board.
-Though little more than a circuit board, on occasion CECIL has seemed to develop a mind of its own. In particular, CECIL is noted for a lack of sense of occasion and has a tendency to offer incongruously easy targets at crucial moments &ndash; for instance, in series finals and [[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game as [[arithmetician]] ''(pictured below)''.
+Though little more than a circuit board, on occasion CECIL has seemed to develop a mind of its own. In particular, CECIL is noted for a lack of sense of occasion and has a tendency to offer incongruously easy targets at crucial moments: infamous examples of this include two extremely easy targets in [[Episode 1907|the final]] of the [[Series 33|Supreme Championship]], as well as [[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game as [[arithmetician]] ''(pictured below)''.
 ===Gallery (Up to 2013)===

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 On 28 May 2019 (during [[Series 80]]), CECIL debuted with a permanent whiteboard, marking the end of 36.5 years of continuous usage of paper clipped to a board.
-Though little more than a circuit board, on occasion CECIL has seemed to develop a mind of his own. In particular, CECIL is noted for a lack of sense of occasion and has a tendency to offer incongruously easy targets at crucial moments &ndash; for instance, in series finals and [[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game as [[arithmetician]] ''(pictured below)''.
+Though little more than a circuit board, on occasion CECIL has seemed to develop a mind of its own. In particular, CECIL is noted for a lack of sense of occasion and has a tendency to offer incongruously easy targets at crucial moments &ndash; for instance, in series finals and [[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game as [[arithmetician]] ''(pictured below)''.
 ===Gallery (Up to 2013)===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Featured article}}
-[[File:Cecil 2017.png|thumb|200px|right|The current CECIL used since 03 July 2017.]]
+[[File:Cecil 2019.png|thumb|200px|right|The current appearance of CECIL from [[Episode 7084|28 May 2019]] onwards.]]
 '''CECIL''' is a random number generator used to set three-digit target numbers for [[numbers round]]s on ''Countdown''. CECIL is an acronym, short for "''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Electronic Calculator in [[YTV Studios|Leeds]]", though CECIL in fact does not perform calculations. Although production of ''Countdown'' moved to Manchester in 2009, the name CECIL is still used today. In [[Episode 1|the first episode of ''Countdown'']], [[presenter]] [[Richard Whiteley]] stated that the name CECIL was an affectionate nod to [[wikipedia:Premium Bond#ERNIE|ERNIE]], the random number generator used to generate Premium Bonds winners. The choice of name is a tribute to the late [[Cecil Korer]], former Head of Entertainment at [[Channel 4]], who first commissioned ''Countdown'' in [[Series 1|1982]].
@@ Line 12: / Line 14: @@
 On 21 January 2013 (during the [[30th Birthday Championship]]), with the advent of ''Countdown'' being produced in high definition, CECIL's display was upgraded from a segmented LED display to a flat-screen monitor, as were the displays used to show the contestants' scores. A further change was made to the displays when the "new" blue-and-brown set was introduced at the beginning of [[Series 77]] in July 2017. The blue colour of the displays was brightened slightly, and CECIL now cycles through random numbers for a notably shorter amount of time before landing on a target.
 Though little more than a circuit board, on occasion CECIL has seemed to develop a mind of his own. In particular, CECIL is noted for a lack of sense of occasion and has a tendency to offer incongruously easy targets at crucial moments &ndash; for instance, in series finals and [[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game as [[arithmetician]] ''(pictured below)''.
-===Gallery===
+===Gallery (Up to 2013)===
 <gallery>
 File:Episode 1 numbers game.jpg|The original CECIL, seen here alongside the Mk.1 prototype [[Carol Vorderman|Vorderbot]].
 File:CECIL and Carol.jpg|''Countdown''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s most enduring double-act: CECIL and [[Carol Vorderman|thingy]].
 File:Cecil 2009 503.jpg|[[Rachel Riley]]'s first ever numbers game was rather easy, thanks to CECIL.
 </gallery>
 [[Category:Terminology]]
 [[Category:Featured articles]]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ===Usage===
-Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached without needing to perform any calculations. Notably, pressing the button which prompts CECIL to generate a random number without resetting CECIL beforehand will cause its digits to flash again, then settling on the same target figure as before. This is a precaution in case retakes need to be filmed with the same target figure.
+Before each numbers round begins, CECIL is reset and displays "000". During the round, a co-[[presenter]] &ndash; originally [[Beverley Isherwood]], later [[Carol Vorderman]] and most recently [[Rachel Riley]] &ndash; places six numbered tiles into recessed boxes directly below CECIL's three-digit display. To prompt CECIL to generate a random target number, which the contestants must reach using the numbers on the tiles, the co-presenter then presses a button. CECIL's digits then briefly flash at random, before settling on a three-digit number which is declared the target figure. The target numbers generated by CECIL were originally 100 to 999 inclusive, but the lowest possible target was later revised to 101. A 100 tile is one of the four large number tiles used in numbers rounds, and therefore the target could potentially be reached without needing to perform any calculations.
 ===Appearance===