OH Mr. Whitley! (Countdown)

Member Name: moonbailey

Product:	Countdown
Date:	11/10/01 (172 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tests your brain and polishes your maths and english skills., Hilariously inappropriate presenting, harmless fun.

Disadvantages: the disadvantages are what makes it a success - so none!

Anyone who saw Celebrity Sleep Over will have been shocked by the sleezy confessions of this Whiter than Whiteley game show host.

Who could have imagined that this tubby, loveable mummies boy had lost count of his one night stands, and fancied his chances with a group of three young and impressionable girls.

The result of this documentary has probably gained Countdown more viewers than it lost (grannies out, youngsters in). Yes, it is a disturbing fact that Countdown is now more popular than ever.

Dreadful puns, tired jokes and embarrassing dress sense have propelled Richard to dizzy heights of celebrity. Carol Vordeman has of course metamorphasised beyond recognision over the past few years, running parallel careers on the back of the success of the programme.

The fact that she is hideously overqualified for her role only adds to the humour of the set-up.

I couldn't possibly patronise you by going through the ins and outs of how the games are played. If you don't know already, you

a) Haven't lived

and

b) Won't be reading this.

so what's the point.

The timing of the show is pretty good. Kid's just getting back from school and jobless wonders all tuning in to test their skills at maths and spelling in a fun and harmless way.

Not many game shows are so easy to join in with at home - in fact I can't think of any!

I find it strangely addictive. I never realised I was a fan until I arrived home late and only caught the end. I was kicking myself for not walking back quicker.

They say, if you don't use it you lose it; in which case this is a valuable programme for bored housewives and new mums. It's a good way to play with and teach your kids at the same time too.

I love the sense of achievement I get when I solve the maths puzzle before time and without a pen and paper - and I love getting a longer word from th
e random letters than the contestants. I can waltz around for a good ten minutes feeling superior after that!

Bravo Countdown, you handle a dull educational chore with such clumsy humour and blundering lack of technology that it has become a cult T.V programme in it's own right.

Summary: