- They are looking at everyone and consider the data and analytics, testing and focus groups, and ultimately who we think the correct person is in the long term. Mike’s role is not to choose the person, and he is to make everyone as great as they can be as the host.
- The show is not looking for a three-year host but looking for a 10-year or a 20-year host. Richards says that stability is one of the show’s strengths; they have to consider who’s got a 20-year horizon who can focus on the show. And make it great over that time.]
This is the concern I have.
Countdown in the United Kingdom has suffered from massive host changes since death of longtime hosting stalwart Sir Richard Whiteley in 2005. In the 16 years since Whiteley's death, the show has gone through 4 permanent hosts (Des Lynam, Des O'Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Hewer) and 1 standby host (Colin Murray) due to the COVID19 crisis and Nick Hewer's advanced age (77). I was never a fan of Nick Hewer for the 9 years he served (the longest of any of the 4 replacements). Now 76-year old Anne Robinson of
The Weakest Link fame is taking over. They've not been able to find a strong compliment to Suzie Dent and Rachel Riley, the current lithographer and board runner that comes anywhere close to the repertoire and camaraderie of Whiteley, Dent and Carol Vorderman. There's some of it in
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, the version hosted by Jimmy Carr, but that's only for specials. My major problem with Hewer is he always seemed to just be there for the sake of getting a check. Always seem detached and dull, whereas Whiteley was interactive and a very raw Alex Trebek level humour. I don't imagine Anne Robinson is going to last long hosting it either, another kick in the foot.
Jeopardy brass, Sony brass, etc, has got to find the person who can serve-long term, but keep the chemistry of the concept going in a way that is similar, but does not have to be 100% Alex Trebek.