Followers of Countdown can be all too conversant in the enduring jingle that rings out as its clock ticks nearer to the 30-second mark.
However writing into behind-the-scenes showbiz podcast The Relaxation Is Leisure, a listener wished to know what would occur if that fateful blue hand lurched outdoors of its pure, time-mandated boundary.
“Does the countdown clock solely do 30 seconds or can it do the total 60-second rotation?” Paul Bateman requested (the thought is surprisingly horrifying to me).
And?
Co-host Richard Osman, who was on the present currently, requested none apart from countdown host Colin Murray what the reply was.
“Proper, I’ve needed to do a little bit of digging,” the Channel 4 host mentioned.
“I talked to Susie Dent, who would know higher than anyone” (the Dictionary Nook star has been on the present since 1992).
“She reckons it’s by no means occurred. However that’s not your query ― your query is can it.”
To that, Colin mentioned, “I don’t assume it may possibly. I keep in mind when [the Countdown clock] broke down throughout an episode as soon as after which our technicians went in… it’s a mock-up of a clock.”
He continued, “It’s not a grandfather clock or your wristwatch. So with each second it ticks it lights up… why would they gentle up the opposite 30 seconds if it’s not wanted? I don’t assume it could make sense.”
Although it’s only a concept, he provides, “I’m positive that it hasn’t ticked spherical a full minute. Can it? I’m much less positive, however I’m fairly satisfied it may possibly’t.”
Nonetheless Richard factors to the truth that the “present clock… wouldn’t go all the best way spherical” ― however within the present’s “pilot, it goes round to 45 seconds.”
He’s “sure Colin is true” with the model within the studio now ― however should you go to about 5:21 within the clip embedded under, you may gasp as loud as I did on the earlier 45-second actuality.
The truth is, Colin doesn’t even assume it needs to be referred to as “Countdown”
The dialog appeared to unlock a nicely of clock-related frustrations within the Countdown host, who mentioned, “Let me depart you with this ― why is countdown referred to as Countdown? That’s the query try to be asking.”
“It goes from nought to 30 seconds. It needs to be referred to as ‘Countup,’” he continued.
“If it was actually dwelling as much as its title the clock would begin on the backside, the place it’s 30 seconds and rely DOWN to zero.”
Although co-host Marina Hyde mentioned that left her mind “damaged,” I’m gonna must problem Colin on this one too; positive, mathematically he’s proper, however within the present system the hand goes down even when the rely doesn’t.
And any true fan is aware of that the clock is far more vital than the information, proper?
