Countdown Game Show|U.S. PILOT|RARE

Here it is, the US attempt at Countdown. Maybe this is just too smart of a show for us Americans! lol
Go behind the scenes with TV and radio legend Wink Martindale!
Facebook: / winkmartindalegames
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[@pjabrony8280]

"And now, here's the host of Countdown...Michael Jackson!" OK, I didn't expect that.

[@occono3543]

For a moment I thought this pilot was going to REALLY interesting as opposed to just interesting

[@bryanloveseighties]

No, not THAT Michael Jackson. This one is a British game show host.

[@CyrogenicNation]

I had high hopes after seeing Woody Harrelson as one of the contestants, I thought they really went all out on the celebrities

[@ericzubyk2329]

@@bryanloveseightiestechnically a Los Angeles radio personality.

[@TheJinxCast]

I read the comment before I got to that part of the video. Slightly disappointed but not surprised

[@TheNewTerrific20]

If they really wanted to bring this show to the US, it would’ve been better off on PBS.

[@mattcrowley8993]

Except there would be the slight possibility of rude words.

[@paulc6944]

Big facts.

[@JoseTwitterFan]

Exactly. You don't need a big prize budget nor a flashy set and generic US game show tropes (I'm talking to you, NBC's "Capital One Quiz Bowl"), and PBS audiences are the right fit for a show like Countdown. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[@DrewChverha]

I thought the same thing & it this show would've done well on PBS.

[@ericzubyk2329]

They should have did the numbers rounds as well.

[@cbgmp]

Love that they use the music from the UK version. Don't think the celebrities are necessary and miss the numbers game. Would love to see the US embrace Countdown (as long as it's done right).

[@RunstarHomer]

Trying to do this show without the numbers game completely defeats the purpose. Guess they thought we Americans are too dumb for that.

[@302Diane]

Speaking as an American, we don't have anyone like Rachel Riley.

[@302Diane]

And, having watched the show, apparently we don't have a Susie Dent, either.

[@ericzubyk2329]

@@RunstarHomerreally because I’m American & I’m too dumb for the letters game but can strive in the numbers game & rock most conundrums.

[@marcpower4167]

If they ever did bring it over to the US, you think Rachel and/or Susie might be willing to make the trip?

[@reedberry]

R.I.P., Michael Jackson. Michael was an outstanding - and very popular - talk radio host here in L.A. for decades, 32 of those years at Talkradio 790 KABC. I think he did an excellent job hosting this pilot.

[@OnScreenThatStudios]

I thought his name got its name from the King of Pop, who passed away in 2009.

[@marcpower4167]

​@OnScreenThatStudios Might have been an issue if this had gone to series, they might have asked him to tweak his name to Mike Jackson or use a different last name.

[@ABCEasyas--]

“Looks like a Russian Subway station!” As a fan of subway stations in Russia and former Soviet nations, I laughed hard at that.

[@Nin10doh98]

I had no idea US producers even attempted to bring Countdown over seas, this is weird to watch.

[@willmack5909]

As a huge fan of word games, this was DYNAMITE! I loved how they used the 80s Pyramid set up, switching celebrity partners after the first game. Two full games, two end games, also love the addition of the "WILD" card during the final round of both front games. This was really awesome! Wink thank you again. You've been an all time favorite of mine since I was 5 years old back when Gambit first aired on CBS!

[@chriswilliams41]

I'm trying to figure out why this wasn't picked up in 1990. I know that Password was gone and Scrabble was wrapping up. This would have been a perfect game for Daytime TV.

[@marcpower4167]

1990 was not a good year for game shows they were kinda on the way out and talk shows were becoming the new fad.

[@JOBdOut]

Leave it to America to ditch the counting part of Countdown

[@MelissaHash]

First off I enjoy watching the UK version here on KZbin never realized they tried bringing it here! Yeah it would work on PBS! Wink another gem! Why don't you have more YT subs?!?!

[@jacobtoadstool492]

Interesting enough, the US pilot of Countdown is now own by Sony Pictures Television. Since Guber-Peters Entertainment was folded into Columbia Pictures Television back on November 5, 1990.

[@JayLS]

Wow, thanks for this! I'd read about it but didn't think we'd ever get the chance to see it. Seems pretty good overall, much better than I thought from the write-up, and the lack of numbers games isn't really a problem. Also, the clock actually counts down! A shame it wasn't picked up.

[@marcpower4167]

OMG Wink you are the man! I've been wanting to see this for years! I'm a huge fan of the uk Countdown.

[@Almafeta]

Pleasant host, tidy production, no flaws. This would have been a hit!

[@TheAverycross]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The first three minutes and fifty seconds got me hooked and wishing it was turned into an actual game show here in the States. Would have made a great network daytime TV game:)

[@ajk]

I actually saw one. I didn't like how the main game bonus was worth more, considerably more at that, than the bonus round. Makes the latter look cheap, which you don't want for your essentially top prize. I woulda played it like Pyramid's Mystery 7 or 7/11 bonuses, offering it as a small bit of extra cash, perhaps $2,500. $1,000 would work as well for this era. I could see a secondary optional bonus for $25,000 if $10,000 was won too, using a single word with no category. Wasn't bad besides that, if a little fast. I didn't quite like the guy in the dictionary corner though, he seemed almost fake in his cheeriness. But overall was decent. Michael's hosting was a little wooden, most notably at the end as he closed the show, but that'd get better with time surely.

[@jasejj]

Hmmm. That host is "pleasant"? I found him smarmy and unlikeable - I'm a fellow Brit BTW. The production was competent enough but that's about all this version had going for it in my view! Maybe I'm just spoilt by the laid back approach (and flaws aplenty) from ol' twice nightly in Blighty!

[@mshroye2]

It’s like an early Christmas present all these pilots

[@benkizer9509]

This is the UK's version of Jeopardy, Price is Right or Wheel of Fortune when it comes to longevity. Get rid of the celebs and I think this would still work here. Don't like that they got rid of the numbers round in this version.

[@trekadam30]

With the way gameshows are only 22mins. long (w/o commercials) now, getting rid of the numbers round would be the only way this would work on US television. Also, they would probably get rid of the "letter girl" as well; just have a random letter generator. The contestants would tell the computer how many letters/consonants to generate. I agree, that you don't need the celebs, though.

[@marcpower4167]

​@trekadam30 the French does that, the computer randomly pulls the letters as contestants alternate calling consonant or vowel. I'm missing the numbers game, But I understand why they removed it, it's too "smart".

[@gbhxu]

FYI Countdown is the British version of the original French TV (Antenne 2) quiz Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres.

[@taofanarchy96-renzomaracas14]

Antenne 2: currently France 2, but the show is now aired on France 3.

[@byrd56]

Yes, Michael Jackson the longtime Los Angeles talk radio host trying his luck as a game show moderator. And of course, Charlie O. himself announcing.

[@nextbarker2702]

@6:44, is that the same type of board, minus Lucky Slot, that would be used on Caesar's Challenge?

[@officialSgtPepperArc360]

Yeah, this would have been more successful if we kept the math part.

[@ericzubyk2329]

Ikr?

[@montana_patriot]

Wink's cleaning the closet out. Thanks Wink. You are awesome,

[@TKFTGuillotine]

This is honestly way better than I was expecting based on the description I saw years ago. It's as though they sandwiched Countdown between Pyramid and Scrabble and I can't lie, I love it. For me personally, not as good as the original, but for an American daily audience I'm shocked this didn't sell. Would've beaten the pants off of a lot of 1990 game shows!

[@Musicradio77Network]

This game was a ripoff of “Boggle”, the classic hidden word game that we all know and love.

[@Wiley_Coyote]

Math scared the Murcans! 😄

[@mql3182]

It’s like the $10,000 Pyramid, Boggle, and Scrabble had an orgy and this game was created. Amazing game. I hope it comes back. 😂

[@sidkrantz9533]

10:45 A nine-letter word would been “deletions” - using the wild as an E. Bonus round and the main game board remind me of “Caesars Challenge” - which debuted about three years after this pilot was taped. I’m guessing they were going for something out of “Pyramid” - civilian who wins more money in the endgame is the champ. I can understand why they bypassed the mathematics rounds in this pilot - and kept the focus on letters and words. If this went to series and they left this format as is, would they break a main game tie with a conundrum? The world may never know.

[@marcpower4167]

Also could have had insolated, delations & tolidines

[@mattcrowley8993]

As an American, I think that would have been a good idea for a tie breaker.

[@marcpower4167]

​@mattcrowley8993 and I would add if no one gets it in 30 seconds they start randomly putting the letters into the proper spots until someone gets it. (Gotta make it a little easier for Murica)

[@semplenyc]

Love the UK version and I dig the USA version. Definitely could be a us version to this. Like an American version of Sale of the Century, it’s an international game but its US version was outstanding with Jim Perry. I wished the payout for the nine letter word solution was like a progressive jackpot and an automatic win. But this was awesome nonetheless. Thanks Wink!

[@garrethwaites6442]

The host sounds more British than Richard Whitely! No numbers round though???? Plus it seems odd not having Joe Wilkinson “assisting”….

[@neumannsod]

I don’t mind the celebs if that would’ve helped it sell. I’ve seen critiques that rag on them, but Woody was affable and neither was like Jm J. Bullock taking over a show. The civilians weren’t exactly firecrackers on their own. Michael Jackson was a delightful pick. Sure I miss the maths but I get why they bagged them. If they’re playing two games, maybe math could have been part of one. It’s a shame GSN-or maybe a Pluto channel-doesn’t program anything for a cerebral game-loving audience. It might be cool to import some British games-quizzes wouldn’t work but this would. And it’s free money for suppliers.

[@WyattCox]

Michael Jackson was a long time talk host in Oakland and LA and is in the national Radio Hall of Fame.

[@sallyquinn9851]

No numbers…..? No conundrum…..? Wild letters…..? That’s not proper Countdown 😂😂

[@KKAkuoku]

In a better world, not only would this be a decently-sized hit on public television, but we would also get annual crossovers with Richard Whiteley and Michael Jackson switching places across the Atlantic.

[@marcpower4167]

Had that happened, I would have liked to see some sort of "international tournament" with players from the UK and the US.

[@mikeestwick3350]

I wonder if this was the basis for Caesars Challenge with Ahmad Rashad.

[@madnessboysgames3478]

Thank you for uploading this, Wink!!

[@adamseecbrown]

In the UK of Countdown, we don't play for money. We play to be champions and get 5 show wins to be in the Champions Tournament and then the Supreme Championship Tournament. Started in 1982 as the 1st Program to be shown of the new channel called Channel 4 and still going today with 88 Regulars, 2 Masters and 2 Celebrity series and a total of 8,294 Episodes as of 20TH October 2023. Its not just about letters there also a numbers round (where you have to use some or all 6 numbers cards to get the total 3 numbered answer.) and a Conundrum (Final Round of the game you only got 30 secs to solve this nine lettered word and buzz to answer get it wrong and the remaining time left goes to the other player.).

[@mclarenguy22]

Actually it’s 8 wins, not 5. 8 wins means you become an “octochamp”. They have quarter-finals twice a year for the top 8 players based on number of wins and then combined points (so you still qualify with 7, 6 or even just 5 wins). Champion of Champions is for series winners and some other finalists (16 players in total) and is every 3 or 4 years depending on schedule.

[@marcpower4167]

The French version is like that too, it's more about the bragging rights than the money, they play for just 100 euros a game and a mini vacation for anyone who wins 5 matches (2 games per match or an automatic match win for a win with a difference of 40 points or more)

[@kylebulger4240]

42 years later and this pioneer Channel 4 series STILL hasn’t gotten an American clone yet!!!!! 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@shymike]

You know the UK version is a copy of the French one?!

[@Nebagram]

58 years if you count the original French version. 🙂

[@justageneraluser]

Just imagine. If this series had gotten picked up, Michael Jackson could have been a household name

[@bryanloveseighties]

You do mean the host of this show, right? That other Michael Jackson (the musician) was already a household name in the music industry.

[@redbot.3090]

I honestly like this version more than the UK version. Yes, I know, blasphemy, but I like the addition of celebrities playing with the contestants and the number game just didn't do it for me to begin with. I dunno why this wasn't picked up.

[@tvdan1043]

Can we talk about all the shows that thought that what 1990s American television audiences really, REALLY wanted was chain-link fences everywhere? "Ooh, we're edgy!" Barf.

[@chimaamanambu6067]

There's no numbers in this version!

[@thetalkingarchive4795]

London native Michael Robin Jackson was a talk radio superstar in Southern California. He was heard on KABC Talkradio 79 from 9am to 1pm from 1967 to 1997.

[@QHMCQ]

This was quite good and I really enjoyed playing along! A tweak or two maybe needed but overall I'm surprised this wasn't picked up.

[@paddydoublems]

As usual, a British classic (which in turn is based on a French game show) dumbed down for American viewers. They tried to jazz it up with celebrity guests, computers, a "wild" letter, an overcaffinated expert over at dictionary corner and a "bonus round". They also took out the math portion. I guess they didn't want to make the contestants feel too stupid. They did keep the theme music. However, I wasn't digging this and lost interest pretty quickly. Have to agree with another poster that said this would have worked better on PBS (and maybe in is original format).

[@drummingdanny84]

Michael Jackson looks like an old British lad rather than the record- setting, platinum-selling King of Pop.

[@christybradfield7812]

One too many surgeries?!?

[@taofanarchy96-renzomaracas14]

It remembers me of the late William G. Stewart, that was actually a British TV producer (he produced the original UK version of TPIR) and a game show host with _Fifteen to One_ (kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2K9aJKYqd-osNE)

[@drummingdanny84]

@@christybradfield7812 😂

[@petercolbeysgameshowmania7176]

Yeah, this is a totally different Michael Jackson.

[@donaldpaluga]

​@@petercolbeysgameshowmania7176I know right?-Trent Dilfer

[@Electronicwaffle]

Wait, was there no Numbers round in this version? Where the players would pick "large" [5 10 15 20 25] numbers and random small numbers to write a math equation to hit a "target" number? ..... The US Pilot of COUNTDOWN failed, and the numbers round doesn't even exist in it?! ?!

[@aceorb1996]

I feel like they really needed to add in the numbers round, it would have helped break up the gameplay a bit. And a little silence isn't a terrible thing, playing the theme tune while selecting letters maybe wasn't super necessary. Beyond that, this would have been a great way to bring Countdown to the US! Maybe one day...

[@occono3543]

It's odd because Jeopardy seems too quiet to me with barely any music. Compare it to WWTBAM which has 145 music tracks and I think it's part of why it's never caught on outside the US. Like Countdown, Jeopardy is very light on music.

[@KrakenMan5853]

Michael Jackson was a great host. But, to parrot the other posts, this should've been played just like the UK Channel 4 version including numbers and Conundrum rounds. Because of that, it should've been on PBS.

[@timconklin2050]

NO MATH?!? WTF?

[@timconklin2050]

Yeah, this is a pretty pale facsimile of the original.

[@georgef551]

I've seen blooper reels of the British version of this. It was funny when obscene words spelled out while picking the letters. One instance was the F-Bomb, and another was a derogatory name for a female part.

[@KhjjnJustDance]

This seems really good for bringing another UK show to the US

[@josephlucas3099]

Always wondered why this game didn’t make it here. The way they dumbed it down, I understand

[@antonspivack3928]

They should have kept the UK format. I guess the video row got reused for Caesar's Challenge. For the first wild letter round I would have guessed DELETIONS.

[@antoinekarrsantiago2500]

I really like it better, when Countdown is coming either to ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, TBS, or The CW, sooner than you think.

[@nashvillan4lif]

I would definitely like to see this show hit the US. I was initially thinking Late Night GSN, but after reading the comments, I also like the idea of PBS picking it up. But it needs lots of funding from "viewers like us" if the show is to succeed on that network. I also had the idea of the numbers round being hosted by a young bright lady that was probably one of the 5th graders on "Are you Smarter than a 5th grader".

[@glenncooney3959]

Michael Jackson sounds like Brian Butterfield, aka Peter Serafinowicz.

[@IanGouki]

While this is intriguing, nothing beat the classic. I could only wonder what Richard Whiteley, RIP, was thinking when this was conceived. And I would have definitely imagined Carol Vodermann going “OY! So, where am I in this?”

[@freedomwillneverdie6600]

I, for one, can see exactly why a show like Countdown would never work in the United States.

[@Delivery_Boy_Roy]

It could have at one point, but unfortunately not on today’s television.

[@SamtheBravesFan]

Honestly, I think it could have worked. Everything necessary is there, and I don't mind the wild card because I crack under the pressure of the music if I don't see a word immediately. Though I do think if it made it to air, the nine-letter bonus probably would have been slashed to $10,000 and the main game bonus jumble $5,000 so that a player (should be a champ) could win $10,000 in a day if they were good enough with their celebrity partners. And yes, I know there's no numbers game. People were "less stupid" in 1990, but it's rare you can point to anything in a US game show that required math. Only thing I can think of off the top of my head is Grocery Game on The Price is Right. That being said, even if it could have worked, it very possibly would have been a casualty of the 1990-91 game show cancellations.

[@PREGO1966]

First time, I've "seen" this Michael Jackson. I remember he had a show on ABC Talkradio, when 77 WABC in New York first went talk in 1982

[@terryleemangrumii8566]

23:51 If you were curious about the logo that appeared at the end of original broadcasts of Quiz Kids Challenge, the one AFTER the Chilmark Productions logo, this is it.

[@calgaryguy8496]

I love the fact they used the same countdown cue from the UK version. It's a shamethis version didn't get made. I do watch the UK version and the French version. I wish it had the mathematical component that the UK version and the French version has.

[@Boricua3lions1985]

I’m Puerto Rican and I watch the UK version.

[@andrewschroy6368]

I'm amazed at how good a host Mike Jackson was. Is he from England originally? 'Cause I could've pictured him sub-hosting for Richard Whiteley back in the day.

[@MTCesquire]

Of COURSE we couldn't just have regular Countdown, we had to bring celebrities in the mix, smh.... I love how they were like "just leave the math part out, Americans are too dumb for it" 😂

[@ironbear53]

Lost me immediately with the celebrities. This host would have been great.

[@tranmanhuc6235]

i wish they also had the numbers rounds

[@joshwiddowson1761]

Good recycling of the Caesars Challenge board.

[@randolphtwells1360]

2:49; The theme plays the U.K. version back in 1982 to 2002.

[@zeeboss2762]

Would've been a bit nice if this became an actual game show for us Americans...

[@randolphtwells1360]

7:55; The U.S. pilot in the third set as the letter round is more different than in U.K. because there is no wild card nor dividers to each player.

[@DennisDean-gm2gt]

Great game play. It makes one think of words. It's a game to make you think. Good going, Wink, for showing this gem.

[@randolphtwells1360]

4:46; The letters light up like the 1992 game show "Caesar's Palace."

[@JamieLikesGames]

I think it's really cool that they added their own spin on things and didn't just carbon copy the UK version. People are right PBS would have been perfect for this

[@randolphtwells1360]

Also, there is no numbers round or the countdown Conundrum where any player finds a nine-letter word in 30 seconds or less.

[@TheMacabreTavern]

Shame the cut the maths round for the American version.

[@randolphtwells1360]

3:27; The 30 second timer always be the same from 1982 to today.

[@mercuryvapoury]

Nice use of the UK music (the main theme tune is in the background when thyey select the letters, and the clock music is the same), but that's where the similarities end. The contestants having to come up with a description of the word is just cringeworthy. For those of you unfamiliar with the UK version, when you win an episode, you don't get money, you get a teapot. Chosen as a prize because 'TEAPOT' often came out as a word. "LEOTARD" is also another common word, but thankfully they didn't go with that as the prize. You can return for up to 8 episodes, but you still only get one teapot.

[@RadioDon1]

Considering what a cluster this could have been (Scott Sternberg, @GameShowGumbo, for Gawd's sake...not to mention Guber and Striesand's hairdresser, who ruined the Newlywed Game [Paul Rodriguez's basement, remember?], this turned out to exceed rather low expectations. Michael Jackson is probably The Best Talk Show Host ever on radio, but for a first-timer, he's actually good. This is 1990, but Heather Thomas has gone on to be an author, and, well, Woody Freaking Harrolson! They ditched the numbers, and I like the Wild Letter element and the fact that they have a computer spell out the longest word possible. Now, the first word I thought of in terms of a bonus game was "sacrilege," but it wasn't a bad one, seven scrambled words in :60...it was challenging. Could it be brought back now? I can see it as GSN or Fox First Run joint: keep the $10000 jackpot, I wouldn't change the all-9-letters bonus of $25k because it won't probably not come up as often. Several names could come up as host: Neil Patrick Harris would be my first choice, but Greg Grunberg, Mayim Bialik, yes I'd include LeVar as a possible. My one major change is switch out celebrity/civilian for relater teams of two. A

[@neilpayton]

Now I know why this never aired instead of the regular format they had teams of 4 which tbh it would be very unique if this aired in the USA

[@brentgardner5103]

Heather Thomas was a big winner in the game of "Genetics Roulette." She always took my breath away.

[@gameshowman1234]

Is the letter board the same one from Ceaser's Challenge?

[@wecontrolthevideo]

Executive Producer Tony Danza!

[@BigBoogs06]

Missed opportunity to have CECIL(i)A (Countdown's Electronic Computer in Los Angeles) for the numbers game - had they included it.

[@2001JamesTV]

Executive producer Tony Danza... is that the same Tony Danza from Taxi? Bizarre the people who get involved with the production of these things

[@benkizer9509]

Probably. A lot of actors produce a variety of shows. Dolly Parton was a producer on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. It's an investment for them.

[@RobertHellier]

why is the clock ticking backwards its so strange

[@jaycee330]

Because you are counting down, of course.

[@TheUKNutter]

Should have known prize money was involved… how American.

[@KiddBloo86]

Where's the numbers game?!

[@randolphtwells1360]

12:12; The fifth word that is scrambled is "matinee."

[@kgruber17]

Tony Danza was an executive producer for this show?!

[@bryanloveseighties]

Well, I don't know if it was THAT Tony Danza or some other one.

[@devares2006]

​@bryanloveseighties it was him. Katie Face Productions was his production company.

[@jeffboettcher2531]

This brings back memories of college, learned of the U.K. version of this show, and even an online version of it (this was the mid-90s, FWIW). It was quite the challenge, but also just a novelty I thought. But more soberly, why didn't the host moonwalk on to the stage??!! 🙂

[@kingporter67]

This is a great 1990 game show and a very rare game show too!!

[@doranselwyn8608]

Okay but what about the numbers part?

[@BarrCode674]

Always heard of this, but never saw it. What a find! I agree that a show like Countdown would be better suited for PBS.

[@MVGProductions]

The letter board looks like broke down version of the letter board from Caesars Challenge. Overall I enjoyed the pilot.

[@neumannsod]

Or the Scrabble Sprint round.

[@austinl169]

I've seen the British versions - the "serious" game and the hilarious comedy version - and prefer both of them to this. While this has the trademarks of a game show produced in Los Angeles or Hollywood, it's too "Americanized." But that's probably the case because it was targeting audiences accustomed to computer gimmicks. The British series relied on the wit and intellect of their contestants and panelists. At least, though, they brought in the legendary theme music.

[@Electronicwaffle]

I'm torn on getting " Solitude " as the one word for that round. On one had, amazing that 3 out of 4 players got a high scoring word. That makes for some excitement, on a task that is usually a LOT harder, if the UK version is any indication. But, I had solitude myself near instantly. How can you not, when the letters are basically in line? It makes a great round too predictable, and removes the tension.

[@marcpower4167]

Random draw with the letters, even on the UK version that happens sometimes and even the obvious word gets missed.

[@danielwoodhouse5531]

Couple of things that should be done here in Britland Playing the music while the letters are selected and then junking the letter as they go up on their own screen

[@occono3543]

I thought the team players had to come up with two different words? They both played Solitude, why didn't they both play library, can they not confer?

[@brianburgart]

wink, nice programme, sorry it didnt get to air; AND heather was as beautiful as she was on FALL GUY

[@MarkAHoltz]

Where are the large and small numbers?

[@tvdan1043]

They were left behind in Britain.

[@rlosangeleskings]

Not real Countdown... No numbers rounds...

[@nord1486]

It's a good job this show isn't on in Australia

[@soupafi]

Skipped the Math. Prolly smart