Countdown 1991
I got the bug again after my last Countdown effort. It seemed like the obvious choice to pick my most dated model and give it a refresh. My model of this short-lived (1989-1991) set hasn’t really been touched since my blog post on it which, scarily enough, was more than six years ago. Pre-Brexit, even!
Since that 2016 attempt, I’ve learnt that the letters and numbers boards were the wrong way around, so that’s been fixed, and the boards in general are much improved, having been flown in from my more recent models. I believe they used pretty much the same boards until 1999, so that’s handy, really.
Elswhere, a newer clock is dropped in; weird arch over said clock redone; desks reworked; lighting completely redone.
It does look a lot better, despite the unusually dark lighting; perhaps, by this point, they had decided that darkness was the best thing for this set, or maybe it was an attempt to create mood for the Champion of Champions mini-series. We’ll never know.
Remember when I tried to rework the titles of this era? They’ve been updated now – well, in February anyway – hopefully free of (glaring) errors like the double NOD.
Now, I’m off to Do the Bartman listen to some Metallica. Definitely Metallica.
jaywalks 
Hi Jay, I’m glad I’m not the only person that gets the bug to want to repaint their old models! This one (as do all of your models I’ve seen) looks great even with the mood lighting.
Regarding the arch, I’m sure I watched an episode of Countdown where the arch actually collapsed during the show. Brought back memories.
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Howdy, FT! Thanks very much. Yeah, it’s fun to go back and improve them, and it’s quicker than starting from scratch – well, usually…
Watching some old episodes on YouTube, it doesn’t surprise me. It does all look a bit rickety. Not a collapse, but I remember the clock lights blinking and going out at times. I suppose the Countdown budget can only stretch so far!
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Obsessive attention to detail, some might say bordering on being a bit abnormal behaviour.
I wholeheartedly approve 😁👍
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Guilty as charged 😂
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I genuinely like this set considering most people didn’t for it to only last a few years, then again I’ve always had a soft spot for retro gameshows as the sets always seemed to give off that homely feel to me. Loving the upgrades tho, Jay. Especially those clock lights, they stand out the most to me 😀 I don’t think I will ever stop loving your work!
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quick question to add, would you be able to send me a close up of the clock?
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Here:
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Yes, back then game shows definitely had a more homely feel to their sets. I suppose it was Millionaire which really spelt the end for that sort of thing; in the years after, even daytime shows tried to emulate the drama and atmosphere, with varying levels of success.
Thanks as always for your kind comments 🙂
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