I hope rage play as many un repeated Countdown's as possible. All this encouragement for Countdown Revolution and The Factory could really backfire on us and we could end up with 1987 to 1990 all January which does NOT make me happy at all!
I am not saying that some of the late 80s shouldn't be shown because I love some of it BUT let's face it, they don't match the early to mid 80s in large quantities for air time!
Geez how I miss when rage JUST played Countdown! Though I love my Rock Arena as well
1979 to 1986 thanks :-)
The very first Countdown repeat 'season' I remember had a spread of 1975-1987 episodes. That's an example of balance.
The reality is that RAGE are not just playing Countdowns now.
The problem is they are simply playing too much of certain time eras and zero of others.
It is only fair and right that the years 1986 to 1995 get as much attention as any other.
A fair compromise would be to address that balance and play some (not a dozen or even half a dozen but maybe two or three) Countdown Revolutions.
RAGE also appears to be trying to select archival material on the basis of quality (subjective as that is) or some basis of general interest or tribute. Hence some recent examples of certain episodes being repeated twice in a decade (like the 82 Madness one) because they felt it was more important to show a good'un rather than fill a hole in a collection.
I'm not a believer that programming should be driven by what a small number of collectors might or might not have in their personal collections.
I personally agree with this approach. It shouldn't and doesn't need to be an either/or problem. It's about balance.
What I worry about is that the apparent imbalance in programming during retro seasons might be an example of pandering to the moans of a minority. After all the squeaky wheel often gets the grease.
iz fair iz fair man!
Jason - I feel exactly the same as you. I only ask for Countdown Revolution and The Factory, so they don't show, in my view, s h i t like Flashez and all that other weird doco s h i t from the 70's. If rage would play Countdown after Countdown after Countdown , with a bit of Suzanne Dowling, then I would pretty much keep my mouth shut!
Tell me about it Michael,
Countdown and Rock Arena only would be AMAZING and with the encouragement people are giving for late 80s early 90s I sense sheer DISASTER for January!!!
If rage play 2 or 3 Countdown Revolutions, they only go for half an hr but anymore than 2 or 3 is just plain embarrassing!
Jason,
Most of us are music fans before being Countdown fans - otherwise why would one enjoy Countdown?
I'm glad you mentioned the running time of CDR episodes. This should mean that even more episodes than I suggested could be replayed. Perhaps up to 6 - the eqivalent of only 3 classic Countdown episodes.
But its not Countdown that's been overplayed in the last few years, its been Recovery. So lets see just as much (if not more) Countdown, less recovery and actually some Countdown Revolution!
Nice work Guru. I agree. I actually became a fan of music after watching Countdown for the first time - around August 1986. Countdown got me into music and that's why I just love the show and the format and hang out for January. I just wish rage would start at 10pm on Saturday's in January.
And that is why I have been an active member of this site, since I discovered it in 2005.
Jason, you may really have something to worry about. Someone has posted on the Rage Messageboard that the 00's are retro - even though they only finished 20 months ago - and are calling for that to be played. Can't wait to see Lady Gaga in Retro????
I've just read that post. The 00's are not old enough to be retro. Some people sure have rock's in their heads.
That's pretty bizarre. Who in their right mind would classify the 00's as retro already? Hopefully Rage take no notice of that person - and hopefully play as little of Recovery as possible!
For various reasons, not the least being the music, the 00's was a pretty $hite decade on the whole, IMO... well particularly 2000-2004. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be nostalgic about it; but I suppose each to their own. But yes, we definitely don't need any 00's in retro month.
Well, if you would like a refund of $20.00 I am more happy than to do that!
If you didn't notice THIS is a Countdown Forum and if Countdown lovers want to express how much they LOVE Countdown and hate other programs then THIS place is the PERFECT place which I created for people who are like minded :-)
May I add ONCE AGAIN that I am NOT the only one on this Forum or rage's who are backing up Countdown more. And it's not my fault that Countdown is more successful and popular!!!
And YOU did NOT make this Forum functional again. I paid a lot more than 20 bux to make it functional and ALL the poeple here make this Forum functional!!!
And the last time I looked it wasn't only MY collection. It seems all of a sudden that it's just ME who records Countdown episodes!!! May I also add that I have literally a big tone of time recorded copy's of Countdown that I didn't just get from rage which rage would probably never play so I haven't just relied on rage!
When you go to this forum and rage's Countdown is more popular. And that is no lie. And I don't see why that is such a problem for you to come to terms with!!!
Well I do think Countdown Revolution was VILE compared to Countdown and obviously most of Australia did as well as it only went for a year!
Look at statistics!!!
I ask once again. IS it my fault that most people want Countdown in January???!!!
Well, that is my opinion of what I think is the most colourful and interesting music period. Look at 1987... COuntdown ended as did SOUNDS. It was the end of that certain era of music.
1987 onwards was VERY manufactured and we had recycled pop that lacked the creative juices compared to before. That is just what I think. Just like you seem to think that 1987 to 1995 was more interesting. if that's what you think then fine. I really couldn't give S H I T really.
And as far as fanatical fans, what about football. Are they not fanatical in this country???
Kyron
I am not sure as to your reasoning for having a go at me.
I have not said anything against Countdown Revolution being shown, just as the presentation and style was not to my liking that I therefore won't be requesting particular episodes. I don't expect you to suggest early 80's Countdown episodes either but I don't hold that against you. What have I said to upset you - that Countdown was enjoyable to watch without necessarily being a fan of music? I certainly didn't mean any offense in saying I enjoy watching Countdown as I didn't think it an offensive thing to say.
You had just made a statement that "Most of us are music fans before being Countdown fans - otherwise why would one enjoy Countdown?" to which I happened to respond saying that I liked Countdown for its portrayal of society's culture of the time. I don't see where that has caused offense but if it has then I apologise.
I have promoted Hitscene and GTK this year despite that being well before my time. I did that as I am happy to see episodes of ABC music shows from all eras, just like yourself, (although I wouldn't sit through anything post mid 90's like Recovery) - I just said I hoped for 10 unrepeated Countdowns. Is there something wrong with hoping for something? On the Rage Messageboard I only said I hoped 4 or 5 could be considered, hardly fanatical or squeeky wheel behaviour I would have thought.
When I wrote
"Countdown is enjoyable on it's own purely as a byproduct of society's presentation of it's cultural side."
I'm sorry if you couldn't understand my ideology of social culture - English is my second language and I am not as articulate as I would like to be - but I am not sure if it necessitated your aggressive response of:
"Armin, even if that did make sense, I still wouldn't care. I know I'm not alone. Good luck in your self-centered quest to replace your time-coded episodes with Rage repeats (albeit now with a watermark)."
You have gone off on a tangent that has nothing to do with what I wrote. I am not looking at replacing time-coded episodes nor have I mentioned that. In fact when I put in suggestions for Countdown this year I actually surveyed other forum users to find out which episodes we were collectively most interested in and put that forward as a suggestion.
All I have said is that I suggest Countdown episodes as that is what I am interested in and that I welcome others to suggest Countdown Revolution if that's what they want to see.
I wish you all the best in your wanting to see Countdown Revolution but am a little perplexed why this should create a hostile attack on me for liking Countdown.
You have had a verbal stoush with Jason but dragged me into it as well for some leverage in your argument even though I think it is misplaced and unfortunate.
I am happy to move on and enjoy Retro season but will defend character assassinations, whether here or at Rage.
This is a Countdown site and forum for Countdown fans. Of course we are going to be bias on Countdown being shown in January and with the comments we post on this forum. We are the majority (going by what gets played every January) and we need to express it here and on the rage messageboard. If we don't speak up then the minority will prevail. It is a music program, it is not politics. If we want the Countdown tradition to continue on rage, then we have to lobby for it and oppose other beliefs and thoughts.
ABSOLUTELY Michael, This is why I started my website and this forum. For people who love and want more Countdown!
It's like me going to a Pearl Jam Forum and screaming down how much I hate them. The fans there would be livid wondering what the F U C K I am doing there!
There are still 2 months to go till January on Rage (I refuse to call it "retro" - what a stupid, meaningless word that is in the English vocabulary) - so I think at this point in time people need to stop stressing and arguing so much about what should and should not be shown.
Just as sure as the sun comes up tomorrow, Rage will spend January trying to keep as many different people as possible happy.
They will peruse our request lists for Countdowns, will take on board the ideas about showing some Countdown Revolution, Factory etc and even if nobody requests it they will still show some Recovery as it is a representation of the 1990's which is considered "retro" by the Rage team (there is that stupid word again) whether we agree or not.
They may also show some more Hitscene and I will request some episodes as well in the Rage guestbook very soon - I see someone has already done this for starters. They may also end up playing the other 1960 Six O'clock Rock episode that exists in the archives as well.
With a bit of luck they may also dig deep for some rare clips for the Saturday morning timeslot which could become as interesting as the evening line-up if they look hard enough into the vaults. I have not forgotten the existence of the ultra-rare David Essex "City Lights" full film clip from 1976, so will keep on their case to see that again in full!!
At the end of the day, the majority of people in the wider ABC viewing audience express their desire to watch old Countdowns in January above all else and that is what the bulk of the airtime will be dedicated to - as it always has and always will be. It is a tradition. The Rage team will probably thrill us with what they show, then cause angst by showing repeats - and you know what - there is little we can do about it - so time to stop all the distress now!!
Enjoy the month for what it is - it comes and goes so quick these days!!
I just checked the current playlists and it is still the same old drivel - a "Halloween" special? Isn't that something that is celebrated only in the USA? Whats next - a 4th July special, or maybe a Memorial Day one?
And as for November Australian music month circa 2011 - well, again what a load of drivel - I can't imagine how bad those playlists will be. At least December has Iva Davies and Suzi Quatro to liven things up a bit.
I HATE the term Retro as well. When rage played Countdown in the 90s it was just that. There was no title for it!
Yes, I'm afraid that Ausmusic month, this month, will be a shocker. I see there are no mainstream artists programming rage this month. They seem to all be alternative/JJJ acts. So no mainstream material/rare vids in the upcoming playlists. At least last year (or the year before???) they got Mental As Anything to program a weekend. Bring on December and January!
BTW, I enjoyed the Halloween special (or what I recorded of it)- Something In My House, The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun and of course He's Back (The Man Behind The Mask) to name a few. Time to dig up the Jason movies again I think!
Dear Kyron
You appear to be emotional which is detracting from the quality of your message.
I find it interesting that people just presume that I and Guru or any others have the whole ABC archival info on every music program that the ABC ever created!
The fact of the matter is that I do NOT have Countdown Revolution archival information, PERIOD!
I spent $160.00 on the archival information back in 2003 when I started this website to show which episodes still exist at the ABC so people could see the full program info on what hasn't been wiped by the ABC.
Why would I spend a further amount of money like $160.00 of archival footage for any other programs than Countdown when I don't have a Countdown Revolution or Factory website? I don't even have the Rock Arena ones and i adore Rock Arena as I don't have the funds to spend that much money on info for each program.
If anyone wants info from the ABC for any Music Programs it's as simple as calling them up. paying and they send the info to you. That is the only way anyone will have any history on any ABC Music Programs, period!
Maybe this subject post should be 'I am worried about Kyron'! Sorry Kyron, but I'm over it and I think you have used up your $20.
Other news - good to see that Countdown got mentioned there for a while on Spicks & Specks tonight. Just the right timing and exposure us Countdown fans need for retro January. Red is a LEGEND! Hopefully the programmers at rage were watching