How To Show Node Comment Count in node.tpl? I have had the bright idea of changing my user permissions so as guests cannot see the comments on a node. I have no problems with Views around my site, as they can clearly see there are comments on nodes, and they will be more inclined to register. The problem seems to be when they arrive on my site directly to a node, they don't see any comment, and think "that's a bit crap; let's go."

Is there a way I could show the amount of comments below a node?
You can use $comment_count in node.tpl.php.


  $type: Node type, i.e. story, page, blog, etc.
  $comment_count: Number of comments attached to the node.