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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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 Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: Dermot O'Leary A Good Shout For Breakfast? |
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So the BBC are after a "recognised industry figure with substantial programme-making experience and a formidable editorial and creative reputation" to be the new Radio 2 controller.
I've loafed about in radio for more than a decade and won a few awards, so I think I've nailed it. Although one time as a producer, I did insist my breakfast presenter call Bernard Manning live on air, so perhaps my editorial judgement is cause for concern. Or maybe not.
Regardless, I'm confident I've got some snappy, incisive answers for the obvious interview questions at my BBC board:
"What role should Radio 2 play in the UK radio marketplace?"
It should continue to crush all commercial competition through the eye-wateringly unfair advantage of commercial-free programming costing £40m a year, cross-promoted on national television.
"Where do you see yourself in ten years time?"
Bermuda.
"What would be the first change you'd make to the station?"
Good question. While every new boss wants to make their mark, doing so at Radio 2 isn't the easiest thing in the world. There's only so much you can tinker with country's most popular station.
So what's at the top of your to-do list as the new controller?
Let's start with the elephant in the room. Every discussion about the immediate future of Radio 2 always comes round to the topic of Sir Terry Wogan who, like an elephant, is also grey, wrinkled and doesn't own a tumble dryer.
The 70-year-old broadcaster has been the linchpin of the Radio 2 schedule since 1993. And this is his second stint Wogan also presented the breakfast show for over a decade during the 1970s and 1980s. This kind of consistency is unheard of in commercial radio and one of the many reasons that both the station and presenter continue to dominate UK listening.
But sooner or later, an aging septuagenarian hosting the flagship show will jar with a schedule that continues to reinvent itself. Even if the new controller is happy for Wogan to continue, there's no guarantee that the 5am alarm call will continue to appeal. Wogan's contract is up for renewal next year, and while nobody would put money on El Tel hanging up his headphones quite that soon, the next controller needs to have a replacement in mind from the moment they assume the role, because launching a new breakfast show is long-term project.
Succession planning is a fundamental aspect of a radio programmer's job. It's vital to establish the personalities that will host key shows before their predecessors leave, so that the audience already has a rapport with them and the listening baton isn't dropped during the handover. Former Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas was the queen of succession planning.
Should Simon Mayo make the much-rumoured move from Radio 5 Live afternoons to Radio 2 mid mornings, then three former Radio 1 breakfast presenters Mayo, Steve Wright and Chris Evans will be ripe for the picking. With established credentials for presenting the big show, they seem the obvious choices. Until his recent career break, it's even possible that Jonathan Ross might have been considered, given he was fundamental in hauling the image of Radio 2 out of the tapioca-starched, easy-listening bracket.
Unconvinced by the options, I took my interview prep to the pub, where I discussed the matter at length with my friend Steve, himself a successful breakfast presenter. Although he's yet to set fire to a tumble dryer, so not that successful. Steve threw me a curve ball to consider after our fourth candidate: Dermot O'Leary.
And thinking about it, he's not a bad shout for Radio 2 breakfast. A lovable housewives favourite, O'Leary is already established within the station's schedules. Smart, credible, not too risky, just gentle enough in his delivery so Wogan fans might not run screaming to the hills. And his high visibility projects on primetime television would mean a fanbase that will grow in size and loyalty, not unlike Ryan Seacrest in the US.
Perfect. Wogan sorted. What next? You're not going to be the next controller of Radio 2, because I am, obviously. But for argument's sake, let's say you are. Do you make the station more distinctive with regards to its commercial brethren? Do you give Alex Lester a break and get him off that bloody graveyard shift for once and all? Do you ban factoids? What do you think needs fixing at Radio 2?
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/19/bbc-radio2-controller-blog
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DOL has never really been given many shows to cover only a couple of times for Ken. |
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NickSheffield
Joined: 22 Jul 2007
Posts: 508
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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The funniest thing about that article are the comments beneath...
Someone is championing Richard Hammond for breakfast with deadly seriousness. Apparently he sounds 'right' in the slot. Hmm...
It'll be a sad day when Wogan says adieu though. Mind you, Walker put in another tour de force performance this morn - even if he did keep going on about how most people probably weren't working! Most of us listening were - else I'd have been asleep. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think JW understands that people work over the festive period. They live in a different life.  |
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Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris Evans wil take over the breakfast show I feel sure when Wogan finally calls it a day. |
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MadeinSurrey
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3130
Location: The Beautiful South
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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If anyone seriously believes that Dermot or Evans are what we want AW (After Wogan) they are deluded.
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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Lets hope not, R2 will never be on in our house at this rate of mediocre DJs taking over  |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| It will be difficult for someone to take over a solid show. It will upset listeners whoever it is. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Mark Mayhew wrote: | | Chris Evans wil take over the breakfast show I feel sure when Wogan finally calls it a day. |
Richard Allinson take over Drive? |
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Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Lets hope so. |
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Gnasty Gnome
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Location: West Wales
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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| nod wrote: | | Lets hope not, R2 will never be on in our house at this rate of mediocre DJs taking over |
It's not just the mediocrity that irritates me; it's the fact that all of 'em seem to think that the average R2 listener is deaf and therefore they need to shout. Wright and Evans are the biggest culprits but Radcliffe isn't much better.
I'm beginning to think that apart from Alex Lester (regrettably too early for me but I'm enjoying this week) and Ken Bruce there's really not a lot which draws me to R2 these days. I used to enjoy Wogan but I can't listen for six months of the year do to the tiresome, tedious and incessant plugging of CIN.
One thing which I do find strange though; I constantly castigate Wogan, Wright and Kennedy for providing the same tired old format, but Ken's been doing the same thing for years, yet it never seems to date.
Maybe I'm becoming a Victor Meldrew but I can't help thinking that today's Radio 2 is a shade too much yesterday's Radio 1; that we've grown up but some of the presenters haven't? |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Gnasty Gnome wrote: | | Maybe I'm becoming a Victor Meldrew but I can't help thinking that today's Radio 2 is a shade too much yesterday's Radio 1; that we've grown up but some of the presenters haven't? |
I don't think you're the only one. It seems that my generation (1970s Radio 1) are to be the forgotten / ignored generation. Cast aside when Matthew Bannister started wealding his axe on Radio 1, so naturally I turned to Radio 2 which seemed to fit the bill nicely. Trouble is that when Jim Moir retired (I'll not, however, thank him for bringing Jonathan Ross or Steve Wright to radio 2) we got, what turned out to be the female version of Matthew Bannister, who did a hatchet job on Radio 2 & 6 music. So, cast aside a second time, but nowhere to call home this time. 6 music ought to be it but like R2 also suffed at the hands of that Douglas woman.
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Last edited by Lord Evan Elpuss on Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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Spot on. R2 is becoming the R1 I didn't like. 
We now hear too much of the awful formats of Baker, Ball, O'Leary, Allinson, Goodier, Mayo etc etc with too much texting and drivel to fill hours and hours. Every celeb standin uses the same awful 'text me and I'll read it out format'.  They make SW sound a good alternative
Thankfully with still have SK, TW (although too much CIN), KB and even CE, and I enjoy Radcliffe and marconie but they are on at the wrong time for me, a bit later please , and the specialist stuff.
I'm not against change it has to happen but lets find some more good stuff for R2, and keep it different 
Last edited by nod on Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Cherskiy
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 3701
Location: near Amble, Northumberland
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Well, it's nearly the end of another year and I find myself listening to less R2 each week than I did 12 months ago.
It's not that I'm listening to radio per se less, just *what* I'm listening to. I find R4 and R5Live less of an insult to my intelligence than the current crop of "rent-a-celebrity" DJs worming their way into (or being fawningly invited onto) R2 at the moment, and find there's less and less to "Listen Again" to each week - and there's always Internet Radio from the States if I'm desperate.
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Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Nod says "thankfully we stll have SK, TW, KB and CE"-well you are entiltle to your opinion mate but in my mine the sooner they are exited the better-you certainly don't speak for us all on here. |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Mark Mayhew wrote: | | Nod says "thankfully we stll have SK, TW, KB and CE"-well you are entiltle to your opinion mate but in my mine the sooner they are exited the better-you certainly don't speak for us all on here. |
No I certainly don't speak for all on here. I just give MY views.
Merry Xmas  |
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Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Good-I'm glad we have cleared that up then.
Peace and Goodwill to all men |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Mark Mayhew wrote: | Good-I'm glad we have cleared that up then.
Peace and Goodwill to all men |
It's always been clear to me , no one can represent ALL on a forum |
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Toggy
Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 1239
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Who cares, it's christmas eve, lets uncork the wine! |
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Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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..and in just under 30 minutes the best DJ on Planet Earth takes over the airwaves-the mighty Richard Allinson will deliver yet again 2 hours of radio entertainment-the music he'll play won't be bad either.
Allinson rocks-you bet he does. |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Toggy wrote: | | Who cares, it's christmas eve, lets uncork the wine! |
Cheers !! |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Toggy wrote: | | Who cares, it's christmas eve, lets uncork the wine! |
Or a nice drop of ale for me!! 
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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| nod wrote: | Spot on. R2 is becoming the R1 I didn't like.
We now hear too much of the awful formats of Baker, Ball, O'Leary, Allinson, Goodier, Mayo etc etc with too much texting and drivel to fill hours and hours. Every celeb standin uses the same awful 'text me and I'll read it out format'. They make SW sound a good alternative
Thankfully with still have SK, TW (although too much CIN), KB and even CE, and I enjoy Radcliffe and marconie but they are on at the wrong time for me, a bit later please , and the specialist stuff.
I'm not against change it has to happen but lets find some more good stuff for R2, and keep it different |
Mark Goodier doesn't work for the BBC know more. Heard on Smooth Radio. How does Wogan put his show together, lots of emails like Bruce does with emails and texts. They all do it. God bless Radio 2 and maybe some change will happen in 2009 |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | Mark Goodier doesn't work for the BBC know more. Heard on Smooth Radio. How does Wogan put his show together, lots of emails like Bruce does with emails and texts. They all do it. God bless Radio 2 and maybe some change will happen in 2009 |
"Mark Goodier doesn't work for the BBC know more. Heard on Smooth Radio"
He can be enticed back into the fold. Janice Long (ex Radio 1) came back to the BBC from XFM.
I hope there is some change in 2009, for the better!
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | How does Wogan put his show together, lots of emails like Bruce does with emails and texts. They all do it. |
Yes they all do it to some extent BUT it's knowing how to do it right and control it, not just ask for input and then just read it out, and the goods ones fit it in with other wit and anitdotes, not just read lists out of magazines etc.
Listen carefully and you will hear the standins just play one or two records and then just think up a topic and then spend the next 2 / 3 hours reading out the answers, or just reading out peoples texts just saying what they are doing etc. It's mind numbing and far too common now. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| nod wrote: | | mark occomore wrote: | | How does Wogan put his show together, lots of emails like Bruce does with emails and texts. They all do it. |
Yes they all do it to some extent BUT it's knowing how to do it right and control it, not just ask for input and then just read it out, and the goods ones fit it in with other wit and anitdotes, not just read lists out of magazines etc.
Listen carefully and you will hear the standins just play one or two records and then just think up a topic and then spend the next 2 / 3 hours reading out the answers, or just reading out peoples texts just saying what they are doing etc. It's mind numbing and far too common now. |
Yes, but it does get people listening. I do think a lot enjoy. I always think 25p plus your standard network rate, should be announced when asked to text in. |
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 4861
Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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Ironic thread title given that he mumbles rather than shouts.
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| gfloyd wrote: | | Ironic thread title given that he mumbles rather than shouts. |
Got the wrong bloke then |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: |
Yes, but it does get people listening. I do think a lot enjoy. I always think 25p plus your standard network rate, should be announced when asked to text in. |
Who says ?
Yes a rip-off
Merry Xmas |
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Heloise
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 237
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| nod wrote: |
We now hear too much of the awful formats of Baker, Ball, O'Leary, Allinson, Goodier, Mayo etc etc with too much texting and drivel to fill hours and hours. Every celeb standin uses the same awful 'text me and I'll read it out format'. They make SW sound a good alternative
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The key with the interactive side of things is not to over do it. In Sunday Brunch there are only a handful of emails etc read out each week. I don't see anything wrong with that personally. It allows the presenter to involve their audience in the show. I agree overdone it can become annoying but I still believe the interactive side of things, has it's place.
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:30 am Post subject: |
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| Heloise wrote: |
The key with the interactive side of things is not to over do it. ... I agree overdone it can become annoying but I still believe the interactive side of things, has it's place. |
Completely agree, interactive has its place but shouldn't be overdone. Nothing worse than them just reading out a 'topic' and then simply spending the rest of the show simply reading out the response. It's become very common on R2 with standins in particular, who presumably have nothing interesting to say. |
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igs007
Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 190
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| nod wrote: | | Heloise wrote: |
The key with the interactive side of things is not to over do it. ... I agree overdone it can become annoying but I still believe the interactive side of things, has it's place. |
Completely agree, interactive has its place but shouldn't be overdone. Nothing worse than them just reading out a 'topic' and then simply spending the rest of the show simply reading out the response. It's become very common on R2 with standins in particular, who presumably have nothing interesting to say. |
Or maybe they're dictated to from the powers above to keep things on the straight and narrow (the if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality)? They all do it, but like it was said above, don't overdo it. Wogan can get away with it though, because it's his style of presentation that does it! |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| igs007 wrote: | | Wogan can get away with it though, because it's his style of presentation that does it! |
But you have to be part of 'the in-crowd' to get on his show, though how you get there I don't know.
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
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NickSheffield
Joined: 22 Jul 2007
Posts: 508
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Lord Evan Elpuss wrote: | | igs007 wrote: | | Wogan can get away with it though, because it's his style of presentation that does it! |
But you have to be part of 'the in-crowd' to get on his show, though how you get there I don't know. |
Hmm, but as a member of the out-crowd (as I think most of us on here are), I still find it highly entertaining. Radcliffe & Maconie are a great example of interactivity - they respond to each e-mail/text with intelligent consideration - funny and interesting. (Or geeky as some of you think, but I like it - a lot) :p |
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