R2OK!

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7228 Location: North Yorkshire

I am tuning in less and less, these celebrities continuing their careers on our beloved station are driving me away. So much so that the people I couldn't stand listening to before, now don't seem so bad! I am thinking about buying an MP3 player and a speaker dock just to have something to listen to when and where I want it. Does anyone else feel the same, or am I alone in this?
_________________
Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Good point. Apart from SOTS, there's not much on R2 that I'd call completely unmissable nowadays.

Ian.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Angela,

I totally agree with you. There is listen again but I prefer a lot of the time to listen to something that is live and there is just not that much that I will listen to.

Very sad for our favourite radio station.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

I can see where Angela is coming from Ron & I'm inclined to agree with her. The three you cite in your reply are three who don't make me reach for the off button. They all present specialist shows and are experts in their respective fields. They talk to their audience, not scream or shout at them. I can listen to them. Though Clare Teal is a good presenter, the sort of music that gets played on her show isn't really for me. I'll concede that Zoe Ball & Emma Forbes' shows have been OK, again they don't shout at you. For me the Jury's still out on Paul O'Grady but I really don't think I could take two hours of Alan Carr, as with Chris Evans, the trailers are enough to put me off, having said that, the ½ hour Alan Carr was guest on The One Show a week or two ago, he wasn't bad but that's about as much as I could take!
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Rachel · Guest

Pretty much all of the weekday early morning and daytime shows from 12am to 7pm haven’t changed presenter for yonks, and they’re all pretty good in my book. I’m not sure about the evenings – we watch telly from 7pm till 10pm – then it’s beddy bye byes. Smile

The weekends have changed a bit recently- I was sad that Mo Dutta left cos I really liked Mo’s shows, especially when he did both Saturday and Sunday mornings but Zoe and Emma are pretty good replacements (Zoe is fab). Richard A is an ok presenter but in the wrong slot for him really. SOTS is good. Sometimes Aled is ok on a Sunday and Sunday love Songs is good if a little formulaic. That nice Michael Ball is on when I’m doing Sunday lunch – he’s ok- we go walkies early on Sunday afternoon so no radio. There’s a Johnny Walker Show later on one weekend afternoon that Hubby loves, Dale is ok too. Not very keen on Alan Carr’s or Paul O’Grady’s shows but with all the other stuff that pretty much hits my spot it would be jolly bad form on my part to moan about two shows that may hit other peoples’ spot.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject:

Alan Carr's show is absolutely horrendous. Even a commercial station would think twice about putting out that. Used to love Gambo's show at that time, but the station is pretty much a no-go for most of Saturday now - which is a shame.

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

What a great thread-some great comments here.

The answer is very simple-base Radio 2 around DJs who know their music/subject matter-eg Richard Allinson, Johnnie Walker, Mark Lamarr, Zoe Ball , Emma Forbes, Bob Harris, Paul Gamb, Dermot O'L, Paul Jones, Suzi Q,-just dump the B list no hopers and the daytime incumbents dumbing down/dragging the station down to Chav Radio level.

BBC Radio 2 will then return to "greatness"

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Don't think the present incumbents drag the station down to Chav Radio level Mark, well 1 maybe.

There are 2 I don't particularly care for and 1 of them I won't listen to but I can think of worse things that could happen on the station than moving them.

It's Alan Carr/Emma Forbes, Paul O'Grady and Elaine Paige who aren't music broadcasters and who shouldn't be on the station IMHO.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

NickSheffield · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 508

I definitely don't enjoy listening to the station as much as I used to. Wogan and Evans, who I still listen to as a matter of habit, don't really enthuse me at the moment - but I'm aware that's the nature of daily radio and the summers are always a bit slow. Once they've had their respective holidays, things will probably pick up pace with them for me.

Saying that, I must say that Radcliffe and Maconie continue to go from strength to strength in my mind. Great music, charming in-jokes and, well, it's an education listening to them. Janice Long also seems to be putting in some interesting work lately (her interviews have been fascinating, I loved this weeks' Ray Davies appearance).

Radio 4 and 6 Music are appearing more and more on my dial though (and thanks to my internet radio, I'm even dipping into Australia's ABC network - which can be a great beakfast-in-the-evening listen due to the time difference).

One of my favourite parts of the week now (a little sad, I admit, but I really look forward to this now) is waking up to the Sunday Shuffle on 6Music between 9 and 10am where they get listeners to text in requests revolving around a theme. Great idea and the best selection of music I've heard in any hour of music recently (though Desmond Carrington gives them a run for their money).

Nick.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Thinking back to when I first posted on the old BBC R2MB, in 2003, I was listening to up to 12 hours of R2 a week.

Last week it was 2.5 hours and much of that was via i-player e.g. Russell Davies, I was too tired at 9.00pm to actually sit and listen at that time.

R3 at about 6hrs has now overtaken R2. Classic FM I've more of less given up on it now, just the odd evening hour but even then they are usually playing something I've heard fifty times before.

Records and CDs are probably being played more than all my radio put together.

John W

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Yes but Ron, just because you've been in musicals and know about them doesn't make you a good radio broadcaster.

Paul O'Grady/Alan Carr are supposed to be funny and have been on TV. They are not doing a comedy show on R2 are they?

As I listen to radio for what the presenter has to say almost as much I do for the music, I do think on a national radio station a presenter should have had some experience presenting the same type of show before and not just be learning the ropes as they go along.

I'd never heard Emma Forbes on radio before she was on with Mark Radcliffe as I only listen to commercial radio once in a blue moon.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

davem · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115

I listen from 6am till 5pm weekly and 8 till 10 mon till thurs weekends are 6 till 1 saturdays with sundays being a bit hit and miss listening until Russell Davies.Out of all that its Radcliffe/Maconie and Russell Davies that are the stand out shows,ive listened to Alan Carr and its not funny-he cant do his stage material which does make me laugh.Paul O'Grady is trying to do his TV show Jonathon Ross comes about third favourite but thats a bit toothless now hes being reined in its R3 for me now with Classic FM filling in the gaps Sad

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

I'm afraid I'm also listening to less on Radio 2 as well...
Although I don't care for some of the newer signings, luckily they're on at a time when I don't listen anyway.

I really only make a point of listening to SOTS.. and Wrighty if I'm decorating or driving someplace.

I agree with others, Radcliffe & Maconi's show is simply superb and I record it so I can listen during the day, normally over Ken Bruce.. He's ok but I'm finding both Ken and Terry a little boring now. The chat's ok with Ken but I can't stand the rubbish playlist!!

Internet radio appeals to me more lately, particularly the fantastic US oldies stations with less chat and "Pirate" style jingles... I love it!
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Hi SantaFe

Which US oldies stations are you listening to?

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7228 Location: North Yorkshire

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Helen.. My favourite at the moment is 1260 KYA San Francisco "The Boss of the Bay"
I don't mind the non stop oldies and little chat.. sometimes the music is sooo good I can't get away! Laughing

let me know if you know of others? Razz

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I've just been listening to that tonight, SF - it's as if the clock has been turned back 40-odd years. Groovy!

Other than that, we a strangely at odds, because I can't stand either Wright or Radcliffe & Maconie (the music's fine, it's all their guff in between).

I mentioned elsewhere that I listened to Alan Carr once - never again. Emma's OK, Paul O'Grady is in the old Charlie Chester/Pam Ayres slot (neither of them had music broadcasting experience either) and plays to the same mature audience that laps up his tv show. As for Elaine Paige, she just sounds so wrong.

So I do more or less agree with H and Angela, but these people and their shows are adored and listened to by some, and their existence isn't long enough to bother me.
_________________
Ron

SantaFefan · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

They just mentioned "Casey Kasem" on 1260 KYA.. Laughing

remember those pop shows he did on TV?? Rolling Eyes

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

I am obviously in a minority regarding the comments posted so far under this heading.

I am listening to MORE of the weeks output than I have done in years-both live and through the iplayer feature.

Outside of listening to the Richard Allinson weekends show I always try to catch the new Emma Forbes and Zoe Balls shows which are both really good/enjoyable.

Coupled with the excellent shows from Suzi Q, Bob Harris, Mark Lamarr, Johnnie Walkers SOTS, Chris Evans Friday All Request Show, Michael Ball Sunday Brunch, Dale Wintons POTP's, Trevor Nelsons Soul Show, Paul O'Grady's Sunday teatime show, I think there is plenty of excellent Radio 2 entertainment to enjoy.

Sadly what is lacking is some freshness needing to be brought to the dire day time output-won't go near the regular output at all unless one of the regulars is on holiday these days.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Tom Dors · Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 64

Lisa Tarbuck. Can somebody explain why she's on Radio 2 ?

Ian Robinson · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:54 pm Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

that's right.. I'd forgotten that!
I used to record his shows every week on VHS as well as an older show which I think was hosted by Dave Lee Travis called "Rock & Roll Jukebox"?
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I seem to vaguely remember that as well, SF, although there's no mention of it in his wiki entry. It does mention Beat Club, which he presented for German tv, which then brought to mind that other little gem which ITV put on late at night - StarParade, with James Last and various British and European pop acts.
_________________
Ron

SantaFefan · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:39 am Post subject:

Thinking a little more about it, I'm sure it was a was a very cozy little programme with DLT sitting in a comfy chair next to a juke box actually selecting the songs on the machine to be followed by a video..
I think he even had a pipe!!

I'll have to dig out my old videos.. Laughing

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject:

The idea behind Rock n Roll Jukebox was to make music videos for songs from the pre-video age, which DLT would then present from his fireside. I think it was on about 7.30pm on Monday nights (after Wogan or Telly Addicts or something like that).

One of the videos was made by Paul Heiney as part of his In At The Deep End documentary series (he did The Beatles' "If There's Anything That You Want" I think).

davem · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 115

I do remember a fine version of 'itsy weeny polka dot bikini' that held my attention for a while Very Happy

igs007 · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 190

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

igs007 · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 190

Here's another oldie. The show links still work on the right too!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/maconie/

SantaFefan · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

In my continuing exploration of Internet Radio Stations, I recently signed up to www.live365.com which seems to be a good move... it's free so far at least..
Currently listening to one of 19 Doo Wop stations and it's great! Razz

There's all music tastes catered for.
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:14 am Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject:

Has he out done our Jimmy Saville I wonder? Laughing

Pity Casey's catch phrase “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars,” didn't apply to some of the pop artists over his career.. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.