R2OK!

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Yippee for the Paul O'Grady Radio 2 show! A wonderful slice of old fashioned radio that is all too missing from Radio 2. O'Grady is a warm, witty & amiable host with a genuine feel for what makes great radio. He also play a refreshingly eccentric & eclectic selection of music.
Here is one TV star who has not only adapted very well to Radio but does it better than most of the Radio "proffesionals"

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Sorry Clive I don't agree

He's yet another celebrity import who makes my flesh creep every time I here his voice

There are far better professional radio presenters out there but I suppose he does fit in with the absolutely dreadful Radio 2 Sunday daytime schedule
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FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

Clive, I'm with you on this one. I listen to some of Paul's show while I'm cooking Sunday dinner and he always amuses me, even makes me laugh out loud sometimes. I enjoy most of his choice of music too.

I never enjoyed watching him on TV, either as Lily Savage or as himself. However I think he's a natural for radio. There are so-called “celebrities” who are shoehorned into radio presenting and every presenter has to start somewhere. For some it works and for others it doesn't. IMO it works for Paul O'G.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

I think Paul is great, every time I listen he always brings a smile with his turn of phrase if nothing else!

I didn't care for his TV persona either, and was a bit dubious when it was announced he was to get the show but he is perfect for Sunday afternoons. Like Eileen I'm usually making dinner and oh do I laugh at some of the things he says.

H
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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

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:08 pm Post subject:

I too think he's great. The perfect company for a Sunday evening - friendly, informative, and not afraid to make his opinions known.

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

I agree with others here- I was certainly not a fan of Lily savage. Made me turn off the TV
But on Radio he is pretty good. But he is the exception to the rule of how TV celebs fare as radio presenters

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

I agree with all the above as well. I don't like his TV persona but the music he plays on his Sunday show is great, and above all it's different. Perfect for late Sunday afternoon.

I can even tolerate his Scouse accent.

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

I'm not a regular listener but have to say Paul's show maintain's the R2 traadition of easy listeneing.

His scoucy accent is surprisingly easy on the ear (having got used to it) and his playlist is easy listening too, no repeats of the weekday bland hits, and he can be funny too, so all-round great show for R2.
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John W

ColinB · Guest

O'Grady has an unbelievably fast wit. I remember being in the audience at one of his "Lily Savage" shows many years ago and I was petrified that he/she was going to put the spotlight on me and make me look completely stupid. He looked me straight in the eye (or so I thought) only to start ripping into the woman sat next to me who had a 50s/60s style boufant hairdo. I can't tell you how relieved I was. He went to town on her hairstyle but she loved the attention. Thankfully!

What I like about him is the speed that his brain works on stage. He can turn anything and everything into a very funny gag. How he does it I don't know, but hats off to him because I could never do it in a million years!

I read his autobiography some time back and it's very good indeed (written by him, not ghosted as so many are). He said that Lily Savage was loosely based on several of the matriarchal women in his family back in Liverpool and you can see the connection.

I didn't like his R2 shows to begin with but I do now enjoy them - especially on these dark miserable Winter Sunday evenings. It rolls on nicely from Johnnie's show and I often listen while getting the Sunday dinner together (that's usually my job).

Rachel · Guest

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject:

Yep, will go with the majority - couldn't stand him as Lily Savage, didn't particularly take to his R2 show straight away but I've heard more of it recently, and he's got a quirky presence which doesn't seem forced or put on for the benefit of listeners (Alan Carr take note).
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Gibbo · Joined: 31 Aug 2010 Posts: 117 Location: Wirral

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:31 am Post subject:

Rob · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Leicester

I liked Lily Savage (though not enough to go out of my way to see the act), I like Paul on the telly (though not enough to go out of my way to see him) and I like him on the radio (where I make more of an effort).

I think his Radio 2 show is an excellent example of how to make music radio with something for most people. How much of his success is actually Malcolm's will probably only be told in a later edition of Paul's autobiography.

Rob

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Didn't hear all of the programme on Sunday but caught a song Paul played that I love .

Davey Arthur and The Fureys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WonYt3wOLcE

Minx · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:59 am Post subject:

I can only reiterate what others have said. His radio show is great, really funny, and some terrific music you don't get to hear on other shows. A very dry wit.

Don't like his television show though. He fawns a bit over his guests and does too much rabble rousing. The rabble seem to love it though! All that screaming and carrying on.
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To err is human, to forgive - canine.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

I have four versions of that song but not the version you mention but it is probably my favourite.

A lot of these songs are lovely...I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen and Maggie come to mind too...

There were more gentle songs in years gone by...now we get a lot of power ballads where even what would be classed as romantic songs are shouted...

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

We're old romantics Wink

Not so much of the old I should say... Very Happy

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Have to agree the Paul O'Grady show is a great listen-plenty of songs played you don't often hear elsewhere.

Keep up the great work Paul.

The Great Gildersleeve · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 249 Location: North East England

This is why I love the specialist programmes especially on Sunday nights as I hear songs not heard at other times and I have to revert to my music library on here and for Mum I load as much as I can onto an mp3 player which I can change the selection whenever I wish to.

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

Paul O Grady's show should be a model of what Radio 2 should be doing.
A pity the station now has only a few hours of this type of programbing per week

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

I wonder if 'retired Nancy' from Hove was listening to Paul's description of her ...and more to the point I wonder if it was accurate.... Laughing

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

I wonder Becky! It was funny though. Very Happy

H
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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

Nickbucks · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 100

Pity they don't make Malcom Prince the producer for Ken Bruce- then we might get a more varied selection of R2 music !

gutsygub · Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 111

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Keep forgetting to put the Radio on, on Sundays!!
The times I've heard the show I've always thought there was a great selection of music, which is exactly what I'd love a bit more of during the week.
If it's like Ed Stewarts show, Helen, I really need to start listening as the music on Ed's show was always my favourite.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Sorry I missed this Becky, I think it was in the first hour. Show was on an hour earlier this week.

H
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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

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Thanks Helen...it was in the first hour....I look forward to the next instalment....this could run and run.... Very Happy

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

It was interesting hear Paul with Chris Moyles on his R1 Longest ever show on Wednesday.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Just listened to Jodie Prenger sitting in for Paul.
Why oh why can't the producer for this show do some of the daytime shows during the week?
This is the stuff Radio 2 should be playing, not endless Take That and Coldplay!
Was in someones car the other day and they had Heart on, and there was more variety on there than you get most days on the R2 daytime shows, how on Earth has it come to that!!!!!!!!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Producer is Malcolm Prince who used to do EP.

I get the feeling that it's not even what the producer wants these days but more what the guy at the top says. He's the one who has no idea................. However it would be good to see what they could do with the daytime shows.

Probably not your cup of tea but I've got to say I've enjoyed Barbara Windsor and Don Black's sessions whilst they have been sitting in for EP. It's her usual producer Julie Newman who used to do Sarah Kennedy.

H
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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

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

I listened to Barbara Windsor today Helen and it was definitely my cup of tea, I thought the music was excellent and I really enjoyed Barbara as a host.
Barbara really comes across as having a love for the music she plays, and I love the stories she recounts of her times working with the stars she plays.
I didn't get to hear Don Black sitting in for EP, was he as good as Barbara?
Re the original point, I really wish the people who choose the weekday music would credit the listeners with a broader taste in music.
I have no problem with Radio 2 playing new music but it should be a lot more varied than 7 records being constantly repeated and should be mixed in with a lot more older stuff.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

I thought Don Black was very good. He had lots of interesting anecdotes about the music he played, and he's certainly been around having written so many lyrics. I recorded them as they are the type of programme you can listen to months, years from now and enjoy as they are timeless. I think I've heard him present before but can't remember where or when.

H
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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

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

I heard some of Paul's show on Sunday while cooking dinner and loved his story about the Christmas cake once made by someone's mother, possibly his own mum.

Apparently the icing was so hard ("rock 'ard, it was") that no-one could break into it, so they threw it out into the garden and it broke the fence.

Been laughing about it ever since