R2OK!

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

The subject of Smooth Radio setting themselves up as competition to Radio 2 has been broached on these boards before.
Having been listening to them this week, I think once they are a truly national station they can make a credible challenge to Radio 2.
True, like other stations, they are limited by too narrow musical ambitions, but I have enjoyed listening to them.
Less intrusive, more professional dj's and a playlist featuring the melodic music R2 should be playing.
Where Smooth fail as opposed to R2 is the specialist & weekend shows, where smooth don't even make an attempt to compete
But for daytime listening, I find Smooth beats Radio 2 by some way. Any other comments?

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

I haven't yet listened since they changed in the autumn but the ads annoyed the hell out of me when I tried it earlier this year with the arrival of Evans. It was too localised as well.

To be honest it's only CE that makes me switch off or not tune in at all, and Zoe Ball if she is sitting in for someone. The rest is okay for me. I don't have the radio on all the time as I enjoy a bit of peace and quiet!

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

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

If you are still looking for a breakfast show, tune in to Lynn Parsons on Smooth while she's still there, Sadly, come January, Simon Bates will be taking over

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

I don't like ads on radio and I'm not that keen on Lynn Parsons so I'll stick to recording whoever is on R2 Early Breakfast until Vanessa Feltz takes over. Not sure what I'll do then.

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

robertwk · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject:

I find the music on Smooth is more melodic than R2`s output and Lynn Parsons is more than competent on Breakfast, pity that will change in January, however since I live in Central Scotland it`ll be John McAuley and Sharon Oakley for me. (dont have to suffer the return of that awful our tunes or whatever he calls it with Mr Bates) since we have Smooth Glasgow as an opt out from 6am-10am and 1pm -8pm weekdays.
For those who dont want to listen to Vanessa Feltz, try Derek Webster on Smooth, he has the overnight show from midnight and it might be to a lot of peoples liking.
Smooth can only get stronger especially when Bob Shennan is still messing things up!

gutsygub · Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 111

I am a big fan of Smooth, especially the Motown Show on Sat evenings. Obviously the only gripe is the ads but that can't be helped, plus my reception comes and goes on my downstairs radio. Not looking forward to Simon Bates as do like Lynn but anything (almost) better than CE

robertwk · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject:

Have to agree, the Motown Show is excellent.

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

I'm not a big Motown fan, but I do enjoy Lynns breakfast show. I may give Simon Bates a try, but doubt I'll stay on board for much of that. I've no desire to revisit "Our Tune" Surprised

Parsons is the perfect antidote to all the other Breakfast shows

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

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

She relies on texts far too much for my liking.

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

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

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

I really don't think you can reasonably say that Lynn relies too much on texts

I listen to Smooth Breakfast every day and whilst she does read out some listeners texts she also has good interaction with her producer and deals with other topical issues as well as making comments on music where appropriate

I sometimes wonder what some listeners expect in 2010 when modern technology is a fact of life whether we like it or not and texts are simply a part of that
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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

I'm going on what she was like on R2 Early breakfast and compared to others who have sat in on the same show it was noticeable how she relied on them. I rarely text so maybe that is why I noticed.......

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

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

I don't text much either Helen because I just can't be bothered with the hassle but I do e mail which I think is what a lot of listeners do

Have you noticed that even Ken Bruce seems to read out many more texts and e mails than he did a few years ago so I think it's simply a product of the age we live in
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ColinB · Guest

I send and receive texts all the time on my iPhone, largely because it's very easy thanks to the touch-screen display. I sent a request to Radio Caroline the other day and they read it and played my request without mentioning it came from a text. The guy just said "Here's a request just received from Colin in Milton Keynes".

Perhaps that's the answer - not to bother mentioning the medium by which the message arrived.

Texting and emailing from my iPhone are almost identical processes to the point where the two technologies are coming together (on smartphones, at least) very quickly.

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

Maybe we are seeing a number of ex Capital and Radio 1 DJ's taking over Smooth daytime line up, drivetime presenter Carlos may sound out of place soon. ( Not may words - these were written on his facebook page ). This will make him un-happy. Laughing

Listening to Smooth the playlist does sound similar too Radio 2. Is Mark Goodier still the producer for the Johnnie Walker show?

ColinB · Guest

Rachel · Guest

"Smooth v Radio 2"

Is it Football or Cricket?

I’ll make the cucumber sandwiches for tea. Smile

It’s an odd concept really, two radio station battling out – (Is it a volume thing?)cos really there is no contest, if you’re listening to one has the other one lost? Perhaps while you’re listening to one, the other is hitting sixes all over the park and you don’t even know it – so you’ve lost? Who knows? Better not to compare but to choose – be happy with your choice but remember there is no penalty for changing. Smile

ColinB · Guest

I do like my cucumber sarnies. Maybe it's because I'm posh. Fresh-baked bread with the crispy crusts still on, please Rachel.

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

It is quite funny how much the stations try to copy each other. Radio 2 has a documentary comming up about Kirsty MacColl, so Smooth Radio also has one!
I tune in to Radiol 2 these days more at weekends, eg Paul O'Grady on Sunday & MC Desmo on fridays
I just find Ken bruce squawking too much to take Surprised

And the others are not much better!
The best blues show I have found is on Jazz FM "Blues & Boogie" & i have to go to the net for country music shows!!

ColinB · Guest

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3415 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

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

Getting back to the Johnnie Walker show although the person already mentioned does produce the show as far as I know it is on behalf of Wise Buddha Productions which I think is still owned and run by Mark Goodier although I dare say he has very little hands on input as to the music played which needs to be changed as has been mentioned before
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nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

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

I think the fact is that one person's good balance may be too much or too little for other people

I think we have to accept that almost all presenters today rely on texts and e mails to some extent and really it isn't fair to single one out against another
For example the great ginger one does it to a very large extent but that's not what puts me off his show
I just don't listen because I find him an irritating idiotic ar--hole
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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

The Ken Bruce show is a total bore for me-entirely predictable-same old tired features every day, terrible camp music presided over by a very arrogant man.

The Smooth alternative offering at the same time is a lot better.

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject:

Utter twaddle. Ken "arrogant"? He's witty, knowledgeable about music, self-deprecating and generous. Agreed the music could do with a bit more variety, but Ken himself is not to blame for that. I suppose you'd rather have Zoe Ball shouting at you? Rolling Eyes

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MiS

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Zoe Ball would be a much better alternative to the dire Ken Bruce.

It won't be long before she takes over the mid-morning on Radio 2 in any event.

Bob likes female presenters.

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

I agree Ken is fine and a true professional although I also like Mark Goodier on Smooth at the same time

The thing with Ken is he is clever as to the whole text and e mail situation
He mentions some odd topic without asking listeners to text or e mail but knowing full well they will and then sure enough they do and he reads out the texts on air

There's no real difference between Ken and other presenters when it comes to the point of texts and e mails except that through his many years of experience he deals with the whole texting issue in a very clever way
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MadeinSurrey · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:43 pm Post subject:

Bob hasn't got a clue, hence the fact that R2 has lost it's way.
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MiS

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

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

Nod you obviously haven't read my previous post properly

The point I was trying to make is that whilst Ken doesn't generally ask for e mails or texts he raises random subjects early on in the show knowing full well that listeners will text in or e mail so you are right in saying he doesn't actually ask for the texts in so many words but he raises the topics knowing that it will result in texts which he then reads out on air

Its exactly the same as Lynn or Richard but in a more clever way and I am really surprised how many people apparently are taken in and don't realise what is going on
I like Ken's show and I'm not criticising him in any way but I can see how he operates and its very clever
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nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

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

I can't instantly Nod but I promise I will give you an example as soon as I can find one
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nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Thanks, much appreciated Very Happy

I'm intrigued (but still prefer his style to the others) Very Happy

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

Smooth use Wise Buddah similar to which Radio 2 use who produce shows and make documentries. Radio 2 reaches further than Smooth Radio does. For example if you do have a bigger enough aerial you may get a signal in Brighton, where Radio 2 stretches to every part of the UK.