R2OK!

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

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read in today's Telegraph article by Gillian Reynolds that the Sunday night Russell Davies programme is to be dropped in October. It's bad enough losing David Jacobs.

Davies has such a wide range of musical knowledge and presents it to us in such a well-mannered, humorous and erudite style. I will miss him very much and I learn so much from him.

I wonder if he wants to go? He is too good to lose but perhaps he will produce the occasional series or documentary. It won't be the same though as hearing him every Sunday night.

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

Eileen that's awful news.

I don't listen too often these days but enjoy it when I do. I used to listen more when it was on mid afternoon on Sundays, usually as I prepared our late Sunday meal.

Is there going to be anything left to listen to?

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

Here's an excerpt from a Telegraph article by Gillian Reynolds in October 2010 which sums up Russell Davies nicely:

"I am, like many Daily Telegraph readers who write to me about him, devoted to Russell Davies. His show is, as my late friend Gay Firth would have said, the knees of the bee.
It is knowledgeable, but not exclusive. Davies makes judgements, but tucks them in nicely. He does not turn the stretch of music between jazz and popular song into a perpetual war zone between purists. He likes a good rhyme, notes when a singer takes a breath in the wrong place, tells you when someone unexpected or known by another name has been playing in the backing band."

And here's the link to today's article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10212301/All-change-at-Radio-2...but-not-for-the-better-radio-review.html

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I was only rarely able to listen, but I did like his brand of informed eloquence, and the choice of music, which was off the usual Radio 2 beaten track, without being obscure. I agree that Sunday evening radio will be the poorer without him.

I suppose the opportunity presents itself to merge his hour and David Jacob's into one show. With some trepidation, we shall just have to wait and see.
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Ron

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

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

I don't know why but a thought came to me that they were going to put Desmond Carrington's show on in place of David Jacobs.

Last week (I think) I heard a trail for the 7pm programmes and they only included Monday to Thursday. It was only at the weekend that I wondered why.

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

That's an interesting thought Helen. I think I could live with that!

Did you hear Benny Green's son presenting the show about his dad? I thought he was very good and sounded pretty knowledgeable about music of the "right" Smile

sort.

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

Oh I missed that Eileen was it very recently?

I'd like Desmond later too. It's pre recorded anyway so it wouldn't make much difference.

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

It was on last night Helen and I started a thread about it "Green on Green" which you can't have noticed Smile

. It's worth a listen.

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

What irony. In the week they remember Benny Green we hear that Russell's show (who eventually took over Benny's show slot) is to be axed. One wonders why.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I'm sorry but I could never stand Benny Green, so, of all the possibilities I'd sooner they pass on his son.

I think the suggestion of Tim Westwood [at that time/day] is a wind-up. Sincerely hope so.
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Ron

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:51 pm Post subject:

It's always worrying when developments like this happen, because you wonder what idiot celebrity is going there instead.

I don't listen to Russell Davies much, but have always found him warm, knowledgeable and accessible. Not many of those types left!

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

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

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

Oh, another of my favourites shows is going then!?

The problem has always been that I've never taken to the replacements. Like Teal after Laycock, Cullum after Lyttelton, Paige after Parky, or Titchmarsh after Morley and Alan Keith, and now Michael Ball. Just never made any of them regular listening. When R2ok started I was listening for hours at the weekend and Monday. Nowadays just Friday evening and Russell still get a listen.
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John W

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

Probably using David Jacobs departure and a tweaking and a bit of a clear out on Sunday nights.

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

Desmond Carrington to move to Sundays?

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

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:24 am Post subject:

Desmond Carrington gets more listeners than ever in his Friday slot, but I personally think another show needs to go there - something that might better bridge the gap from Drivetime to the weekend. Perhaps a reduced-size Arts show, or a comedy panel show for 30 minutes.

Of course, it could be the likes of Listen To The Band and The Organist Entertains move to Sunday and free up the evenings for more celebs or (worse) more Jo Whiley!

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

Here is a reply I have just received from Radio 2:

Many thanks for your email.
We have recently confirmed that Russell’s Sunday show won’t continue in the autumn, but he is going to continue to have an important role on Radio 2 and we are developing those plans right now and will announce the details shortly.

Andy W · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: France

That reply from Radio 2 probably means no more than the odd special or occasional series.

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

I'm afraid you may be right Andy.

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 8:52 am Post subject:

Another nail in the coffin of Radio 2. Losing RD and DJ at the same time so they can fill up the schedule with more dross is just too bad. No wonder I hardly listen any more.
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MiS

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

Agree not good news but we are getting Don Black in David's slot so it could have been worse.

H

PS Nice to see you MiS!
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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

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Helen, hope you're well? I didn't know DB was taking over, sounds a little promising!
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MiS

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

I am thanks Smile

Miss you on the Mallets!

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

This article is in today's Sunday Telegraph. How shortsighted Radio 2 is being Sad

.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10220517/DJ-Russell-Davies-says-BBC-snubbing-older-listeners-after-show-was-dropped.html

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

I totally agree Eileen. There needs to be another station for these programmes, but I'm not sure who could start it up.

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

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Sad news indeed. The amount of work and research that must go into RD's shows, and he's shunted aside by some cultural ignoramus.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

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

Petitioning BBC Radio 2: a petition has been started by a colleague on another forum.

BBC Radio 2: Reverse their decision to drop the Russell Davies Song Show on Sundays

the link is here:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/bbc-radio-2-reverse-their-decision-to-drop-the-russell-davies-song-show-sunday-9pm

Geoff wrote: Here's why it's important:

Although the Russell Davies Song Show could be seen as a 'niche'
programme, I know it has a very loyal and devoted fan-base, both here
in the UK and abroad. It is one of very few national radio programmes
which features popular songs of the highest quality written with care
for rhyme, style and sophistication of content in what might be called
the Golden Age of Song, approximately1910-1970, and primarily in USA.
It is sometimes called the Great American Songbook and individual songs
are often referred to as standards. Russell Davies is extemely
knowledgeable and his programmes are consistently entertaining,
informative and often amusing. He is erudite and his show stands out
amongst what is becoming an increasingly anodyne and bland radio
station. I can see no good reason for his show to be discontinued and
ask the 'powers-that-be at Radio 2 to reconsider their short-sighted
decision to drop it from their schedules.
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John W

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

Signed.

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

Thank you John. I have signed.

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

I have too.

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

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Thanks John.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:37 am Post subject:

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

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

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:55 am Post subject:

I've signed. Heard the show last night and would be sad if it wasn't there. Precious few opportunities now to hear that sort of quality music.
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MiS

R2Icon · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 1444

Just seen this. Started reading it, I was there right up to the last two sentences, which changed my mind. Poor and unfortunate choice of words. In a nutshell it says, you don`t know what you are doing, so leave the programme I like because everything else is rubbish. How to win friends and influence people? That is a great example of how not to do it.

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

R2Icon · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 1444

It's all just opinion, John. No facts.

I knew you would mention remit.

My point is, that the petition is rude. It puts forward opinion as fact, pays no respect to the decision making process that has taken place and disses the entire station.

My intepretation of Geoff's words is my interpretation, that is what they say to me.

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