R2OK!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject: Responses to New Presenters

Reading the Harriet Scott thread, I think there are only ever two possible responses to new presenters on Radio 2:

1) Rubbish - I've never heard of them

2) Rubbish - another celebrity signing!

It's a difficult line for the Radio 2 bosses to tread, isn't it? Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

I'm sure in 1967 people would have complained about failed singer Jimmy Young dumbing down the station's output.

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

Nobody used the word 'rubbish' Ian

Obviously it's only fair to comment after listening but the point occurs to me that there are numerous really competent presenters already on the station who are either rarely or never used for covering these slots - so it begs the question why the need to bring in anyone new at all

To me it simply reinforces the Shennan attitude that if your face fits you're in but if not God help you - I'm sure the likes of Mike Harding and Stuart Maconie would vouch for that Smile

_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?

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

Harriet is more a Radio person than a celeb

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Well I've heard of her - and I quite like her style. I occasionally listened to her when she was with Virgin Radio (in the days before Chris Evans bought it and subsequently ruined it) and in my opinion she's a good presenter - the sort that Radio 2 desperately needs!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

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

The issue here for me is not over the capability or otherwise of the lady concerned but rather over the constant introduction of new presenters by Mr Shennan where listeners simply don't have chance to get used to any single new recruit before others are brought in at breakneck speed

At the end of the day a radio station is a business and we are its customers and I know from personal experience that customers like stability and not constant change

I recall many instances when I was running businesses over many years of my bringing in agencies to provide staff for holiday cover and quite apart from charging rip off fees these agencies never gave me the same staff on any two consecutive weeks and sometimes not even on consecutive days to the point where customers used to moan like hell about it

Going back 30 years ago whilst I was not a listener then I recall that R2 had a fairly settled format of presenters - usually with cover being provided by other people already within the station

This even happened with Radio One in those days and it was rare for anyone from outside the station to be brought in - and when new names were introduced such as the likes of Paul Burnett,Steve Wright or Roger Scott they were already very well established professional DJ's with their own followings who were well known from major stations like Luxembourg

I know that there were some examples of 'new talent' being recruited from local radio - the likes of Simon Mayo and Gary Davies - but these changes were gradual and managed whereas these days we seem to be getting newcomers almost every month - how long is it since Maria Macfarlane was brought in following the demise of Eurotrash Rolling Eyes

I'm all for giving new talent a chance but do not believe that listeners should constantly be used like 'guinea pigs' for Mr Shennan to see whether his latest idea seems to work or not - and yes I will give the early breakfast show a listen - after all it can't be any worse than having to endure the torture of Anneka Rice Smile

_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6812

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

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

He was indeed Helen. At mid-day, Radio 1 shared Radio 2's network - and thus benefitted from VHF at that point!

unclebuck · Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 276 Location: Warwickshire

Well I would just like to say:
1. I have never heard of her
2. That no 1 is not a criticism, or even a problem. I think it probably is a good thing (ie. she is not another celeb, known for non-radio stuff, who just fancied having a crack at a radio show).
3. I look forward to listening to her.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Yes, VHF was such a luxury then! I remember the Radio 1 continuity announcer (imagine that now!) announcing John Peel's "Sounds of the Seventies" show at 10.00pm Friday by saying "And now Radio 1 joins Radio 2 on Medium Wave and VHF Stereo with....." etc.

My teenage friend was an apprentice electrician who used to love "bodging" radio and TV equipment and his dad allowed to modify their older Radiogram (wow - another blast from the past) to provide a line output which we then used to record to my Philips portable audio-cassette recorder, the very first of its kind. I asked my dad if he could similarly modify our record player but he wouldn't allow it!

A few years later, as a student, I managed to buy a "portable" Ferrograph Series 4 1/4" audio tape recorder - built like a proverbial brick wotsit and made in made by North East Audio Limited in South Shields - for £7 from a fellow student who was clearing out his dad's loft and had to buy my own receiver to record to it. I still have that recorder!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

I've been to Ferrograph's place in South Shields Colin. I think I had to take or collect something for Dad's Ferrograph, must have been in the 70s <yikes>.

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

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Yes, NEAL had the supply contract to all Police authorities to make the interview room recordings at Police stations when audio-cassette was used. Of course, it's all digital now and I don't think they're in the market any more.

Pity, because they were a great British company and brand.

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

Ferrographs were absolutely superb in their day - the ultimate in the reel to reel recording world

I recall my cousin had one - and I was very jealous Mad

_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Actually, Studer and Revox (both made by Studer) were considered the ultimate, but Ferrograph was the UK's premium brand. They were built like tanks (witness my own, dating from the 1950s!) and fabulously robust.

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

Yes Colin - you're probably right but of course in those days it was seen as being very unpatriotic and disloyal to buy anything other than British made goods

I recall being given a BASF tape one Christmas and asking my uncle whether he had the receipt as I wanted to swap it for something more traditional like Philips - which of course unknown to me at that time was a company based in The Netherlands Embarassed

_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:27 am Post subject:

Not been on here since I posted this grumpy and slightly facetious topic. Glad I stimulated some debate!

I suppose my point was, that as fans of Radio 2 we're often quick to judge new voices whether we know they have experience or not. But while I think there's some duffers (Anneka Rice), the line-up is amazing compared to the way other radio stations are going.

I see the changes at Smooth, then their ripples to other stations, and just get depressed. The way we all consume and discover music is changing yet the commercial stations play it safer than ever - people may as well listen to their iPods. If the BBC wants to continue to lead then it needs challenging music and truly engaging presenters - hopefully Shennan and co are looking for them.

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

Well, the music they play is 99% rubbish, let's be honest. At least in the daytime schedule. You may as well listen to Heart etc, if you like that sort of thing. I find Listen Again the way to go, along with 6 Music.

The presenters don't mean a thing, if they ain't got that swing.
_________________
life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans