R2OK!

essexlady · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 348 Location: Essex

Although I was aware that Rebecca was leaving Drivetime I didn't realise that the whole section of the show was dispensed with. Is this just a temporary thing? My listening pattern was disrupted over the holiday period so maybe that's why I missed the announcement?

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

From what was said on Rebecca's last day I got the feeling that there was not going to be any replacement on the show so I suspect the whole feature has been ditched

Surely if it was going to carry her successor would have been mentioned on her final show Confused

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Are you ready for a Ruddles?

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

I have the same thoughts as both of you and have been wondering what Deadly is doing there? I don't usually hear the first hour so not sure if he has been on during that part. I wondered if 'Part Time Pauline' would return to business next week?

I hope the request format is only a temporary thing as well and if the business news goes it will be a big loss IMHO. I felt the same about the quiz when that went as well.

I felt the show was in safe hands when Simon took over but I'm a bit concerned now.

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: Tue Jan 05, 2016 9:52 pm Post subject:

Deadly often barges into the show - you know what he's like! There was only one request tonight, I think, so that may just be for this week.

No idea about the business slot though.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Deadly was on at least once the week (I think) they announced that Rebecca was leaving, but I'd never heard him on Drivetime before that and to be honest couldn't work out what he was doing there at the time.

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: Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:35 pm Post subject:

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Well I'm sorry be the bearer of bad news but it seems that business news will not be returning to Drivetime. Sad

Last night I emailed Simon via the contacts address on the webpage expressing concern that there was no business news and had this back from a producer.

"The powers that be, who make the bigger decisions about Radio 2 shows, decided it was time for a format refresh, as all shows go through from time to time. Sorry you are missing the inclusion of business news, I do hope you will continue to enjoy the show."

So there it is.

I wonder if that perhaps the presenters are not totally in favour of it? Maybe a note to Feedback from a few of us may get a mention. I don't think we will be the only ones who are missing it somehow. To me Drivetime still holds an 'adult feel' to it most of the time and I think this is a step in the wrong direction.

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

graham b · Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 211 Location: Wakefield

It was strange that on her last day Rebecca stated that she had not decided what she was doing next. So was business news axed and then she left or was it the other way round. Personally I would have kept business and got rid of sport.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Graham that was my thought as well about the sport, especially seeing as the BBC is cutting back on televised sport. If I were Matt I'd be more than a little bit concerned.

I think they axed business news and Rebecca had no choice but to leave. I suppose it's cheaper to have someone phone in with a request to fill in the time taken with business news. Sad

I've not been all that impressed with this week's shows content. I'll give it another week but I can see it turning into a request show Monday - Friday. I don't always listen on Fridays and always turn the sound down when the callers come on.

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

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

The business news used to be one of the best bits of the show. I got fed up with 'homework sucks' and 'confessions', so I no longer tune in. In fact I hardly ever tune in to Radio 2 from Mondays to Fridays, sad, but true. Crying or Very sad

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Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:26 pm Post subject:

Simon Mayo described her as "empire building" but looking into it, it does seem they've let her go. Her LinkedIn says she's finished on BBC News Channel and she's put a showreel on her Twitter. Big shame.

Nickbucks · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 100

It is about time the whole of the day time programming was refreshed. In the meantime Richard Allinson on Magic suits me on the way home

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

essexlady · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 348 Location: Essex

Drivetime is the only R2 programme I listen to regularly Monday to Friday and this is mainly due, as Helen? said, because it has a more adult feel to it. I like Simon Mayo as a presenter and enjoy the format of the show, even all request Friday, but if they are going to " Dumb Down" then I may have to find an alternative.
Ooops I do listen to Desmond Carrington regularly too, but usually on I-player.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 6:28 pm Post subject:

The fact Simon has now taken to asking Bobbie what her big travel story is suggests not much thought has gone into this so-called "format change"!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

They've been doing that since they returned after New Year Ian, obviously they don't know what to fill the space with. Of course they've had tributes to fill up with, I wondered if they should re-name the station Tribute Radio 2 yesterday............

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