R2OK!

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

Elisabeth Mahoney
Friday August 3, 2007
The Guardian

It's no secret that I am a fan of the Chris Evans show (Radio 2). At its best, it is an immensely engaging programme that lends its audience a strong sense of ownership. I have tuned in daily this week while doing things that the show seems to suit: decorating, sitting in the sunshine or driving. But for the first time since the show found its feet after launching, it's been getting on my nerves.

The problem is in tiny details, creeping in. There's Evans, interjecting too much and too forcefully, and dinging his annoying hotel-reception bell ad nauseum these days. A hugely dull new incarnation of the Woman's Minute phone-in now features women drivers calling in to say what vehicle they are driving and where, while the recently introduced Sally Says Hello spot is all a bit lifeless. Often, the show still gets it spot on - the play on the high regard with which Jonny Saunders holds Beverley Craven is inspired - so you really notice when it misfires. Patchy and undisciplined (that bell!) is not the stuff of Sony gold awards.

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I did hear the women drivers phoning in. It's to attract the female listeners to the network as I think they have found out in surveys they are losing out to the male listeners, or the younger female listener?

gfloyd

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

Mark, when I saw the title, I thought you were actually doing a review of CE's show.... Shocked

_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:33 am Post subject:

and there was I thinking that some poor unfortunate had set to and done a Bob Harris on Evans. There again, who amongst us would have such fortitude?
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:28 am Post subject:

Aha! Geddon - we don't need a 'naughty step' anymore - just get the offender to review CE's show! Laughing

_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject:

in depth and minute - by - minute - poor soul!
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

This needs a rethink, after all, the Geneva Convention strictly forbids cruel and inhumane treatment. Laughing

_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Rachel · Guest

Chris and his team are the backbone, the very nerve centre of Radio 2, the rest of em just make up the numbers.

I like the bell! ding!

The new womans' minute is great fun!

Sally has the nation eating from the palm of her hand during Chris' show- she is fabulous. Extentions and all!

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

I enjoy these parts of the show, pretty poor review to moan about a bell etc if you ask me.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject:

Give the show to Sally, then. Confused

_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Rachel · Guest

Oh that wouldn't work Geddon... Chris is the catalyst for all the good things on drivetinme.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

He is also responsible for 100% of the drivel.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Rachel · Guest

Maybe it's a girl thing..... but even the parts that traditionally I'd have no interest in, "Business and Sport" , are fun and very nearly interesting at times. I think you have to be on the hairy edge of, and now and again, plunge right into "non traditional" thinking, to get the most from Chris' show

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

It's a puzzle why it took Elizabeth Mahoney over 15 months to realise the Evans show is very irritating Confused

Of course only our Rachel could give a proper well-informed review here, as no-one else here is a regular listener Smile

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:55 am Post subject:

idcowden · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 67

I'm a regular here (if not a very regular poster) and I listen to CE fairly regularly also.

Like most here, I hated the show at first, but I do think its settled down now and is quite listenable. I agree that the bell should be confiscated.

As for "new look Women's Minute" I think this was intended as a dig by Chris after competitions were suspended. Sometimes there are too many feature spots and interuptions (sally says hello is a bit dull IMHO). And I preferred the Business Fox to Beat the Busby (Busby has a very irritating voice). Overall though there is some good music and entertainment, and I do think that some of the music links are very clever. I'd rather have Drivetime with CE, which does have some planning and forethought, rather than the Big Yawn with Steve Wright, which is frankly past its sell by date.

Iain

Rachel · Guest

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

Rachel,

So with idcowden there are TWO regular listeners to Evans show here!

Ernie/gfloyd praises but isn't regular eh Ern?

Anyway I personally see little dfference in Evans and SK shows, except that I CAN stand SK's voice, and that makes a big difference, but otherwise I can't see how praise can be heaped on one and contempt on the other, by the same listener Rolling Eyes

gfloyd · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

Rachel · Guest

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject:

They start with the latter "D" Embarassed

( coat in hand - on my way!)
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:11 pm Post subject:

The Chris Evans show is like an Evening Dawn Patrol at times - the inane chatter, the sound effects, the "me me me" moaning. Lots of similarities. I prefer and enjoy Chris but it's right to say the two shows are quite alike.

Rachel · Guest

Where's the business and sport , the phone ins, woman's minute, the guests, the Duke Box Jury( with the good the bad and the ugly) Beat the Busby , Sally Says Hello, First Time Today, the texts on the topic of the day, in the Dawn Patrol?

You're just trying to wind me up Smile

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

I have to agree with Rachel.
Chris's show is fun and enjoyable with some great features and a VARIETY of music which is greater than any of the other daytime programmes.
When I leave work at 17.15 I normally go home fuming after the Rap, R&B(sic) and whatever Indie band that will impress his sons mates, music that Steve Wright keeps playing.
But when I work till 19.00 I go home a lot happier normally whistling a good song I've heard.
P.S Tuesdays the best night as Desmond Carrington follows Chris.
I wish he was on every night at 19.00.

firewirefred · Guest

gfloyd

Briant · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject:

Adversity, ernie? Do you mean the falling listening figures for Chris Evans or the general malaise that hangs over Radio 2 these days with Lesley Douglas getting it wrong time after time?

howard66 · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 43

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

firewirefred · Guest

igs007 · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 190

Considering Evans said he has 5 million listeners last week (yes, I listened for a little while) then I wouldn't look too much into those figures.

JW had 5 million when he finished. Sure, that may be just the tail end high figures (eg his last show) but it still meant Evans lost listeners. Only now, after much tweaking, is he starting to find replacements. he's hardly set the world on fire, despite the constant stupid promos for his show.

gfloyd · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject:

welcome igs 2007.

The radio audience declines throughout the day anyway. After 3 o'clock more people are watching tv than listening to the radio, so I suppose Chris is up against Richard & Judy, Weakest Link, Neighbours, etc as well as other radio stations.
_________________
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

SantaFefan · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Simpsons, Judge Judy.... Planet Rock...... watching paint dry, listening to the tumble dryer.. Laughing

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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.

gfloyd · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject:

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:43 am Post subject:

But he still SHOUTS, I do'nt want to be shouted at through the radio.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil