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Lady Boil De Spudswell
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 429
Location: Location, Location
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 Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:33 pm Post subject: Another Nail In The Coffin Of Quality |
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This just in from a very reliable source... As of early Jan on Sundays...
2.30 POTP
4.30 Walker
6.30 Alan Titchmarsh
8.30 Sunday Half Hour
9.00 Russell Davies ?!?!!!!
10.00 Laycock
11.00 Jacobs
So, once again we lose TWO more really good programmes. Melodies For You and, unbelievably, Your 100 Best Tunes after how many years?! And Russell bloody Davies replaces it?! What the hell am I gonna read and drink my cocoa to now on a Sunday evening at 9pm? 100 Best Tunes suited the mood absolutely perfectly in a mellow, reflective way that Davies's offerings simply cannot hope to replicate.
The Titchmarsh show I am looking forward to though loosing MFY and YHBT marks a significant reduction in the network's excellent light classical music output - for shame!
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Presumably Titchmarsh is more or less a direct replacement for MFY. The start times are very annoying at half past the hour. And why do they persist with the Walker show?
Although Russell Davies & Laycock's shows are probably a natural fit together (at least to my untrained and not overly appreciative ear)
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iwarburton
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland
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| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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I've listened to HBT on and off since 1969 and always with great pleasure. But I do wonder if it's had its day now, with its rather formal style.
I imagine that AT will feature some popular classical music and will be monitoring the amount carefully. Perhaps he could also find room to feature some light music of the sort which R3 is so thoughtlessly consigning to Room 101 in its removal of the Brian Kay programme.
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Lady Boil De Spudswell
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 429
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| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| gfloyd wrote: | Presumably Titchmarsh is more or less a direct replacement for MFY. The start times are very annoying at half past the hour. And why do they persist with the Walker show?
Although Russell Davies & Laycock's shows are probably a natural fit together (at least to my untrained and not overly appreciative ear) |
Since the recent Sunday afternoon tickles Davies's show has seemed more and more out of place. I agree it is now more an evening show though replacing 100 Best Tunes with it?
It's bloody typical. 100 Best Tunes has been going?... (Umm.. Help, John W!) ... and I've just got into it over the last five years or so..... and they axe it!!
It was the same with Gerald Harper. Great little show I came to about halfway through its woefully short four year run and then bam! Axe time!
Benny Green and Sounds Easy, ditto, those in those cases the presenters, rather inconsiderately I felt, died!
I have to say though I suspect Douglas has gone a step to far. 100 Best Tunes, by virtue of its longevity, has accrued many dedicated followers which is perhaps another reason why the R2 Message Board was pulled when it was. The cat is gonna be well and truly among the pigeons with this when it comes out officially I would wager, and rightly so.
Then there's the figures to consider. I'd bet my pension Davies won't get nearly as many listeners as 100BT. Let's not forget, Sunday Half Hour which precedes it gets the biggest listening figures of anything else on the radio at that time on a Sunday evening, by some considerable margin. Many of whom I'm sure stay on for the equally soothing sounds of Mr. Baker (NB: What is it about people called Baker on the radio? Guaranteed quality!)
Melodies For You, at a pinch refresh, though I personally loved the mix, but ditching that AND 100 Best... I'd take myself a long holiday far away Lesley if I were you.
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: |
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Oh Lady,
I'll be very sad when I listen to Richard Baker's last Y100BT. 
It all started with an idea of Alan Keith's in November 1959. I would have liked Titchmarsh coming into that slot but I can't complain about his show being 2 hours, and with that amount of time I'm sure he'll be a worthy replacement for Sheridan Morley and Richard Baker. 
It will take some getting used to Russell Davies in the evening, he does a good show but I've gotten so used to the gentler strains of Elgar and Vaughan Williams at that time. 
John W |
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:33 am Post subject: |
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It is ironic that Radio 2 and 3 are simultaneously making changes which affect the amount of light music broadcast. It seems neither network talks to the other.
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Scott Nelson
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| John, Ernie, why do you think the BBC are cutting back on light music? Radios 2 and 3 seem to be discarding it - methinks Lesley Douglas and Roger Wright couldn't care less. |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Nelson wrote: | | John, Ernie, why do you think the BBC are cutting back on light music? |
I don't know why, but it goes against the revival of that music genre over the last 10 years for which Brain Kay deserves much credit. After decline in the 1970's, 1980's, much of the repertoire has been re-recorded and CD labels have flourished, Naxos/Marco Polo, Guild, Hyperion, This England, and EMI have joined in too.
| Scott Nelson wrote: | | Radios 2 and 3 seem to be discarding it - methinks Lesley Douglas and Roger Wright couldn't care less. |
I just hope we hear something positive about Brain Kay. Maybe he'll get snapped up by ClassicFM.
John W |
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Scott Nelson
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Very true, John. We've learned these past two years that BBC Radio, in particular Radio 2, don't value their presenters. Whether they have been there 5 years or 45 years, they are just a number at the end of the day.
Perhaps Classic FM will be the saviour for all light music from 2007? I can't see the station discarding it like the BBC have. Brian Kay could well end up on Classic FM, possibly in the evenings. |
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Nelson wrote: | | John, Ernie, why do you think the BBC are cutting back on light music? Radios 2 and 3 seem to be discarding it - methinks Lesley Douglas and Roger Wright couldn't care less. |
I think part of the problem is how the BBC is organised. Radio 2 & 3 obviously dont talk to each other. If they are like rival departments in companies where I have worked, they probably dislike each other more than they do Classic fm or Virgin!
Light music doesnt fit easily any more with the core output of Radio 2 or 3. Its inclusion in the periphery of the schedule is basically dependent on the whim of the controller at any given time. The controllers have a tough job, especially at R2, as there are so many strong music genres competing. You could say the same about swing or soul music as well. Both are hugely popular but struggle for coverage at the BBC.
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Nelson wrote: |
The next one to go should be Friday Night is Music Night. It's been running since 1954. Time for the chop, methinks... |
FNIMN seems to be more successful in refreshing itself. The title is a bit unwieldy for modern times, but now it is mainly presented by Gambo, Aled Jones or Ken Bruce.
I could see the format changing: pre-record and drop the interval as Radio 3 are doing. That would make the show a 90 minute slot, which might free up time for a 1 hour specialist music show at either 7pm or 9pm.
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Last edited by gfloyd on Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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Scott,
The only certainty is Titchmarsh. LBDS' other 'news' might be just rumour.
John W |
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Scott Nelson
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe, but I don't think Lady B is the sort of person to post lies/rumours of this nature on message boards. Hopefully, her posting is correct. Alan Titchmarsh did inform Helen May that his new Sunday show would be broadcast in the evenings, possibly after 7pm. There is no room for him on daytime Sunday, so my guess is an early evening slot. 6.30 - 8.30pm seems pretty sound to me. I daresay Titchy will feature light and popular classics after 7pm.  |
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Lady Boil De Spudswell
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 429
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Nelson wrote: | | Maybe, but I don't think Lady B is the sort of person to post lies/rumours of this nature on message boards. Hopefully, her posting is correct. Alan Titchmarsh did inform Helen May that his new Sunday show would be broadcast in the evenings, possibly after 7pm. There is no room for him on daytime Sunday, so my guess is an early evening slot. 6.30 - 8.30pm seems pretty sound to me. I daresay Titchy will feature light and popular classics after 7pm. |
If anyone wants to take a bet on my 'rumours', I'll happily take their money off them!
MFY is DEFINITELY going and taking it's superb signature tune with it no doubt.
The only detail that isn't crystal clear is whether Davies will be doing his current show at 9pm or merely taking over the 100 Best Tunes format. I hope the latter, though I'm not mad keen on him as a presenter. Bit too 'this is what I like and everything else sucks' Richard Baker is a perfect host and compliments the music beautifully.
I think I'm struggling to find some hope in all this and suspect they're just moving Davies's current show lock, stock to 9pm.
I just hope what Titchmarsh does will provide some solace for me.
Be nice if R2 & R3 talked to one another. Simply moving MFY and HBT to the same slots on R3 would take with them a ready-made large and appreciative audience.
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Lady Boil De Spudswell wrote: | | Be nice if R2 & R3 talked to one another. Simply moving MFY and HBT to the same slots on R3 would take with them a ready-made large and appreciative audience. |
Interesting comment Lady, I wonder if successful transfer of listeners actually would happen? It might if the timings of shows were retained (replacing Drama on 3) but if the shows went to midweek then I wonder.
Any examples in the past of movement, e.g. from R1 to R2, that failed?
John W |
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Scott Nelson
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't think any transfers from Radio 1 to Radio 2 failed; I cannot think of any. In fact, the majority of transfers and recruitment of former Radio 1 jocks to Radio 2 have proven to be a success. |
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Lady Boil De Spudswell
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 429
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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It would be good if there were a little more liaising between R2 and R3. That way good and popular shows like MFY and YHBT wouldn't simply be consigned to the dustbin of radio history simply because la Douglas considers them not groovy enough for R2 anymore.
Like them or not, this kind of liaising, IMHO, should have happened in the early nineties between R1 and R2. Both Bates and DLT had huge audiences and, at the time, would have brought them all to R2 in a very evolutionarily apposite way. Instead both presenter and audience were simply ditched!
Well done BBC!
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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YHBT hasnt run a poll to find out the Top 100 classical tunes in quite a few years has it? I think this has become the preserve of Classic fm now with their Top 100 or 1,000 or whatever they do at Christmas each year.
BTW I caught all of Simon Bates Music from the Movies show on Classic fm today in the car. Its a great show, well researched and delivered and I'm not normally a huge fan of Bates. If Alan did something similar stylistically ( all be it not limiting it to movie scores) I would be very happy.
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John W
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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We've had David Mellor's CFM show on in the dining room. Another well-researched show, recommending CDs, and tonight a marvellous Christmassy feel everytime someone walked into the room (footie was on in the front room)
John W |
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Lady Boil De Spudswell
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 429
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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I do find it quite worrying that, apparently, according to management, R2 listeners don't want much light classical music in their weekly diet.
The demise of MFY AND 100 Best AT THE SAME TIME, is nothing short of wholesale vandalism. What happened to slow, careful evolution?
If part of the reason is that the 30-something Brand and O'Leary listeners can't get a handle on shows like that, then too bad! I'm in my thirties and consider MFY and 100 Best to be two of the network's finest pieces of public service broadcasting presented with mature, thoughtful and experienced intelligence.
I personally cannot wait till this information goes public. Sparks, I hope, will fly in much the same way as it did when Frances Line ditched Benny Green and Alan Dell in favour of Gilbert and Sullivan. Protests and placards actually got both those popular and important shows back.
Maybe the same will happen here?
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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LBDS
Shows come & go. I would be worried if the number of hours of specialist music decreased. I think Radio 2 currently has the balance about right between the populist daytime entertainment and serious specialist shows. I wish the station spread out the specialist show more though. Even I find it too concentrated on Sundays. A couple of hours on Saturday nights could be devoted to light music. In that way some of the Saturday night shows could be put onto Sunday daytime. Brand should be on the comedy hour weekly from 1-2pm. I think he would make that slot his own in pretty quick order.
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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ern,
Russell would have to control himself. I 've just had him on in the car (see the Brand thread) and it's not suitable for 1-2pm Saturday.
John W |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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Third minor warning to Scott.
Ban will be enforced.
Three hours, but unfortunately scott I won't be logging on for much longer than that.
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gfloyd
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 4861
Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
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| Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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| John W wrote: | ern,
Russell would have to control himself. I 've just had him on in the car (see the Brand thread) and it's not suitable for 1-2pm Saturday.
John W |
I suppose that could be a problem. I dont think there is a watershed on radio. Here is what a BBC website says about the watershed and radio:
"Radio is a different medium with different audiences, so we cannot operate a similar watershed policy. We provide programmes for a general audience without imposing unnecessary restrictions on writers and artists. This is a difficult area of judgement. We are guided by public reactions and our understanding of the different audience for each station or at different times of the day."
Clearly Ross is not subject to watershed restraints on his radio show.
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