R2OK!

Dean Robertson · Guest

I couldn't find a topic about Michael Ball on the forum, so please forgive me if I have missed it!

I wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch. Michael has got an excellent rapport with the listeners and guests. I am also pleased that the music content of the programme is more varied (Parky tended to play too much jazz and easy listening. He also started to sound dated).

I have read on other forums the gripes some listeners have with the phoning and texting eletment of the show. So what? It's nice that Michael wants to interact with his listeners and keep them entertained!

Sunday mornings on Radio 2 are so much better now! In fact, I now listen to Radio 2 for LONGER on Sundays. Sunday Love Songs, Michael Ball, Pick of the Pops and Johnnie Walker. If I am in the mood then I occasionally stick around for Elaine Paige, Alan Titchmarsh and Russell Davies.

By the way, I was in a restaurant called Frankie & Benny's a few weeks ago. I was surprised that much of the music being played I have regularly heard on the Russell Davies Song Show!

And some people out there think music pre-1970 is dead!

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

Some words Dean read like someone else we know on these forums? Laughing

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

Can we have Parkie back please, in our house we have a a new phrase for "Fake Parque Flooring", Michael Ball. Wink

BB

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Heloise · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 237

Spanners · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Lincolnshire

At the risk of sounding like my own parents, Radio 2 is just not the same anymore. Its all smart alec cracks from presenters or those who ring in.

All I want from my presenters is a professional job and the chance to listen to some decent music, whatever the genre, without constant interruption or inane remarks. I enjoyed Michael Parkinson's mix of music and guest. Probably because they came from my era. At one time Radio 2 seemed to be more for my generation, but it sounds like a poor copy of Radio 1 these days. Still I suppose the world has to move on. I would listen to Smooth Radio, but the adverts drive me up the wall. Find I am listening more and more to my CD collection now with just the odd dip into Radio 2 - a bit of cherry picking!! Rolling Eyes

Spanners

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Dean Robertson · Guest

I think it's a case that Radio 2 has moved with the times! Wink

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

There was a thread on this topic when it was first announced that he was taking over Dean.

Don't like Michael Ball so I don't listen.

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

Heloise · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 237

Thoroughly enjoying the show myself. The music being played is much more up my street.
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Dean Robertson · Guest

SantaFefan · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

for the last few weeks I've only heard this show from a distance on an outside radio, but listening today, my suspicions were confirmed... he sounds like an older Dermott O'Leary! Shocked

Am I alone on this?
The music's ok though....
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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.

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Briant · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: The Balls in your court......

Since Parky left Sunday mornings on Radio 2 are now as defunct as the station is for me between 2pm and 7pm during the week. Luckily I have a goodly supply of CDs to enjoy while reading the Sunday paper.

SantaFefan · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject:

I normally listen to Radio 2 come what may apart from Drivetime and sometimes, Sir Tel; preferring Planet Rock instead.
But today, I noticed our kitchen radio was playing some great oldies ( including Tower of Strength - just great to hear that again! love the saxophones..) The Chef told me it was Gold on medium wave...
I like it.
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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.

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

The Michael Ball Show is okay-so much better than the dire Parky offering we had to endure for far too long.

Dean Robertson · Guest

Hear hear, Mark!

Michael Ball is such a breath of fresh air! It's a refreshing change to hear decent music on Sunday morning Radio 2; no more boring jazz ballads and sounds Frank Sinatra wailing. I also enjoy Michael's interaction with his listeners, too.

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Haven't listened to this very much but enjoyed hearing the marvellous Cleo Laine today.

Ian.

NickSheffield · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 508

First time I listened to this show in full today and I thought it was pretty darn terrific - I like Ball, he has a gentle humour very fitting for Sunday morning Radio 2 - and a welcome juxtaposition to Wright's nasals before him.

I was stuck in diverted traffic off the M8 listening to the show this morning and it kept me smiling through the queues.

Heloise · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 237

I agree another good show today, enjoyed the music very much and the conversation with Cleo Laine was very entertaining, as have all the guests been so far.

I can also vouch for that torrential rain at Hampton Court a few years ago. It chucked it down Shocked

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Put some records on while I pour

Dean Robertson · Guest

It was a great show, I agree.

Michael Ball is a natural on the radio, and a million times better than his predecessor.

RobbieM · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

I do miss Michael P. Mr. Ball just can't cut it when the discussion gets around to the burning issues of the day, but Parkie's journalistic training enabled him to get stuck in. I did rather enjoy listening to Parky on sunday. Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth live just down the road from me (well, about a mile anyhow).
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Dean Robertson · Guest

Parky played too much jazz. His playlist was dreary and depressing. He also had an obession with sport, in particular cricket.

I cheered when he announced his departure from Radio 2! Razz

RobbieM · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

I hated the way Radio 2 used to leap from one extreme to another at 11am Sundays. Wrighty would sign-off playing, say, Madonna, then after the news, Parky come on playing Peggy Lee. It just did not sit right, hence why Sunday mornings stood out like a sore thumb.

Sunday mornings are so much more refreshing now Michael Ball has taken over (with a much better playlist). Ball himself made it clear on his first show that he was not a fan of 'Parky music' and cut two slow tracks short that were chosen by Dame Judy Dench.

Now, if only Elaine Paige would disappear...

RobbieM · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

I would much rather Radio 2 adopted the Smooth FM format. The station might not then sound so laddish. As for Pink Floyd, did you watch Pink Floyd Night on BBC Four last Friday? It was brilliant.

Syd Barrett - what a character!

RobbieM · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

Words only lift music on certain programmes on Radio 2. If there's one thing that I cannot stand it's a presenter who will not shut up talking (or making stupid comments or sound effects over the tops of tracked played). Mentioning no names there - she knows who she is! Rolling Eyes

RobbieM · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

Yes, the lady who has made racist comments, insults, and abused her position as a broadcaster to attack potential buyers of her slum.

RobbieM · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

Clearly, they're all as raving mad as she is then.

RobbieM · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

Dean Robertson · Guest

I do not know your old lady, I cannot possibly comment.

Heloise · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 237