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Not so Smooth!
up to the vocal
Posts: 2,502 Forum Member
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Listening on Sky just now in the news junction between Steve Collins and Emma B there were what sounded like two completeley different news feeds going out both over each other. Is this what happens when you have one presenter in Salford and the other in London?
Then Emma B comes on ,,and did she say ''The Tymes from Ms Grace''? Oh dear.
Then Emma B comes on ,,and did she say ''The Tymes from Ms Grace''? Oh dear.
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Does Heart and Capital have the same problem when they network?
It's more a case with Ms B that she's on the wrong GMG station.
They need to keep it real.
I agree it is appalling, what you have highlighted here about the lack of attention to detail and poor presenter habits that are allowed, just demonstrates to my mind a complete lack of passion and clue less behaviour on behalf of the Smooth Management.
Although Smooth does have some talent , I would argue that the Rajar results would not alter one bit, if you replaced the “ Old Come Back Guard “ with less well known names , that could just do it, Derek Webster types for example, not really a name, but a solid professional. Do they really think any one is bothered about Bates and Goodyear, Jensen etc?. Much as they can do the job, the days of “ wow its that bloke on the radio “are long gone. I could go on, but if they want to haemorrhage cash , well that is there choice.
I also get annoyed with the one presenter on Smooth , who isn’t a “Brand Name” of any description and is mainly on off peak, who clearly needs a good coaching session in building an audience by being relatable and having content in his links and not JUST relying on mentioning texts and tweets in nearly every link……………..
How do they get away with it?............................. Now lets see what a hornets nest those comments disturb amongst the Smooth Fan Club, it could be so much better though as I’m sure if you are reading this you will agree.
If that theory holds true why was Chris Tarrant chosen to stand in for Steve Wright on Radio 2 last week, when the "solid professionals" such as Alex Lester and Richard Allinson were available, and probably a lot cheaper?
Similarly Richard Madeley had no radio experience at all prior to April 2009 (when he deputised for Sarah Kennedy) - he was chosen as a stand-in for Chris Evans because he is a TV celebrity.
Radio 2 and Smooth are choosing these famous names because they boost the ratings.
I would still argue, that this is just wasting cash. I am not saying let anyone on the air, but to have talent and be engaging you don’t have to be a celeb when it comes to radio. It makes no difference, particularly as people are listening to so called celebs, not looking at them on a TV show, look with your eyes, listen with your ears. As was said to me many years ago when I started in the industry “ they are not hanging on every word you say “.
Look what happened when Fiona Philips 'appeared' on Sunday afternoons. Utter disaster.
Just like Davina McCall standing in for Ken Bruce on Radio 2 (August 2007) - sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.
Surely rule no.1 in recruiting someone for radio is do they have a good/outstanding voice and ,,,can they relate to the audience. Oh dear.
Tarrant did 20years with Capital although he's does TV. He can engage with the listeners and knows his music. Richard Madeley is a very good stand-in for breakfast. Some celebs on Radio 2 have no idea. For Example Graham Norton and Alan Carr are given slots too entertain and not really music radio DJ's...
Tarrant may ;know his music' if he is allowed to have a hand in what he plays,,,but it sounded totally crass the other day when he opened the show with 'The Boys Are Back In Town; by Thin Lizzy (!),,and preceded to fade the song and talk all over it after just two minutes,with versre and major guitar parts in the background. What possible reason could there have been to cut this short as it was the first song in the hour??? Smacks of either someone who is so egotistical he can't wait to open the microphone,or extremely bad planning on behalf of the production team.
Madeley had a brief spell at BBC Radio Carlisle but that alone isn't enough to qualify him for a stint on the Radio 2 breakfast show. Perhaps I should have said virtually no experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Madeley
Totally agree, one of the most consistent presenters of the last 25 years!
Emma B is hardly a draw to Smooth's target audience though.
GMG have made some slip-ups in recent years when it comes to celeb presenters. Tarrant was awful, because they gave him creative freedom with his show and was networked on both Smooth and Real which didn't suit either station.
Yet, stick Tarrant on Radio 2 with a well established format and the magic of his delivery works well.
Fiona was just wrong because her tv delivery didn't suit the brand. (Yes, I know Fifi was on County Sound in the 80s, but only as a newsreader)
On the other hand, Bates is excellent and Pete Waterman's VT show was also a treat.
Did you ever listen to Tarrant on Smooth, where is he now in the smooth line up ? and what were the figures like ?..............
yeah, probably;):D
Worth adding that CT was only on Smooth London, West Midlands and East Midlands as Real took the show elsewhere.
A bit like Pick Of The Pops yesterday. My goodness. Tony did not have to face the songs from 1962. They were short enough surely.
He's allowed to play his choice of music, alongside the playlist...
If Richard Lester were to dep on a daytime show, who could fill his show through the night? He's made that his own and would be a hard act to follow.