[cotton tail]

I normally listen to R2 in the morning but could not stick this Tubridy (?) chap, I've preferred silence to him, especially when you add Fiona Phillips to the mix, my idea of hell. I never thought I'd say this but he even made Richard Madeley sound decent.
As for Ken Bruce, ever since the Rob Brydon April Fool joke I cannot take him seriously!

[Phil Ander]

We are of course all entiled to our opinions but reading these threads you would think Radio 2 was way past its sell by date.

The latest RAJAR figures tend to point in the opposite direction with record audiences for several shows including the uber professional Ken Bruce.

Radio 2 is a personality driven station and I like the fact that its daytime presenters are all different. In such circumstances we all have some presenters we prefer to others.

I still infinitely prefer Radio 2 to Smooth which I find bland, over stuffed with adverts and promotional material and frankly boring.

[Moshe]

In the case of Ken Bruce, alot less "personality" would be great!

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by Moshe

I have a prejudice against Mathew Bannister as I recall how he was brought in to destroy the old BBC Radio London which was a good station in its day.
Bannister & his rediculous side kick demolished what was a pretty good radio station.

And he replaced it with the much better GLR. Shame that was closed down though.

[bigluke1970]

Ken Bruce is a good listen for half an hour

[Moshe]

Originally Posted by Peter the Great

And he replaced it with the much better GLR. Shame that was closed down though.

GLR failed because it lost much of the old Radio London audience & did not gain much of a new one

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by Moshe

GLR failed because it lost much of the old Radio London audience & did not gain much of a new one

Nonsense. Radio London for most of it's history only had 2 other local stations to compete with. GLR for most of it's time on air had to compete with numerous other London stations. There were plenty of complaints at the loss of GLR. I don't remember the same happening for Radio London.

[PaulEvansDorset]

Originally Posted by Moshe

I have a prejudice against Mathew Bannister as I recall how he was brought in to destroy the old BBC Radio London which was a good station in its day.
Bannister & his rediculous side kick demolished what was a pretty good radio station.

Veering off topic, perhaps, but many would disagree with you.

As you say, 'brought in'. The old Radio London was little more than a watered-down, legalised version of the soul pirates that proliferated the capital's airwaves in the mid-Eighties (albeit quite a good one, and reasonably popular).
It didn't fall within the obligations of the BBC charter.
Bannister fulfilled the remit to provide a popular news and entertainment service that no other station duplicated.
His strapline of 'Rock and rolling news for London' was, IMHO, genius.
News editorials were, by and large, provided live by the presenters, and by far the best exponent of the format was Tommy Vance, whose Drive show really shone.
This content may have received critical acclaim, but it was never going to compete with Capital for overall popularity.
The station gradually lost its way when less inspired successors watered down the format.

But as they say in radio, you're only as good as your last gig - and Bannister will best be remembered for not pulling off the same stunt with Radio 1.

However, the former Capital news presenter appears to have excellent credentials as a presenter on Radios 2 & 4, and when standing in for Vine I find him slick, competent, to the point - and far less annoyingly gushing than the regular incumbent.

[Moshe]

BBC Radio London did lean a bit heavilly in a soul direction- Tony blackburs daily soul show & Robbie Vincent on Saturdays- but they also had an excelent country music show (Bob Powell) & Rock n Roll Echoes with Stu colman.

[PaulEvansDorset]

Originally Posted by Moshe

BBC Radio London did lean a bit heavilly in a soul direction- Tony blackburs daily soul show & Robbie Vincent on Saturdays-.

Plus the late Steve Walsh, Susie Barnes in the afternoon (albeit mainly the O'Jays, Three Degrees and the odd bit of Cameo).

[Moshe]

I am intending to listen to "Made On Sunday" this morning at 11AM. I heard part of it for the first time last week, & thought it was quite acceptable.
I had been driven away from BBC Radio 2 on Sunday mornings by the awful Wogan show. I am not entirely convinced by Richard Madeley, but the music selection and the format is OK.
Anyone else have thoughts on the show? And did anyone actually like Wogans show Sunday mornings? I thought it was too stodgy by far, & Wogans 2jokes" were a bit off

[shivering sands]

I am intending to listen to "Made On Sunday" this morning at 11AM. I heard part of it for the first time last week, & thought it was quite acceptable.
I had been driven away from BBC Radio 2 on Sunday mornings by the awful Wogan show. I am not entirely convinced by Richard Madeley, but the music selection and the format is OK.
Anyone else have thoughts on the show? And did anyone actually like Wogans show Sunday mornings? I thought it was too stodgy by far, & Wogans 2jokes" were a bit off

Couldn't stand Richard Madeley sitting in for Chris Evans, but Made On Sunday is a perfect vehicle for him. Intelligent chat and good music. Just heard him say though that Wogan is coming back later in the year. Not too distressed by that, but hopefully RM will get another show on Radio 2.

[occy]

Originally Posted by shivering sands

I am intending to listen to "Made On Sunday" this morning at 11AM. I heard part of it for the first time last week, & thought it was quite acceptable.
I had been driven away from BBC Radio 2 on Sunday mornings by the awful Wogan show. I am not entirely convinced by Richard Madeley, but the music selection and the format is OK.
Anyone else have thoughts on the show? And did anyone actually like Wogans show Sunday mornings? I thought it was too stodgy by far, & Wogans 2jokes" were a bit off

Couldn't stand Richard Madeley sitting in for Chris Evans, but Made On Sunday is a perfect vehicle for him. Intelligent chat and good music. Just heard him say though that Wogan is coming back later in the year. Not too distressed by that, but hopefully RM will get another show on Radio 2.

I think Weekend Wogan is back at the end of August.

[Phil Ander]

As this board is about Radio 2 I wish to say that it was a real pleasure listening to David Jacobs back after a long illness.

For him, the music is what matters. Not a word is wasted. No names no pack drill but other presenters could learn a lot from him.

[AlanO]

Originally Posted by PaulEvansDorset

Veering off topic, perhaps, but many would disagree with you.

As you say, 'brought in'. The old Radio London was little more than a watered-down, legalised version of the soul pirates that proliferated the capital's airwaves in the mid-Eighties (albeit quite a good one, and reasonably popular).
It didn't fall within the obligations of the BBC charter.
Bannister fulfilled the remit to provide a popular news and entertainment service that no other station duplicated.
His strapline of 'Rock and rolling news for London' was, IMHO, genius.
News editorials were, by and large, provided live by the presenters, and by far the best exponent of the format was Tommy Vance, whose Drive show really shone.
This content may have received critical acclaim, but it was never going to compete with Capital for overall popularity.
The station gradually lost its way when less inspired successors watered down the format.

But as they say in radio, you're only as good as your last gig - and Bannister will best be remembered for not pulling off the same stunt with Radio 1.

However, the former Capital news presenter appears to have excellent credentials as a presenter on Radios 2 & 4, and when standing in for Vine I find him slick, competent, to the point - and far less annoyingly gushing than the regular incumbent.

Sorry - I think you're wrong about BBC Radio London. It did have a strong news orientation - and tended to split news and music apart.

IIRC the line up towards the end was:

6.30 - 9 am Rush Hour (which was a speech based news breakfast programme)

9 - 12pm Tony Blackburn - mainly music orientated.

12pm - 2pm Robbie Vincent phone in - which tended to focus on the current news stories

2pm - 5pm Susie Barnes (I think) with a mix of news, music and chat

5pm - 7pm I think it was Sparrow over London (which had replaced Music on the Move) and was mainly speech based with some music - but the brain may be playing tricks after this time.

7pm - 8pm "Minority" programmes e.g. You don't have to be Jewish, Black London.

GLR changed the format completely - and for the record launched in 1988 when London with only 2 London based competitors - Capital and LBC.

Don't forget the launch date of the main competitors was as follows:

Heart - Sept 1995
Xfm - 1997 (officially)
Virgin - (AM only 1993) London FM 1995

Capital and LBC started splitting their output (as they were required to do by the IBA) sometime around 1989 / 1990.

In that sense, GLR had 7 years in which it could have made far more of an impact than it did.

BBC Radio London was a decent enough station, whether the revolution to GLR was necessary is a moot point over which there will always be many differing views. One thing I will always hold against GLR is it provided the launch pad for the vile Chris Evans to really make a name for himself in radio - if GLR hadn't existed, he'd probably not have got much further than Piccadilly in Manchester - which probably would have been for the benefit of most discerning radio listeners.

[dpb]

Originally Posted by AlanO

Capital and LBC started splitting their output (as they were required to do by the IBA) sometime around 1989 / 1990.<snip>

Didn't Capital Gold launch in November 1988?

Originally Posted by AlanO

One thing I will always hold against GLR is it provided the launch pad for the vile Chris Evans to really make a name for himself in radio - if GLR hadn't existed, he'd probably not have got much further than Piccadilly in Manchester - which probably would have been for the benefit of most discerning radio listeners.

He had already got further than Piccadilly before GLR - he worked as a producer on Radio Radio/The Super Station.

Still let's not let facts get in the way in showing some hatred

[Martin Phillp]

Originally Posted by dpb

Didn't Capital Gold launch in November 1988?

Wiki has two dates in November 1988, although I'm sure it started as a weekend opt-out initially before launching full time.

Also Capital had splits for the CFM service on FM while the normal Capital Radio station continued on 1548.

[Mapperley Ridge]

Originally Posted by AlanO

One thing I will always hold against GLR is it provided the launch pad for the vile Chris Evans to really make a name for himself in radio - if GLR hadn't existed, he'd probably not have got much further than Piccadilly in Manchester - which probably would have been for the benefit of most discerning radio listeners.

Your opinion, naturally. But I feel you've made an otherwise valid post sound daft with a 25 year old grudge. Chris Evans has moved on enormously since then. Why don't you?

[Shrewn]

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

Wiki has two dates in November 1988, although I'm sure it started as a weekend opt-out initially before launching full time.

Also Capital had splits for the CFM service on FM while the normal Capital Radio station continued on 1548.

Yes I think the CFM service began in 1986. BRMB started splitting around that time with an oldies service launching at weekends, it wasn't given a name until 1989 (Xtra-am). 1548 and 95.8 came together for the Network Chart as I recall

[AlanO]

Originally Posted by Mapperley Ridge

Your opinion, naturally. But I feel you've made an otherwise valid post sound daft with a 25 year old grudge. Chris Evans has moved on enormously since then. Why don't you?

I actually harbour the bigger grudge against the BBC. When he was effectively fired from Radio 1 that should have been it - finito, never re-employed by them again.

In any other business, that's exactly what would have happened. The fact I have to pay a licence fee which pays the salary of someone who's behaviour was totally reprehensible really does irritate.

And don't forget in earlier times other, far more talented presenters, were kept out of the BBC for far lesser offences - Kenny Everett being the main one I'd cite.

[dpb]

Originally Posted by AlanO

I actually harbour the bigger grudge against the BBC. When he was effectively fired from Radio 1 that should have been it - finito, never re-employed by them again.

In any other business, that's exactly what would have happened. The fact I have to pay a licence fee which pays the salary of someone who's behaviour was totally reprehensible really does irritate.

And don't forget in earlier times other, far more talented presenters, were kept out of the BBC for far lesser offences - Kenny Everett being the main one I'd cite.

Have ever been given a second chance AlanO? Imagine what your life would be if you hadn't?

I can't excuse some of Chris' behaviour in the past, indeed I have been criticial of some of it, but it's clear he's grown up and is a different person - maybe you should take his lead?

As for other presenters - in the case of Kenny it's a different management at a different time - hardly a fair comparison.

[AlanO]

Originally Posted by dpb

Have ever been given a second chance AlanO? Imagine what your life would be if you hadn't?

I can't excuse some of Chris' behaviour in the past, indeed I have been criticial of some of it, but it's clear he's grown up and is a different person - maybe you should take his lead?

As for other presenters - in the case of Kenny it's a different management at a different time - hardly a fair comparison.

Arguably he was given a second chance, when he bought Virgin radio - and SMG also effectively fired him.

So in that sense I think he's already had more chances than most people would have got.

[dpb]

Originally Posted by AlanO

Arguably he was given a second chance, when he bought Virgin radio - and SMG also effectively fired him.

So in that sense I think he's already had more chances than most people would have got.

Chris being taken on by Virgin Radio has no relevance really in the context of your grudge about the BBC taking him on again.

[AlanO]

Originally Posted by dpb

Chris being taken on by Virgin Radio has no relevance really in the context of your grudge about the BBC taking him on again.

Sorry, don't agree. If you've been fired by one leading organisation in a field, are then taken on by another leading organisation in that field and you are effectively fired again, then really your career should be over for any major player and certainly you wouldn't be rehired by one of the companies which had previously fired you.

I say that having worked in FTSE 100 / 250 companies for the last 20 years.

[Papaleekie]

Originally Posted by 80sfan

I can't stand the way Steve Wright tries to speak like an American, it's so false and annoying

Long past his sell-by date... apart from that I like daytime Radio 2

Yes I agree, his pseudo-American style is irritating. Especially when he used to give the date as eg: two-thousand-seven. I've noticed Chris Evans does this too, sometimes. Also SW's fawning over his guests, he seems to stay away from gritty issues, but that's probably down to the time slot he's in. Maybe I should be listening to Radio 4. Trouble is I love 60's music (born '51 so it's my teen era).

I also get irritated with SW when he fails to announce the performer of the record he's just played. Someone once suggested it's because his prog is often recorded, and the music is added afterwards by the production team