Presenters/News readers

[french frank]

I think some of the 'regional' (sorry - it's what the BBC calls them) and local presenters' only qualification is that they're based in the right place.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think some of the 'regional' (sorry - it's what the BBC calls them) and local presenters' only qualification is that they're based in the right place.

That's OK just as long as someone knowledgeable writes their scripts.

Now that you mention it, "regional" is more than a little patronising.

[Stanfordian]

Is this the right place to mention the presenter of tonight's concert from Edinburgh, who, during the interval, introduced a piano arrangement of 'the spinning song from Wagner's Tannhauser'? Which was, of course, from the Flying Dutchman. She repeated the mis-atribution after the piece was played.

Irrespective of what it says on the programme webpage a presenter on Radio 3 should know that the 'spinning chorus' is from 'The Flying Dutchman'. This is basic knowledge!

[Keraulophone]

After Open Country on Radio 4 at 6.30am last Saturday morning, the continuity announcer made a rather unusual request.

The programme, beautifully recorded on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Canna, ended with a solo rendition of a ‘Song for Attracting Seals’. The grey beasties duly turned up, and as the sound of the waves faded away, the announcer continued: “And if you are a seal, and you’re listening to Radio 4 this morning, do drop us a line and tell us what you thought.”

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

After Open Country on Radio 4 at 6.30am last Saturday morning, the continuity announcer made a rather unusual request.

The programme, beautifully recorded on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Canna, ended with a solo rendition of a ‘Song for Attracting Seals’. The grey beasties duly turned up, and as the sound of the waves faded away, the announcer continued: “And if you are a seal, and you’re listening to Radio 4 this morning, do drop us a line and tell us what you thought.”

In my book, most continuity announces lie somewhere between the amoeba and the trilobite in intelligence - rather nearer to the former.

[french frank]

“And if you are a seal, and you’re listening to Radio 4 this morning, do drop us a line and tell us what you thought.”

Reminds me of a David Mitchell sketch about BBC broadcasters. That of course was completely serious!

[Pulcinella]

In my book, most continuity announces lie somewhere between the amoeba and the trilobite in intelligence - rather nearer to the former.

Whereas not just any fool can read the news, says Chakrabarti, in a swipe at Paxman!

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/apr/13/reeta-chakrabarti-rejects-jeremy-paxman-claim-any-fool-can-read-news

[Ein Heldenleben]

In my book, most continuity announces lie somewhere between the amoeba and the trilobite in intelligence - rather nearer to the former.

All I can say is that if you tried it you might find it surprisingly difficult even if there aren’t millions listening...

[cloughie]

Irrespective of what it says on the programme webpage a presenter on Radio 3 should know that the 'spinning chorus' is from 'The Flying Dutchman'. This is basic knowledge!

Assuming said R3 announcer has a basic knowledge of Wagner’s operas!

[cloughie]

In my book, most continuity announces lie somewhere between the amoeba and the trilobite in intelligence - rather nearer to the former.

I’m sure that many of the excellent presenters and newscasters across the land would be delighted with that description of them when they were starting out in their careers in broadcasting as continuity announcers.
There are however some newsreaders who do just that but others who actually think about what they are reading.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

All I can say is that if you tried it you might find it surprisingly difficult even if there aren’t millions listening...

Maybe I'd fluff my words occasionally, but I would try not to talk utter rubbish, as so many of them too. ITV ones are even worse.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Assuming said R3 announcer has a basic knowledge of Wagner’s operas!

Simple -
Pilgrims Tannhauser
Spinning Flying Dutchman
Hebrew Slaves Nabucco
Prisoners Fidelio
Anvil Il Trovatore
Drinking (Brindisi? ) La Traviata

That should cover 90 percent of Opera choruses played
They could just stick a list on the wall.

[Stanfordian]

Assuming said R3 announcer has a basic knowledge of Wagner’s operas!

As I wrote that is basic knowledge.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Talking of seals...

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+eric+whitaker+seal&view=detail&mid=04CDEBFE300A93EC42DE04CDEBFE300A93EC42DE&FORM=VIRE

[Ein Heldenleben]

Maybe I'd fluff my words occasionally, but I would try not to talk utter rubbish, as so many of them too. ITV ones are even worse.

Sorry I thought you were talking radio - tv continuity announcers have more of , how can I put it , support structure?