The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[Northender]

Is '3Breakfast' broadcast from Salford? If so, is it possible that Mr. Hoban was drafted in to fill a gap in the roster that arose from somebody or other's unwillingness to make the trip to the North West?

[french frank]

Is '3Breakfast' broadcast from Salford? If so, is it possible that Mr. Hoban was drafted in to fill a gap in the roster that arose from somebody or other's unwillingness to make the trip to the North West?

Yes, it does come from Salford now - and that thought occurred to me. Weekends regularly spent away from home could be a drag with that amount of spare time to fill later in the day.

[mercia]

I see that Sean (Shaun ?) Keaveney is only on 3 hours a day, presumably the rest of the day is an intellectual paradise on Radio 6

[Bax-of-Delights]

Is '3Breakfast' broadcast from Salford? If so, is it possible that Mr. Hoban was drafted in to fill a gap in the roster that arose from somebody or other's unwillingness to make the trip to the North West?

I bought up this query some time ago. Martin Handley hails from Kent and so one presumes he has to travel up to Salford on a Friday evening, be hostelried for 2 nights in a suitable Salford Mansion and then potter back to Kent on Sunday afternoon. If there is a Handley-partner I would assume they might be a little ticked off with the unnecessary travelling (not to mention the additional expense to the R3 budget) and his absence for such a long period. Surely, with modern technology, all this could be done from the comfort of his own home?

[Nick Armstrong]

I bought up this query some time ago. Martin Handley hails from Kent and so one presumes he has to travel up to Salford on a Friday evening, be hostelried for 2 nights in a suitable Salford Mansion and then potter back to Kent on Sunday afternoon. If there is a Handley-partner I would assume they might be a little ticked off with the unnecessary travelling (not to mention the additional expense to the R3 budget) and his absence for such a long period. Surely, with modern technology, all this could be done from the comfort of his own home?

Quite!

MH's description of himself on his Twitter page reads:
"R3 presenter, musician, actor, Oxford United fan, husband, dad, stepdad, attempting to muddle through life as a decent human being... the views I express are just mine..."

[Bax-of-Delights]

In that case Caliban it just seems totally perverse to drag the poor devil all the way up to Salford - 48 hours and at how much cost? - for just 6 hours broadcasting.

[BBMmk2]

I bought up this query some time ago. Martin Handley hails from Kent and so one presumes he has to travel up to Salford on a Friday evening, be hostelried for 2 nights in a suitable Salford Mansion and then potter back to Kent on Sunday afternoon. If there is a Handley-partner I would assume they might be a little ticked off with the unnecessary travelling (not to mention the additional expense to the R3 budget) and his absence for such a long period. Surely, with modern technology, all this could be done from the comfort of his own home?

I must sday i much prefer MH to that presenter on whenerver it was and saying some ravishing Bach? Much that I love and admire JSB's music, I wouldnt say ravishing!?!?

[french frank]

I see that Sean (Shaun ?) Keaveney is only on 3 hours a day, presumably the rest of the day is an intellectual paradise on Radio 6

He happens to be the breakfast presenter and I think the objection was to the relentlessly cheery style of breakfast presenters - even on the station he would like to be listening to (because that's peak time for all radio listening anyway - which is presumably why LCD is the aim on most breakfast shows: peaktime and biggest potential audience).

Yes, Shaun. But Keaveny, without the third e. Popularised the notion of 'earworms' on his show before it was introduced to Breakfast by SMP.

[Nick Armstrong]

In that case Caliban it just seems totally perverse to drag the poor devil all the way up to Salford - 48 hours and at how much cost? - for just 6 hours broadcasting.

I know what you mean but maybe he likes the break...!?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Much that I love and admire JSB's music, I wouldnt say ravishing!?!?

Brace yourself, Mabel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5h1zMtxSC4

[french frank]

Sony Radio Awards tonight - will Breakfast win the top breakfast show award? Last quarter Chris Evans notched up 9.5m listeners and Today got 7.1m, both just short of their highest ever. Breakfast OTOH seems to be on a downward trend - so what qualities does it have that might nevertheless let it scoop the prize? How will the judges describe it? - bright, refreshing, varied, fun?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkFAh6aE2QU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUzZjUnZKSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SFVjUsMspE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVH8wmgQkI8

[french frank]

Well, here it is:

What the Judges Said

"This is a joy to listen to. Radio 3 has made considerable changes to its breakfast show turning it into an accessible, warm, and stimulating start the day, in the teeth of opposition from some traditionalists.

No longer is classical music handed out. Now listeners are asked for their suggestions, introduce them, and talk about discoveries and musical passions. Presenters Petroc Trewlawny and Sara Mohr-Pietsch are well matched friendly experts, always encouraging."

Sadly, it didn't win any award. It simply goes to show the distance between the general public - to which, in this case, the judges clearly belong - and those who care about classical music. OTOH, not winning an award suggests it's not as bad as all that... (The judges are always fulsome in their praise for all the nominees, btw).

NB Today won the gold (but it's hardly the same kind of programme)
Christian O'Connell (Absolute) won silver
Chris Evans won Bronze

My guess is that there was a certain amount of kite-flying in nominating Breakfast: if it won anything it would be one ine the eye for the whingers aka traditionalists.

[Another interesting linguistic point: the amount of disapproval and scorn that can now be implied by the word 'traditionalist' as a general term of abuse, and regardless of whether the users understand the issues they're talking about!]

[Anna]

As an add-on to the above re Sony Awards, and although she does R4 as well as R3, Suzy Klein won Silver in the Music on Radio Broadcaster of the Year.
What the Judges said - "A brilliant, clear and fresh voice. Suzy brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to bare in a modern, accessible and friendly way. She's positive, forward looking and fun. She added an authoritative but welcoming voice to the range of programmes she appeared on. She's a major name for the future"

[mercia]

Today won the gold (but it's hardly the same kind of programme)

yes, there obviously aren't enough award categories - it should be more like the TV Soap awards where there are so many categories everyone becomes a winner

I suggest Best Classical Music Breakfast Programme with a Cornish presenter award
Best Classical Music Breakfast Programme with a female presenter [double-barrelled surnames only]
etc.