The Radio Times, can it sink any lower than this week's issue?

[salymap]

With fond memories of the RT when it provided a complete proms guide that had a bit of, well, class, I opened the new issue.
The four page 'guide' wasted the first two pages on saucy pix of ms Benedetti, half hidden behind a violin,also reclining on a sofa.
Thelast page advertised DAB radios, which are to be foisted onto the reluctant public again.

The actual full magazine has a large picture of Wallace & Gromit, who I enjoy in the right place,also advertising the proms.

Maybe it's my age but it brings home to me the complete shambles that the BBC have brought the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts down to.

[Northender]

True, but what would have been even more cringe-making had I not got to the remote in time would have been watching and listening to the blessed Katie Derham on 'The One Show'.
I love Alison Graham's joke elsewhere in the new RT:
Who is Wallace's favourite composer?
Camemberlioz
Well ,it made me laugh.

[salymap]

Yes, perhaps laughter is the only way to deal with all the things that are happening

[AmpH]

With fond memories of the RT when it provided a complete proms guide that had a bit of, well, class, I opened the new issue.
The four page 'guide' wasted the first two pages on saucy pix of ms Benedetti, half hidden behind a violin,also reclining on a sofa.
Thelast page advertised DAB radios, which are to be foisted onto the reluctant public again.

The actual full magazine has a large picture of Wallace & Gromit, who I enjoy in the right place,also advertising the proms.

Maybe it's my age but it brings home to me the complete shambles that the BBC have brought the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts down to.

As I understand it, the BBC sold off the Radio Times to a private company last year and therefore the content of the magazine presumably now reflects the approach of its new owners and not the BBC. This is also reflected in the number and content of ads etc which now festoon the RT website.

I do however agree with you regarding the poor quality of the so called Proms Guide in the new issue, which actually devotes only 3 out of its 8 pages to the briefest of guides to the upcoming concerts.

[cloughie]

True, but what would have been even more cringe-making had I not got to the remote in time would have been watching and listening to the blessed Katie Derham on 'The One Show'.
I love Alison Graham's joke elsewhere in the new RT:
Who is Wallace's favourite composer?
Camemberlioz
Well ,it made me laugh.

Fantastic answer if a bit cheesy!

[Nick Armstrong]

With fond memories of the RT when it provided a complete proms guide that had a bit of, well, class, I opened the new issue.
The four page 'guide' wasted the first two pages on saucy pix of ms Benedetti, half hidden behind a violin,also reclining on a sofa.
Thelast page advertised DAB radios, which are to be foisted onto the reluctant public again.

The actual full magazine has a large picture of Wallace & Gromit, who I enjoy in the right place,also advertising the proms.

Maybe it's my age but it brings home to me the complete shambles that the BBC have brought the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts down to.

I have not quite attained your age, saly, but I shared the same thoughts last night when I stopped to buy RT - it was the cover that depressed me first. I agree about W&G but for the touchstone of the Proms to be "Cracking Tune, Gromit" got me down. This was after I had replaced Gramophone on the shelf, the gaudy cover devoted to PT's '1812' being about as vulgar and crass as you could imagine.

Both seemed to have been devised for people with a mental age of 7. I did buy the RT, haven't even looked at the soft-core Proms guide yet

[mercia]

Ms Bennyditto is "fiercely furious" about music in schoools

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18773383

[Serial_Apologist]

Ms Bennyditto is "fiercely furious" about music in schoools
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18773383

This is fine - and she is of course quite right - but once again we have someone enabled to coment from a high pedestal, helped to gain her undoubted skills through admission to the incredibly expensive Menuhin school.

Or am I just spitting sour grapes?

As to the thread topic, is the centrespread guide normally not comprehensive like this time?

[Ferretfancy]

I absolutely agree about the dumbing down of the Radio Times, and of course it no longer concerns itself solely with the Beeb. As to the Proms, well, every year there is a storm of complaint, but I would like to be fair. After all, there are 76 Proms plus the fine chamber music at Cadogan Hall, Wallace and Gromit only feature in one, and children's events hgave featured for some years now without the ceiling falling in.

It's so easy to cavil at the selection, I find the opening night choice a bit routine for example, but there are many pleasures to come. I notice that many adverse comments come from those of us who are unable to attend in person, and I agree that there are irritations, but I'm ready again to risk my bad knee in the Arena for some great music.

[doversoul1]

Ms Bennyditto is "fiercely furious" about music in schoools
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18773383

Ms Beneditti seems to be genuinely concerned.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9387824/Nicola-Benedetti-Todays-children-need-culture-not-celebrity-obsession.html

It is ironical how the media is after her now that she is herself (seems to be seen to be) a celebrity. I am sure Ms Beneditti IS genuine but I don’t believe the media is. So, what do all these articles actually do?

[salymap]

#9 Ferret Good luck, I hope your knee[s] hold up. We all have to stop making that journey some time though

saly

[Osborn]

Ms Beneditti seems to be genuinely concerned...

She's a regular visitor to our local music festival and always tries to give her time to participate in the programme of workshops for schools - and is very good at it. IMO she's a sensible self-deprecating person who knows she isn't yet the finished article as a violin soloist or chamber musician. But her record label, artist management are vigorously marketing her for profit - it's not easy...

[Anna]

I've looked at the RT Proms Guide. Spread over 3 pages it seems a quick and easy way to circle what you want to watch as an aide-memoire and useful in pointing out which are to be televised (I haven't bought the official Proms programme, I only have it online)

As to the rest of RT - quite frankly it's rubbish when it comes to R3 coverage and why I continue to buy it I don't know but I like the crossword.

[Northender]

I've looked at the RT Proms Guide. Spread over 3 pages it seems a quick and easy way to circle what you want to watch as an aide-memoire and useful in pointing out which are to be televised (I haven't bought the official Proms programme, I only have it online)

As to the rest of RT - quite frankly it's rubbish when it comes to R3 coverage and why I continue to buy it I don't know but I like the crossword.

Oooh...have you managed to work out this week's Wordfinder (I could do with a Pure radio )?

[Anna]

Oooh...have you managed to work out this week's Wordfinder (I could do with a Pure radio )?

Can't. Shan't. Won't. Tell You!!