Broadly, What Parts of Radio are Still Quality?

[french frank]

Maybe the BBC spends too much time and money on bad comedians and comedy and not enough on good musicians and music.

The BBC certainly regards comedy as very important - I think it was the BBC Two controller who said that 'comedy should be taken as seriously as classical music'. Hollow laugh. Given the amount of comedy v classical music on television (hugely more expensive than radio), I'd say comedy comfortably outspends classical music.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Surely you have to nurture comedy writing/performing talent? And comedy, like reaction to vocalists, is a highly personal reaction. I can't stand Count Arthur Strong - but obviously it works for a lot of listeners. And I reckon (perhaps it is well known?) the BBC regards radio as a nursery for potential TV comedy.
The R4 programme "Party" hit the spot in this house. I've registered with BBC audience (mainly for Maida Vale concerts with BBCSO) but we went to the recording of a TV pilot for "Party" at Elstree (and didn't think it quite worked with one of the actors in transition to TV) - yet to be seen on TV, so far as I know. And just this week to the Shaw Theatre for "John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme". Very sharp and funny and good to see being recorded.
If any comedy programme is a turkey or doesn't suit my taste, I switch off, or change station, or listen to something on iPlayer. (Or even, indulge in silence). I don't think its a waste, I think they have the resources and bravery to try and fail, as an overhead to finding programmes and/or talent which will develop into successes. As in the R4 extra repeats of all the earlier involvements of such as Miranda Hart / Stephen Fry and others.

[MrGongGong]

I can't stand Count Arthur Strong - but obviously it works for a lot of listeners. .

He is to John Shuttleworth what ALW is to Puccini (allegedly (

[ahinton]

I did prefer Week Ending.

Moi aussi! That's going back a while, though! David Jason, the late Bills Wallis and McGuffie et al. The Now Show's a pale reflection of that, for all its occasional amusement.

[MrGongGong]

Moi aussi! That's going back a while, though! David Jason, the late Bills Wallis and McGuffie et al. The Now Show's a pale reflection of that, for all its occasional amusement.

Nostalgia aint what it used to be.

[jean]

..."John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme". Very sharp and funny and good to see being recorded...

Yes! Finnemore is comedy gold (as they say).

Remember this thread?

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?14215-The-Goliath-Window&highlight=john+finnemore

The moral is: never judge a comedy programme only by the time-slot it occupies.

[MrGongGong]

Yes! Finnemore is comedy gold (as they say).

Rubbish
It's a total lemon

(of the travelling variety )

[jean]

And certainly never judge it by what Mr GG thinks of it!

[MrGongGong]

And certainly never judge it by what Mr GG thinks of it!

Jean, you really do take some things at face value that mean something else.

[jean]

I failed to get the Cabin Pressure reference - but if my missing the point gets Finnemore a few more listeners, it's in a good cause!

[MrGongGong]

I failed to get the Cabin Pressure reference - but if my missing the point gets Finnemore a few more listeners, it's in a good cause!

Nothing beats a well hidden lemon

[Serial_Apologist]

Nothing beats a well hidden lemon

A lemon aid?

(Nicked from Arthur Askey - but I guess you guessed)

[usher]

For those who can cope with two hours of Scottish country dance music, "Take The Floor" on Radio Scotland is generally worth a listen. The presenter, Robbie Shepherd, is echt Doric and entirely sui generis.