Eddie Mair's Touchy-Feely Show

[ardcarp]

What's happened to PM on Radio 4? Every time I turn it on to hear a bit of news or political discussion I get instead some (usually middle class) person having a highly personal story teased out by Eddie. I've no objection to that in principle, but couldn't EM have a dedicated programme for that sort of thing? As it is we have EM at PM, and it's not 'BBC Radio 4's long-running early evening news and current affairs programme'.

[DracoM]

BUT EM on his game is one of the hottest, and possibly one of the most unofficially avoided interviewers on radio.
However, I DO agree that he's rather taking over where WH or U&Yrs leaves off.
BUT the stalking interview tonight was exceptional.

[Richard Tarleton]

What's happened to PM on Radio 4? Every time I turn it on to hear a bit of news or political discussion I get instead some (usually middle class) person having a highly personal story teased out by Eddie. I've no objection to that in principle, but couldn't EM have a dedicated programme for that sort of thing? As it is we have EM at PM, and it's not 'BBC Radio 4's long-running early evening news and current affairs programme'.

I must say this has been concerning me - drug addiction and infidelity in the family (etc. etc.) dragged out to inordinate length. Presumably a new editorial policy, like Sarah Sands's at Breakfast....

[Once Was 4]

I once heard him being personally very offensive to Boris Johnson which almost made one feel sorry for Boris (but not quite - feeling sorry for Boris is not possible). Generally these people are overpaid and overrated.

[DracoM]

One of the high moments of his career IMO - EM's that is.

[Conchis]

I once heard him being personally very offensive to Boris Johnson which almost made one feel sorry for Boris (but not quite - feeling sorry for Boris is not possible). Generally these people are overpaid and overrated.

It's the only valid tactic when dealing with that slimy p.o.s. Most interviewers are disarmed by his 'loveable public shcoolboy' act (and it IS an act - the 'loveable' part at least).

[teamsaint]

I must say this has been concerning me - drug addiction and infidelity in the family (etc. etc.) dragged out to inordinate length. Presumably a new editorial policy, like Sarah Sands's at Breakfast....

5live seems to run wall to wall social horror stories.

[Richard Tarleton]

I once heard him being personally very offensive to Boris Johnson which almost made one feel sorry for Boris (but not quite - feeling sorry for Boris is not possible). Generally these people are overpaid and overrated.

He was grilling Boris on his relationship with Darius Guppy, and was trying to break through the carapace - entirely in order, I thought. He is possibly the finest current affairs interviewer on the BBC. This latest trend on PM is arguably not the best use of his talents. .

[Frances_iom]

I'm afraid one of the problems with getting old is viewing modern media with increasing distaste as factual reporting followed by a serious analysis of a problem and potential solutions disappears amidst a welter of anecdotal stories - the FT and the Economist are probably the sole survivors of this genus as even the Guardian having slid into tabloid size which will soon be followed I suspect by a slide into tabloid mentality.

[ardcarp]

He is possibly the finest current affairs interviewer on the BBC. This latest trend on PM is arguably not the best use of his talents. .

My problem is the mixing up of news with chat, I'm sure he's terribly good at both.

[french frank]

My problem is the mixing up of news with chat, I'm sure he's terribly good at both.

That sounds like a variant of the 'business and chat' that Radio 3 has become. You cannot be serious - for too long at a stretch.

[eighthobstruction]

....gets on my nerves....prefer Carolyn Quinn....it's generally only EM who does all the crap....repetative introductions /listeners gee gaws....off with his head, and lets get on with the news ferkrisakes....lets actually have an expose of how many times since 2010 that Ministers for Blaa Dept were not available....I hate EMs "we are doing you a huge wonderful favour cocking up a good news programme, and making it into a magazine programme,you are really enjoying it aren't you,because it's me witty loveable EM here on the air"....soon it will be like (you mark my words) a cross between Saturday Live and Broadcasting House (still far worse in their self congradulation....)....

....and of course then the producer will be on R4 Points of Viewy thing but not viewy....saying no its great, no problem , thats the way we wanted to do it, or did do it, and it was right, and of course you are wrong listener wrong WRONG....WRONG

[Serial_Apologist]

....gets on my nerves....prefer Carolyn Quinn....it's generally only EM who does all the crap....repetative introductions /listeners gee gaws....off with his head, and lets get on with the news ferkrisakes....lets actually have an expose of how many times since 2010 that Ministers for Blaa Dept were not available....I hate EMs "we are doing you a huge wonderful favour cocking up a good news programme, and making it into a magazine programme,you are really enjoying it aren't you,because it's me witty loveable EM here on the air"....soon it will be like (you mark my words) a cross between Saturday Live and Broadcasting House (still far worse in their self congradulation....)....

....and of course then the producer will be on R4 Points of Viewy thing but not viewy....saying no its great, no problem , thats the way we wanted to do it, or did do it, and it was right, and of course you are wrong listener wrong WRONG....WRONG

Well said, 8th. It's good to realise one isn't alone in that feeling.

[Pianorak]

I've no objection to that in principle, but couldn't EM have a dedicated programme for that sort of thing?

He has, sort of: his IPM programme. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0089nbb

[ardcarp]

Yes, but isn't that ghetto-ised to early one morning...where it belongs?