Presenters - Again

[french frank]

I think you’d be quite surprised what gets said to broadcasters over talkback - sometimes not always flattering . Relentless ,unremitting indeed sycophantic praise is a good tactic though. That’s because their job is stressful and some want constant feedback - others don’t l Depending on what sort of relationship you have with them saying “that was lovely” after a a take would be standard practice -“ you’re lovely “ might be met with “you’re lovely too.” Or a sickly grin..
At the risk of being overly sycophantic I would say Donald has a “lovely” voice and reads scripts superbly. One of the great broadcast voices IMHO up there with Wogan, Patricia Hughes, Alan “Fluff “ Freeman and Sue McGregor.

In any case, words that come to be very widely used in various contexts develop new, especially 'weakened', meanings (eg 'nice') which have little connection with the original word. 'Lovely' is ubiquitous and doesn't refer only to physical appearance, even when applied to women - one can have a lovely personality, even if one is an unseen radio presenter, man or woman.

[Bryn]

Some of my favourite recordings are on the Lovely Music label.

[JasonPalmer]

Wouldn't it be loverly sparks a memory for me

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In any case, words that come to be very widely used in various contexts develop new, especially 'weakened', meanings (eg 'nice') which have little connection with the original word. 'Lovely' is ubiquitous and doesn't refer only to physical appearance, even when applied to women - one can have a lovely personality, even if one is an unseen radio presenter, man or woman.

Yes, but it’s a fine line, which can be overstepped by people who should know better. I recall one R3 presenter referring to another presenter’s “nice legs”, which really shouldn’t have gone out on air.

In written publications, there isn’t the excuse that it was “a slip of the tongue”. Radio Times’s Alison Graham has on several occasion flattered male personalities as “lovely” or “a hunk”. That was some time ago; I don’t know whether such comments persist, as I no longer buy a publication that now squashes R3’s daily content into little more than half of a column.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes, but it’s a fine line, which can be overstepped by people who should know better. I recall one R3 presenter referring to another presenter’s “nice legs”, which really shouldn’t have gone out on air.

In written publications, there isn’t the excuse that it was “a slip of the tongue”. Radio Times’s Alison Graham has on several occasion flattered male personalities as “lovely” or “a hunk”. That was some time ago; I don’t know whether such comments persist, as I no longer buy a publication that now squashes R3’s daily content into little more than half of a column.

Have you listened to Radio 1 or 1 extra recently ? The oeuvre of Megan Thee Stallion ?”Nice legs” is at the mild end of the spectrum . I know of one BBC local radio station that produced a naked calendar and another where a female presenter did a section on naturism wearing (it was claimed ) no clothes. One or two of us rolled our eyes at both and we are not Victorian prudes . Not exactly Reithian.

[french frank]

Yes, but it’s a fine line, which can be overstepped by people who should know better. I recall one R3 presenter referring to another presenter’s “nice legs”, which really shouldn’t have gone out on air.

I agree, there's a fine line. Referring to legs at all in connection with a presenter, even if on television legs are visible, is irrelevance. "A hunk" says more about the writer, and I know what unparliamentary epithet would go through my mind to describe her - but she is a writer and can be judged on what she writes: a 'hunk' doesn't - in my experience - have a weakened meaning like 'lovely' or 'nice'. BBC radio makes presenters central to a lot of programmes and listeners, apparently, fall for the matey accessibility which is widely cultivated by presenters themselves - to stay in their jobs, presumably.

[kernelbogey]

In any case, words that come to be very widely used in various contexts develop new, especially 'weakened', meanings (eg 'nice') which have little connection with the original word. 'Lovely' is ubiquitous and doesn't refer only to physical appearance, even when applied to women - one can have a lovely personality, even if one is an unseen radio presenter, man or woman.

It's not long ago that shop assistants would say 'lovely' as you handed over the cash - especially if it was 'the right money'. Round here, they often say 'perfect' as a kind of 'thank you'.

[smittims]

I've had 'there ya go' more often, that is, if they speak to the customer at all, as many don't .

And in Cornwall do they still say 'there you are, moy luvver!' to strangers?

[JasonPalmer]

[Ein Heldenleben]

I've had 'there ya go' more often, that is, if they speak to the customer at all, as many don't .

And in Cornwall do they still say 'there you are, moy luvver!' to strangers?

Yes “my lover “ is used constantly by both men and women when talking to customers . “My darling “ seems to be just women e.g, bar staff in local pubs .Its use has also crossed the Tamar to Plymouth. As has the habit of always thanking the driver when getting off the bus. One of the things that makes this a very pleasant place to live . One of the politest places in the UK.

[hmvman]

Yes “my lover “ is used constantly by both men and women when talking to customers . “My darling “ seems to be just women e.g, bar staff in local pubs .Its use has also crossed the Tamar to Plymouth. As has the habit of always thanking the driver when getting off the bus. One of the things that makes this a very pleasant place to live . One of the politest places in the UK.

On the rare occasions when I use a bus I always thank the driver and they always acknowledge it.

Getting wildly off-topic now, but this reminds me of that film by John Suttleworth (Graham Fellowes) called "It's Nice Up North" in which Shuttleworth pursues the theory that the further north you go the nicer people are and so goes to the Shetlands (or maybe Orkney, I can't remember)!

[smittims]

Thanking the driver is quite common in Cheshire and Manchester, especially on the free city buses.

[gurnemanz]

Yes “my lover “ is used constantly by both men and women when talking to customers . “My darling “ seems to be just women e.g, bar staff in local pubs .Its use has also crossed the Tamar to Plymouth. As has the habit of always thanking the driver when getting off the bus. One of the things that makes this a very pleasant place to live . One of the politest places in the UK.

I worked in Germany for a few years in the 70s and I remember noticing that returning to old the country after a longer absence gives a new perspective or distance on the the familiar. Travelling on the boat train from Harwich to Liverpool St on a summer's evening I spotted some chaps in white flannels playing some sort of weird game in a field. I knew I was home when boarding a bus to Victoria and being asked by the conductress "Where ya goin', luv?"

[Ein Heldenleben]

Thanking the driver is quite common in Cheshire and Manchester, especially on the free city buses.

Good to hear . I started doing it in London. Wonder if it’ll start a trend.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I worked in Germany for a few years in the 70s and I remember noticing that returning to old the country after a longer absence gives a new perspective or distance on the the familiar. Travelling on the boat train from Harwich to Liverpool St on a summer's evening I spotted some chaps in white flannels playing some sort of weird game in a field. I knew I was home when boarding a bus to Victoria and being asked by the conductress "Where ya goin', luv?"

“Love “ was quite common in the sixties / seventies in London but I think has died out a bit . “Cheers mate” is still ubiquitous. Even the odd “Guv” is heard along with “young man” once used to me when I was in my fifties.