Presenters - Again

[CallMePaul]

There have been times recently when I've felt there has been more talking than is necessary, but I don't know how much that is her choice and how much is external pressure. However I would say as a general observation that the days when the morning schedules delivered "proper" R3 output have long gone, and it is arguably a waste of energy expecting something different now. What is of infinitely more concern to me is that the so-called Afternoon Concert not only caught the EC disease a while back but is now showing signs of succumbing completely. The format has been chaotic for some time and getting more unsatisfactory by the week, the quantity of chat is rapidly increasing, there are tweets read out, some sort of spot the connection challenge and the adverts get ever more intrusive (since when has pushing 6 nations TV.catch up coverage been part of a concert requirement?) and time wasting. Time was I could settle down and listen to an afternoon of music, often in the process hearing things I either wouldn't have chosen to listen to(but stuck with because of what came before and after) or that I didn't know - not any longer. There are items that are of interest but they are frequently chopped up and/or scattered about (not even on the same day sometimes)and I really can't be bothered fiddling around with the mute/off button second guessing when to start listening again to catch the rest.
I know that I and others have said that EC could and should use its generous airtime to play longer and complete repertoire. What seems to have happened is that EC carries on doing what it always has, but AC is now sacrificed.

I don't know if this is still the case, but I do recall that there was some agreement with Phonographic Performance Ltd on how much recorded music the BBC could play on each station. This was/is known as "needle time". Could this be a factor in the number of trailers played and/or presenter talk?

[french frank]

I don't know if this is still the case, but I do recall that there was some agreement with Phonographic Performance Ltd on how much recorded music the BBC could play on each station. This was/is known as "needle time". Could this be a factor in the number of trailers played and/or presenter talk?

I don't think 'needle time' exists now, but the more commercial recordings played per hour no doubt the more expensive the performing rights fees amount to. This may account for chatty presenters, but as far as classical music is concerned the BBC has always had its own orchestras to record.

[jayne lee wilson]

Oh, I rather like the lovely Georgia. I love her rather snarky comments and her voice is lovely. If all I wanted to hear was pure music I’d stick a cd on or, as others have suggested, play TTN on BBC Sounds.

Easy on the pure sexism here, pg.... irony doesn't get you off the hook, you can make the point without the "lovely"....

[pastoralguy]

Easy on the pure sexism here, pg.... irony doesn't get you off the hook, you can make the point without the "lovely"....

First of all, I wasn’t being ironic. Secondly, I tweeted Georgie before Christmas ago and told her I thought she was ‘lovely’ and she replied with a thank you and a heart. So, if Georgie doesn’t mind….

[jayne lee wilson]

First of all, I wasn’t being ironic. Secondly, I tweeted Georgie before Christmas ago and told her I thought she was ‘lovely’ and she replied with a thank you and a heart. So, if Georgie doesn’t mind….

But that's just what many women do....she's hardly going to confront a listener is she?
Anyway, hearts can be ironic
"I think you're lovely"...
"oooh....thankyou darling....."

And remember the Lovely Samantha..... and The Lovely Sven?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Georgia Mann thread has been merged with this one. Please do not start threads with the purpose of attacking individual presenters. They aren’t in a position to respond, and they’re merely doing what their employer is demanding of them. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t challenge the nature of Radio 3 presentation (which I think ranges from mediocre to dire, but feel free to disagree), but going overboard with venom (or sycophantic praise) about individuals, should be avoided.

[DracoM]

<< Please do not start threads with the purpose of attacking individual presenter >>

[french frank]

going overboard with venom (or sycophantic praise) about individuals, should be avoided.

We had an unwritten rule that threads shouldn't be started including the name of an individual presenter as this acts as a magnet for people who just want to flatter or condemn. Better to stick to presentation rather than presenters.

[hmvman]

We had an unwritten rule that threads shouldn't be started including the name of an individual presenter as this acts as a magnet for people who just want to flatter or condemn. Better to stick to presentation rather than presenters.

Point taken. And, as you have pointed out previously, whether or not a particular presenter is liked or disliked is irrelevant really. It's whether a particular programme format is what R3 should or shouldn't be doing.

[pastoralguy]

But that's just what many women do....she's hardly going to confront a listener is she?
Anyway, hearts can be ironic
"I think you're lovely"...
"oooh....thankyou darling....."

And remember the Lovely Samantha..... and The Lovely Sven?

Thar tweet was the latest of a few interactions I had with Georgia so I felt I had developed a bit of a rapport with her. And she had complimented ME on a perceptive comment I had made! ( It does happen sometimes!)

You really shouldn’t be so quick to take offence on other people’s behalf, Jayne.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I don't know if this is still the case, but I do recall that there was some agreement with Phonographic Performance Ltd on how much recorded music the BBC could play on each station. This was/is known as "needle time". Could this be a factor in the number of trailers played and/or presenter talk?

Pretty sure needle time has gone but talk is cheaper than playing a disc as they incur royalty payments which on a network station are substantial.

[Ein Heldenleben]

The Georgia Mann thread has been merged with this one. Please do not start threads with the purpose of attacking individual presenters. They aren’t in a position to respond, and they’re merely doing what their employer is demanding of them. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t challenge the nature of Radio 3 presentation (which I think ranges from mediocre to dire, but feel free to disagree), but going overboard with venom (or sycophantic praise) about individuals, should be avoided.

If I can add my happorth . Having worked with a few presenters over the years I’m pretty sure they are thick skinned enough to take (fair) criticism on the chin. Sycophantic praise is always welcome obviously . There was plenty of both floating around the office to be honest. They have pretty insecure employment conditions and are always looking over their shoulder for new talent breathing down their necks .
What always used to astonish me was how viewers would often make personal comments on appearance particularly with female presenters - comments that they would “never make to an “ordinary” person face to face . It was sometimes the case that mail had to be pre read by producers and sadly many had stalkers. So you are right to exercise caution.

[jayne lee wilson]

Thar tweet was the latest of a few interactions I had with Georgia so I felt I had developed a bit of a rapport with her. And she had complimented ME on a perceptive comment I had made! ( It does happen sometimes!)

You really shouldn’t be so quick to take offence on other people’s behalf, Jayne.

NOW you tell me....

Telling someone she's "lovely" as she is doing her job emphasises appearance (or the sound of her voice, etc) over professional ability or quality. That's the obvious well-known problem with it. Would you ever tell Donald Macleod that he's lovely, while he's broadcasting?

[Sir Velo]

You really shouldn’t be so quick to take offence on other people’s behalf

That's a great line. I shall use it myself "going forward" if you don't mind PG!

[Ein Heldenleben]

NOW you tell me....

Telling someone she's "lovely" as she is doing her job emphasises appearance (or the sound of her voice, etc) over professional ability or quality. That's the obvious well-known problem with it. Would you ever tell Donald Macleod that he's lovely, while he's broadcasting?

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.