Americanisation of BBC Radio 4

[Conchis]

I thought the point of this thread was THIS WON’T DO. Or have I got it all wrong? Or have I got your message wrong (could easily be both).

I was referring to comments upthread along the lines of 'well, this is obviously gong to increase after Brexit', 'softening up' and a reference to 'our new masters'. Although I am (probably) on the same side as the people who made those comments, I deplore the seeming spirit in which they were made.

[LMcD]

There's nothing particularly new about the 'Americanisation' of British programmes. Back in the 1970s somebody decided to give Robert Wagner a major role in 'Colditz' even though there were never any American prisoners there as far as I know. More recently, I believe an American actress had a major role in 'Downton Abbey'.
As for Radio 4 - well, news and analysis by Americans of Donald Trump's latest antics serve as a useful warning, and also provide some relief from the never-ending saga of Brexit.

[Conchis]

There's nothing particularly new about the 'Americanisation' of British programmes. Back in the 1970s somebody decided to give Robert Wagner a major role in 'Colditz' even though there were never any American prisoners there as far as I know. More recently, I believe an American actress had a major role in 'Downton Abbey'.
As for Radio 4 - well, news and analysis by Americans of Donald Trump's latest antics serve as a useful warning, and also provide some relief from the never-ending saga of Brexit.

In fairness, they ideally needed an American performer for that role - an American born into the 'purple of commerce' marrying into an aristocratic English family.

[doversoul1]

Conchis
Thank you for clarifying your comment.

There's nothing particularly new about the 'Americanisation' of British programmes. Back in the 1970s somebody decided to give Robert Wagner a major role in 'Colditz' even though there were never any American prisoners there as far as I know. More recently, I believe an American actress had a major role in 'Downton Abbey'.
As for Radio 4 - well, news and analysis by Americans of Donald Trump's latest antics serve as a useful warning, and also provide some relief from the never-ending saga of Brexit.

As I don’t watch TV, I have no opinions about TV programmes but what does bother me is Radio3 inviting American academics on programmes that are nothing particularly American about as if there were no suitable or capable British academics on the subject. Once we had an American academic on either the Early Music Show or Composer of the Week on Dowland or Byrd (in that region). I’d have thought the BBC almost had an obligation to promote or encourage British academics.

[french frank]

what does bother me is Radio3 inviting American academics on programmes that are nothing particularly American about as if there were no suitable or capable British academics on the subject. Once we had an American academic on either the Early Music Show or Composer of the Week on Dowland or Byrd (in that region). I’d have thought the BBC almost had an obligation to promote or encourage British academics.

Lest that sound a little like 'British jobs for British people' I would want to qualify it by saying that, since there are some highly distinguished, say, American early music specialists, I would think that their contributions on R3 would be very welcome. (I imagine there are also quite a few Americans teaching in British universities)

[doversoul1]

Lest that sound a little like 'British jobs for British people' I would want to qualify it by saying that, since there are some highly distinguished, say, American early music specialists, I would think that their contributions on R3 would be very welcome. (I imagine there are also quite a few Americans teaching in British universities)

I don’t think this is quite the same somehow. If the person can do the job better, yes, of course nationality shouldn’t be an issue. But when there is no obvious reasons for the choice (these guests I remember were certainly not expected to be anything more than usual specialists) why look elsewhere (I don't think those guests were from any British institutions)? I had no objection to Donald Macleod talking to the American academic in Ferrara who was based there.

[french frank]

I don’t think this is quite the same somehow. If the person can do the job better, yes, of course nationality shouldn’t be an issue. But when there is no obvious reasons for the choice (these guests I remember were certainly not expected to be anything more than usual specialists) why look elsewhere (I don't think those guests were from any British institutions)? I had no objection to Donald Macleod talking to the American academic in Ferrara who was based there.

It would be fascinating to know sometimes: Why him/her exactly?

[doversoul1]

It would be fascinating to know sometimes: Why him/her exactly?

It would be, wouldn’t it? I almost suspected that Radio 3 had a quota (how many Americans...)

[DracoM]

Wel, clearly, NO-ONE in UK knows anything about Ferrara or its music or even where it is - probably.

According to R3.

[eighthobstruction]

Wel, clearly, NO-ONE in UK knows anything about Ferrara or its music or even where it is - probably.

According to R3.

....but then some of us have read all 3 books of the Romanzo di Ferrara....and do know a little of the town between Wars and after....but i get your drift - I'm just showing off....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Wel, clearly, NO-ONE in UK knows anything about Ferrara or its music or even where it is - probably.

It's where the Ambassador spoils us with his chocolates, isn't it?

[Frances_iom]

The use of some American voices is essential if the series is to be aired in the USA and the Beeb is now making radio (and I assume TV ) programmes with American advert saturated timings in mind with recaps every 5 mins or so as the attention span of that audience seems to be somewhat limited - maybe poor education or just too much TV.

[Belgrove]

I'm not sure I accept the premise of the OP. I perceive the coverage of America on BBC R4 to have decreased in recent years. Americana was a long running baggy programme (thankfully axed) throughout most of the Obama era, that contained ephemera that most Americans would have considered inconsequential. At the same time, coverage of more acute events in the EU barely surfaced (showing that we should be careful what we wish for!) Events in the US still, probably, sets the world's agenda, which provides the BBC with its justification for the extent of its coverage. But I think it is still disproportionate. Why do we need the extensive coverage of the Presidential and half-term primaries and caucuses? This seems to be an excuse to wheel out R4 pensioners like James Naughtie, who the BBC perceives as a maven with regard to US politics.

[Conchis]

I'm not sure I accept the premise of the OP. I perceive the coverage of America on BBC R4 to have decreased in recent years. Americana was a long running baggy programme (thankfully axed) throughout most of the Obama era, that contained ephemera that most Americans would have considered inconsequential. At the same time, coverage of more acute events in the EU barely surfaced (showing that we should be careful what we wish for!) Events in the US still, probably, sets the world's agenda, which provides the BBC with its justification for the extent of its coverage. But I think it is still disproportionate. Why do we need the extensive coverage of the Presidential and half-term primaries and caucuses? This seems to be an excuse to wheel out R4 pensioners like James Naughty, who the BBC perceives as a maven with regard to US politics.

It was while back now, but I remember wondering why news about a sniper in Washington was the main item on the BBC News website. Was there no news nearer to home worthier of being the lead item?

I find the Guardian to be a slavishly pro-American paper, though it follows the line of the American liberal-left rather than the Republican right, via commentators like Jonathan Franzen and its array of 'girlie' female commentators, all of whom have/had a 'thing' for Obama and identified with Hilary Clinton.

The BBC needs to sack Justin Webb almost as urgently as it needs to sack John Humphrys.

[Bryn]

. . . The BBC needs to sack Justin Webb almost as urgently as it needs to sack John Humphrys.

As in, no urgency whatever. Indeed, quite the opposite.