Why is The Moral Maze still on R4?

[ChandlersFord]

This programme is pretty awful, IMO.

Michael Buerk comes across as smug and self-important and the panellists seem to be a range of pensioned-off right-wingers who use ear trumpets.

That crazy old trout ‘mad’ Mel Phillips was on tonight’s panel. I finally switched it off when her name was announced.


Seriously, though - what utility does this programme serve? It doesn’t inform, entertain or educate - it merely irritates; and it’s been on for well over 20 years. Time for the plug to be decisively pulled!

[Serial_Apologist]

This programme is pretty awful, IMO.

Michael Buerk comes across as smug and self-important and the panellists seem to be a range of pensioned-off right-wingers who use ear trumpets.

That crazy old trout ‘mad’ Mel Phillips was on tonight’s panel. I finally switched it off when her name was announced.


Seriously, though - what utility does this programme serve? It doesn’t inform, entertain or educate - it merely irritates; and it’s been on for well over 20 years. Time for the plug to be decisively pulled!

Yes they should balance the ideological input better, invite new voices. I imagine the reason they don't is that people have stopped listening, and so there are no complaints. Buerk, by the way, sounds similar to a certain Cockney rhyming slang word for something else.

[ardcarp]

Did I hear a rumour that Michael Buerk may be leaving the BBC? Or have I got him confused with someone else?

[gurnemanz]

Did I hear a rumour that Michael Buerk may be leaving the BBC? Or have I got him confused with someone else?

He's 75. Where might he be going?

I also can't take the programme.

[hmvman]

He's 75. Where might he be going?

Ex-BBC presenters seem to end up either on Classic FM or, more recently, GB News.

[burning dog]

a range of pensioned-off right-wingers who use ear trumpets.

[Serial_Apologist]

Did I hear a rumour that Michael Buerk may be leaving the BBC? Or have I got him confused with someone else?

Andrew Marr announced his last ever appearance on his own (in)famous show, this morning on BBC1. Did anyone else watch? - his regular right wing guests all saying how much they will miss him tells its own story. Good riddance is all I can say.

[CGR]

This programme is pretty awful, IMO.

Michael Buerk comes across as smug and self-important and the panellists seem to be a range of pensioned-off right-wingers who use ear trumpets.

That crazy old trout ‘mad’ Mel Phillips was on tonight’s panel. I finally switched it off when her name was announced.


Seriously, though - what utility does this programme serve? It doesn’t inform, entertain or educate - it merely irritates; and it’s been on for well over 20 years. Time for the plug to be decisively pulled!

I think that the balance is about right. The important thing is that the 'experts' that are brought in are challenged and asked difficult questions.

The Moral Maze is one of the few Radio 4 programmes that is still worth listening to.

[CGR]

Ex-BBC presenters seem to end up either on Classic FM or, more recently, GB News.

Nothing wrong with that

[hmvman]

Nothing wrong with that

True, as they won't be seen or heard in this household.

[Maclintick]

Ex-BBC presenters seem to end up either on Classic FM or, more recently, GB News.

Yes -- As Father Ted observed to Father Fitzpatrick "Funny how you get more right-wing as you get older"

[Serial_Apologist]

Things defintely look up as the programme exists with a bang - clearly someone at Radio 4 has been casing the forum!

New Year's Day
10.15pm - The Moral Maze
5/5
Michael Buerk is joined by a special one-off panel: former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, biological anthropologist Alice Roberts, writer Will Self and cultural commentator Bonnie Greer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012qh2

[Padraig]

Yes -- As Father Ted observed to Father Fitzpatrick "Funny how you get more right-wing as you get older"

You're right there Father Maclintick.

[kernelbogey]

This week's programme was profoundly thought-provoking. (The meaning of life.)

[Jazzrook]

Things defintely look up as the programme exists with a bang - clearly someone at Radio 4 has been casing the forum!

New Year's Day
10.15pm - The Moral Maze
5/5
Michael Buerk is joined by a special one-off panel: former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, biological anthropologist Alice Roberts, writer Will Self and cultural commentator Bonnie Greer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012qh2

Pity it was only a " special one-off panel".
Far superior to the usual rightwing bunch.

JR