Turning-point for the BBC? - the new DG

[Serial_Apologist]

poor pre-planning of events and broadcasts,

my point is that this is the beeb strategy chosen - nothing to to do with 'poor planning', or 'mistakes'.....unfortunately.

I don't think the two points are mutually exclusive, HSF

[Wallace]

We caught the end of the Nielsen and the start of the Haydn Mass driving home earlier yesterday afternoon. What a joy to hear John Shea quietly give the informative announcements and introduction. It really was like another station, and a breath of cool, fresh air.

Why can't it always be like this?

I wish to be associated with these remarks. It is indeed a joy to hear John Shea presenting Afternoon on 3. I do hope he is a permanent fixture in this slot and not just covering for someone's holiday. His style is everything which Radio 3 should be, and which it was before the rot set in. More power to his microphone!

[Lateralthinking1]

I look at the present BBC and feel ashamed that I ever worked for it.

Perhaps it is a 2012 thing. That is exactly how I feel about the Civil Service.

[MrGongGong]

Perhaps it is a 2012 thing. That is exactly how I feel about the Civil Service.

as I do about the YTS

[Nick Armstrong]

My own interpretation of Caliban's OP, fwiw, is that the "disease" of poor pre-planning of events and broadcasts, the mounting resort to Vox Populi - here as equally on R3's morning schedule - now seems to have infected throughout both the radio and TV networks, if Sunday's charade is to go by. What is so embarrassing, in the case of politicians interviewed, is how prepared and together in presenting their side of the story they always are. This morning's non-challenging interview of the PM by Evan Davis, complete with fumbles, bumbles (such as asking a leading question but appending it with a get out for Cameron to ignore the first part in his reply to) and nervous giggles was absolutely typical. It is this wholesale infestation of puerility that I would see as constituting the turning point,.

I actually meant that the dumbed-down charade of the BBC's River Pageant coverage was so egregious and so widely witnessed and condemned, that I wondered hopefully whether it might lead to a change in attitude and a realisation at the BBC that this infantilised approach to interesting subject matter (akin to the phone-in/shed/mystery voice nonsense on R3 Breakfast) is not the way to go....

[Serial_Apologist]

I actually meant that the dumbed-down charade of the BBC's River Pageant coverage was so egregious and so widely witnessed and condemned, that I wondered hopefully whether it might lead to a change in attitude and a realisation at the BBC that this infantilised approach to interesting subject matter (akin to the phone-in/shed/mystery voice nonsense on R3 Breakfast) is not the way to go....

[MrGongGong]

I actually meant that the dumbed-down charade of the BBC's River Pageant coverage was so egregious and so widely witnessed and condemned, that I wondered hopefully whether it might lead to a change in attitude and a realisation at the BBC that this infantilised approach to interesting subject matter (akin to the phone-in/shed/mystery voice nonsense on R3 Breakfast) is not the way to go....

I think the key phrase here is

interesting subject matter

hummmmmm

[Nick Armstrong]

I actually meant that the dumbed-down charade of the BBC's River Pageant coverage was so egregious and so widely witnessed and condemned, that I wondered hopefully whether it might lead to a change in attitude and a realisation at the BBC that this infantilised approach to interesting subject matter (akin to the phone-in/shed/mystery voice nonsense on R3 Breakfast) is not the way to go....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9319189/Fearne-Cotton-hits-back-at-bullies-who-criticised-BBC-jubilee-coverage.html#disqus_thread

I think the phrase is: LOL

[Frances_iom]

she's a R1 presenter - I understood this was aimed at teenagers so I guess the dj's need to act (?think) as one (or in this case she sounds like a petuland 6yr old who has been found stealing from the biscuit tin)

[John Wright]

I think the key phrase here is "interesting subject matter"

hummmmmm

Looking at posting statistics on the jubilee thread, YOU have shown the most interest MrGongGong!

[mercia]

Sky certainly seems to be pro-royal. This morning they have an exclusive interview with Princess Eugenie and someone camped outside the Duke's hospital.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[QUOTE=Caliban;172141I think the phrase is: LOL [/QUOTE]

"Lots of love", or "Laugh out loud"?

[Gordon]

Returning to the original question that started this thread, perhaps a greater test for the BBC is to get a new DG that can do something to restore its confidence. Uncle Boris's article demanding a political appointment is an obvious stalking horse that his mates at Central Office have put him up to.

Chris Patten will have his work cut out but whether he will be capable of putting anything more than limp acquiescence into the Trust remains to be seen. As for the senior management they are all career politicians so don't look up there for anything radical or courageous.

[Nick Armstrong]

"Lots of love", or "Laugh out loud"?

Certainly the latter

[Anna]

Someone tweeting to Fearne Cotton "Look, Love, you were rubbish on that programme" may be rude but I don't think it's bullying. It would perhaps be bullying if they picked her up on lack of capital letters for personal pronouns and a complete lack of apostrophes.

The BBC have now had 4,500 complaints. In an email to staff, BBC director general Mark Thompson said he was very proud of the coverage. "Our output has been impressive not only in its scale, but in its ambition, quality and outstanding journalism," he wrote.

"This was a weekend when most British households put understandable cares and anxieties aside and celebrated a moment of national reflection and thanks for the Queen's lifetime of service and devotion. I am very proud that the BBC was able to bring them together in such a unique and memorable way."

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he?