Late Junction presenters - 2011

[Globaltruth]

I thought I'd spend a peaceful few moments doing an analysis of the number of shows each of the presenters of LJ did during 2011.

Mainly to address a nagging suspicion I've had over the last few months.

Here's the results...
Presenter...........Number of shows
Fiona Talkington...............60
Max Reinhardt..................42
Verity Sharp....................30
Nick Luscombe.................12

My nagging suspicion was correct - FT was the dominant presenter during 2011.

Is it...
a) a bad thing
b) a good thing
c) not even a thing

Can anyone explain why this is so?

Clearly the most absurd conspiracy theories are of the most interest...happy to loan my anorak as required.

[french frank]

Can anyone explain why this is so?

Someone, possibly. Me, no.

But.

It's likely to be written into contract that people do x number of programmes.

FT is the longest continuous serving presenter.

I rather gathered (no evidence, but as I read things), that VS took a break - presumably her idea, since she has returned.

NL seems to be like other presenters on R3, filling in/being given a trial.

Those ideas might fit the figures. Roughly. Sort of. In a way.

[Globaltruth]

Yes - VS did return after a years break...NL did do fill-ins, during August for example.

I still think there is an undue number being given to FT, looks as if Max may have lost a few to get Verity back into the schedule.

Perhaps those extra shows were just the longest continuous serving presenter's award then.

Net result has been that I've heard slightly more Norwegian audio smorgasbord and pesky David Sylvian than I wanted to during 2011.
But I won't be doing an analysis of quite how much...

[johncorrigan]

I thought I'd spend a peaceful few moments doing an analysis of the number of shows each of the presenters of LJ did during 2011.

Mainly to address a nagging suspicion I've had over the last few months.

Here's the results...
Presenter...........Number of shows
Fiona Talkington...............60
Max Reinhardt..................42
Verity Sharp....................30
Nick Luscombe.................12

My nagging suspicion was correct - FT was the dominant presenter during 2011.

Is it...
a) a bad thing
b) a good thing
c) not even a thing

Can anyone explain why this is so?

Clearly the most absurd conspiracy theories are of the most interest...happy to loan my anorak as required.

I made a comment about this at the end of Max' last stint, Global.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?600-The-return-of-Waxy-Maxy&p=121023#post121023

I had assumed Fiona, Verity and Max were on a three way rota. However at the end of his last show Max said he wouldn't be back till some time in March which seemed quite far away. I did a recent count back and noticed that Fiona, at least lately, seemed to be getting every second fortnightly slot.
Personally I think it does matter. Maybe that's because although FT plays some interesting things I don't find her as enjoyable a listen as the other two. I prefer the general mix you get with Max and with Verity and I often think that a couple of months without Max is a bit much - on the other hand, absinthe makes the heart grow fonder as they occasionally say!

[Globaltruth]

I made a comment about this at the end of Max' last stint, Global.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?600-The-return-of-Waxy-Maxy&p=121023#post121023

I had assumed Fiona, Verity and Max were on a three way rota. However at the end of his last show Max said he wouldn't be back till some time in March which seemed quite far away. I did a recent count back and noticed that Fiona, at least lately, seemed to be getting every second fortnightly slot.
Personally I think it does matter. Maybe that's because although FT plays some interesting things I don't find her as enjoyable a listen as the other two. I prefer the general mix you get with Max and with Verity and I often think that a couple of months without Max is a bit much - on the other hand, absinthe makes the heart grow fonder as they occasionally say!

Yes, I remember your comment, and I think that was what put the nagging thought in my mind.

I agree and also think it matters..also, if you look back to 2010, there was very much more experimentation going on with the late Robert Sandall as well as Anne-Hilde Neset presenting shows
Max and Fiona used to do a joint show at Xmas time - that seems to have stopped too.

I wonder who is accomodating who?

Is it because Max/Verity are busy with 'other projects'?
Or is there a big LJ programme allocator that we don't know about?
Maybe FF will know how the allocation actually is worked out?
As licence payers, can we have a say (pauses for hollow laughter)

[DracoM]

Maybe the BBC have decided that as R3's parallel initiative with 'Wallander' and 'Forbrydelsen', FT must be allowed to fill as much of LJ as possible with Scandinavian / Icelandic music? I mean, blimey, has she got shares in Scandinavian record companies / artists' agencies or something?

[Norfolk Born]

Does any of the above actually matter?

[Bryn]

Maybe the BBC have decided that as R3's parallel initiative with 'Wallander' and 'Forbrydelsen', FT must be allowed to fill as much of LJ as possible with Scandinavian / Icelandic music? I mean, blimey, has she got shares in Scandinavian record companies / artists' agencies or something?

Are you suggesting she is on the hardanger?

[Paul Sherratt]

I more or less agree with french frank. FT & VS had a LJ job share. Max & VS are now in a job share !

[Globaltruth]

Does any of the above actually matter?

Do please suggest an alternative.

Surely not to spend even more time on personal grooming???

[DracoM]

No, just that on 'her' nights, we can get more or less wall-to-wall Scandinavia, and I have always wondered why.

VS is my heartthrob anyway.

[zola]

I wonder if it makes a difference whether a presenter is a BBC employee or a freelancer ? I don't have any inside knowledge regarding status but FT does occasionally do other presenting duties on Radio 3 such as the occasional lunchtime concert ( especially if it's something like Leif Ove Andsnes playing Grieg ! ) VS used to before she took her break but has not since her return and none of the male presenters appear elsewhere.

What is striking is the extent to which the content of the shows does vary with the presenter despite the presence of a production team. Or is that plural too, production teams ?

I've posted before that I make more of an effort to hear the programme if VS is presenting ( I hope that is because her musical preferences chime more with mine and not for the late night voice ) But since some posters here would welcome a weekly dose of Kershaw with no variation and respite, it does seem that singling out FT is simply a question of musical taste rather than a desire for more variety ?

[french frank]

I wonder if it makes a difference whether a presenter is a BBC employee or a freelancer ?

I think all presenters nowadays are freelance. They have fixed term contracts which may not be renewed if managers so decide.

[Paul Sherratt]

Draco, your heart-throb is a Yirdbard.

[Globaltruth]

Draco, your heart-throb is a Yirdbard.

That falls into the 'not many people know that' category and is, I think, what she was up to on her sabbatical.

And it's not singling FT out, just pointing out the facts and observing some of the conclusions drawn