There is radio – and then there is Jeremy Vine

That’s how we all feel Jeremy!

I listen to quite a lot of radio, I regularly spend quite a large amount of my day in the car and enjoy listening to much of the BBC’s output – I have had my fill of commercial radio. I am a huge fan of Radio 4, there is nothing better to wake up to in the morning than the dulcet tones of John Humphreys on the ‘Today’ show.

And I am definitely a Radio 2 man for much of its music output (I would listen to 6 radio but don’t have a digital tuner in my car), however there is one part of the day on Radio 2 that I can’t listen to – the Jeremy Vine show. I don’t know if it’s just me but I find him rather pointless and deeply annoying!

His program is apparently supposed to deal with the matters in the news that ‘matter’? I just don’t get it, the items are generally pointless and an insult to the listeners intelligence as far as I see it! The other day when the tax avoidance issue was in the news his phone-in was based around the following question;

Is Jimmy Carr still funny?

Is it me or is that a totally pointless and trite question?

The final straw was on today’s show, the earth shattering issue that had to be addressed?

Should people be forced to walk on moving walkways?

Does it matter? No!

I am a huge fan of BBC radio, it is without doubt the best part of the whole corporation, but they really need to do something about Jeremy Vine! And what ever they do please don’t give him more time on TV instead – he is just as bad there!

 

The best of the BBC?

I am a huge fan of BBC radio – it is without doubt the best in the world – and the jewel in that crown is BBC Radio 4. One of the things that always amazes me is how many people actually listen to radio 4. As a youth you always consider it an ‘old persons’ radio station, but in actual fact their listener profile is much more varied than you might think (although it is not a Radio 1 replacement!)

The today programme is a very civilised way to wake in the morning and I often find Radio 4 on in the car when I am out and about. It’s easy to forget how long radio has been a part of our lives – this week sees the 70th anniversary of one of the best program’s – Desert Island Discs.

First broadcast on 29 January 1942, the programme was conceived and presented by playwright and novelist Roy Plomley, who each week asked a guest to choose eight songs, a book and luxury item for their imaginary stay on the island.

To celebrate there will be 44 different versions of the radio programme transmitted today across the BBC’s entire UK network. The special editions will feature the public’s favourite tunes and memories.

Over the 70 years the great and the good have imagined life on a secluded island; Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has been the most popular musical choice, and Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf has been the most frequently chosen non-classical tune.

Amongst the 2,881 luxuries chosen to be taken on the island are 183 pianos, five trombones, the Albert Memorial and a cheeseburger machine.

Since it started the programme has only had four presenters;

Roy Plomley (1942-1986)
Michael Parkinson (1986-88)
Sue Lawley (1988-2006)
Kirsty Young (2006-present)

My personal favourite is Kirsty Young, give it a listen you may surprise yourself!