American Station Announcers

[kwrail]

I am a regular commuter from Waterloo to Canary Wharf and have noticed recently that there are a number of American station announcers. While having nothing against our American cousins, the style that they use really grates. I just want to be told where the train is going and when the doors are closing. Being a grumpy old man, I really don't want to be told to have a nice day and to brighten up everyone else's day. Unbelievably irritating.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is it a new TFL strategy?

 

[Tibbs]

Not Americans but I have noticed some editorialising on the Northern Line.

I don't travel by tube too often, so it's ok with me.

 

[gordonthemoron]

sure they're not Canadians?

Schoenen Tag noch

 

[Bertie the bus]

I guess it’s all part of Boris’ strategy to rebrand London as a ‘World city’ and distance it from the rest of England. I was at Stratford recently and the voice telling people there was a good service on the Underground had a thick Eastern European accent. Whilst it was easy enough to understand it did get me thinking whether the Paris Metro has announcers who sound like they starred in ‘Allo ‘Allo.

 

[yorksrob]

I guess it’s all part of Boris’ strategy to rebrand London as a ‘World city’ and distance it from the rest of England. I was at Stratford recently and the voice telling people there was a good service on the Underground had a thick Eastern European accent. Whilst it was easy enough to understand it did get me thinking whether the Paris Metro has announcers who sound like they starred in ‘Allo ‘Allo.

I think I would support a policy of platform announcements being made in the style of characters from Allo Allo. Renee Atois could list all of the stations of the Huddersfield stopper in the style of one of his opening monologues. Announcements at busy stations such as Kings Cross could be prefixed by Michelle of the Resistance saying "Listen very carefully - I shall say zees only once". No smoking announcements could be made curtly by Herr Flick. Monsieur Alfonse could warn that any packages making "dicky ticker" sounds would be destroyed

 

[Bertie the bus]

I'm pleased to see you didn't have Michelle saying the no smoking announcements, otherwise it would be "Listen very carefully - I shall say zees every 40 seconds for zee rest of your life".

 

[edwin_m]

Who would replace the hologram on the escalators?

 

[kentuckytony]

I...have noticed recently that there are a number of American station announcers. While having nothing against our American cousins, the style that they use really grates....Unbelievably irritating...

Where do I get a job doing this? I will use my normal Kentucky twang.

 

[Clip]

Since the 50s TfL have always hired people from other nationalities and its never been a problem - whats changed?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Who would replace the hologram on the escalators?

Father Father Jack Hacket!

 

[Karl]

Basil Fawlty doing the St Pancras International departure announcements would be a hoot too!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Who would replace the hologram on the escalators?

"Good moaning. If you have a big kiss you mist use the loft."

 

[DasLunatic]

Who would replace the hologram on the escalators?

Surely another hologram, maybe Arnold Rimmer?

 

[me123]

I just want to be told where the train is going and when the doors are closing. Being a grumpy old man, I really don't want to be told to have a nice day and to brighten up everyone else's day. Unbelievably irritating.

Ok. Have a crap day, then. And make everyone else's day a living hell. Wow, people in London really are as miserable as they look, aren't they?

 

[306024]

.......Wow, people in London really are as miserable as they look, aren't they?

Bit of a leap there. One poster doesn't like our American cousins style of announcing and suddenly the whole population of London is miserable

The announcements add a bit of colour to the day. If the accent irritates, well everyone has an accent of some sort so you just have to get over it.

A happy Londoner

 

[Bletchleyite]

Euston used to have an Aussie before the "dystopian future computer" voice took over.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I remember him, or rather I remember his fantastic efforts in announcing
every
station on the Highland Sleaper!

 

[Taunton]

One poster doesn't like our American cousins style of announcing

Actually the style of voice long used at stations in the USA is quite different to what is being discussed here, it is traditionally done in a flat monotone which must have some tradition behind it, listing all the points, ending up with a great crescendo "Aaaaaaaal aboard". It's particularly striking boarding a long distance service at say Chicago "Pass'gers for IllinoisIowaNebraskaEasternColorado, neaaaaarest three cars, pass'gers for WesternColoradoUtahNevadaCalifornia, cars furrrrrther forward"

New York subway drivers (once titled Motorman, nowadays updated to Motorperson) inevitably have their own unique style of live announcements, sometimes starting "Dis is ya Modo-poison speakin' ".

Curiously, USA horse racing commentators on TV/radio all seem to share a very similar flat monotone style, quite different to what you get in Britain.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I never knew any of that!

 

[Whistler40145]

Well...you could have some fun with the voice of John Cleese in his Basil Faulty character or Billy Connolly as station announcers!

 

[StateOfPlay]

I would love to hear Brian Blessed doing the announcements.

 

[Dstock7080]

I would love to hear Brian Blessed doing the announcements.

Already done !
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/p...rities-lend-their-voices-for-london-poppy-day

 

[StateOfPlay]

Already done !
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/p...rities-lend-their-voices-for-london-poppy-day

Quality! Shame I missed it, I was working in Leeds at the time.