Radio presenters

[Tom B]

The issue of trailers is not limited to 2. It has been a bugbear of listeners on 4 on a regular basis. They must work, though, as they carry on doing them.

I listen to "Sounds of the 80s" regularly on 2 on a Friday night. One of the things I like about the programme is that it mixes the widely known tracks with the obscure ones, so it has something for everybody and isn't too much of an obscure specialist programme, equally not too predictable. I've listened to a couple of commercial stations which essentially play the likes of Gold, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Should Be So Lucky, Reflex, West End Girls, Take On Me, Don't You Want Me etc continually - i.e. all popularist and slightly overplayed.

 

[Howardh]

The issue of trailers is not limited to 2. It has been a bugbear of listeners on 4 on a regular basis. They must work, though, as they carry on doing them.

I listen to "Sounds of the 80s" regularly on 2 on a Friday night. One of the things I like about the programme is that it mixes the widely known tracks with the obscure ones, so it has something for everybody and isn't too much of an obscure specialist programme, equally not too predictable. I've listened to a couple of commercial stations which essentially play the likes of Gold, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Should Be So Lucky, Reflex, West End Girls, Take On Me, Don't You Want Me etc continually - i.e. all popularist and slightly overplayed.

I've been going through my tapes from the 80s, Icicle Works, China Crisis, Hazel O'Connor, early Cocteaus, OMD, Propaganda, Xmal Deutchland..

 

[Condor7]

Too many comments to quote but the following may be of interest to some of the posts made.

United DJ’s Radio which to the best of my knowledge is internet only has many names from the past, the afore mentioned Emperor Rosko, Tony Prince, David Hamilton. Dave Lee Travis did have a show but I think illness is preventing him at the moment, Mike Read also appears from time to time but has commitments on another station.

Someone mentioned the lack of album tracks being played and someone else not enough oldies being played, then try Radio Caroline they have had an album format for several decades now, mixed in with a selection of oldies from their 46 year history. Rosko also makes guest appearances and you will hear his voice on various jingles. Caroline is on DAB in numerous cities including London, on 648mw in the south east, and of course the internet.

They also have a sister station Caroline Flashback which is internet only and just played tracks from the 50’s to the 80’s. Radio Caroline North mentioned previously by someone still broadcasts once a month via Manx Radio on the Isle of Man on 1368mw and via the internet.

I hope that is of some help.

 

[superjohn]

...all popularist and slightly overplayed.

That’ll be Heart Eighties then! I listen to it quite a lot as it is available nationally on DAB. The limited playlist does begin to grind though, “Stuck with you” by Huey Lewis seems to be played hourly.

Even if they stuck to top ten records only I’m sure the eighties has more to offer than their playlist.

 

[bussnapperwm]

That’ll be Heart Eighties then! I listen to it quite a lot as it is available nationally on DAB. The limited playlist does begin to grind though, “Stuck with you” by Huey Lewis seems to be played hourly.

Even if they stuck to top ten records only I’m sure the eighties has more to offer than their playlist.

My boss loves Heart 80s whereas I hate it.

I must admit listening to Absolute Radio 90s/00s has brought back memories of growing up to Steps and S Club 7 (and even brought back my love of listening to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs, Busted and Green Day!)

 

[Bevan Price]

The issue of trailers is not limited to 2. It has been a bugbear of listeners on 4 on a regular basis. They must work, though, as they carry on doing them.

.

Not necessarily. Trailers are a bit like "foreground music" superimposed on drama & documentaries, or drama done in near darkness and/or with whispering vocals.

"THEY" (often the arty-farty types) think they are "good" , so they keep on doing the same thing, no matter how many complaints they receive.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The BBC does spend a lot of time and effort advertising itself,not just between its TV programmes or radio shows but cross media too. It's not unusual for BBC radio to advertise its latest BBC1 drama being shown that evening. Then the presenters go on about it even though they might not even watch it. Listening to them is as tedious as watching the ever increasing number of adverts on telly.

 

[Darandio]

Mike Read also appears from time to time but has commitments on another station.

Where is he committed to now? Used to listen to him a lot on Big L but he tended to disappear for long periods.

 

[bspahh]

www.fourble.co.uk has some great stuff including these Chris Morris recordings from 1994 https://fourble.co.uk/podcast/thechrismorrismusicshow

With them as MP3 files, if there are any boring bits, then its easy to skip them.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Amanda Holden & Jamie Theakston on Heart - these two are the most vain presenters off the TV who are so far up one another's backsides it's unreal!

I've never rated Holden and I actually find there is a real arrogance about her. Theakston is just plain irrating and is like a letcherous teenager in the body of a middle age man.

On top of that you have Ashley Roberts doing the showbiz stuff - a woman who's voice sounds like finger nails being dragged down a blackboard!!!

CJ

 

[Condor7]

Where is he committed to now? Used to listen to him a lot on Big L but he tended to disappear for long periods.

Mike Read is now on Vintage Music Radio (not to be confused with Vintage Radio) but due the the current lockdown they are only playing previous shows.

 

[AM9]

I think very few people can sustain entertainment mostly on their own, which is why most presenters have their "posse" or are a double act. Tony Blackburn and Ken Bruce manage it though !

I'd add Johnny Walker and (surprisingly) Dermot O'Leary - who when he had his Saturday afternoon programme would get some interesting visitors to perform in the studio.
Maybe 10% of the items on Vines lunchtime have any genuine merit as an adult discussion of views IMO, the rest is chav radio with him prodding callers into incoherent rants with continuous hyperbole and whataboutery.
I couldn't imagine saying this a couple of years ago, but Rylan Clark-Neal is shaping up as a polished presenter, not necessarily as a straight DJ, - I think that he is being groomed for a bigger role, - maybe a drive-time show. He's certainly more suitable than the current series of tryouts to find someone to replace Evans, IMO.

 

[AM9]

Am I right in thinking that Jo has presented coverage of Glastonbury? I'm not sure. They should have put trailers on at the time.



The morning traffic guy is another one who thinks he's the be all and end all!

Richie Anderson is OK, but not a patch on Lynn Bowles.

 

[AM9]

Mike Read is now on Vintage Music Radio (not to be confused with Vintage Radio) but due the the current lockdown they are only playing previous shows.

Mike Read is another self-obsessed has-been. In the '80 he was fine but after his sanctimonious protest about FGtH Relax, he lost most of his fan-base. He hasn't got over that - yet!

 

[yorksrob]

I'd add Johnny Walker and (surprisingly) Dermot O'Leary - who when he had his Saturday afternoon programme would get some interesting visitors to perform in the studio.
Maybe 10% of the items on Vines lunchtime have any genuine merit as an adult discussion of views IMO, the rest is chav radio with him prodding callers into incoherent rants with continuous hyperbole and whataboutery.
I couldn't imagine saying this a couple of years ago, but Rylan Clark-Neal is shaping up as a polished presenter, not necessarily as a straight DJ, - I think that he is being groomed for a bigger role, - maybe a drive-time show. He's certainly more suitable than the current series of tryouts to find someone to replace Evans, IMO.

Yes, I agree about Dermot and Johnny.

Johnny Walkers making quite a good double act with his missus as well currently.

 

[yorksrob]

Richie Anderson is OK, but not a patch on Lynn Bowles.

He is quite sweet, but his taste in music is terrible !

 

[AM9]

Yes, I agree about Dermot and Johnny.

Johnny Walkers making quite a good double act with his missus as well currently.

Yes I heard snippets of that yesterday. They have both been through some heavy issues since they married. It's good to hear them together.

 

[Condor7]

Where is he committed to now? Used to listen to him a lot on Big L but he tended to disappear for long periods.

UPDATE: re Mike Read, it’s just been announce he is returning to United DJ’s Radio from next Monday (13th April) for the breakfast show 7-9am.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

FWIW, my other half is a recent convert to Radio 2 (it's an age thing) so I get to listen to it a lot.

Tony Blackburn is Mike Smash.... He actually plays some decent music on his Golden Hour as he's a real soul aficionado but it's interrupted by his atrocious bantz. Same on a Saturday morning and the handover to Dermot - it's as slick as Partridge to Clifton.

The better shows
Gambo on Pick of the Pops (just a timeless format)
Dermot O'Leary - good songs, warm, funny
Liza Tarbuck - genuinely funny if not a bit mental like she's OD'ed on the HRT
Claudia Winkelman - again, quite fun and frothy
Cerys Matthews - the blues show has great music; usually listen to it when washing up the pots

Painful listens
Elaine Page - too much luvviness
Jeremy Vine - too much of having a heated debate "let's get Aubrey from Reigate on the phone - what do you think of grey squirrels??" - it's truly Partridge-esque
Jo Whiley - too achingly dull
Paul O'Grady - for some unknown reason, just don't think what he's about transfers to radio

Whilst I can cope with Zoe Ball, it's noticeable that whenever there's a stand in (this week it's Amol Rajan), they are much better. Note: the better half used to listen to Kiss with Rickie, Melvin and Charlie - her voice was like metal against metal and so rigid was the playlist, I could guarantee virtually the same songs every day.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm now a R5 person when I'm in the car on my own (all good except bloody Campbell).

However, back in the day when I first started working, it was Simon Mayo followed by Simon Bates - if working in a dismal office in Yorkshire in winter wasn't bad enough!!

The high water mark was Mark and Lard. Listened to it of an evening as "Out on Blue 9" and after the ill fated breakfast show, the afternoon show was achingly funny. The filth that they got away with at 2pm with Lard's Vinyl Collection (listen to them on youtube) or Fat Harry White

 

[Cowley]

FWIW, my other half is a recent convert to Radio 2 (it's an age thing) so I get to listen to it a lot.

Tony Blackburn is Mike Smash.... He actually plays some decent music on his Golden Hour as he's a real soul aficionado but it's interrupted by his atrocious bantz. Same on a Saturday morning and the handover to Dermot - it's as slick as Partridge to Clifton.

The better shows
Gambo on Pick of the Pops (just a timeless format)
Dermot O'Leary - good songs, warm, funny
Liza Tarbuck - genuinely funny if not a bit mental like she's OD'ed on the HRT
Claudia Winkelman - again, quite fun and frothy
Cerys Matthews - the blues show has great music; usually listen to it when washing up the pots

Painful listens
Elaine Page - too much luvviness
Jeremy Vine - too much of having a heated debate "let's get Aubrey from Reigate on the phone - what do you think of grey squirrels??" - it's truly Partridge-esque
Jo Whiley - too achingly dull
Paul O'Grady - for some unknown reason, just don't think what he's about transfers to radio

Whilst I can cope with Zoe Ball, it's noticeable that whenever there's a stand in (this week it's Amol Rajan), they are much better. Note: the better half used to listen to Kiss with Rickie, Melvin and Charlie - her voice was like metal against metal and so rigid was the playlist, I could guarantee virtually the same songs every day.

I pretty much agree with every bit of that.

 

[theblackwatch]

UPDATE: re Mike Read, it’s just been announce he is returning to United DJ’s Radio from next Monday (13th April) for the breakfast show 7-9am.

Starting off the show by playing Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood perhaps?

 

[Cowley]

Starting off the show by playing Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood perhaps?

Yep, followed by his UKIP calypso song...

 

[yorksrob]

FWIW, my other half is a recent convert to Radio 2 (it's an age thing) so I get to listen to it a lot.

Tony Blackburn is Mike Smash.... He actually plays some decent music on his Golden Hour as he's a real soul aficionado but it's interrupted by his atrocious bantz. Same on a Saturday morning and the handover to Dermot - it's as slick as Partridge to Clifton.

The better shows
Gambo on Pick of the Pops (just a timeless format)
Dermot O'Leary - good songs, warm, funny
Liza Tarbuck - genuinely funny if not a bit mental like she's OD'ed on the HRT
Claudia Winkelman - again, quite fun and frothy
Cerys Matthews - the blues show has great music; usually listen to it when washing up the pots

Painful listens
Elaine Page - too much luvviness
Jeremy Vine - too much of having a heated debate "let's get Aubrey from Reigate on the phone - what do you think of grey squirrels??" - it's truly Partridge-esque
Jo Whiley - too achingly dull
Paul O'Grady - for some unknown reason, just don't think what he's about transfers to radio

Whilst I can cope with Zoe Ball, it's noticeable that whenever there's a stand in (this week it's Amol Rajan), they are much better. Note: the better half used to listen to Kiss with Rickie, Melvin and Charlie - her voice was like metal against metal and so rigid was the playlist, I could guarantee virtually the same songs every day.

I think Tony Blackburn and Paul O'Grady are both hillarious.

 

[yorksrob]

Starting off the show by playing Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood perhaps?

I'm reminded of DJ Nicey taking exception to the Frog's chorus -

"Bum, bum, bum - I'm not playing this filth"

 

[Typhoon]

I'm reminded of DJ Nicey taking exception to the Frog's chorus -

"Bum, bum, bum - I'm not playing this filth"

Thanks for reminding me of this, I haven't laughed as much for ages. We could do with repeats of Smashy and Nicey just now.

 

[yorksrob]

Thanks for reminding me of this, I haven't laughed as much for ages. We could do with repeats of Smashy and Nicey just now.

Yes, definitely one for the repeats thread !

 

[AM9]

I think Tony Blackburn and Paul O'Grady are both hillarious.

Wife likes Lily Savage on Sundays, but I agree about Blackburn. When we lost Brian Matthews on Saturdays, Tony's Sounds of the Sixties was a breath of fresh air. The first one felt like a time warp back to Caroline and more so Radio London. The PAMS of Dallas supplied jingles added to the nostalgic feeling.
I appreciate that Blackburn isn't everbody's choice of presenter, but he is a pro DJ and doesn't take himself too seriously, - unlike a certain other presenter mentioned above.

 

[yorksrob]

Wife likes Lily Savage on Sundays, but I agree about Blackburn. When we lost Brian Matthews on Saturdays, Tony's Sounds of the Sixties was a breath of fresh air. The first one felt like a time warp back to Caroline and more so Radio London. The PAMS of Dallas supplied jingles added to the nostalgic feeling.
I appreciate that Blackburn isn't everbody's choice of presenter, but he is a pro DJ and doesn't take himself too seriously, - unlike a certain other presenter mentioned above.

Yes, I wasn't around in the swinging sixties, but the jingles give it a retro feel.

 

[Darandio]

UPDATE: re Mike Read, it’s just been announce he is returning to United DJ’s Radio from next Monday (13th April) for the breakfast show 7-9am.

Now that's some good news, i'll be tuning in. Thanks for the update.