Monday, March 01, 2010

Oh do be quiet!


All those pictures of Terry Wogan and Chris Evans with their arms around each other are not going to change the nation's minds. No amount of Wogan-endorsed 'you must like this man he really is marvellous give him a chance' pleading will alter the fact that Chris Evans is the wrong choice for the breakfast show.

Last week and this week he seems to be off for a rethink. Too many forced features, trying to make something of nothing and he's just not gentle enough. Everything mentioned has to be spun off into some zany challenge and everything's two-one to him or one-nil to Moira. It's horribly competitive for that time of the day. It's not his fault - that's his style after all. But it's not really working.

The high voice doesn't help though. I really don't think unless he brings it down 12 notches or so he stands much of a chance. Moira Stewart, not known for her humour or sparkling personality, and whose laughs are forced and uncomfortable is a disaster. And bringing that dimbulb sports plank as his sidekick was a mistake too. He's only there to make Evans seem clever and he's bullied like some sort of Karl Piklington figure. I miss Foxy the business girl. Thankfully she's on the Simon Mayo show that replaced Evans' drivetime programme and he's far nice to hear on your way home. A great interviewer and he plays some interesting music too. Evans was never about the music. Though I don't miss him he had a good thing going on drivetime.

I'm not fan of Wogan, but I did listen to the breakfast show while eating my yoghurt and his restful style took me right back to when we had it on in the kitchen when I was growing up. He still plays some of the old records. There's a warm familiarity about it and I find that comforting. I'm not alone.

Simon Mayo should do breakfast. He's mellowed into middle age gracefully and would be just the non-excitable ticket to leave the house to.

My campaign starts here.

17 comments:

A Kitten in a Brandy Glass said...

God, yes. He is driving me UP THE WALL, and even the charisma-free Richard Allinson (who's standing in this week) was an improvement. The music isn't bad (don't know who's picking it), but almost everything else is.

The relentless cheerfulness is what grates the most: all the "get out of bed and put a smile on your face, what have you got to worry about??" schtick is a) a bit rich coming from a multi-zillionaire and b) the diametric opposite of Wogan's inherent grumpiness, and thus is almost guaranteed to piss off any TOGs still listening.

If I knew of an alternative that wouldn't make me want to kill, I'd take it. As it is, I think I'm going to start listening to Leonard Cohen CDs instead. Much more my early-morning style...

Clair said...

I haven't listened to breakfast radio since Danny Baker gave up his morning schtick on BBC London. For me, there was no alternative. I agree that Evans was fine for drivetime; he has a lovely enthusiasm for people (and was very nice when I met him the other week) but a bit much first thing in the morning.

Jon Peake said...

I agree Kitten, though I find Richard Allinson to be the world's blandest broadcaster, I was glad to hear him this morning.

Mary said...

I saw this and thought of you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYoBrroRTVk

Mondo said...

It's not working is it. I've tried listening a couple of times since the first week and it just feels wrong. He's too zippy and peppery for that slot.

It reminds of when Radio 1 spent an age trying to get Steve Wright to do the Breakfast show. A disaster. I never liked him in the afternoon - he was unbearable in the mornings

Wil said...

I always feel sort of sorry for poor old Richard Allinson. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Oops, so-and-so can't make it today, they're on holiday, they just can't be bothered - Allinson! Get your *** in here!

Jon Peake said...

I know what you mean Wil, but it must be because he's too snooze-inducing for a regular slot, which is no good in the mornings.

Jon Peake said...

That was great wasn't it, Mary. Well done Dickie. Terrible outfit though.

TimT said...

1) Love the clip of Dickie dancing. He looks positively macho!
2) Have you listened to Wogan’s live Sunday morning show yet? I can see what they’re trying to do, but it’s a bit disturbing hearing a middle-class English audience leering audibly at the double entendres of the Janet and John stories, for example.
3) I’ve only just got the pun on my name in your post from last Thursday. Is that some kind of record?!?

Jon Peake said...

Do keep up, TT.

I have heard the Wogan show, but it all sounds so theatre-bound that the intimacy is lost. I don't like the studio audience thing.

Bright Ambassador said...

You're all wrong. Wogan's an idiot and Evans is more than okay, not the disaster you lot are painting it.
Get back to your Victor Sylvester records.

Helen said...

It's 6Music all the way for me (apart from Brian Matthews on 2 on a Saturday morning) until the stupid Beeb decide to close it.

Jon Peake said...

I'm far too old for 6music, Hels. And it's quite repetitive. It used to be far better.

And BA, I thought Chris Evans would stand for everything you loathe.

Mark Thompson said...

It does seem like some DJs are just not suited to the mornings. You cite Steve Wright as well and in spite of how great they were on the late shift and afternoon, Mark and Lard's breakfast stint was also disastrous.

I agree Mayo would be great although to be honest he would be great at any time of the day.

mutikonka said...

Is Jimmy Young still available?

Bright Ambassador said...

Evans stand for everything I loathe? Nah, that's Wogan.

Matthew Rudd said...

You're all wrong about Allinson too. He's great.

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