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Fearne needs an "anger pill" and "alcopop"

Jono

By Jono
in BBC Radio 1

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Jono

Jono

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Two hot radio topics this week. First, the vexed, sexed question of female presenters, and, yes, age does come into it. Radio 1 has just announced that long-term daytime DJs Jo Whiley (44) and Edith Bowman (35) are to be replaced, by Fearne Cotton (27) and Greg James (23) respectively. Ageist?

Sure: but Radio 1 worries far more about the age of its audience than its presenters. The station is always being warned by the BBC Trust for appealing to OAP ears (ie those of the over-29s) and it had to make changes to fit into its remit.

Anyway, in truth, the problems for Whiley and Bowman were far subtler than their age and sex. Despite Chris Moyles's recent assertion that the BBC's broadcasting is being held back for fear of upsetting anyone, both DJs were just too darn uncontroversial. Jo and Edith loved every record they played, their interviewing style was relaxing rather than challenging, they seemed unable to discriminate between good ol' Oasis and, er, not-so-good new Oasis. Unlike Moyles and Scott Mills, they weren't experimental broadcasters: they didn't push the medium.

What's sad is not that they've moved aside, but that they're being replaced by (a) a chap (Greg James, shaping up to be a Scott Mills-style free-the-format DJ) and (B) a truly inane woman. Fearne Cotton is as controversial as Kylie, as sharp as mud. Perhaps Andy Parfitt, Radio 1 controller, is planning to spike her alcopop with an anger pill. I do hope so.

Or he could have made Fearne listen to Lauren Laverne, sitting in for Cerys Matthews, sitting in for Nemone (keep up), on 6Music afternoons last week. Lauren is always upbeat - her voice is as light as Sunderland soufflé, if there is such a thing - but she's smart as well as warm. On Tuesday, she interviewed ace comedian Dan Clark, who mentioned that he thought Ben Fogle looked like Alistair McGowan. "Yes, but isn't that how Alistair McGowan's face works?" said Lauren, lightly. On Thursday, she took exception to a track's production. "Did that sound to you like Phil Collins? I think I like it, but, you know: Phil Collins."

Later, she considered the next day's show. "Puppets on the radio?" she mused. "That'll work." She's great. But what do I know? I'm practically Jo Whiley's age.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/jul/26/lauren-laverne-proms-miranda-sawyer

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Guest inxces4308

Guest inxces4308

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OAP ears (ie those of the over-29s)

So Guardian readers are what? Practically Dead?

(a) a chap (Greg James, shaping up to be a Scott Mills-style free-the-format DJ

I hope not. He won't last long if he does, however if he comes up with his own style both Greg & Scott will work well together on the stations schedule.

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The Stig

The Stig

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While I disagree with what she says about Greg, he does have a similar style to Scott and I did wonder if R1 would deem it "too similar" for them to run alongside each other in the schedules. I however have no doubt Greg will do very well in his new slot. As for what he said about Jo and Edith, hit the nail on the head.

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ads1066

ads1066

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I've been listening to Radio 1 since 1969, seen and heard many changes over the years, if jo whiley and edith bowman (to me recent arrivals) are to be binned, where does put the legendary Anne Nightingale? I accept that changes are needed to keep with the market demands, Give the new talent time of course, but Dev and Ferne???? i think all this is happening much too fast--Anyway im not ready to jump ship to Radio 2 just yet!!! :)

Hacer a los demás lo hacen otros de vosotros, Sólo ser feliz :)

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E*F*4L

E*F*4L

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i have said that Lauren Laverne would have been better to replace either Jo or Edith, as for being uncontroversial ! what do the bosses want, to be defending them all the time because they have said something that may have offended someone.

Unlike Moyles and Scott Mills, they weren't experimental broadcasters: they didn't push the medium.

Moyles & Mills experimental broadcasters who have pushed the medium :eek: i don't think so !

:)

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The Stig

The Stig

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Moyles & Mills experimental broadcasters who have pushed the medium :eek: i don't think so !

Your comments amaze me at times. People may criticise Chris Moyles, but you cannot deny he is an experimental broadcaster. He has taken the format of an average Radio 1 show, tore it up and made his own format work. Edith Bowman has only ever had an average show at best.

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E*F*4L

E*F*4L

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Your comments amaze me at times. People may criticise Chris Moyles, but you cannot deny he is an experimental broadcaster. He has taken the format of an average Radio 1 show, tore it up and made his own format work. Edith Bowman has only ever had an average show at best.

Chris Moyles is doing nothing different to what Chris Evans did when he had the breakfast show.

:)

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