A day listening to Capital FM has confirmed the reason why it is now no longer Number 1 in London - it's rubbish.
As many of you know, Capital only play two commercials in a row - and seemingly not very often, either.
I am in the minority in as much as I love listening to radio commercials. Many find them unbearable (content wise, a lot of them are - but it's my bread & butter so I am listening from a creative & professional point of view) but after listening to much of the programming, I was gasping for a 4 minute ad break.
I know people may think I am always slagging radio off, but, and I want to reiterate this point, it's out of love for what should and can be an amazing medium. I'm always disappointed to hear bland, homogonised content because it can easily be so much better.
London is an amazing city - with a diverse population. Capital, instead of trying to cater for everyone with cultural and diverse programming, have taken the "inclusive" route of putting on shows and music that no one loves but that no one complains about. Unfortunately, this seems to be the rule of thumb for stations across the country.
Thursday 20 September 2007
The Sex Lives Of Us, BBC R4
Well done Radio 4 for taking a step in the right direction. The Sex Lives Of Us was insightful, but all too brief. Although, listening to the teens did somehow manage to put the RWB off sex!
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
The Afternoon Play all this week is Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and my word, what a disappointment it has been so far. And with one episode remaining, I can't imagine it suddenly improving.
Despite initial scepticism upon seeing this in the schedule (is there no original content waiting to be put on air, or even an alternative novel?) I none the less tuned with hopes of being 'taken' to Kefalonia with soulful acting, beautfiul soundscapes and fluid production. Instead, I was greeted with a typically drab BBC Radio 4 production - Radio 4 script, Radio 4 acting, Radio 4 sound. Even the technically superb Mandolin player failed to evoke emotion and dreams of the Greek Isles.
The script itself, half monologue, half drama, was seemingly lazy. If you're going to 'do' Captain Corelli's Mandolin, then really make it stand out, make it your own. This was far too safe.
Where's the life? The emotion? The spirit? The IMAGINATION?
With the television programming going through a constant revolution since the 60s, how on earth has radio drama been allowed to stay the same? With drivel like this, it seems there is no hope of it changing.
Despite initial scepticism upon seeing this in the schedule (is there no original content waiting to be put on air, or even an alternative novel?) I none the less tuned with hopes of being 'taken' to Kefalonia with soulful acting, beautfiul soundscapes and fluid production. Instead, I was greeted with a typically drab BBC Radio 4 production - Radio 4 script, Radio 4 acting, Radio 4 sound. Even the technically superb Mandolin player failed to evoke emotion and dreams of the Greek Isles.
The script itself, half monologue, half drama, was seemingly lazy. If you're going to 'do' Captain Corelli's Mandolin, then really make it stand out, make it your own. This was far too safe.
Where's the life? The emotion? The spirit? The IMAGINATION?
With the television programming going through a constant revolution since the 60s, how on earth has radio drama been allowed to stay the same? With drivel like this, it seems there is no hope of it changing.
We're back!
Well, after an enforced exile, we are back and posting. Of course, since the last post, there have been a lot of changes in the industry, some good, most bad. As usual. But with the recent RAJAR results, here's to a bright future in the world of radio!
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