Radio Two Becomes Pc

[andy-hughes]

You may have read in the media of the changes being made to the Radio 2 schedules, which the station admits are down to its 'need' to increase its 'diversity' quotient.

In plain English, the station has decided that there are not enough female presenters, so they are addressing that issue.

They are adding Jo Wiley as co-presenter with Simon Mayo on Drive Time, the are replacing Paul Jones on The Blues Show with Cerys Mathews, and they are axing the Arts Show with Jonathan Ross.

In order then - Jo Wiley is being added to a show not because she is a wonderful talent (my dislike of her is probably known on here), or because Mr Mayo is in dire need of a co-host, but because she is a woman.

Paul Jones has been with the station for thirty years, he is a veteran blues musician and has probably forgotten more about blues music in the years before Cerys Mathews was born. Ms Mathews is not replacing Mr Jones because he has had a memory lapse and forgotten his vast knowledge of blues music which is essential when broadcasting to enthusiasts - it is because she is a woman.

Jonathan Ross is not having his show axed because he is no longer capable of presenting it - it is because he is not a woman.

The point as I see it is this - why do Radio Two need to axe, or add to, or change formats which are working perfectly well, simply to address the notion of 'diversity'?

And more importantly, how do Ms. Wiley and Ms. Mathews feel to be moved to new shows, not because they are talented or needed, but merely because they tick a gender slot?

Any thoughts?

[Zacs-Master]

Not me. He’s about as funny as a dose of Chalfonts.

[tonyav]

Radio 2 = crap.
That's why I listen to local radio.

[lankeela]

I have to turn off when Cerys Matthews is on as her voice makes me want to put a brick through the radio.

[bednobs]

"Hopkirk- // Jo Wiley is already a Radio 2 presenter.

How does moving her time change the gender balance?"
the thought probably is that women are in the more unpopular timeslots and the "main" bits that are listeded to are all men - chris evans, ken bruce, jeremy vine, steve wright, simon mayo

[Islay]

Ms Mathews already has a slot as well - sounds like they are just changing things up!
Hardly making that much change at all considering that the slots between 5am and the finish if the drive time show - there is only 1 female presenter and now 1 co female presenter compared to 5 male presenters!

[douglas9401]

It's all about men not having enough nasal, whiny nagging when they get in from work.
This move will go some way to upping the misery.

Thankfully, so far at least, no mention of la Feltz going mainstream.

[jno]

Paul Jones is 75. In this day and age nobody has a right to a job for life.

[Bathsheba]

I am amazed that 2 people have said they liked Steve Wright!
I had to email the BBC yesterday to complain that not only does he chatter inanely over the end of songs, he's now started doing it at the beginning.
Pity Elaine Paige has the necessary bits to stay :(
Baths
x x x

[Bathsheba]

Sorry Andy, I think I should change my name to "the closer"

Baths
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[Bazile]

//Steve Wright is a national treasure. A lot of people would be very upset if he was pushed out.//

What the dickens is a national treasure ?

[dance2trance]

It will be interesting when they publish the salaries!! Oh yes like huh? Still, Jo is way to mummsy wummsy for her current 8pm rock n' roll slot she has to be parked elsewhere and Simon is better than the late night truckers slot. Cerys in my view lacks any form of gravitas and drones on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Paul does not. But who cares really? Radio 2 is for those between dying and death. Listen to internet radio folks. Any non whites on Radio 2?

[Bathsheba]

Tony, I thought if you this afternoon..the Oldies were 3 Northern Soul! Think shall save a couple for Mamya's thread tonight ;)

Baths
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[andy-hughes]

dance2trance - //It will be interesting when they publish the salaries!! Oh yes like huh? Still, Jo is way to mummsy wummsy for her current 8pm rock n' roll slot she has to be parked elsewhere and Simon is better than the late night truckers slot. Cerys in my view lacks any form of gravitas and drones on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Paul does not. But who cares really? Radio 2 is for those between dying and death. Listen to internet radio folks. Any non whites on Radio 2? //

I appreciate that a lot of posts are pointing out their likes and dislikes in terms of the presenters, but my question is not so much about individual tastes, which are interesting, but don't address my question, which was whether people agree that Radio Two controllers are right in placing women in shows simply because they are women, rather than because they are either qualified or suitable?

If they had made the changes and said nothing, it's doubtful if anyone would have made a 'diversity' connection, but they are so proud of their policy that they made a big deal of telling people that this is the reason for the changes.

Oh yes, non-whites? Trevor Nelson springs to mind.

[Bathsheba]

Loads of non-whites. Am putting online shopping away now, but shall have a think of names.

Baths
x x x

[douglas9401]

Craig Charles is your starter for ten.

[oldgreyweird]

I agree absolutely. Good programmes are going to be wrecked in the name of PC. Time to start looking for new radio stations.