mynameis
14-10-2008, 04:34 PM
Sir Terry Wogan: The BBC is no longer the best broadcaster
Sir Terry Wogan has said the BBC has lost its standing as the finest broadcasting organisation in the world.
By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Last Updated: 8:59PM BST 11 Aug 2008
The "old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment" which he encountered in his early days with the Corporation have long disappeared he said.
The Radio 2 presenter, whose career with the Corporation stretches back over 40 years, said staff no longer held a job with the BBC in high esteem.
"When I started, people who worked for the BBC knew they weren't earning as much as people in commercial television, but they did have the satisfaction of knowing that they worked for one of the finest, if not the finest, broadcasting organisation in the whole world. I'm not sure they feel that any more, or at least that it means as much as it used to," Wogan said.
Illustrating the way times have changed, Wogan recalled getting his big break in the 1960s: "When I sent in my first tape to the head of Gramophone Programmes at the BBC, I had made the fatal mistake of forgetting to rewind it to the start. Yet that gentleman took the time to wind it all the way back, and once he'd listened to it, things went from there.
"I can tell you, if I was a young chap coming over from Ireland today, they probably wouldn't even listen to my tape, let alone rewind. Somehow, that old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment have disappeared. I suppose no-one has the time for it any more."
He also lambasted modern presenters "who just read out the autocue without any of their own personality and with these awful glazed eyes, like a seagull's", although he declined to name the offenders.
In an interview with the Radio Times, Wogan also confirmed that he is stepping down as the BBC's Eurovision host after 37 years. The 70-year-old presenter has tired of the "political voting" which determines the outcome. Russia won the contest in Belgrade this year, while the UK's Andy Abrahams scraped just 14 points.
"I was considering giving up before Belgrade, and now I have to say I'm very doubtful about ever wanting to do Eurovision again. I've had so much fun, but I think it's time for someone else to take over," he said.
"Days before the show, I knew Russia would win. The fact is, Putin was getting nasty, which means the former satellite states were always going to vote for Russia in order to keep the oil coming.
"It's unfortunate, I suppose, but whereas we have always taken Eurovision with a pinch of salt, the former Eastern Bloc countries are not sufficiently versed in the ways of democracy to realise they are supposed to be voting for a song, not a next-door neighbour.
"The only way the UK will ever regain any respectability is if we get a major British star – Robbie Williams, Take That, God knows there are enough of them – to represent us, and then people will vote for us."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2541326/Sir-Terry-Wogan-The-BBC-is-no-longer-the-best-broadcaster.html
Simpson 'expects sack from BBC'
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson has said that he expects to be sacked in "horrible circumstances".
The veteran journalist, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, also said he felt the future of the BBC was not bright.
"I think the BBC we have known, for good or worse, is now in its last stages," said Simpson, who has worked for the BBC for 42 years.
He admitted "hating" bosses, but called the BBC a "magnificent outfit".
"Although the BBC is a difficult organisation sometimes to work for in peace and harmony... I'm very fond of it - sort of."
Wogan criticism
The broadcaster, who has visited 120 countries, said the organisation's model required money, and expressed his concern at the licence fee being "chopped away".
"The way in which our entire broadcasting system has functioned for decades since 1955 is now under very serious threat.
"It will be very different indeed. It may be better, but I somehow doubt it," said Simpson.
The 64-year-old said that his comments could get him "the boot", and pledged to remain silent if he lost his job.
"If you take someone's money, you owe them a certain debt of loyalty," added the war correspondent.
Simpson touched upon Sir Terry Wogan's recent criticisms of the BBC, saying he had said something "particularly savage".
"I thought somebody surely should have a word with him about that," he added.
The BBC said in a statement: "John Simpson, like many people, is someone who cares deeply about the BBC and its future.
"He is a hugely respected broadcaster who has made, and will continue to make, a significant contribution to the BBC."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7669442.stm
Sir Terry Wogan has said the BBC has lost its standing as the finest broadcasting organisation in the world.
By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Last Updated: 8:59PM BST 11 Aug 2008
The "old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment" which he encountered in his early days with the Corporation have long disappeared he said.
The Radio 2 presenter, whose career with the Corporation stretches back over 40 years, said staff no longer held a job with the BBC in high esteem.
"When I started, people who worked for the BBC knew they weren't earning as much as people in commercial television, but they did have the satisfaction of knowing that they worked for one of the finest, if not the finest, broadcasting organisation in the whole world. I'm not sure they feel that any more, or at least that it means as much as it used to," Wogan said.
Illustrating the way times have changed, Wogan recalled getting his big break in the 1960s: "When I sent in my first tape to the head of Gramophone Programmes at the BBC, I had made the fatal mistake of forgetting to rewind it to the start. Yet that gentleman took the time to wind it all the way back, and once he'd listened to it, things went from there.
"I can tell you, if I was a young chap coming over from Ireland today, they probably wouldn't even listen to my tape, let alone rewind. Somehow, that old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment have disappeared. I suppose no-one has the time for it any more."
He also lambasted modern presenters "who just read out the autocue without any of their own personality and with these awful glazed eyes, like a seagull's", although he declined to name the offenders.
In an interview with the Radio Times, Wogan also confirmed that he is stepping down as the BBC's Eurovision host after 37 years. The 70-year-old presenter has tired of the "political voting" which determines the outcome. Russia won the contest in Belgrade this year, while the UK's Andy Abrahams scraped just 14 points.
"I was considering giving up before Belgrade, and now I have to say I'm very doubtful about ever wanting to do Eurovision again. I've had so much fun, but I think it's time for someone else to take over," he said.
"Days before the show, I knew Russia would win. The fact is, Putin was getting nasty, which means the former satellite states were always going to vote for Russia in order to keep the oil coming.
"It's unfortunate, I suppose, but whereas we have always taken Eurovision with a pinch of salt, the former Eastern Bloc countries are not sufficiently versed in the ways of democracy to realise they are supposed to be voting for a song, not a next-door neighbour.
"The only way the UK will ever regain any respectability is if we get a major British star – Robbie Williams, Take That, God knows there are enough of them – to represent us, and then people will vote for us."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2541326/Sir-Terry-Wogan-The-BBC-is-no-longer-the-best-broadcaster.html
Simpson 'expects sack from BBC'
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson has said that he expects to be sacked in "horrible circumstances".
The veteran journalist, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, also said he felt the future of the BBC was not bright.
"I think the BBC we have known, for good or worse, is now in its last stages," said Simpson, who has worked for the BBC for 42 years.
He admitted "hating" bosses, but called the BBC a "magnificent outfit".
"Although the BBC is a difficult organisation sometimes to work for in peace and harmony... I'm very fond of it - sort of."
Wogan criticism
The broadcaster, who has visited 120 countries, said the organisation's model required money, and expressed his concern at the licence fee being "chopped away".
"The way in which our entire broadcasting system has functioned for decades since 1955 is now under very serious threat.
"It will be very different indeed. It may be better, but I somehow doubt it," said Simpson.
The 64-year-old said that his comments could get him "the boot", and pledged to remain silent if he lost his job.
"If you take someone's money, you owe them a certain debt of loyalty," added the war correspondent.
Simpson touched upon Sir Terry Wogan's recent criticisms of the BBC, saying he had said something "particularly savage".
"I thought somebody surely should have a word with him about that," he added.
The BBC said in a statement: "John Simpson, like many people, is someone who cares deeply about the BBC and its future.
"He is a hugely respected broadcaster who has made, and will continue to make, a significant contribution to the BBC."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7669442.stm