Chris Evans to replace Terry Wogan
Posted by Radiocafé on 08 Sep 2009 at 2:13 pm |
Category: 1. General Music
It was surely inevitable that Chris Evans would replace Sir Terry Wogan as host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. This is not surprising on two levels: first, that Wogan would be cutting back his commitments at some stage. He is 71, after all. But equally, that the BBC management would opt for a high profile celebrity to fill this slot. It was all too predictable that the highest profile of them all - Chris Evans - would get the nod.
But is Evans likely to be a popular choice? Undoubtedly a broadcaster of some pedigree, we wonder if his talents are more suited to Radio 1 (who sacked him a decade ago), or even commercial radio? For many of the TOGs (Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals) who have become accustomed to Wogan’s ramblings in the morning over the years, is Chris Evans likely to be seen as the natural or a popular replacement?
Last time that Sir Tel ducked out of the breakfast show, his immediate replacement was Ken Bruce. Ken is a fine broadcaster who has grown up within Radio 2, remains one of the greatest talents on radio, but still found Wogan a tough act to follow.
The BBC back then chose a talent of its own to “promote”. Over the years this decision proved to be absolutely the right one, as Ken is now one of the few shining stars of Radio 2. A station which is fast becoming the home of ex-Radio 1 DJs and minor TV celebrities.
Ken was followed a few years later by a less successful stint by Derek Jameson, as the station management embarked on its love affair with “meeja” types. Incidentally, Derek actually proved to be a half decent broadcaster but only lasted a few years before his popularity as a celebrity waned. As it did, he was farmed off to the graveyard slot then replaced by one of the new, younger breed of R2 presenter. If you are over 60 and still presenting on radio 2, best to watch your back.
So if Chris Evans was not the correct choice for Radio 2’s jewel-in-the-crown show, then who would have been the right person to take over? Many have suggested Johnnie Walker would have provided a better fit for this slot. Other suggestions include Stuart Maconie, Mark Radcliffe and even Paul O’Grady or Richard Madeley (!?).
But it seems the real shame is that there are no up-and-coming Radio 2 jocks who are the natural replacement for Wogie, in the same way as Ken Bruce was primed back in the 1980s (having come to the breakfast show via the late night Saturday slot). Where are the talents from local radio who are ready to step up to national radio?
They are surely out there, but it seems no longer fashionable enough for uber-trendy Radio 2. A good example is Steve Ladner on Radio Kent, who presents the Early Riser show from 5 to 7am. Young, talented and supremely professional, he is destined to stay in local radio forever. Pat Marsh from the same station is another excellent example, with a presenting style not dissimilar to Wogan’s own. He is a remarkably talented broadcaster. But he, too, is set to remain unknown beyond local radio.
There are many others who deserve their chance, but the celebrity-obsessed BBC radio management does not afford anyone other than the chosen few a step up to the broadcasting premiership. We think this is a shame.
If you agree, disagree or have your own views as to who you think should have taken over from Wogan, please let us know.
Finally, we thank Sir Terry for his many years’ excellent work on the Wake Up To Wogan Show and hope he will continue to feature on our airwaves from time to time.
Radiocafé
September 2009
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Couldn’t agree more. I must admit to a (small) teaar in the eye when I heard the news. But time marches on and I wish Chris Evans the best with what afterall is not an easy task.
I really rate Alex Lester and wonder how far up the short list he would have been? I always thought he would be a fine replacement in style for this particular slot. I assume he must be congenitally nocturnal though!
Yes, you are absolutely right Michael about Alex Lester. He has been an unsung hero of Radio 2 for years. Occasionally he has covered for others later in the day, but he would have been an ideal full time replacement. R2 has let many good ones go over the years: Chris Stuart and Steve Madden, as two examples, who were both first rate. Never understood why R2 deemed Colin Berry good enough to read the news, but no longer to have his own show. He is still fab on local radio.
I wonder how long before Sarah Kennedy calls it a day? And, when she does, what’s the chances that Chris Moyles is her replacement?
The key to success for any business organisation is the ability to spot talent early on. Instead we have an obsession with known names, who are slotted into vacancies in a manner that smacks of desperation. I’m reminded of Spike Milligan’s programme (Q6?) where when a sketch finished the cast advanced on the camera asking “What are we going to do now?”
The signs are that there’s more to Sir Tel’s resignation than meets the eye. Was he dissatisfied and is he going to go public?
On Feedback I thought all the ‘callers’ got their points across very well, but issues with the music playlist on R2, the loss of dance band music, and the replacement of Wogan with Chris Evans are all subjects that have upset R2 listeners and yet they have to air these grievances on a R4 programme?
As usual the BBC spokesperson, controller Bob Shennan, did not really address the issues.
How can he say Chris Evans is a brilliant radio brodacaster? If you listen to Drivetime, Evans shouts all the time, he interrupts the music all the time, he takes over the show with some silly idea that he thinks is important when realy it’s not important but just an excuse for him to shout about it! How can any of that be the mark of a great broadcaster? A great radio broadcaster puts the listeners first, while Evans just uses the listeners as a way to make his own voice heard more and more, louder and louder.
I really do expect Evans to be a disaster on breakfast - well, I really do hope so.
John Wright
Well, it’s rare for me to listen into the Chris Evans drivetime show, but I did, and I was shocked, appalled.
Seems the bad press that the Radio 2 controller has been getting about excluding ‘light music’ from the daytime shows has had an effect. Chris Evans has been playing a Glenn Miller track every day.
Encouraging? So I just had to check this out.
Well, the manner in which Chris Evans includes a Glenn Miller track on his show is appalling.
He talked over the intro of the track
He read out a message from a listener about a cub/scout meeting during the record.
He talked over the end and did his own little da-da-da-ra da-da-ra right at the final flourish.
Now, how can anyone call that quality broadcasting?
Evans is actually just taking the pee and using anything to make his voice sound louder. Most TOGs will revolt and never accept him.
If this is controller Bob Shennan’s answer to critics on BBC Feedback then you can see he has no respect for them. The controller can’t meet his remit by allowing Chris Evans to make fun of Glenn Miller tracks and thumb his nose at light music fans, that is not on. This is licence-supported public service broadcasting.
John W
I agree with John W. I listen to Radio 2 daytime at work and Steve Wright seems to be playing more ‘light music’. I actually heard Sinatra last week, and not the usual ‘New York New York/My Way’ either. Ordinarily I would be happy with this, but as John W intimates, it seems the Radio 2 controller is only responding to public disenchantment with the playlists and smacks of tokenism. However, any change from post 1975 music has to be welcomed!
Gerry C