[jambutty]

Originally Posted by Morecambe Ex Pat

In the early days, the licence fee was to pay for and maintain the numerous transmitters for both radio & TV and to fund the operation of a TV channel and several radio services.

Over the years the BBC has taken on a life of its own and the small licence fee has had to be increased substantially to pay for the many additional services it now offers. Just how they justify exhorbitant contracts to tempt 'popular' celebs on to the network is a major issue. Recent events have shown that the BBC is run by indecisive management and only public pressure forced them to act.

I always thought that making indecent phone calls was a criminal offence or have the mamby pamby PC brigade made upsetting others, acceptable too.

I quite like Jonathan Ross as a radio broadcaster but there is no place on Radio 2 for radical presenters to do their 'own thing'. Should Radio 2 stick with the likes of Wogan, Bruce, Evans and Wright? I say yes, let the weird and wacky find radio work elsewhere and leave Radio 2 to churn out good middle of the road entertainment for which they are best known.

I rarely hear Wogan but on the very odd occasion when I get up early enough his banter has been amenable and his Janet and John tales have been hilarious. I admired his efforts for “Children In Need” until it was revealed that he was paid to host the TV extravaganza.

Ken Bruce is good and presents an enjoyable programme. The repartee between him and the travel totty Lynn Bowles is never offensive.

Chris Evans is like a breath of fresh air at 5:00pm after taking over from Steve Wright. Especially the fox the fox bit. Foxy’s skill in finding out the answers to some very awkward questions sent in by the listeners is legendry. I cannot recall her ever being stumped. Sally “Traffic” Bosman adds to the entertainment. My only complaint is why doesn’t Chris have a man’s minute? Men drive cars too. But then he couldn’t flirt with men.

Steve Wright is just background noise for me. There seems to be a bit of tension between him and Tim Smith that almost surfaces from time to time but is disguised by “only joking”. My biggest gripe against that programme, both Steve and Tim deliberately mispronounce words and these mispronunciations could be picked up by youngsters.