AIBU to find the new Woman's Hour presenter annoying?

[merce]

I get that they need some young blood. And I get that they have probably been accused of WH sounding too 'middle class'. But personally my heart rather sinks when I hear Emma Barnett's voice... Case of - dare I say it - dumbing down???? Am I a lone voice?

[RaspberryWhip24]

YANBU. Can't add anything erudite because I can't remember the details but I heard her yesterday and thought .

Mind you I hated the way Libby Purves (?) used to really mumble the ends of her sentences so you couldn't hear her.

Has she left?

[maras2]

Libby's never been a WH presenter.

[merce]

Normally Jenni Murray or Jane Garvey. But this new one is really grating, I think. Slightly arrogant manner, not that articulate. I am such a massive fan of WH - will have to start weeding out my podcasts. Or am I an old, middle-class curmudgeon?

[TurnOverTheTv]

I caught some bits yesterday, and was very disappointed. She sounds very young and 'Radio 1'

[merce]

Exactly. Radio 1 not Radio 4.

[TurnOverTheTv]

I'm so used to the dulcet tones of Jenni and Jane it was a shock to the system

[Shardlakelover]

I agree. I thought I'd turned on radio 1 by accident. She just doesn't sound very bright.

[karron]

I hope she will get better and it's just new and nerves. Someone was saying today that good interviewers deviate from questions in response to answers while inexperienced ones stick to the script. May be this is the problem?

[SwiftRelease]

Summer temp?! Agree, she really grated but admittedky slowly grew on me, slowly. The faux laugh and clear "smile while on air so it comes over in your voice" was really forced.

[SwiftRelease]

Summer temp?! Agree, she really grated but admittedky slowly grew on me, slowly. The faux laugh and clear "smile while on air so it comes over in your voice" was really forced.

[IorekByrnisonsArmour]

I think she's a summer temp



It should be back to normal in September, Although I'm not a big Jenni fan.

[whitewineandchocolate]

YANBU foe all the reasons mentioned by others, she just didn't seem to have the right tone, perhaps it was nerves, but not quite Woman's Hour!

[Keenoonvino]

Oh my god, was that Emma Barnett on??!! I was listening and thinking she sounded very young. I went to uni with her- she was in my halls, but I didn't really know her. She has done incredibly well for herself at such a young age (30) so she's clearly very bright....

[Keenoonvino]

She's also gorgeous....grrrrr

[merce]

She may well be gorgeous and bright (although really didn't think she came across as the latter), but I really don't think she's right for WH……

Going with the summer temp theory in hopeful fashion!

[Alsoflamingo]

Bumping this message again as have just had to switch off the radio due to ANNOYING voice of Emma Barnett on WH. Getting increasingly nervous they are trying to work her into the regular schedule of presenters. NO NO!!

[JT05]

I believe Jenni Murrey has broken her arm. Ouch! Get well soon, and get back to us x

[Waffles80]

Gosh - what a load of judgemental tosh.

[hiddenhome]

Dumbing down Radio 4?

Let's hope it's not the start of a slippery slope. Radio 4 is the only thing around that reassures me that everyone hasn't actually gone mad these days

[funnyossity]

OK just tuned in and the word "twenny" for 20 jumped at me. I think it's probably my age but I think her speech is sloppy with an up and down intonation in an "Absolute Radio" way - she sounds rather chuffed with herself.

I'm Northern and have no particular love for RP. I love to listen to all sorts of voices but I don't like hers. (Love Peter Allen's voice on Radio 5 Live for example.)

[HappenstanceMarmite]

Yes Jenni has broken her arm so hopefully back shortly.

Love Woman's Hour but also the Afternoon Drama. Both keep me company on long drives.

[Alsoflamingo]

Jenni - get well SOON please!! Agree with Hiddenhome that R4 is one of the last bastions of standards and quality these days. Sorry Emma, but I just don't think you are right for R4. V. true Funnyossity about the dodgy intonation and slightly cocky tone. R1 or one of the commercial stations surely a better fit? I so love WH - would be gutted to have it ruined for me…..