Woman's hour - I can't listen to it

[frostymornings]

Agh is it just me? I used to love a bit of woman's hour on the radio as I worked from home, I can't listen to it now.
The topics are still really relevant but I just find the new presenter Emma Barnett is so hard to listen to! Her interviewing style is so confrontational and she interrupts a lot. I was just listening to her interviewing someone about the importance of work place managers being in a good position to spot signs of domestic abuse, and how they could offer support. She kept interrupting and demanding exactly how this would happen rather then letting the guy speak.
To be fair I turned it off at that point so maybe the rest of the interview was Ok, but I do miss Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey, they had such a wonderful easy natural way about them.

I know what you mean, plus I read a review of her as the new presenter and it mentioned how often she says “if I may” and now I can’t unhear it. She says it all the time!
I do still quite like it though, I think it might just be my natural resistance to change, and soon I’ll be used to her.

Oh no I hadn't noticed that! I'm aware I'm very resistant to change so maybe I need to try harder

I haven't listened for years as I hated jenni Murray's voice. I like Jane Garvey though. Maybe I should start listening again? But god I'm so happy Murray has gone. I know, I'm irrational

@Sooverthemill

I haven't listened for years as I hated jenni Murray's voice. I like Jane Garvey though. Maybe I should start listening again? But god I'm so happy Murray has gone. I know, I'm irrational

Nooo don't say that about Jenni She was like a cosy jumper

@frostymornings an itchy, scratchy horrible jumper to me, sorry

I might try it, I don't mind Emma Barnett's style. Jenni Murray fab but I did find the tone and delivery of her and Jane Garvey's presenting voices put me off listening.

[quote Sooverthemill]@frostymornings an itchy, scratchy horrible jumper to me, sorry[/quote]
🤣

her questions were relevant though, he should have been able to suggest simple practical things employers could do or say (also what not to do or say) and he didn't do that, so a good opportunity wasted

Nothing against what she said but I'm afraid I couldn't stand Jenni Murray's voice or intonation either; she did this really wierd thing at the end of sentences that made me press the off button.

I'm a huge Jane Garvey fan and really miss her. Jury is out about Emma Barnett as yet. I think she maybe needs to settle down a bit and take a deep breath. I don't like the constant interruptions either and I always associate that style of interviewing with aggressive male interviewers, so it's ironic they have gone for it on woman's hour of all places (although maybe that's sexist of me to say that?). I prefer Emily Maitliss's style where she approaches by stealth.

Yes I completely agree OP, I’m finding it hard to listen to for exactly the reasons you’ve given. I miss Jane Garvey , she was a perfect balance - she exuded warmth and empathy whilst conducting serious discussions, and with good humour and wit at exactly the right moments. Wasn’t so keen on JM. I’ve resorted to listening back to old WH podcasts as also struggling to listen to the current ones.

Emma Barnett is way too aggressive and confrontational and she drowns out the debate with her own views constantly. She has no idea what neutrality and impartiality means either, and every chance she gets she is politically point scoring. She is literally unbearable to listen to.

I find her disrespectful to those she is listening to, and she makes cheap points and tries to catch people out constantly.

I am with you op, she has ruined woman's hour for me, in the same way she ruined radio 5 live when she was hosting a slot on there.

She needs to dial it back, be a little more chill and be respectful of others. Bulldog presenting has its limits and is like a 90s style of doing things, along with Zoe ball etc - trying to outman the man almost. Gentle professionalism and laser focus on the detail yes, berating others in your interviews no so cool.

I'm glad it's not just me. Completely agree Icanseegreenshoots at some point her audience will just switch off.

@StillWeRise

her questions were relevant though, he should have been able to suggest simple practical things employers could do or say (also what not to do or say) and he didn't do that, so a good opportunity wasted

Yes, I see your point, but there are ways of asking questions and a good interviewer will get the answers with skill and empathy rather than a relentless barrage of questions. Just my opinion.

In bed this morning, WH is totally gone to the dogs-I HATE EB's voice- it's turgid & regimented - already fed to the teeth with her. Like a dog with a bone over domestic violence issue. Also resurrected my experience. Years ago dispensing prescriptions for a pharmacist- I arrived for work, believing my makeup covered up the black eye - he spotted it saying "You need to sort this!" My usual stock reply "Oh I banged it on the filing cabinet!" Totally humiliated, conditioned to believe I was at fault; I changed jobs immediately! I do think his words resurrected my anger and sense of injustice. At the same time my grandmother's death and modest legacy provided an escape route after 22 years of HELL - Only the new term 'Coercive Control' finally described abuse I just hadn't the words for.

Especially in these times op, I think most of us are looking for something civilised, gentle and interesting. We live in angry times, the last thing we need is more of the same.

I am disappointed to turn it off after so many years, but I can't bear it, and the combative atmosphere is just not for me. I have switched to classic FM and my blood pressure feels significantly lower, however I like radio 4 for adult meaningful interaction and company whilst I am with the children, something adult I can listen to and enjoy, so I am upset about it - never needed it more than now with the homeschooling!

@user1477236968

In bed this morning, WH is totally gone to the dogs-I HATE EB's voice- it's turgid & regimented - already fed to the teeth with her. Like a dog with a bone over domestic violence issue. Also resurrected my experience. Years ago dispensing prescriptions for a pharmacist- I arrived for work, believing my makeup covered up the black eye - he spotted it saying "You need to sort this!" My usual stock reply "Oh I banged it on the filing cabinet!" Totally humiliated, conditioned to believe I was at fault; I changed jobs immediately! I do think his words resurrected my anger and sense of injustice. At the same time my grandmother's death and modest legacy provided an escape route after 22 years of HELL - Only the new term 'Coercive Control' finally described abuse I just hadn't the words for.

So sorrt for what you have been through.

*sorry

@Icanseegreenshoots

Especially in these times op, I think most of us are looking for something civilised, gentle and interesting. We live in angry times, the last thing we need is more of the same.

I am disappointed to turn it off after so many years, but I can't bear it, and the combative atmosphere is just not for me. I have switched to classic FM and my blood pressure feels significantly lower, however I like radio 4 for adult meaningful interaction and company whilst I am with the children, something adult I can listen to and enjoy, so I am upset about it - never needed it more than now with the homeschooling!

Yes! This exactly. I (selfishly) miss my quiet time working on my little craft business at home with Womans hour in the background, without the whole family around all the time, it was a little bit of a haven and now its gone

@frostymornings

I'm glad it's not just me. Completely agree Icanseegreenshoots at some point her audience will just switch off.

frostymornings - I'm relieved that others feel the same because I just can't understand why Jane Garvey actually seemed to talk the woman up prior to her arrival. There was another I believe possibly Asian/African voice - but she was worse if that's possible sounded like she was reading straight off script. Shocking! I really think Jane's a one off inimitable acerbic self deprecating wit. And something about her that felt so comforting -She saw me through some of the WORST years I struggled to recover from an appalling divorce and another 2 shockers - I never do things by halves lol!!

I like Emma Barnett - and I like the political content. It's felt like a more socially relevant show the last couple of weeks. I think style can bed in - I loved Jane and Jenni, but I can see Barnett growing on me.

Naga Munchetty would have been a better fit for R4 WH, and EB should have stayed on at five live in my view.

I can see the content is good, relevant and interesting, I just can't be doing with arguments for the whole hour

I find her difficult too , it feels like WH is being turned into any other current affairs programme whereas what I like about It is the scope for more reflective longer discussions and deep dives into topics .

I have to admit that in latter years Jenni Murray has become a bit entrenched but I also enjoy Jane Garvey who is so skilled at being the iron hand in velvet glove . She could be persistent and searching but in a quieter way often resulting in a very good interview as the subject didn’t feel hijacked. Emma Barnett is much more aggressive and upfront so interviewees are immediately on the defensive.

For Jane Garvey fans Her podcast with Fi Glover #Fortunately is a must listen

Huge womans hour fan here. DS who is 11 often listens too as its on in the background and he commented the other day how she constantly interrupts! Im putting it down to inexperience?

Thanks so much for those kind responses -

TBH I really don't think I'd have survived if we'd been in Covid lockdown. Even so it's felt like a kind of prison again and very isolating with those
memories