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Original poster

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

146 replies

frostymornings · 19/01/2021 10:36

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.

OP posts:
Peaseblossom22 · 19/01/2021 12:00

@LiJo2015 she is not inexperienced though she has had a prime time R5 slot and was a Newsnight regular . I realise R4 is a different kettle of fish and I know Jane had a bumpy start but Emma seems to have gone out of her way to say she is looking to chance things , in her recent profile in the Sunday Times she was quite disrespectful to previous presenters

Original poster
frostymornings · 19/01/2021 12:04

@Peaseblossom22

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

I will look up those podcasts, they might save me for a whileSmile
OP posts:
user1477236968 · 19/01/2021 12:23

[quote Peaseblossom22]@LiJo2015 she is not inexperienced though she has had a prime time R5 slot and was a Newsnight regular . I realise R4 is a different kettle of fish and I know Jane had a bumpy start but Emma seems to have gone out of her way to say she is looking to chance things , in her recent profile in the Sunday Times she was quite disrespectful to previous presenters[/quote]
I honestly don't think EB has the necessary empathetic tone of voice this programme needs. She sounds irritatingly bumptious and really gets up my nose -Woman's Hour doesn't requires EB's confrontational personality. Jane Garvey's approach was far more sophisticated than even Jenni Murray. Her black humored acerbic style cheered me up and lifted my spirit and made me laugh even in the midst of an unbearable situation!!

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Radio
Icanseegreenshoots · 19/01/2021 12:28

Emma interrupts constantly deliberately, it is a tactic to let the other person know she is in control of the debate, she will decide what is relevant and any message they might be trying to be convey will be completely lost if she doesn't agree with it.
She literally bulldozes the conversation, and in doing so stops the listener from even hearing the interview, much less coming to their own considered opinion.

Many MPs in particular have asked her respectfully not to interrupt them, and that only seems to make her even more aggressive and rude.

An interview might sound interesting and you tune in, and feel drained and exhausted by the boxing ring tactics and the put downs. I am not sure she is a nice person really. I like the fact she is so keen to get women's rights out there and in the conversation, but she might be doing the movement a disservice with her militancy and angry style.

Peaseblossom22 · 19/01/2021 12:40

“I will look up those podcasts, they might save me for a while.”

I have been listening since they started but in this last year they gave really helped me through . The week before last with Fiona Bruce a good one . It’s not really an interview more a chat , worth dipping into the back catalogue as well.

dayswithaY · 19/01/2021 12:41

I quite like her and admire her tough approach. I may be biased though as I like her hair.

daisyjgrey · 19/01/2021 12:48

@Sooverthemill

I couldn't deal with Jenni's voice either. It was so kind of hushed and mumbled I'd have to have the radio so loud and concentrate on it for any of it to go in and then when anyone else spoke it would be ear shattering. Very glad that she's gone now.

fatblackcatspaw · 19/01/2021 12:54

I stopped listening to WH after listenting to an item which intereviewed someone from The Only Way is Essex advising me I should spend 45 mins doing my make up every morning and the interviewer just letting that slide.

hopeishere · 19/01/2021 13:21

I actually listened to it this morning first time in ages. I think she had a point about what that interviewee was saying - how do you approach co-worker you think may be being abused?

But I agree she was very rude about her predecessors.

Naga Munchetty would be dreadful. She's a desperate interviewer and she does this awful banter with a barb. I note she was quietly removed from Newsnight.

Meredithgrey1 · 19/01/2021 13:22

But I agree she was very rude about her predecessors.

What did she say? I’ve tried to find the article someone referenced but I think it’s behind a paywall.

Tangledtresses · 19/01/2021 13:29

I know exactly what you mean!! I used to listen to it every day and I don't now, as I find her irritating

I really miss both Jane and Jenny! I keep listening to old ones on sound app

JuneFromBethesda · 19/01/2021 13:34

I haven’t listened to the new Women’s Hour yet but I loved Emma Barnett on R5, especially interviewing politicians and not letting them flannel their way out of a debate.

ritzbiscuits · 19/01/2021 13:39

I have to go against the tide and say I like the new Woman's Hour! Shock

Emma Barnett brings a much younger feel to the programme, feels much more relevant to me that Jenni/Jane.

I did say to my DH that his mother will be hating it!

Oatyoatcakes · 19/01/2021 13:42

I'm preferring EB, although I do agree that she is still settling in. I like her voice and trust her to ask the questions that I would want to. I think it's time WH was a bit more assertive and shes a good woman to do the job

setthecontrols · 19/01/2021 13:45

I agree about Emma B.
WH used to be my favourite programme but no more.
Naga Munchetty is great on 5 Live and I must admit to hoping that Niall Paterson keeps his job replacing Kay Burley on Sky.
I think we are all getting tired of aggressive point-scoring interview techniques.

Pasteisdenata · 19/01/2021 13:50

EB isn’t for me unfortunately, despite being more my age. I don’t like her style, it’s like listening to Radio 5 and instantly makes me switch off. I want clever women making their points well, not like fist thumps.

Dowser · 19/01/2021 13:53

I can’t / don’t listen to any radio , news or tv
Didn’t all last year and won’t be this

Dowser · 19/01/2021 13:54

Oh for got to mention on account of covid brainwashing propaganda

LindainLockdown · 19/01/2021 13:56

Emma Barnett was so well suited to 5Live, she was brilliant on that show. Her style was so well suited to tackling pompous politicians.

I was so disappointed Naga Munchetty replaced her, can't stand her on any show. So I tried WH for a few days but Emma just sounds so wrong, I've now given up on that too.

The plus side is that now I am listening to Radio 1 in the mornings I actually feel a bit more cheerful.

LindainLockdown · 19/01/2021 13:58

Apart from Thursdays and Fridays when Adrian Chiles is on, he is excellent. Didn't realise he used to be married to Jane Garvey.

garlictwist · 19/01/2021 14:00

I was looking forward to having Emma as the presenter (as much as I loved Jane G), as I think she is usually very good. However I do agree that she is a little confrontational, this isn't Newsnight.

Ginisatonic · 19/01/2021 14:01

I don’t listen to WH but I knew this would be about Emma Barnett. I’m not a fan of hers on Newsnight and I have to switch off when she’s on.

garlictwist · 19/01/2021 14:01

PS - I really couldn't stand Jenni Murray though so she is a vast improvement on her, imho.

AgnesNaismith · 19/01/2021 14:03

I hope everyone missing Jane Garvey is listening to her podcast - Fortunately with Fi and Jane

It is brilliant

MilesJuppIsMyBitch · 19/01/2021 14:03

I feel the same. It's like listening to a particularly testosterone-fuelled man, which makes me grit my teeth.

I just keep thinking 'can't you STFU for one minute and let the interviewee finish a sentence?'

I hope she improves, but think I'll swerve it for a while.