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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:
LyndaSnellsSniff · 19/01/2021 14:15

I get the feeling she’s on a mission to stamp her style on the programme. It’s confrontational and she seems keen to pit guests against each other in debates (eg the episode where they were talking about fillers and malpractice). I think she’ll settle into the role. I liked Anita Rani on last Friday’s very much.

AbsintheFriends · 19/01/2021 14:35

I also think the content has changed, and not for the better.

WH used to be a really interesting range. You might get (for entirely made up example) a female poet living in the Hebrides writing about women's lives there in the past, or a woman operating an inner city food bank, or young women talking about body image in the age of social media or whatever. It was a really broad church, at times cosy and gentle, at times an insight into different and unusual lifestyles, at times highlighting women forging a path in their fields, at times tackling political or social issues - so a bit of art, culture, fashion, science, lifestyle and politics.

At times (especially latterly) it felt awkward and there was the sense of wearily plodding around the elephant in the room (what is a woman?) I was looking forward to a new voice and a bit of fresh energy, but I entirely agree with pp. It feels like someone picking a fight every day and I really don't want to listen to what sounds like the radio equivalent of those Rogue Traders-type TV programmes, where aggressive presenters doorstep plumbers that rip off old ladies.

HalfBrick · 19/01/2021 14:37

Yes, agree! I turned in especially to hear the new show and heard her talking to an MP and she was just having a go, I had to turn it off, it was like when Jeremy Vine gets 2 callers shouting at each other!

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alphasox · 19/01/2021 14:53

Oh Jane Garvey fans... get over to her excellent Podcast 'Fortunately'

HavfrueDenizKisi · 19/01/2021 14:54

Oh good - it's not just me. I really am disliking Emma Barnett and I love woman's hour - usually listen daily. Sooo disappointed she has taken over. I did listen to Anita Rani last week (she started Thursday I think) and she is a million times better thankfully.

Loved both Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey and they are hard to follow but had excellent interview styles and empathy. I was thinking maybe Emma would improve but I'm not so sure now.

hopeishere · 19/01/2021 15:42

I LOVE the fortunately podcast. I was sniggering away at it on my walk the other night.

flashbac · 19/01/2021 15:51

I agree with you OP. I've stopped listening as her style makes me feel stressed! It's such a shame.

katy1213 · 19/01/2021 16:06

She has such a sloppy way of speaking, too.

Tangledtresses · 19/01/2021 17:28

Currently listening to the podcast very funny loving it
Thank you for the rec xx

LittleGungHo · 19/01/2021 17:39

I am really trying but it is too much like newsnight. It needs to calm down a little.

Lujie · 19/01/2021 19:17

Icanseegreenshoots your post reflects my views precisely

lljkk · 19/01/2021 19:27

EB should be doing tough political interviews, not the fluffy WH style.

I stopped liking WH years ago because it's fluffy... but it needs to be.
5Live at its best allows a lot of discussion and explanation. WH can be like that too, but not if EB thinks she's John Humphries' heir apparent.

buzzy1 · 19/01/2021 20:02

Yes I agree, the Fortunately podcast is fab if you just want to hear some some light, witty banter - JG and Fi Glover are great company . I’d also recommend the Standard Issue podcast as a substitute for WH - it covers a good mix of topical subjects with a range of guests (latest one has Mary Beard).
sarahmillican.co.uk/standard-issue/

derxa · 19/01/2021 20:17

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. Naga Munchetty has replaced her on there and what a difference.
There's a hilarious interview between Emma and Jeremy Paxman where they go at it like two bull elephants. Jeremy keeps refusing to answer her questions and Emma ratchets up the confrontation.

Original poster
frostymornings · 19/01/2021 20:58

Just come back to this thread, seems there's a range of opinions but lots of you are finding it hard to listen to. I wonder if it will settle down, I want to give it another chance but I'm too intolerant and fixed in my ways...

OP posts:
Uiseag · 19/01/2021 21:44

I'm missing Emma B on Rad5! I used to really enjoy her show but have been disappointed with Naga as replacement so have 'followed' EB to WH, which I didn't listen to before.

RedTitsMcGinty · 19/01/2021 22:02

I miss Jane Garvey. I don’t like Emma Barnett’s style at all. (I also think it’s somewhat tasteless to put a presenter in Woman’s Hour who knew her parents were running a brothel — a brothel where there was human trafficking taking place.)

hopeishere · 20/01/2021 06:39

@RedTitsMcGinty

I miss Jane Garvey. I don’t like Emma Barnett’s style at all. (I also think it’s somewhat tasteless to put a presenter in Woman’s Hour who knew her parents were running a brothel — a brothel where there was human trafficking taking place.)
Crikey Shock where did you read that??
Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 20/01/2021 06:45

I have noticed that most tv presenters interrupt their guests. I've turned off sometimes because it's infuriating.

Icanseegreenshoots · 20/01/2021 06:48

red Sorry EB's parents ran a brothel and were involved in human trafficking??? Where did you read that, do you have a link?

PLAYJAJADINGDONG · 20/01/2021 06:58

Ican

News story

And another.

greengrassapreciationsociety · 20/01/2021 07:17

yes, I just feel that metaphorically Emma gets her balls out and on the table too much like it is a balling competition. She is ambitious and competitive and I hear it in her interviews and it annoys me as I want her to stop trying so hard to prove she is the best somehow. A good interviewer lets the subject take a breath, but no chance with Emma.

Blowingagale · 20/01/2021 07:21

I didn’t like Jenni Murray’s voice or style. I didn’t mind Jane Garvey, haven’t had the chance to listen to EB properly yet.

Icanseegreenshoots · 20/01/2021 07:21

We can't help what kind of people our parents are, but it is rather galling to hear the way Emma goes on and on about women's rights, even after her own parents have been convicted of such heinous crimes against women. You would think she would show more humility.

I am stunned by the revelation actually.

EB's parents were truly revolting people.Maybe they have raised her without compassion, as someone that goes out and gets what they want regardless of the human suffering at stake, which is exactly what she has done, her ruthlessness is now understandable.