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LBC Radio - Nick Ferrari and James O'Brien

88 replies

Halfastoneextra · 28/02/2023 16:49

Does anyone else tune in on the mornings? Two very different styles of presenting subjects for discussion and debate.

OP posts:
Rubyupbeat · 01/03/2023 11:10

Cannot stand James O'Brien, he is a complete big mouth, a champagne socialist, who gets totally narked if not agreed with, he always has to get in how he went to the best boarding school in the UK, the list is endless....
On the other hand I like Nick Ferrari, he will admit when he is wrong too, not like O'Brien.

Rubyupbeat · 01/03/2023 11:14

My favourite used to be Maajid Nawaz, he was so interesting and could tackle subjects that were too sensitive for the other presenters. His book was fascinating too.

18GingerBiscuits · 02/03/2023 21:50

The issue with JOB is that he is becoming increasingly obsessed with certain figures/issues eg Boris (who I’m not a fan of). JOB is consumed with a venomous hatred for the man and it makes me uncomfortable - he will shoe-horn him into any conversation. Likewise Brexit. I agree with JOB’s opinions here, but he is always looking for any opportunity to burnish his “I am Cassandra” credentials, and it leads him to being quite repetitive, boring and frankly depressing. He used to have much more varied and interesting conversations, and the “We’re all doomed” vibe didn’t dominate the show. Hopefully he can return to having less of an echo chamber, and more stimulating debate, once the Tories get kicked out. He also needs to allow people on his show who not only disagree with him but can offer a reasonable level of debate in return, I don’t like bullying condescension, or public shaming via viral clips.

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MrsMariaReynolds · 03/03/2023 08:33

As much as I tend to disagree with Nick Ferrari, listening to him has become my morning ritual. Fires me up a lot more than a coffee these day. Just have to make sure I don't accidentally tune in too early and catch the end of Steve Allen in the wee hours of the morning. Uggh.
I'll forever miss Eddie Mair, but Swarbrick is becoming a decent substitute. I tend to avoid the channel on the weekends altogether.

alexdgr8 · 08/03/2023 17:38

you won't ever get steve allen by accident or choice; he was dismissed from LBC 2 weeks ago.

SilentHedges · 08/03/2023 17:46

I listen to Nick Ferrari 08.00 to 10.00. I tune out for James O'brien (I cant stand him and he has little regard for womens rights). At 10.00 I swop to Radio 5 Live, Adrian Chile's plus other presenters until 16.00. I'm not fussed by Sheila Fogerty but I LOVE Tom Swarbrick, so tune back into LBC at 16.00.

SilentHedges · 08/03/2023 17:48

18GingerBiscuits · 02/03/2023 21:50

The issue with JOB is that he is becoming increasingly obsessed with certain figures/issues eg Boris (who I’m not a fan of). JOB is consumed with a venomous hatred for the man and it makes me uncomfortable - he will shoe-horn him into any conversation. Likewise Brexit. I agree with JOB’s opinions here, but he is always looking for any opportunity to burnish his “I am Cassandra” credentials, and it leads him to being quite repetitive, boring and frankly depressing. He used to have much more varied and interesting conversations, and the “We’re all doomed” vibe didn’t dominate the show. Hopefully he can return to having less of an echo chamber, and more stimulating debate, once the Tories get kicked out. He also needs to allow people on his show who not only disagree with him but can offer a reasonable level of debate in return, I don’t like bullying condescension, or public shaming via viral clips.

I know a close member of his family, and I'm told he could never be wrong, even as a kid. I personally cannot listen to his show for many of the reasons you've stated.

18GingerBiscuits · 13/03/2023 15:12

That’s really interesting SilentHedges. Yes, it’s clear that James O’Brien finds people disagreeing with him absolutely intolerable, and if they start to win the argument he employs every means possible to bring them down, from logical fallacies to fairly base ad hominem attacks. It can be hard to listen to. He can’t resist trolling Brexiteers etc and I can’t begin to imagine the amount of hate he must receive. There is the cliche that for every negative comment you receive it needs to be offset by six positive ones to maintain your equilibrium, but I think for someone as thin skinned as JOB it would be much higher. As a result the higher JOB’s public profile rises the more irascible and negative he becomes. He still attempts the cheeky, chirpy, chap demeanour but it rings increasingly hollow. He isn’t at peace with himself and as a result he’s become difficult to listen to. That is just me though - I believe his listening figures are great, so I imagine he finds a lot of favour with other discontents who closely mirror his worldview. It’s too bleak for me though. If I was him I’d change my career to something less confrontational. If he could step away from the hyperbole and basing the facts around his arguments rather than the converse, ie be less extreme, more balanced and informative he’d make a good Guardian journalist.

Crikeyalmighty · 13/03/2023 16:03

@18GingerBiscuits I love James O B - but then I agree with almost all he says and am married to someone with quite a similar manner. To be honest we are all going to gravitate to someone's views we feel at least some empathy for. I see why you might find it a bit depressing- I feel the same in the past when I've listened to Nick Ferrari or Iain Dale

MokaEfti · 13/03/2023 16:29

Rubyupbeat · 01/03/2023 11:14

My favourite used to be Maajid Nawaz, he was so interesting and could tackle subjects that were too sensitive for the other presenters. His book was fascinating too.

I used to love Maajid Nawaz! I can't remember why he was dismissed but I wish they'd let him back.

Can't stand JOB - always switch to Radio5 until Shelagh, who is great on women's issues. Love Tom too.

Natasha Devon is dreadful, she's all TWAW and refers to non trans people as "cis" which is a term that turns my stomach.

whatdoidonowffs · 13/03/2023 17:17

I listen to JOB just to hear how he’s going to shoehorn Johnson/Brexit into the discussion of the day
I firmly believe if BJ got back in he’d explode on air 😂😂

CryingAtTheDiscotheque · 13/03/2023 17:17

I like JOB though I can see he could irritate. My favourite is Shelagh Fogarty and I also enjoy Iain Dale - both brilliant presenters and interviewers.

I don't like the way Nick Ferrari heavy breathes down the mike, and calls everyone "sir"

Comedycook · 13/03/2023 17:19

I like them both. Sometimes agree and disagree with both.

Whether you agree with their views or not, I think they are both excellent at presenting.

JellyMouse · 13/03/2023 20:31

I think they ditched Majid because he said some negative things about the covid vaccine.

PopGoesTheProsecco · 13/03/2023 21:38

Love LBC - listen from Ferrari to Dale. I don’t agree with all their political views but really enjoy listening to other people’s views even if I don’t agree with them.

PetitPorpoise · 13/03/2023 22:00

I really Iain Dale. His podcast with Jacqui Smith is really great.

Sheila Fogarty is really great.

JOB is good but a bit earnest and preachy.

Nick Ferrari is better than I expected. Have switched to him from the BBC in the mornings.

TheStraightTalker · 06/12/2024 09:30

I can't stand Nick Ferrari either. I too think he's a bigot

the80sweregreat · 06/12/2024 11:02

I like Nick Ferrari , he seems fair

LoobyDoop2 · 06/12/2024 12:11

Used to love JOB, now can’t stand him. He’s an overbearing, sexist bully who has no idea how to win people over. And not as clever as he thinks he is.

VegTrug · 06/12/2024 12:30

I can’t listen to James’s constant monologues but I love Nick Ferrari! I can’t get ready and do the morning school run without Nick Ferrari’s voice 📻

PopGoesTheProsecco · 06/12/2024 12:35

LoobyDoop2 · 06/12/2024 12:11

Used to love JOB, now can’t stand him. He’s an overbearing, sexist bully who has no idea how to win people over. And not as clever as he thinks he is.

I'm finding that recently I'm tuning in much less to JOB.

Breakingpoint1961 · 13/12/2024 00:58

I think Nick Ferrari is hilarious, not be a use he's funny (he isn't) but the way he interacts with 'types' who call in. The cockney black cab driver "mornin guvnor" then quickly moves to the upper echelons "sir" when someone highbrow calls up. I'd really like to have dinner with him, I think he's good company, though I don't always agree with him.

JOB is a condescending patronising know all. Talks over people constantly, humiliates (tries to) them when he doesn't agree with their views/opinions. I sometimes have to turn the volume down when he's on one🙄I never do that with NF.

SF drives me nuts. Really like Swarbrick, he's a good egg! Ian Payne is a bit bland but ok. Love Nick Abbott he's bloody hilarious!

JohnTheRevelator · 13/12/2024 18:25

Breakingpoint1961 · 28/02/2023 22:09

Have been listening for nigh on 15 years. Always loved Ferrari, but since he's been on the tv he's become very sensationalist, the drama in his voice makes my toes curl..and when he says "alright guvnor" to a cockney plumber🤦🏼‍♀️

JOB is definitely an acquired taste, some days I can't get enough, then others..have to say, he's not as condescending as he used to be. One day last week he recounted his 'growing up/maturing' years in journalism..he commented on his attitude at different points in those years, he realises he was a cocky git, I was pleased to hear that!

Sheila grates on me..

Tom is young and not yet affected by tabloid journalism..I like him.,

I don't really listen in the evenings apart from..Nick Abbot occasionally..he's a scream!

I love Nick Abbot! I can guarantee that within 2 minutes of tuning into his programme,I am laughing out loud at something he's said. And I love the daft sound effects!

JohnTheRevelator · 13/12/2024 18:27

Does anyone miss Steve Allen?

LadyKenya · 13/12/2024 18:33

Nick Abbott is the only person I am listening to, at the moment. I also liked listening to Sangita Myska, and was not pleased that she was suddenly taken of Lbc with no explanation.