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Simon Mayo Drivetime - Latest

151 replies

mrsgnarley · 07/06/2018 15:57

Like many people, I've signed the petitions and complained to the BBC about the changes to the Simon Mayo Drivetime programme...or rather the complete decimation of it.

In the end, I wrote to Whistledown...the people who make the Radio 4 Feedback programme. They are the only ones to respond and they has said that the recent changes will be covered in their programme on Friday 15th. They want me to read out some of my complaint which of course I'm more than happy to do Grin.

So if you've given Jo Whiley and Simon Mayo Show time to 'settle in' (the BBC's words not mine) and still want the Drivetime show and team back, now may be the time to write to the Radio 4 Feedback programme. The links are:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006slnx/contact
or
[email protected]

Please spread the word and see if we can get the Drivetime team back where they belong Smile

OP posts:
wowfudge · 14/06/2018 09:57

I happily listen to most of Radio 2's output so you can't say that the person who listens to X's show won't listen to Y's.

HKsarah · 14/06/2018 13:00

I am so disappointed with the new SM/JW show. I almost feel like I'm grieving! Often listen to Chris Evans, don't even mind Bruce after which 5 live or sports extra goes on! Drive time was my favourite though. I really have given it a chance however it's truly awful, I feel like Simon is presenting with a strict and stuffy school teacher yet Jo was never like that on her evening show. Now I just channel hop in the car from 5 to 7pm.Sadly I think either it will stay the same or Simon will be moved :(

Shutityoutart · 14/06/2018 13:26

I really love Chris Evans, will listen to Ken up until about 11 and then switch stations. I was never crazy about Simon Mayo but really dislike it now.

GoldenFlaps · 14/06/2018 16:38

This has reminded me how much I dislike the woman doing Any Answers on Radio 4. She uses 50 words when five will do and barely gives the caller chance to answer.

She gives me The Rage! I can't listen to it - she takes sooooooo long to tell the caller "We're short of time so please hurry up" they don't have a chance to say what they wanted to say Angry

Agree with most of what's been said about the new Drivetime show, it's still not working.

MiniCooperLover · 14/06/2018 17:57

The music has changed now too. There's so much more LA type music, Rihanna and similar lyrics. I feel old typing that (I'm only 45), but it's ruining it for me.

GoldenFlaps · 15/06/2018 16:43

Lewis Carnie was asked if he would consider changing the programme back when he was interviewed on Feedback. He said "No". He's put me in a fucking bad mood Angry Angry Angry

MsCupcake · 15/06/2018 17:03

Ah well, I’m now an ex Radio 2 listener, the Drivetime fiasco was the final straw. I have never been a fan of Jo Whiley and I tried, I really did, but I just couldn’t warm to the new line-up.

The only show I’m going to miss is when Sara Cox does the breakfast show.... Confused

sluj · 15/06/2018 17:34

Well, that's that then, unless someone can start a petition to get the controller of Radio 2 removed on the grounds that he is not catering for the demands of the licence paying public.
He said exactly what I thought he would say - tough 😫

MrsMozart · 15/06/2018 18:12

sluj I'd sign that one.

Abother now ex-Radio 2 listener.

As I rarely watch any BBC programmes I'm going to look again at how not to (legally) pay the licenec fee.

Cath125 · 15/06/2018 19:57

Have just listened to Feedback on iplayer. Quite obvious they aren’t interested in how listeners feel - they just feel the need to refresh the format, try new ideas and arrogantly think everyone will love it after giving it time to ‘bed in’. It’s just seems quite flat and boring now compared to the witty enjoyable show it was. I’ll carry on complaining!

MiniCooperLover · 15/06/2018 20:20

Its just so forced. It's not prob even Jo Whitley's fault as such, she prob doesn't want the drive time shoe, but she clearly struggles to make conversation with a stranger sound interesting. Mayo clearly has a skill at it. I bet the callers are thinking 'I want Mayo, not Whiley' 😳

MiniCooperLover · 15/06/2018 20:21

Apologies for the typos, I wish we could edit on this site.

sluj · 15/06/2018 20:22

Unfortunately the controller was saying we need to give it six months. How many of us will have any interest in still complaining after six months? Most will be long gone by then

MiniCooperLover · 15/06/2018 20:28

That in itself will hopefully tell them something though it's a serious shame.

ElspethTascioni · 15/06/2018 20:37

Just listen to Eddie Mair /PM on Radio 4 instead, problem solved!

Cath125 · 15/06/2018 20:59

Anyone know how you can email the controller directly and copy in head of BBC? I’m feeling more and more cross at the attitude of the head of BBC2 on feedback. The licence fee is paid by us listeners but to disregard the criticism (after more than a month, not just a day or two) implies he doesn’t care as was under pressure to change things and add a woman presenter. Simon Mayo was such an amazing broadcaster, so easy to listen to, interviewed people so well and put them at ease - children and adults alike. Now he’s diluted to nothing. Miss Matt and Nigel etc. Wonder if they’ll have any listeners left after giving it ‘time to settle’. It’s now just an ordinary, too long show with Simon just playing a minor role. Sorry - rant over - where’s my wine....

HoardingQueen · 15/06/2018 22:23

It sounds as if Simon is just simmering all the time, just dying , as we all are, to tell JW to stf up, no connection between them, I miss Matt too, the confessions slot was always a really good laugh on the journey home, frequently stuck in traffic I would look at the car next to me and the driver would be creased up too. Chris Evans is clever and has an enquiring mind, but also never shuts up, talks over the music, and browbeats anyone who doesn't agree with him, sick to death listening to him going on about his family...no one cares Chris, he was shamelessly plugging this show today, and last week going on and on about his friend Gaby Roslin, and how she should have her own show on Radio 2, embarrassing as hell...bet she gets various slots next....

Clayhead · 15/06/2018 22:39

I love Nihal Grin

Isabella1978 · 16/06/2018 09:00

@Clayhead I suppose someone has to... Wink

Ruffian · 16/06/2018 09:55

Clayhead is Nihal's mum Wink

MrsMozart · 19/06/2018 19:58

I had the misfortune of having to commute today. I wasn't thinking and turned on the radio. SM was talking and all was well in my little world, then JW started and then some very-odd-for-drivetime-slot-Radio-2 music came on. I turned off the radio and sulked. A lot.

I'm feeling really rather petulant about it all. I object strongly to having to pay for such a crap service - if I'd received it from anywhere else then I could vote with both my feet and my money.

travailtotravel · 19/06/2018 20:38

My problem is solved now as I no longer have to drive at drivetime. Harsh approach for me to get the train instead but needs must.

How can I train myself to not mind a commercial station? I flit around R4 but can't deal with BBC local radio or R1. I don't have DAB in the car ( no 1 on the list for new car).

AnnPerkins · 20/06/2018 10:15

DAB in my car has changed my life, and that's almost not an exaggeration!

I had stopped taking an interest in music years ago because I was bored of the same old thing. There was less punk/new wave around and more rock, which I just find really dull now.

R6 Music has rekindled my interest. Now that I have it on for my drive to and from work I get to listen to loads of new stuff. And if Steve Lamacq is banging on for too long I switch to Radio 4.

I haven't had R2 on for months now.

AnneEyhtMeyer · 21/06/2018 19:41

I have completely stopped listening to it now.

It has also made me realise I can't put up with much more of Chris Evans who is becoming more insufferable by the day. His ego knows no bounds. He was interviewing Cher this morning, or rather he was talking at her and kindly condescending to let her slip the odd word in. His plugging of Gabby Roslin the other day was excruciating to listen to.

I think this is the end of the road for me and Radio 2.

WeaselsRising · 21/06/2018 20:19

Can't believe how many people like Sarah Cox. I can't stand her. Starts my day badly when it's her voice on the clock radio, especially when she's doing her "winning at life" feature and talking to people who get up at stupid o'clock. Sounds like the very worst local radio.

Did like Chris Evans but more and more now he talks over the records, or worse, sings along with them. Would be very annoyed though if they took off Ken Bruce.

I haven't been at all impressed with the new Drivetime and agree with everything that's been said. Do the DJs get to pick the music? It always seems that when it's a DJ I don't like the music is also crap. Certainly noticed the difference on Drivetime. I'm being forced to listen to our local commercial station. At least DD finds the adverts amusing and we know all the words to the most used 3 Grin (skip hire, Tool hire and carpets)