Radio 2 why so dumbed down

[Parsley1234]

I cannot stand the relentless drivel that is Zoe Ball oh my god yesterday Stacey Soloman and her diatribe of awfulness and now replacing Graham Norton with Claudia just why ? I am Mrs Brady moany old lady for sure what else can I listen to 🥴

For me the best show of the week, hands down, is Cerys Matthew's Sunday slot on 6Music. Interesting music from all over the world, lots of genres, and thought provoking interviews.

Like Zoe Ball
LOVE Ken Bruce
Can listen to Jeremy Vine (depending on his discussions)
Don't really like Steve Wright
Like Sara Cox

I CANNOT STAND Liza Tarbuck or Richie Anderson, they can just fuck right off.

@RedRec

Lauren Laverne on BBC6 Music is much better in the morning. Has a lovely soothing voice and plays better music.

I agree with this. Why anyone would choose Zoe Ball over Lauren is beyond me.

"@Nocalories I cannot stand Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM. He makes me feel I have a mental age of 8 or so!"

Yes, he sounds like an entitled, over privileged Tory minister and hugely patronising. Cannot stand him.

Mylene Klass does a lovely weekend show on classic FM, weekends from 10 pm. Such lovely music to go to bed to and she kind of whispers each link. I always look forward to the classical ET and Titanic themes . Love classic at xmas too. Classic FM is such a lovely station to fall asleep to or bake seasonal cakes to!

Steve Wright is awful. And his sidekicks are even worse. Liza Turbuck isn't funny and Richie Anderson is desperate. Can't listen to Zoe Ball, and haven't really tried Sara Cox tbh.

But leave my Jeremy alone, everyone.

And Ken is lovely. I hope he is in real life too.

BBC Radio London - Vanessa Feltz, Robert Elms, Jo Wood, Eddie Nestor - all day every day. Erudite and entertaining presenters, interesting subjects discussed, great mix of guests, phone ins and music and Funky Friday!

Saturdays are Radio 2 all day but especially Rylan and then Liza Tarbuck (she is brilliant).

@GoWalkabout

I heard on a media show that they are trying to attract the demographic 'mood mums' in their 30s and 40s so they will be disappointed by this Mumsnet thread

And what about all the regulars who have been listening to R2 for years? Do we not matter any more? Where are we supposed to go?

Radio Twee?

I cannot stand Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM. He makes me feel I have a mental age of 8 or so!"

Yes - I wish they'd move Aled Jones to that morning slot instead! I've enjoyed this week because Aled's been covering the afternoon requests, although I don't mind Anne Marie Minhall.

@RaindropsSplashRainbows

You would have to pay me to listen to Jeremy vine or Steve Wright.

I tolerated Steve Wright for about 5 minutes in the 80s, he was fresh sounding with the posse and voices😅 I was fourteen though.

He's basically still doing the same programme as he always has. I used to like it many years ago but I just find him incredibly irritating now. And don't get me started on his Sunday Love Songs programme! I really don't want to hear hours of people asking to say hello to the best husband/wife/whatever in the world. When I have had the misfortune to come across it is is excruciatingly bad.

I don't really listen to R2 now - I listen mainly to R6 but find some of the music a bit extreme for me. Absolutely love Radcliffe and Maconie at the weekends - listening to them is like listening to your friends down the pub, the conversation meanders and flows backwards and forwards.

I flit between radio 1and 4. Depending on my mood.
The only presenter I like on 2 is Ken Bruce, I always listen to him when I'm driving long distances to pick up DS from uni. I'd be good on pop master!

Ooh I must've missed the memo that Radcliffe and Maconie were on. R6? I'll look them out. Can you listen again I love them

@MrsBDarcy

Ooh I must've missed the memo that Radcliffe and Maconie were on. R6? I'll look them out. Can you listen again I love them

Yes available on BBC Sounds (£5 ker ching! One of their catchphrases). Very early on Saturday and Sunday (7-10) but I like lying in bed listening to them. I find them very intelligent but also at the same time silly. That's what I want from radio - intelligent silliness.

@Youngatheart00

Why does everyone love Ken Bruce so much? Why is he so different to Steve Wright?! Curious!

I don’t much like the Zoe Ball breakfast show but it goes on in our house for an hour in the morning for background noise more than anything else.

I quite like Jeremy Vine and the varied discussions

Love it when Sara Cox subs in but that’s because it reminds me of my youth and listening to her on R1 breakfast!

Ken is witty. He was a joy when Lynn Bowles did the traffic, they really sparked off each other. He cannot do that with Ritchie who usually completely misses the point.

Because I was born in the 50s I have switched to oldies stations like Gold and Boom (Hate the name!) which play old stuff I love and new stuff I like. Sometimes the presenters witter on a bit but most of them are knowledgeable so they tell you stuff about the bands and what was going on at the time.

@Snugglepiggy

Apart from Ken Bruce it's been downhill for the last few years .And I still miss Terry Wogan.He would have got us through pandemic mornings IMO.I am an oldie now but even my DC have said the same.

I so agree!

@Lampzade

I listen to Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio London. Just the right balance between news and celebrity gossip Also, she has an extensive vocabulary. DD1 listened to her during lockdown and built up a word bank I find Zoe a bit too much in the mornings

I cannot abide Vanessa Feltz.

I know she's a very bright woman, but she just has a very patronising tone and when she stands in for Jeremy Vine she just doesn't shut up!

I’m petitioning for a radio 5 with no bloody sport. Most most music they play on the radio isn’t to my taste but I like a good debate. I could really live without the endless fucking football.

I miss Terry Wogan too he was funny self effacing not all about him his life his kids like so many radio presenters are. I am not interested in your kids every single day 🥴

@Lizdeflores

Why is it only the female djs that come in for criticism. Why do these threads never start with ' isn't time Steve Wright retired ?. They always have Steve Wright on in the waiting room at the gynae clinic. Listening to Steve Wright in the afternoon made waiting for my cancer diagnosis so much better, SAID NO WOMEN EVER!!. There are plenty of listening options if one dj doesn't suit you try another station ,listen to music , a podcast the list goes on.

Have you never been inflicted with Chris Evans or, even worse, Chris Moyles?

They were beyond awful. And Radio 4 Today is a non musical irritant all of its own.

Radio 3 is far easier on the ears (and blood pressure), but not everybody wants to start their day with Bach.

I was so excited about Simon Mayo but the music and adverts on that station are absolutely dire

"I heard on a media show that they are trying to attract the demographic 'mood mums' in their 30s and 40s "

I suspect this is now how the BBC ( and other radio media ) , now politically correctly refer to those who were previously categorised as "housewife's choice".

I suspect this is an ongoing attempt to pigeon hole all female listeners as ,either sahm or part time workers or any other women that may be available during the day and these broadcast times.

I suspect "mood mums" are what used to be classified as housewife choice and available as an potential audience during the the day.

I really like Sara, Dermot and Rylan. Wish they could do more. I miss Simon.

I have a pile of CD's for whenever R2 gets on my nerves in the Doggy Funbus, which predates having a USB socket. Steve Wright is unremittingly awful, and so often the 'factoids' are just plain wrong and are perpetuating untrue information. Jeremy Vine has actually improved a bit recently, I haven't had to dump him in favour of a Radiohead album for several weeks now. Ken Bruce will do, and I got 39 AND the Three In Ten about six months ago on Popmaster! Although the best I've managed since has been 21.

I'm there with the Ken Bruce love. He's fab.

Also, pre covid I was in a phase of going to music gigs in Manchester, driving back over the Pennines late at night, and ended up often hearing... I think Trevor Nelson? Not sure now, but it was the sort of music I'd never normally have listened to, and I really enjoyed it and his style.

I am also enjoying Boom radio, not too many adverts and not just 60s/70s music.

I LOATHE Zoe Ball - because of her gushing - gushing
over every last little damn thing. And she plays really shit music.

Lisa Tarbuck however, I think is very funny. Always makes me laugh, and she plays some great music.

Ken Bruce is okay. Likewise Jeremy Vine - and I like the music Jeremy Vine plays...

I'm an old fogey. Deffo