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Original poster

To strongly dislike Amol Rajan as a presenter?

277 replies

rellies · 26/04/2023 09:10

He’s now a presenter of Today on Radio 4. I can’t stand him. He doesn’t talk clearly, he mumbles all the time. He often seems ill-prepared for interviews and conducts them in such a casual manner which I suspect is his way of dealing with his nerves/lack of preparation. In TV interviews he slouches in his seat which just looks so unprofessional. Now he’s got the University Challenge gig. Why do people keep hiring him ? I wish he would just go away.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 27/04/2023 08:39

YANBU, he’s very keen on himself

faffadoodledo · 27/04/2023 08:45

He's obviously very bright - former editor of the Independent (at a young age), so clearly knows his news. But if he interrupts with 'forgive me' one more time I may kick the radio.

I predict he'll be a Strictly contestant in the next couple of years.

Loria · 27/04/2023 08:48

As above, he became editor of the paper when the oligarch he did(does?) PR for bought it.

jontymcjont · 27/04/2023 09:18

VimtoVimto · 27/04/2023 08:29

He’s growing on me, he really annoyed me to start with but now I don’t mind. My favourite presenter is Mishal Hussein, she is polite but attempts to hold politicians to account.

I miss Eddie Mair.

Eddie Mair was the best.

I like Amol Rajan though I haven't heard him on Today yet. He's calm yet persistent.

Loria · 27/04/2023 10:29

Same as the KGB then.

Words · 27/04/2023 11:53

I cannot abide him. His manner is arrogant and dismissive. He clearly loves himself.

His enunciation and delivery is terrible - rushed and sloppy, mumbling, lazy. He mispronounces regularly. Larnaka (larNAKa) yesterday and a tech company today. These things matter very much on the radio - any radio! And this is a flagship national news programme.

I sense he is poorly prepared and winging it much of the time. It's insulting to the listener.

He's back on this week after a few blissful days without him. I had to switch off this morning as he was annoying me so much. I think it's R4's attempt to attract a younger demographic.

I miss Eddie Mair and Ed Stourton, and Evan Davies too. Sarah Montague, Martha Kearney and Michal Hussein are all great.

There are some fabulous voices and accents on the World Service. I find myself listening to that more and more these days.

TonTonMacoute · 27/04/2023 11:55

rellies · 26/04/2023 09:10

He’s now a presenter of Today on Radio 4. I can’t stand him. He doesn’t talk clearly, he mumbles all the time. He often seems ill-prepared for interviews and conducts them in such a casual manner which I suspect is his way of dealing with his nerves/lack of preparation. In TV interviews he slouches in his seat which just looks so unprofessional. Now he’s got the University Challenge gig. Why do people keep hiring him ? I wish he would just go away.

He speaks much too fast.

I quite like him, but I'm not sure he's right for University Challenge.

samthebordercollie · 27/04/2023 11:59

Eddie Mair never presented Today, just PM: I agree, Amol always sounds as though he is winging it and his mumbling is really irritating, but he appears to be the BBC's golden child at the moment: Agree Justin Webb is excellent

faffadoodledo · 27/04/2023 12:20

Michal Hussein is the Gold Standard.
Razor sharp, polite but firm.

I like Justin Webb too. Affable in the right places.

I had no idea about AR's past Russian associations. I'll row back a bit on his pedigree now!

He did once do an excellent radio doc about cricket. Loves his cricket.

IsThePopeCatholic · 27/04/2023 12:32

I think he’s great. Admittedly not the best enunciator, but such a relief to get away from the confrontational barracking of some of his predecessors.

larkstar · 17/07/2023 20:10

New series of UNi Challenge starts at 8:30pm BBC2 ep.1 or 37 - sadly with Amol Rajan - too mumbly and incoherent for my likes - I don't enjoy his interviews - he's too keen to inject his own anecdotes "I once met..." - and he is like a dog with a bone if the interviewee doesn't give him the answer that fits his preconceived idea. i.e. his interview with Greta Thunberg.

ExtraOnions · 17/07/2023 20:14

He’s as thick as mince, if anyone saw him on House of Games knows. He’s a BBC golden boy, so been given University Challenge to spoil, he is nowhere near the intellect of Paxman, so won’t be able to roll his eyes as much

Covgal83 · 17/07/2023 20:16

I think he's great.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 17/07/2023 20:18

I like him.

Mysteriousgirl2 · 17/07/2023 20:27

I really rate him and listen to the Today programme every day.

Justin Webb is also brilliant and loved his backstory- really fascinating.

Crazykefir · 17/07/2023 20:29

I like him too, he has a South London accent which tends to lack enunciation.

mizu · 17/07/2023 20:30

Oh I really enjoy listening to him too. Great radio voice and interview technique.

Mercibuckets · 17/07/2023 20:35

Think he’s good on Today.
my fav will always be Eddie Mat on PM though - miss him. He’s

Mouthfulofquiz · 17/07/2023 20:37

I really like him - think he is very funny and has more of a relaxed style.

Lanadelday · 17/07/2023 20:39

I like him. Dislike what has happened with Newsnight though, rarely watch it now and Faisal Islam is terrible on it.

YearsofYears · 17/07/2023 20:41

I like him particularly on Today but feel like he's everywhere now. The BBC need to rotate it a bit, keep things interesting.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 17/07/2023 20:44

His slurring of words won’t help with the science questions on UC.

YearsofYears · 17/07/2023 20:44

'Michal Hussein is the Gold Standard.
Razor sharp, polite but firm.'
@faffadoodledo Well put!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 17/07/2023 20:45

Oh just turned it on and he said Frankfur.

Fairyliz · 17/07/2023 20:46

It doesn’t matter what we think; no one can possibly love him as much as he loves himself. Comes over as unbearably smug.