To think that no-one can adequately replace Melvyn Bragg on In Our Time?

[Sausagenbacon]

...and my heart sinks to think of what hip young thing the BBC will replace him with.
I think I'd rather the program was cancelled.

Knowing the BBC, it’ll be a drag queen.

I think Philomena Cunk would bring an interesting perspective….

But on balance, agree with pp’s idea of Mary Beard.

The BBC did a good job with replacing Humphrey Littleton and Nicholas Parsons without losing the spirit of those long standing shows. I think they will find the right person.

And please God not that smug git Stephen Fry!

Another kick for SF here! The whole point of the presenter on IOT is for them to pretend ignorance and ask the questions the listener might ask, saying as little as possible. S Fry is the most almighty Know-all Git, and very pleased with himself. I don’t think he has it in him to even pretend not to know something.

I could never watch QI for this reason.

But not everything has to be high paced and "energetic". There's pretty much every other radio station and podcast for that. Things like IOT, Moral Maze and the Briefing Room are calm, intelligent, informative. There's not much in mainstream media that is.

My thoughts were

Mary Beard
Tom Holland
Smon Schama

Michael McIntyre 😏

Agree with you on ISIHAC, but I fear that’s the exception. The BBC are notorious for shoving the same few favoured presenters in front of us because they think we like them. Yes, I even quite liked bloody Stephen Fry at one time, when you could turn on the telly and sometimes not see him. It’s like: ooh, they liked that lentil curry I made - I’ll cook it 3 times a day!

I’d like a non-celeb with some intellectual weight such as one of the BBC’s really top-notch journalists(Katya Adler, Jeremy Bowen or similar) or an academic, or someone like Michael Wood…but he’s nearly as old as Melv. Someone LIKE him, though. Not Lucy Worsley because, much as I like her, she is far too ubiquitous. I love Dan Snow but it’s maybe not the right thing for him - he’s too outdoorsy.

Hmmm. I’ll have to think….

Not Simon Schama! He’s another wordy windbag.

Sathnam Sanghera
David Olusoga
Bea Campbell

Love the idea of Mary Beard. I like Amol but he does do lots already. This is an intellectual, dignified program that I have loved and learned so much from for years. Bragg has been an excellent host; no extra ‘energy’ required, the academics bring their own energy to the program. I don’t have a problem with hearing a well educated and interesting presenter asking questions using a little insight of their own sometimes; I don’t need to be patronised by the host only asking questions I would think of. I fear it has become common for people to diminish those more learned than themselves as smug. I’m always happy to be amongst people that know more than me, I learn so much that way, and I am happy for my radio hosts to be able to hold their own in a highbrow discussion.

Does everything have to have 'energy'?

In Our Time is the last programme that hasn't been dumbed down if that's what you mean.

I'm on holiday so have obviously missed something. Has he retired?

I agree a decent BBC journalist would be a good choice. But not Amol (though I am a huge fan) as it's not the right programme for him. Fergal Keane would be great.

It’s a sad day for sure but definitely time. It’s been harder to understand him for a while now and the audible breathing while others are speaking has been really off putting.

It’s hard to think of anyone with the intellectual heft and public broadcasting commitment to replace him.

But please, for the love of all that is holy, not Amol Rajan.

I think Mary Beard could do it.

This is exactly what I value about the programme - my absolute go-to when I am struggling to sleep. It seldom fails me 😁😴😴😴. Better than zopiclone!

Yes. Some of the BBC’s veteran correspondents are highly academically qualified and being journalists, know how to frame a question and when to shut up and listen. By their nature and their work they know they ‘are not the story’ and wouldn’t intrude their personality or try to dominate. I used to listen to James Naughtie on that book programme, and in many ways he’d be the right type, except he is a bit of a windbag and asks ridiculously long-winded questions.

(I do occasionally listen to actually listen and I do in fact quite like it. I alao value the fact that Melvyn/the programme consistently invites female experts, very often 2 women one man, and has done so for years. I would be horrified if that changes. As well as horrified by the all too likely prospect of someone who thought they themselves were part of the appeal of the show (as opposed to their self-effacing professionalism)

Why?

i have huge respect for Melvyn, btw. I remember him from his first efforts on Granada…I think it was. To me he’s one of the very few (along with David Attenborough) who embodies the right broadcasting values. I admit he’s gone on too long but his contribution to broadcasting has been immense.

And now the BBC are doing Honeymoon Island.😳😖

He's decided to step down from presenting it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/melvyn-bragg-decides-to-step-down-from-presenting-in-our-time

I agree that it isn't one for Amol. He's much more about current affairs and state of the world type stuff as opposed to history and science in my opinion.

Please please not Mary Beard.
Another celeb who thinks it's all about her and not the subject.