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.

You really can. It's a learned technique. My job also involves a version of it.

I'm not dismissing his particular skill -- I think generally he does a very good job in guiding the academic guests and stopping the programme from turning into three people having an argument about the topic in a way that would be inaccessible for non-experts.

He has, of course, the advantage of having done lots of other programmes on cognate topics down the years, so if he's already had detailed notes on episodes on 'Literary Modernism' and 'the Avant-Garde', he will already be partly briefed and have a lot of useful contextual information in note form for an episode on 'Surrealism'. If he's already had episodes on 'Psychoanalysis' , 'Jung' and 'Freud', he'll already be part-briefed for an episode on 'Hysteria'.

Again, I'm not disssing him, just pointing out that he's primarily a good amasser and marshaller of information, not some kind of Renaissance Man.

Oh god no please not Matthew Syed he is insufferable

I don’t agree that the candidate’s race, age or gender should be a deciding factor.

I like Dominic Sandbrook.

I would love Sandbrook

You clearly don’t understand what racism is.

I commented because I might listen if someone more interesting hosted it.

I think someone like Professor Jim Al Khalili would work well. A serious presenter who's NOT a comedian and who seems deeply interested in the people he interviews.

Yes - I like him!

When you’re in a hole…

Just thought of Matthew Sweet. I really enjoy his stuff and he’s very culturally savvy.

Good Lord no … but if we must Stephen Fry

Not a regular listener but I have tried a few episodes as it's my type of programme but I find him irritating. I don't understand those who say they find him relaxing, I found him to be an overbearing host, almost hectoring his guests and rushing them along. Too frenetic for me.. Really pompous at times. I also found he seems to have developed slightly slurred speech which I found too distracting.
Not sure who should replace him, just not someone pompous please!

This is exactly the vibe that puts me off listening to it. My nerves were jangled at the way he constantly interrupts and aggressively directs what his guests are saying. Can totally understand their needing a drink afterwards!

Another vote for Dr David Olusoga or even Dr Pamela Cox (who I think has been snatched away from research, boooo, but at least for a good cause).

Professor Olusoga, apologies

I lke(ed) MB but I don’t think anyone would disagree with you that he is past his sell-by date now as a presenter. But finding a replacement…

I feel that it shouldn’t be someone with a strong, dominant broadcasting personality, but someone who can remain in the background and judge carefully when to interject. And they need excellent intellectual credentials.

I quite agree, indeed it is Tom.

In The Times today, Frank Skinner is suggested. Who would be good imo

Yes, I could see that. Frank is well-educated and more intellectual than he always admits. He also has the gift of not being adversarial with people - like Amol Rajan he comes over as a warm-hearted and humane man who sees the best in people, rather than someone who’s fashionably offended at everything he doesn’t agree with. Also he’s not a superior git.

Sorted!

I loved in our time but had to stop listening I hated Bragg so much, mostly the way he patronised and talked over all the female experts, by the end his treatment was so appallingly sexier I couldn’t make it through a podcast, even subjects I felt passionate about

He’s still Dr though- you’re not wrong! Professor is a post, a job, while Dr is an educational qualification.

Sorry - tittering at that typo!

I think I know what you meant.

No thank you to Frank Skinner

🥲🤣

I love Harriet Gilbert from A good read. Her voice is so calming. Assured but calm.