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Original poster

Is it only me ? ("The Listening Project")

36 replies

NetworkGuy · 02/07/2017 02:58

Is it only me, still getting annoyed, that they cut into other shows (such as Feedback) to grab 5 minutes, here and there, for TLP ?

Don't get me wrong, TLP has some great items within, and I am not saying anything like "scrap it" but surely they could steal 5 minutes from "Today" at 08:54 and there is the weekly Omnibus broadcast anyway...

It has already taken over 150 hours of broadcasting time (they celebrated 1000th piece recently)... They could just do the 15 minutes on Sunday and not call it an omnibus, and give back 3x 5 minutes to the other shows.

Personally, I feel Feedback should be on year round, because there are comments (good and bad) from listeners every week, I have no doubt... When you take into account 6 shows in a series, then 6x 5 min = 30 minutes, that means that they have, in effects, cut Feedback from 6 to 5 shows in a series,to provide the time for TLP

OP posts:
Whynotnowbaby · 02/07/2017 03:47

I agree it really irritates me. I also find the music incredibly annoying!

MansfieldParkPug · 09/07/2017 21:27

I agree, I must have listened to 100s of TLP over he months and I can't recall a single one of them. It's billed as wonderfully revelatory but always sounds like personal wittering to me.

polyhymnia · 10/07/2017 15:41

I can't bear it. Incredibly irritating. And I'd be very annoyed to lose any of the Today programme time to it.

Ruffian · 12/07/2017 00:37

I've always loved oral history programmes - I spent hours listening to Studs Terkel's recordings as a teen. I also remember a superb series on R4 back in the mid 1980's where they recorded older people talking about marriage, religion, death etc.

But I don't enjoy TLP at all and rush to switch over as soon as it comes on - I don't understand why it's so flat and dull. Possibly lack of editing? I also hate the way Fi Glover rabbits on beforehand quite unnecessarily. I'm sure if they stopped broadcasting it no one would care.

dresdenshepherdess · 12/07/2017 15:00

Agree, TLP is usually as dull as ditchwater. It's portrayed as being some kind of invaluable social commentary, but it always strikes me as being very 21st century me, me, me. I threaten DH with the omnibus on a Sunday afternoon if we're out in the car if he's being annoying - that soon sorts him out!

BubblesBuddy · 12/07/2017 15:07

I think the problem is Fi Glover. She used to bore everyone to death on radio 5 with the longest questions in the world so no-one knew what she was actually asking. So, she gets promoted into the heir archly and has her pet project. This is it. Waffling on about not much half the time.

BubblesBuddy · 12/07/2017 15:08

Hierarchy .....

ppeatfruit · 19/07/2017 10:49

Yes I couldn't agree more! I have no idea why they cut back on good programmes like FeedBack for things like TLP. They often do things like it.

Like ruffian I like oral history too but find that TLP is weird; very politically correct and boring, maybe it's because the participants are so self conscious.

ppeatfruit · 19/07/2017 10:53

They should have whole hours for good programmes like Gardeners' Question Time and Feedback, of course these are the ones I like most! Just a Minute and some other comedy shows are the right length though.

Rinkydink2 · 19/07/2017 11:03

I don't like it, boring and self indulgent, all very conventional and pc

DoctorTwo · 21/07/2017 04:50

I thought Wednesday's was brilliant.

"They're like, you're black and vegan?"

They were in the 'Free From' aisle, and when we cooked them there was all this juice, where's all this juice coming from, vegan burgers aren't at all juicy!

Izzy24 · 21/07/2017 05:01

I'm in the minority then - I love TLP!

Chottie · 21/07/2017 05:33

I love oral history programmes too. But the LP just doesn't cut it for me. I think it is too short. I would like more substance.

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 30/10/2017 21:10

izzy24 - I really doubt you are in the minority - most who visit RA may like TLP as much as you, but just didn't throw in a supportive comment.

Anyway, it's not that I hate the content, or even Fi Glover (and she did spend a while abroad, visiting stations {*}, before doing a book, so there was a good long gap, for those who don't especially like her style / voice / whatever)...

I just hate that they eat into other shows to grab 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there, which we never get back for the original show that filled the 30 minute slot.

{} Fi Glover interviewed a husband and wife team in Chicago called Steve and Johnnie that had an overnight show on WGN Radio* for over 25 years... I was pretty shocked to hear that she'd been to visit them but it means she certainly researched well for her project on radio personalities.

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 30/12/2017 09:41

Just seen this, I thought I was the only one to resent the way this programme cuts short other programmes that I value. To me it has neither interest nor entertainment value, I have tried to listen but have eventually switched off.

fellipejuan · 05/01/2018 20:01

I absolutely love TLP! Really cosy, personal & interesting radio... but then I am quite nosey...

MikeUniformMike · 10/01/2018 20:21

Can't stand it or Fig Lover.

Iceland22 · 10/01/2018 20:22

It makes me cringe. Everyone wants to come across so worthy.

DearShirt · 10/01/2018 21:09

I love TLP. I have it on download.

They should cut the utter drivel that is The Today Program and GQT. They are unlistenable to.

Let's have more TLP!

DearShirt · 10/01/2018 21:12

Just A Minute could be vastly improved by Nicholas Parsons getting run over by a bus.

MikeUniformMike · 10/01/2018 21:16

That's a horrible thing to say. NP is JAM.

Subtleconstraints · 14/01/2018 06:30

Can't stand TLP. It's totally self-indulgent and I'm irritated by the assumption that I am supposed to find it significant and meaningful when I just find it dull.

Quite like Fi and Jane in their Fortunately podcasts though. That is self-indulgent too but at least they can laugh at themselves.

Ruffian · 10/08/2018 22:32

For anyone who can't stand TLP, Jake Yapp was very funny about it on his show on Tuesday

imogenlaurie · 11/08/2018 19:22

I'm not a huge fan of TLP but I love Fi Glover on the Fortunately podcast. It keeps me in stitches.

elkiedee · 15/08/2018 22:22

I really enjoy the Listening Project, glad there are a few others here who do!