Samantha Moreton - Desert Island Discs

[Tomatoesneedtoripen]

Quite an emotional listen

Stupendous. And great taste in music.

Really enjoyed it.

Really impressive woman. Loved it.

I watched Morvern Callar about halfway through lockdown and was beyond impressed, both with the film and with her performance. DID has reminded me to seek out more of her work.

(Also, as always, I can't understand what people have against Lauren Laverne as presenter. I find her perfectly listenable to, and empathetic towards interviewees.)

I find her perfectly listenable to, and empathetic towards interviewees

I like Lauren Laverne otherwise but not on Desert Island - it just sounds like she's reading prepared questions with scant knowledge of the interviewee, there's no engagement & responsiveness. The interviewee gets asked the question, answers it & then they move on.

Other past hosts were so insightful & probing. I really enjoyed listening to the past episodes selected during the recent break.

I really miss Kirsty Young.

I also feel that Lauren hasn't settled into it at all, it's like she feels she has to be a certain way, have a certain R4 style & she's afraid to be herself.

(You can see this exercises me greatly!!)

I thought it was an excellent episode, although I imagine SM was quite drained by the end of it, she sounded so tearful at points.

it just sounds like she's reading prepared questions with scant knowledge of the interviewee, there's no engagement & responsiveness. The interviewee gets asked the question, answers it & then they move on.

Now, this is exactly how I used to feel about Jo Whiley when she was often in my ears. Great clothes, really, really piss poor interviewer.

I'm old enough to remember previous DID interviewers - so maybe there was something about them I found subconsciously unappealing in comparison to LL.

Hope you're all now listening to Gretchen Gertzina on Private Passions? (R3) I wasn't aware of her before - she appears to be an equally impressive woman.

I have never really listened to DID before this year so cannot compare.

Here you go, Tomatoes - back catalogue:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnmr/episodes/guide

thank you @PersephonePromotesEquanimity

listening to Lemn Sissay as recommended on another thread

Yeah, Lauren Laverne isn’t very good on this show IMO. Agree with the PP, it’s stilted, although remote interviewing won’t be helping.

Gretchen Gerzina was great. I really enjoyed her biog of Dora Carrington.

I found Kirsty Young a really warm and intuitive host of DID and she would have been a hard act for anyone to follow. LL has relaxed into the role a bit I think....still a way to go imho, though.

@Tomatoesneedtoripen

thank you *@PersephonePromotesEquanimity*

listening to Lemn Sissay as recommended on another thread

Lemm Sissay episode is great, and also, listen to him with Elizabeth Day on How to Fail. It's 💔

Thanks for recommendation of Gretchen Gertzina Persephone new to me, look forward to checking out!

Thank you @EarringsandLipstick

I'm hoping it presages a return to form for Private Passions. Recently both interviewer and interviewees seemed to have lost their edge and it had become ... missable. After years of being compulsory listening in my house.

Very often the most wildly famous people on DID have been so busy becoming household names, they haven't had time to develop any musical taste - so while their stories might be more or less enthralling the records are painful. Private Passions has always been a welcome relief afterwards.

I think LL has improved. She seems much more natural and the questions flow on from the conversation much more easily.

I adored Kirsty Young but didn’t like Sue lawley due to her acerbic style.

I was totally awestruck by Morton's capacity for forgiveness and joy. what an amazing woman.
I do find Laverne is a bit superficial and not so great at opening people up. It's not a problem when someone with Morton's honesty and self-awareness is on, but doesn't work well when interviewees are keener to retain control over how they come across.

@HildegardVonBingen I agree completely, both about Samantha Morton & your comments on LL

I have had a chance to listen back now & agree completely about the interview & her music choice.

@PersephonePromotesEquanimity thanks for Private Passions recommendation. I'm in Ireland so only listen to BBC radio via podcasts or back on the Player. Listened to the episode you recommended & really enjoyed it! 😊