Meridian TV/BBC South East

Oh dear. Since the demise of Geoff Clark to the BBC and a new studio. Things just haven't gone right for Meridian. They can't even have stable presenters . Obviously staff aren't happy with the set-up. Tonight we have 'Tompsett the Giant' again as well as a stand in sports presenter.

After Paul O'Grady Show we were treated to the Hampshire opt-out news preview with Andy Craig and Hannah O'Sullivan. Then, the headline bed featuring Phil Hornby in a forest was cut short but we were left with his v/o in the studio - very odd. And to top it all off (so far) they've lost their live newslinks. Not to mention dodgy astons and things in the past.

Is their any hope that things will improve?!

Mr Thompsett tends to do studio duty when Mr Hornby's out and about.

It must be quite amusing as Mr Hornby drives from Whiteley to Kent to do his outside broadcast and crosses on the motorway with Mr Thompsett who's driving from home in Kent to Whiteley to present the programme.

I wonder if they meet in the services for a coffee on expenses and a quick chat about the world?

So to go the topic abit.....BUT with Geoff's arrival to BBC South East Today the programme has improve on a vast scale. Geoff has breathed new life into the programme than that awful wooden Presenter before. How did Bev cope? I just dont know. Her and Geoff get along so well on screen - brilliant Chemistry. Also the banter with the Weather Presenters is just superb. Well Done Geoff! Long may it continue!

Meridian Tonight South East ~ I just cant speak about it. It is such a shame! :

Strange, you cross the line to Meridian South, where you are treated to, IMO, a very good programme.

It might go down hill though, when Fred leaves.

John

How old is Fred now? about time he retired isn't it?

I agree Geoff on South East Today has improved the show. Giles Dilnot has probably resorted to busking on the streets of Tunbridge Wells or something

I hope so. He just made the programme dire. Geoffy Boy is excellent!

Back last year (when Fred was celebrating 40 years in TV) he said that he wouldn't give it up as he enjoys it so much. So it seems like he'll only leave when he's forced to - the question is will he be forced to leave because of health/age or will regional news have ended on ITV by then?

I seem to recall reading a suggestion here that he'd wanted to pack it in when Meridian left Northam but was persuaded to do another year to see through all the changes.

I suspect it might go down hill when he leaves, following Meridian East, similarily with Bob Warman or Mike Neville.

What has happened to Andy Steggall who used to do Meridian South Sport, I saw him last year on Meridian Tonight West, is that his main programme?

John

P.S. I almost forgot, Sky has Good Friday's 6.35 regional bulletin (followed at 6.45 by the Evening Noos) as "Meridian Tonight", but wouldn't that be "Meridian News"... anyone know about this?

Andy stands in for Phil Hornby on South East as well as Thompsett the Giant. At this rate, we'll have Mike Debens back

It's always a common EPG error when we come to Bank Holidays, likely scenario is that you'll have Meridian News on Good Friday. NTL did this alot over Christmas, as all the teatime Regional News bulletins were listed as Granada Reports, where as they were Granada News.

Though what's the big deal, same studio, same graphics, just probably one presenter and a certain amount of stories to cram into ten minutes.

Meridian Tonight is excellent. Phil and Charlotte make a great team.