Just made me think how out of touch Wogan is now... He couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to newsreaders on both the continuous channels and the domestic BBC bulletins (I can't speak for ITV, C4 or Five)
The newsreaders on the continuous networks have to be competent journalists and CERTAINLY don't read out pre-written questions, and have to brief themselves on many breaking news stories happening concurrently.
When it comes to the One, Six and Ten, the presenters have a significant editorial input in both the order stories are covered, and their treatment. Most write their own headlines and promos, and will re-write intros - often adding an extra level of fact checking. Most current news presenters on network bulletins have significant reporting experience, and some also have a production journalist background as well...
Wogan is talking out of his hat. When he was a newsreader many of his newsreading colleagues were former actors, and seldom did live interviews...
Newsreading isn't really an accurate description of the job anymore. Of course, it's all worked in Tel's favour, he's got plenty of free publicity for his new book which is probably why he mentioned it in the first place given his day job isn't exactly taxing.
Newsreading isn't really an accurate description of the job anymore. Of course, it's all worked in Tel's favour, he's got plenty of free publicity for his new book which is probably why he mentioned it in the first place given his day job isn't exactly taxing.
He is just a professional whinger now, moaning his way from publicity round to publicity round. He's almost as bad as Parky
We need the context from which these remarks origianted within his book. If he was referring to RADIO there is a decent argument in his comments. As for him being a professional whinger at least he has the presence and imo authority so to whinge.
On the BBC News Channel considerable elements of the hour are scripted, it's only when an interview is required that live journalism is used.
We need the context from which these remarks origianted within his book. If he was referring to RADIO there is a decent argument in his comments.
I think it's been widely acknowledged that he was talking about TV newsreaders... and if he was referring to radio newsreaders, AFAIK it's only Radio 2 and Radio 4 (for certain bulletins) who employ people simply to read the news. In the case of the former, criticising his colleagues would seem rather unprofessional.
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As for him being a professional whinger at least he has the presence and imo authority so to whinge.
I still don't think it does him any favours. I can't speak for others, but he's definitely gone down in my estimations over the past few years. Previously he'd always struck me as the kind of person who was bigger than making snide jibes at others in his industry.
We need the context from which these remarks origianted within his book. If he was referring to RADIO there is a decent argument in his comments.
I think it's been widely acknowledged that he was talking about TV newsreaders... and if he was referring to radio newsreaders, AFAIK it's only Radio 2 and Radio 4 (for certain bulletins) who employ people simply to read the news. In the case of the former, criticising his colleagues would seem rather unprofessional.
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As for him being a professional whinger at least he has the presence and imo authority so to whinge.
I still don't think it does him any favours. I can't speak for others, but he's definitely gone down in my estimations over the past few years. Previously he'd always struck me as the kind of person who was bigger than making snide jibes at others in his industry.
He may indeed be wrong, but after all these years in the game I couldn't begrudge him his opinion. That's all it is. One man's view based on his time in the industry and, perhaps, all the fuss he sees regarding Kaplinski and others.
Lets be fair here - there's always someone in the industry taking pot shots at others, with whatever axe they have to grind, or book they have to sell. Moyles, Evans, Wossy... they all have a dig at others.
Why not Terry?
It might diminish your opinion of him - fair enough. It doesn't influence mine, to be honest. I just don't agree with him, but feel nothing more than that.
Personally I admired him for his outspoken comments regarding Eurovision the year before last.
It would be nice if all DJs behaved with a statesmanlike solemn dignity - but I don't see it from the rest either.
I think he's actually been taken out of context to an extent. He was making a point about a particular journo who allegedly had a strop because his colleague was involved in makeover type programmes.
Wogan's point was to have a dig at those news people who feel the need to look down their noses at non-news output and those who are involved in it. His point was that journalists don't really belong on some pedestal.
The "just an autocue reader" aspect aside, his point doesn't seem too unreasonable, does it?
Does anybody else think that the "unnamed journalist" he has a dig at is Phil Hayton? He's the only public example of a difficult working relationship (with Kate Silverton) I can think of off the top of my head.
Like you say, who else?
He also had a 'dig' at Fiona Bruce too... not quite sure why he did that, I wasn't aware of any bad blood between her and Sir Terrence?
I do take Sir Terry's point though; it's not as if it's really bah-humbug, since he was newsreader himself back in the day. No doubt John Marsh will take him to task soon enough
To be fair to Terry, his comment was made in his usual tongue-in-cheek way; it was aimed at one specific television personality, and I'm fairly sure he wrote it without anticipating that it would be taken seriously or literally.
His own newsreading stint was on Radio Eireann a very, very long time ago. No comparison with TV.
To be fair to Terry, his comment was made in his usual tongue-in-cheek way; it was aimed at one specific television personality, and I'm fairly sure he wrote it without anticipating that it would be taken seriously or literally.
His own newsreading stint was on Radio Eireann a very, very long time ago. No comparison with TV.
It'll sell a few books, though. Fair play, Mr. W!
It's all publicity, just like every few months when he pops up saying something outspoken in The Radio Times and they preview that and get a few more copies sold
The problem is though is that the public do take notice of and believe him no matter how 'tongue in cheek' or ill-informed he is.
He's turned into a professional media whinger.. moan moan moan moan.To those of us who don't listen to him on Radio 2, that's all he ever does. Parkinson is the same
Last edited by Inspector Sands on 5 September 2009 1:39am
The problem is though is that the public do take notice of and believe him no matter how 'tongue in cheek' or ill-informed he is.
He's turned into a professional media whinger.. moan moan moan moan.To those of us who don't listen to him on Radio 2, that's all he ever does. Parkinson is the same
I can see what you're getting at there-- however I feel Wogan always 'moans' in a wry/satirical manner. People may not listen to his radio show, but I'd imagine they would be familiar with his humorously irreverant style from his telly appearances over the years (Eurovision being a prime example). If people choose take him (too) seriously, their loss I say [shrug].
I do agree with you about Parky though, I think he often comes across a grump these days-- being bitter about an industry that gave him a solid living over the years!
