RD
BREAKING NEWS: Jeremy Paxman quits Newsnight.
BBC News Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27230684
BBC News Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27230684
LJ
Anybody who has been a regular viewer of Newsnight would have noticed that his heart wasn't really in it since the Jimmy Savile scandal. His passion had gone and he appeared disgruntled about how they managed the crisis and the ensuing changes that were made. However, I'm very surprised he didn't continue until the general election in 2015. I'm still hoping he will play a significant role in the coverage. A remarkable career by a journalist who typified everything you look for in a good interviewer. I would imagine the BBC will go for a female to replace him. I would have given in to Jon Sopel but as we learned today he's US bound.
JW
Let the speculation begin! I reckon it could be Susanna Reid!
Oh hang on. (Is there any gin left in that bottle..........)
Let the speculation begin! I reckon it could be Susanna Reid!
Oh hang on. (Is there any gin left in that bottle..........)
HO
While I want to see the programme succeed, I think this will eventually be the nail in the coffin. Newsnight is a far more watchable programme now than it was a couple of years ago, but it has in no way bounced back yet.
And while I suspect Emily Maitlis and Laura Kuenssberg will now front the programme (hence both have spent the first half of the year in roles that have them on the programme most of the week) and both are talented, I just don't see Newsnight making the waves it needs to make in order to truly rebuild its brand without Paxman. Admittedly, I agree Jeremy's not seemed as sharp or invigorated recently - even a bit bemused at points.
On the presenter front, I wouldn't be surprised if the team remains as is. "We – and the viewers – will miss him greatly, but he leaves the show in good health and a formidable new team in place " isn't quite the same as 'expect a replacement to be announced in due course. Equally Katz has apparently known about this since last July, and subsequently removed Esler and introduced Kuenssberg - with the only other person being tried out in recent months being Victoria Derbyshire (perish the thought), I can't see anyone new being introduced by this point. And with Esler gone, Wark doing less than one broadcast a week, and some of the other stronger candidates (Sopel, Robinson*, Husain) tied up in existing commitments, that doesn't leave many obvious successors.
And if I'm to be really cynical, Ian Katz was brought in to (unintentionally, on his part) destroy Newnsight. Soften it, lighten it, make it fairly unrecognisable from its former self, and then give them a good reason to cut it for costs. Come on, it's not like they didn't effectively do that with The Review Show.
For what it's worth, if they did introduce a new presenter, my choice would be Robinson (though I can't see him going anywhere until May at the earliest). Failing that, I'd try to convince Andrew Marr to present once a week - in terms of popularity, familiarity and recognised strength as a broadcaster and interviewer he's already in Paxman's league, doesn't seem to be returning full-time to Start the Week, and might grant the programme a sense of strength as Keunssberg et. al. come into their own.
Other names I'd throw into the mix: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Stephen Sackur, Zeinab Badawi, or possibly one of the Today presenters (not sure how James Naughtie would fair in front of the cameras, but Evan Davis or Justin Webb would fit the bill. The advantage would be getting around their six-presenter-dilemma when Naughtie returns full time).
Just not Victoria Derbyshire. Or, before some halfwit suggests it, Ellie Crisell.
And while I suspect Emily Maitlis and Laura Kuenssberg will now front the programme (hence both have spent the first half of the year in roles that have them on the programme most of the week) and both are talented, I just don't see Newsnight making the waves it needs to make in order to truly rebuild its brand without Paxman. Admittedly, I agree Jeremy's not seemed as sharp or invigorated recently - even a bit bemused at points.
On the presenter front, I wouldn't be surprised if the team remains as is. "We – and the viewers – will miss him greatly, but he leaves the show in good health and a formidable new team in place " isn't quite the same as 'expect a replacement to be announced in due course. Equally Katz has apparently known about this since last July, and subsequently removed Esler and introduced Kuenssberg - with the only other person being tried out in recent months being Victoria Derbyshire (perish the thought), I can't see anyone new being introduced by this point. And with Esler gone, Wark doing less than one broadcast a week, and some of the other stronger candidates (Sopel, Robinson*, Husain) tied up in existing commitments, that doesn't leave many obvious successors.
And if I'm to be really cynical, Ian Katz was brought in to (unintentionally, on his part) destroy Newnsight. Soften it, lighten it, make it fairly unrecognisable from its former self, and then give them a good reason to cut it for costs. Come on, it's not like they didn't effectively do that with The Review Show.
For what it's worth, if they did introduce a new presenter, my choice would be Robinson (though I can't see him going anywhere until May at the earliest). Failing that, I'd try to convince Andrew Marr to present once a week - in terms of popularity, familiarity and recognised strength as a broadcaster and interviewer he's already in Paxman's league, doesn't seem to be returning full-time to Start the Week, and might grant the programme a sense of strength as Keunssberg et. al. come into their own.
Other names I'd throw into the mix: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Stephen Sackur, Zeinab Badawi, or possibly one of the Today presenters (not sure how James Naughtie would fair in front of the cameras, but Evan Davis or Justin Webb would fit the bill. The advantage would be getting around their six-presenter-dilemma when Naughtie returns full time).
Just not Victoria Derbyshire. Or, before some halfwit suggests it, Ellie Crisell.
SP
Interesting that all presenters are now female. I think the BBC will have to bring in male presenter to even it out slightly
AC
Watching Channel 4 News, I think it would be foolish for Newsnight to overlook Matt Frei as Jeremy's successor. He's a great interviewer, very sharp indeed, and has a great amount of gravitas.
Having said that, he's most probably Jon Snow's successor when he decides to retire.
My money is still on either Emily or Laura, but I think if you want someone with wit, intelligence and a great track record in presenting, Matt is a strong candidate.
Having said that, he's most probably Jon Snow's successor when he decides to retire.
My money is still on either Emily or Laura, but I think if you want someone with wit, intelligence and a great track record in presenting, Matt is a strong candidate.