BN
I have a feeling that reoprt by Michael Burke had been ready and waiting for some time.
MA
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old. Interestingly, the BBC website had another version of the obituary recorded by Huw Edwards. I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
Breakfast News posted:
I have a feeling that reoprt by Michael Burke had been ready and waiting for some time.
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old. Interestingly, the BBC website had another version of the obituary recorded by Huw Edwards. I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
TK
Just returning to the debate on whether the announcement by his spokesman that the end was near was in good taste..I am reliably informed by those around at the time that when King George V was about to die there was a report on BBC Radio which included the phrase "The King's life is drawing slowly to its close". That was in 1936 and presumably acceptable then.
DO
Indeed some newspaper obituaries, such as those of bob hope and ronald reagan, had been written by people who had predeceased them!
I also read once that the BBC had contigency plans for the queen mother's death from 1980 onwards.
Breakfast News posted:
I have a feeling that reoprt by Michael Burke had been ready and waiting for some time.
Indeed some newspaper obituaries, such as those of bob hope and ronald reagan, had been written by people who had predeceased them!
I also read once that the BBC had contigency plans for the queen mother's death from 1980 onwards.
JA
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old. Interestingly, the BBC website had another version of the obituary recorded by Huw Edwards. I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
Or Michael Buerk would have been in a better position to commentate on his life, because he was pretty much head honcho when he was around.
scottish posted:
Breakfast News posted:
I have a feeling that reoprt by Michael Burke had been ready and waiting for some time.
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old. Interestingly, the BBC website had another version of the obituary recorded by Huw Edwards. I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
Or Michael Buerk would have been in a better position to commentate on his life, because he was pretty much head honcho when he was around.
SC
Funny enough, Ted died at just the same time as Richard Whiteley three weeks ago. Sunday eveing
SC
Yes, Jim Callaghan died in April I think, and now Ted Heath.
Callaghan died on Sunday 26th March 2005.
He died on Easter Saturday just like the Queen Mother in 2002
scottish posted:
msim posted:
russnet posted:
Without sounding morbid, isn't this the second Prime Minister from the past to have died this year?
Yes, Jim Callaghan died in April I think, and now Ted Heath.
Callaghan died on Sunday 26th March 2005.
He died on Easter Saturday just like the Queen Mother in 2002
DV
Excellent tributes in the Commons this afternoon from members from all sides of the Chamber.
IS
It's not so bad in this case, but pre-prepared obits could have been last up-dated and voiced by someone who has long left the TV channel or programme, thus needing a hasty re-voice.
Probably more people than you think. BBC News has a seperate (although quite small) department just for obituraries.
scottish posted:
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old.
It's not so bad in this case, but pre-prepared obits could have been last up-dated and voiced by someone who has long left the TV channel or programme, thus needing a hasty re-voice.
Quote:
I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
Probably more people than you think. BBC News has a seperate (although quite small) department just for obituraries.
MA
It's not so bad in this case, but pre-prepared obits could have been last up-dated and voiced by someone who has long left the TV channel or programme, thus needing a hasty re-voice.
Probably more people than you think. BBC News has a seperate (although quite small) department just for obituaries.
Indeed most members of the Royal Family, present and past members of the Cabinet and shadow cabinet, past and present heads of state and well known TV and sporting personalities will all have one.
Marcus
Founding member
Inspector Sands posted:
scottish posted:
Well, obituaries for high-profile public figures are usually prepared years ahead of their deaths, so that the News coverage can provide an instant reflection on someone's life. Of course, they often have to be updated, but the fact that Michael Buerk had recorded this obit suggests that it is several years old.
It's not so bad in this case, but pre-prepared obits could have been last up-dated and voiced by someone who has long left the TV channel or programme, thus needing a hasty re-voice.
Quote:
I don't know precisely who has an obituary 'ready and waiting', and possibly it is morbid to speculate, but probably Thatcher, Mandela and former US Presidents will have pre-recorded reflections on their lives.
Probably more people than you think. BBC News has a seperate (although quite small) department just for obituaries.
Indeed most members of the Royal Family, present and past members of the Cabinet and shadow cabinet, past and present heads of state and well known TV and sporting personalities will all have one.
MA
Well it is highly likely to be in fairness. The only other living ex-MP is John Major, and he seems to be still fit and well, whereas poor old Maggie is starting to look a bit frail.
Have you seen Maggie's face, it looks as if it going to fall off
jason posted:
Cerulean Sunrise posted:
PLEASE let the next one be Thatcher.......
Well it is highly likely to be in fairness. The only other living ex-MP is John Major, and he seems to be still fit and well, whereas poor old Maggie is starting to look a bit frail.
Have you seen Maggie's face, it looks as if it going to fall off