Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Everyone's a critic

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  • Russell Brown,

    Speaking of bFM, has there been any comment on the changes since they happened? Overall it has gone off pretty smoothly, IMhO. Three hours of Troy on Friday is like an unexpected bonus. Charlotte is just so naturally at home on radio, more of her is not a bad thing either. I'll leave the deconstructing of the Breakfast and Drive turnaround to others, but most of my fears seem to have been allayed.

    Me too.

    Mikey's Drive show has been good enough to to help me forget my concerns about losing the diversity in that slot. Mikey really sounds like he's enjoying himself, Vince is funny and there's plenty going on. More fun than Checkpoint, for sure.

    Matt's Breakfast show has a bit further to go, and I'm glad they seem to have realised it needed a little oestrogen to leaven all the testosterone. Matt and Fabian Fanboy certainly go well together too.

    Although it might have been nice if someone had bothered with a call or email to let me know I wasn't going to be required on Friday mornings. That was a bit rude. But also classic bFM ...

    Charlotte's just eating up that extra hour. Like you say, she's a natural. I joined in her NZ On Air discussion this week, and I've told her she can call me for comment on media stuff any time.

    I love the self-effacing irony of the new drive promo that says 'like clockwork, always on time!'

    Yeah -- that's a nice joke at his own expense.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    what year was that?

    More than one. Let's just say "the late 90s".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    I'm a New Zealander. We don't like to make a fuss.

    I was at a Thai restaurant a couple of weeks ago and found my "mild" soup was so hot that it was actually causing me pain.

    I told the waitress. She replied, "Oh! You should have said something." Which was strange, given that's exactly what I'd just done.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    I told the waitress. She replied, "Oh! You should have said something." Which was strange, given that's exactly what I'd just done.

    Comedian Hugh Fink did a funny bit once about never being able to tell if Chinese waiters were being sarcastic. No, really, it was less dodgy than it might sound.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • chris,

    no Chinese word for sarcasm

    it was less dodgy than it might sound.

    Nessun problema. La Cina è beffardo il resto del mondo.

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Although it might have been nice if someone had bothered with a call or email to let me know I wasn't going to be required on Friday mornings. That was a bit rude. But also classic bFM ...

    I was going to ask about that. I have missed the few Friday's since and just assumed you were still there.

    But in light of your comments about not complaining in restaurants, I hope you see the irony. 'Hey, where's my bloody slot gone?' When you reach institutional or heritage status, it's not throwing your toys out of the cot, it's just exercising your birth right.

    But really, I'm being a bit serious. You should be there, if you want to be.

    More than one. Let's just say "the late 90s".

    And into the noughties too. Please tell me it was more recent, as otherwise I'm old.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Could it be? could Mr. Smile and Wave be gone by lunchtime, or at least before desert? Or will the Smiling Assassin/Appetizer be forced to eat his own words?.

    "The good news is that I was having dinner with Ngati Porou, as opposed to their neighbouring iwi which is Tuhoe, in which case I would have been dinner. Which wouldn't have been quite so attractive."

    As he himslf says "These are always the challenges of Government. Nothing';s beyond the creativity of this one - trust me."
    Trust indeed, or should that be "Trussssset Meeeee"

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • kevin russell,

    I joined in her NZ On Air discussion this week

    oh non denominational deity, not that again

    hamiltron • Since May 2010 • 37 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I joined in her NZ On Air discussion this week

    oh non denominational deity, not that again

    Amazingly, it is perfectly possible to discuss this topic like rational human beings.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    But in light of your comments about not complaining in restaurants, I hope you see the irony. 'Hey, where's my bloody slot gone?' When you reach institutional or heritage status, it's not throwing your toys out of the cot, it's just exercising your birth right.

    But really, I'm being a bit serious. You should be there, if you want to be.

    Oh, I'm fine with it, honestly. I suspected it might be the case, and there's no reason a person of my relatively advanced vintage needs to be there.

    But I did count down till Friday morning wondering if anyone was going to bother to tell me either way ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Oh, I'm fine with it, honestly. I suspected it might be the case, and there's no reason a person of my relatively advanced vintage needs to be there.

    Harrumph! To coin a phrase, if not you, then who?

    And yes, before being droll, perhaps one should actually listen to the discussion, which is available on the bFM bCasts here.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Nessun problema. La Cina è beffardo il resto del mondo.

    And... my job is still safe. Phew.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • kevin russell,

    "I'm going to have to rush cos I got to take my cat to the vet" was a pure kiwi moment.

    hamiltron • Since May 2010 • 37 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    "I'm going to have to rush cos I got to take my cat to the vet" was a pure kiwi moment.

    Earlier, Colin had come in dripping blood after a catfight. The intensity of the injuries to his ear suggested it had been a paw-to-paw battle.

    I'd lucked a 10.45 appointment, and Charlotte was supposed to call at 10.15. It was nearer 10.30 when we finally started, so I had to get out my bullet points and scarper after 10 mins.

    It was a challenging day. I had to go in and re-voice the end of the UK election Newsmash because David Cameron had gone and become Prime Minister. On this of all days when I really needed to sit quietly and ponder the Judicature Act and how to avoid scandalising the courts.

    Then I had to wait nearly half an hour to collect Colin at the other end of the day, rush home, get dressed for the television and sort out Colin, who was wearing an Elizabethan collar and fuming.

    I asked Leo to cut down a box for a litter tray (because Colin will be an indoors cat for the next few days), which he swiftly did. Then he came and and reported that there was no newspaper to line the tray. My darling had stuck all the old newspapers in the recycling that morning.

    I rushed around, already late for my recording, looking for something to line the damn tray.

    I found it. And Colin is now probably the only cat in the inner western suburbs who shits and pisses on the New York Review of Books.

    PS: He got off the collar, and we didn't put it back. Seriously not worth the grief.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Colin is now probably the only cat in the inner western suburbs who shits and pisses on the New York Review of Books.

    Crying out for a photo - if you can get close enough without being savaged

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Crying out for a bloody medal. I'm gonna look for extra signs of sweat and wrinkles tonight.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    . . . sort out Colin, who was wearing an Elizabethan collar and fuming.

    Vets only do that to cats who really cause them grief.
    "Settle down tiddles, or we'll send you home dressed as a big nance".

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I'm gonna look for extra signs of sweat and wrinkles tonight.

    Scratches, more like

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    And Colin is now probably the only cat in the inner western suburbs who shits and pisses on the New York Review of Books.

    To be fair, you don't know that. Does Steve Braunias have a cat?

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Ah, literature. Somewhere in a leafy suburb a posh kitty is probly crapping on shredded copies of Trowenna Sea

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Oh come on Russ, yer cat's a pussy, Stella will vouch for that an' she's a bitch...
    And a total whoos.
    ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Jolisa,

    PS: He got off the collar, and we didn't put it back. Seriously not worth the grief.

    But shame is a crucial part of the healing process!

    Ah, literature. Somewhere in a leafy suburb a posh kitty is probly crapping on shredded copies of Trowenna Sea

    As I was saying...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Jolisa,

    Surely Colin could find something he likes here?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

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