Cracker: "It says 'Let's b friends', and it's got a b on it"
221 Responses
First ←Older Page 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 Newer→ Last
-
I shall be voicing my displeasure at the decision to cut the Wire. Not so bothered about Mikey, things move on. But the WIRE... WTF We will be hearing they've been bought out by Sony next.
A year or so on The Wire and you're ready for National Radio I reckon. As for the no music in the mix, WTF again, you need that music to, a. Stop the average listener from turning off and b. To allow an interested listener time to digest stuff they've just heard.
I, for one, shall be having words in ears. -
That'd sweep up 95% of Auckland' media folks in its wake.
And mine. There would be a bloody wake for me if I walked that far.
Whaddarya, fit or sommit? ;) -
I always hated the ego-infested brainless drivel that was Radio Mikey,
Jeez, and Sacha said I was cruel.
-
And nobody could make up Troy Ferguson
Though he is kinda like the Boogeyman. In the nicest possible way.
-
Ahh, the old days. I remember when I used to do the time for BFM. I'd have to go to London, write the time down in my best writing and post it to them, first class post. You can't cut corners with accuracy you know.
BFM has always been famous for its reliability in this respect.` -
OK so as an x-WIRE host I'm not going to be objective but I don't think cutting the WIRE back to one hour is a flash idea... esp as it's more likely to be 30mins once you take care of all the 'must-do's' on your show's run sheet... intros, outros, stings, adds, news...
Although if you tuned in at 6am and got to 4pm you would have had hours and hours of talking... HOURS (going by the above model). And then you get an afternoon show (talking) and Mikey (more talking).
Perhaps somewhere in there b should cut listeners a real break and just play music...?
-
The other thing with a 1 hour Wire - a lot more pre-recorded interviews, when the guest you want is only available at 1.10pm (for example), not within your tidy hour slot.
And if they really are chopping out the music, when is the host meant to get a breather from the previous interview, refocus, and get ready for the next? During an ad break?
-
Longer ad breaks, that's what's needed :)
-
As a wire host for some years (on a good day by far my favourite show to do, on any of the radio stations I've worked on, ever) I have to agree that cutting the show back to an hour isn't great. Charlotte's show is expanding, as are the 2-4 shows, and for some reason the Wire is cut back? Doesn't seem necessary, or make sense.
On the other hand, I would say to comments such as @Mark's above, plenty of shows on other stations go from interview to interview. Checkpoint is one that springs to mind. Although they do also have reports from reporters. But for an hour show, it's not impossible. Which is not to say it's desirable. And Wire hosts are music lovers too - I would have hated not being able to play my favourite tunes.
-
And how the hell will Troy's show (Rock and Roll Wire) work without music?
-
Also, some of you would've heard Mike's comments this morning about this thread (yay, we made onto the station we all love!) He referred to it as character assassination, and questioned how some of us would feel if a microscope was placed on us.
As a colleague commented, you hardly need a microscope to notice that Mike is late every day, for instance. A casual glance should do it. And I think generally speaking this thread has been restrained, reasonable, and with views from those who love Mike's show, and those who don't. Mike said this week he isn't someone who "needs smoke blown up his arse." I have my doubts personally, but either way I think it's fair to say he doesn't take criticism well. For the record, nor do I - although I don't read out people's cellphone numbers on the air if I receive a text that's less than complimentary.
I do want to restate what I said originally though - everyone has feelings, and it's hard not to feel hurt when people publicly say they don't like what you do, or the way you do it, etc. Bear in mind the fact that Mike is reading everything being written. Which is not to say you shouldn't say what you think about the changes at bFM, but let's try and keep the ad hominem attacks to a minimum. I think 7 pages and 200 comments into this thread, we've probably said most of what we need to about what we think of the Mike Havoc Breakfast Show.
(If you missed Mike's comments re this thread, you can listen here.)
-
at a push push, it sounds like he's trippin out on you :)
...now where's my coat ?
-
One hour Wire? That's like a decaf soy latte. Or a 'why bother'. Having three 3 hour shows with only three DJs during the main listening times of the day doesn't seem particularly sensible. Variety is the spice, and all that.
I genuinely felt sorry for Mikey listening to that. There have been some great moments in his Breakfast career, and some even happened over recent years, so why not let him move on without the character assassination, as he puts it? I for one have appreciated his music taste, for the most part*. Anyone who loves Jeff Buckley as much as me is Ok in my book.
Oh, and if they stuff up The Rock n Roll Wire with Troy, then they should get their collective heads read.
*(playing Bon Jovi when John Key didn't turn up was pushing a few boundaries)
-
Before we do get off the subject of Havoc's show, I do actually want to blow some smoke up his arse. For me as a total outsider but very loyal listener, he's provided some seriously electric radio over the years. Yes, it may be time for change but I think Mike Havoc is a blindingly good radio talent who manages to serve up a daily mix of passion, politics, intrigue, energy and what-the fuck's-coming-next without missing a beat. He may be a tardy chap but I'm always blown away by his ability to deliver the level of energy he does on a daily basis. I think that shows a level of professionalism that many would punch their mums for.
Obviously, it's good that change is afoot but I'm scared for The Wire and I don't like the idea that four or five drive announcers will lose their shows to make room for one announcer and I wonder why Morning Glory is being expanded - it's not exactly hard-hitting is it? I like Charlotte, she's great but it seems more like bFM's foray into easy-listening. Has bFM softened up and gone smooth?
bFM has always been a place to find new stuff and hear new voices. I'd love to see them put someone new and relatively unknown in Mike's place - since when was b about advertising dollars and dividends? Surely it just needs to break even to justify it's existence? I think Ritchie Hardcore would be an awesome choice. Or the girl who's on before Mike in the morning.
In any case, whatever happens I'll still be listening. The alternatives are unbearable. I heard a show on some station this morning while I was in a shop. The jocks were giggling madly about colonic irrigation. It was hilarious...
It's awesome to see such passionate responses on this thread because it shows how important a station like bFM is. bFM has provided the soundtrack for much of my life over the past twenty years and Mike's been a big part of that so respect to him.
-
bFM is a great station and it's provided the soundtrack for much of my life over the past twenty years. Mike's been a big part of that so respect to him.
Absolutely. He has been the biggest on-air influence in the station's history, and he's a special talent.
But I wonder if he's having trouble separating people's qualms about the schedule, and space for new entrants, from himself personally.
The discussion this morning was awkward. I didn't feel it was the right time and place to be having it. But oh well ...
-
The discussion this morning was awkward.
That was my impression as well. "I'll kind of agree with you as this isn't the place to start my sentences with 'but...'".
-
It's a beautiful piece of radio - it's all in the silences. If you ever get bored of being an undergroud media hero Russell, you could always try the diplomatic core.
-
plenty of shows on other stations go from interview to interview.
Of course, as does TV. I guess what I was really grasping for was that The Wire has never been that - talk with no music. Part of what makes it special is that it's never treated music and current affairs as things that live in isolation from each other. On a good day, the music gets woven into the narrative, used to underline interviews or provide a counterpoint. Or for sheer comic value...
I would have hated not being able to play my favourite tunes.
...such as following a review of Nigel Latta's AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL first book (a creepy slasher novel) with XTC's Making Plans for Nigel...
-
3410,
If you ever get bored of being an undergroud media hero Russell, you could always try the diplomatic core.
So it wasn't just me thinking that.
-
Absolutely Mark, couldn't agree more. It's like the inverse of the music on Nat Rad, in the sense that on Nat Rad it's mostly talk with a little bit of music, but it's the same in that those little bits of music are great when it's a good tune - as it often is thanks to the musical programming of Zen...
-
The Wire has never been that - talk with no music. Part of what makes it special is that it's never treated music and current affairs as things that live in isolation from each other.
There's a reason for the local habit of following korero with waiata
-
The discussion this morning was awkward. I didn't feel it was the right time and place to be having it. But oh well ...
kinda thought you half knew it would eventuate (re your previous comment about feeling uncomfortable). Think it also shows that people can hurt others without realising how cutting their words can be, and obviously for some it may feel like it is extremely personal when one is a major part of the subject matter. I would have taken this personally if I was Mikey. He may be larger than life (a bit much for some) but I reckon he is the best Mikey Havoc there is. Not perfect though,eh? He has my support for keeping his job. Why should he need to forfeit that which he loves and imo is extremely good at.
Keeping it real, both of you, showed me he was hurt and you Mr Brown, were the ever consummate diplomat. Both showed great skill with the silences. Jus' sayin' :) -
Can't disagree with you, Sofie.
-
I struggle to see anything in this thread that's unreasonable, Michael's hurt feelings notwithstanding.
The ego-strokes that performing temperaments seek out tend to come bundled with increased public scrutiny. Part of the deal. No one's forcing anyone to live out their life in front of a microphone or a tv camera.
Mind you, I can't imagine this kind of attention over commercial radio jocks shuffling their slots.
-
Mind you, I can't imagine this kind of attention over commercial radio jocks shuffling their slots.
There was a fair bit of this kind of angst when Newstalk ZB (unwisely) axed its Chch morning shows for syndicated Leighton Smith and Mike Hosking. I say unwisely cause it took quite a big ratings hit as a result.
Post your response…
This topic is closed.