Think the National PARTY is in the doldrums? Well, that embarrassing
collection of religious cultists and spineless forelock-tuggers is
positively blooming with rude health, compared to National RADIO.
collection of religious cultists and spineless forelock-tuggers is
positively blooming with rude health, compared to National RADIO.
Daisycutter Sports media analyst MORRISSEY BREEN finds much to lament
in the decline of a once great national institution....
in the decline of a once great national institution....
If somebody asked you which was the worst radio station in the country,
you'd probably have to say Newstalk ZB, what with its roll call of
indolent and/or incompetent and/or bigoted hosts, not to mention its
small and constantly recycled roll of tragic callers. (We're assuming
that you are a reasonably intelligent and astute individual.) Of
course, there is the issue of Paul Holmes and his extended, wandery,
racist rants. But for indolence, incompetence and bigotry all rolled up
into one, not even Holmes could excel his colleague, the legendary
Leighton Smith. And don't forget Larry ("Serious"*) Williams, who
on one infamous occasion listened in perfect silence as Auckland Jewish
Council president Michael Nathan gravely stated that any criticism of
Israel amounted to anti-Semitism.
you'd probably have to say Newstalk ZB, what with its roll call of
indolent and/or incompetent and/or bigoted hosts, not to mention its
small and constantly recycled roll of tragic callers. (We're assuming
that you are a reasonably intelligent and astute individual.) Of
course, there is the issue of Paul Holmes and his extended, wandery,
racist rants. But for indolence, incompetence and bigotry all rolled up
into one, not even Holmes could excel his colleague, the legendary
Leighton Smith. And don't forget Larry ("Serious"*) Williams, who
on one infamous occasion listened in perfect silence as Auckland Jewish
Council president Michael Nathan gravely stated that any criticism of
Israel amounted to anti-Semitism.
But there is a rival for Newstalk ZB's crown of shame. And, no, it's
not Radio Live or Radio Pacific. Have you listened to National Radio
over the last eighteen months? Judging by the station's plummeting
audience figures, you probably haven't. Sadly, this former jewel in
the crown of New Zealand radio is trying its hardest to dumb itself
down--- if you doubt that, just tune in to Katherine Ryan's Nine to
Noon programme, which has all but banished intelligent political or
literary discussion. Or listen to the abysmally unfunny "Class
Act", the official NZ On Air-approved replacement for the brilliant
"Off the Wire" which, apparently, was "too international" in its
scope to satisfy NZOA's odd standards.
not Radio Live or Radio Pacific. Have you listened to National Radio
over the last eighteen months? Judging by the station's plummeting
audience figures, you probably haven't. Sadly, this former jewel in
the crown of New Zealand radio is trying its hardest to dumb itself
down--- if you doubt that, just tune in to Katherine Ryan's Nine to
Noon programme, which has all but banished intelligent political or
literary discussion. Or listen to the abysmally unfunny "Class
Act", the official NZ On Air-approved replacement for the brilliant
"Off the Wire" which, apparently, was "too international" in its
scope to satisfy NZOA's odd standards.
Or, if you really want to be depressed, tune in to Jim Mora's
afternoon programme, as the Daisycutter Sports team did this
afternoon....
afternoon programme, as the Daisycutter Sports team did this
afternoon....
Today Jim Mora is away, and the host is Maggie Barry.
>From four to five, a couple of guests come on to comment on "topical
issues". These guests seem to fall into the following categories:
(a) Dippy, defiantly shallow fashionistas, moronic columnists and
"entertainers" without a brain between them---Michele A'Court,
Nikki Pellegrino, Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, Garth George, Joanne
Black;
(b) Token "lefties"----Bomber Bradbury, Chris Trotter, Russell
Brown;
(c) Comedians---Mike Loader, Te Radar, James McOnie, Jeremy Corbett;
(d) Overwhelmingly twee, smug, and complacent right wing gits---
Michael Bassett, John Barnett, John Bishop, Michele Boag, Stephen
Franks;
(e) Sad ex-celebrities: Laurie Mains, Dr Brian Edwards.
issues". These guests seem to fall into the following categories:
(a) Dippy, defiantly shallow fashionistas, moronic columnists and
"entertainers" without a brain between them---Michele A'Court,
Nikki Pellegrino, Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, Garth George, Joanne
Black;
(b) Token "lefties"----Bomber Bradbury, Chris Trotter, Russell
Brown;
(c) Comedians---Mike Loader, Te Radar, James McOnie, Jeremy Corbett;
(d) Overwhelmingly twee, smug, and complacent right wing gits---
Michael Bassett, John Barnett, John Bishop, Michele Boag, Stephen
Franks;
(e) Sad ex-celebrities: Laurie Mains, Dr Brian Edwards.
People from categories (b) and (c) usually, but not always, have
something thoughtful and intelligent to contribute. People from
categories (a), (d) and (e) rarely have anything thoughtful or
intelligent to contribute. Perhaps the most vomit-inducing pairing is
that of the supremely bitchy and blinkered Boag and Labour's would-be
hitman Dr Brian ("I HATE reading") Edwards, but the single most
disgusting opinion voiced on the programme so far was undoubtedly by
Michael Bassett, a couple of months ago. When Mora asked him if he was
worried that a New Zealand company, Rakon, was involved in
manufacturing U.S. and Israeli "smart bombs" wreaking devastation
on the people of Palestine, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq, Bassett
croaked, "Not particularly." It was a statement of callous
indifference in the league of Madeline Albright.
something thoughtful and intelligent to contribute. People from
categories (a), (d) and (e) rarely have anything thoughtful or
intelligent to contribute. Perhaps the most vomit-inducing pairing is
that of the supremely bitchy and blinkered Boag and Labour's would-be
hitman Dr Brian ("I HATE reading") Edwards, but the single most
disgusting opinion voiced on the programme so far was undoubtedly by
Michael Bassett, a couple of months ago. When Mora asked him if he was
worried that a New Zealand company, Rakon, was involved in
manufacturing U.S. and Israeli "smart bombs" wreaking devastation
on the people of Palestine, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq, Bassett
croaked, "Not particularly." It was a statement of callous
indifference in the league of Madeline Albright.
Today the guests were Random House editor Michael Moynihan and former
parliamentary press corps doyen cum media commentator Richard Griffen.
An editor and a journalistic legend. Sure to generate some high powered
discussion, you might think. Well, here's a very brief sampler of
their high-flown conversation...
parliamentary press corps doyen cum media commentator Richard Griffen.
An editor and a journalistic legend. Sure to generate some high powered
discussion, you might think. Well, here's a very brief sampler of
their high-flown conversation...
The big topic of course is the stadium. Waterfront or Eden Park?
Moynihan: Well I'm just worried that we could have had something
FABULOUS in Auckland. Right now it really is very shabby. Last week I
had an international visitor here and I gave them a tour of dowtown
Auckland and I just felt that it really is not a city that people would
want to come to.
Maggie Barry: So you're not patriotic about your city?
Moynihan: Oh yes, I'm very patriotic about Auckland....[blathers on]
FABULOUS in Auckland. Right now it really is very shabby. Last week I
had an international visitor here and I gave them a tour of dowtown
Auckland and I just felt that it really is not a city that people would
want to come to.
Maggie Barry: So you're not patriotic about your city?
Moynihan: Oh yes, I'm very patriotic about Auckland....[blathers on]
(BREEN WONDERS: Why was this fruity halfwit using the pronoun
"they" to describe his one visitor?)
"they" to describe his one visitor?)
Then, following the 4:30 news, it's time for the two guests to
"tell us what's on their minds". What sort of issues are
exercising the minds of these serious and committed thinkers?
Errrrrr....not much, it turns out.
"tell us what's on their minds". What sort of issues are
exercising the minds of these serious and committed thinkers?
Errrrrr....not much, it turns out.
Richard Griffen is indignant about "gold-diggers". One in
particular. "I never want to see or hear Heather Mills again," he
seethes.
particular. "I never want to see or hear Heather Mills again," he
seethes.
Moynihan has not been thinking too hard either, and announces: "I am
perennially happy, besotted, delighted with life so I have nothing to
say whatsoever."
perennially happy, besotted, delighted with life so I have nothing to
say whatsoever."
And... that's it. That's what's on their mind, apparently. Are
Michael Moynihan and Richard Griffen REALLY that devoid of ideas?
Really that shallow? Or are they under instructions to keep it light,
and chatty?
Michael Moynihan and Richard Griffen REALLY that devoid of ideas?
Really that shallow? Or are they under instructions to keep it light,
and chatty?
And ---- most depressing question of all---- how much longer does Jim
Sullivan have on Sunday nights?
Sullivan have on Sunday nights?
* According to his boss, Bill Francis.
Click here to Reply
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On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:59:16 +1300, "David" <gos...@es.co.nz> wrote:
>"Sue Bilstein" <sue_bi...@yahoop.com> wrote in message
>news:
>> On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:10:52 +1300, "David" <gos...@es.co.nz> wrote:
>>>"Sue Bilstein" <sue_bi...@yahoop.com> wrote in message
>>>news:
>>>
>>>>>it was a bit demeaning etc. axing him about his Maori identity...
>>>>
>>>> Demeaning, eh, like deliberately misspelling "asking" because you
>>>> think it makes you sound more Maori, Taffy?
>>>
>>>
>>>Now ehoa, I don't go around calling you yanky do I.
>>>I would not demean myself to sink to your level...
>>>
>>
>> You can call me a Yank if you like, David. And you're a Welshman, not
>> a Maori. And some people might find it condescending that you write
>> "axing" for "asking" when you want to sound Maori.
>
>Me tuhi au te reo Maori, ka tuhi au nga kupu Maori.
>
>If I want to sound Maori I can write in Maori, silly.
>
>Sue, you are implying that if i want to sound Maori
>I use a kind if pidgin.
>
>That's demeaning and ridiculous.
>
>"Sue Bilstein" <sue_bi...@yahoop.com> wrote in message
>news:
>> On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:10:52 +1300, "David" <gos...@es.co.nz> wrote:
>>>"Sue Bilstein" <sue_bi...@yahoop.com> wrote in message
>>>news:
>>>
>>>>>it was a bit demeaning etc. axing him about his Maori identity...
>>>>
>>>> Demeaning, eh, like deliberately misspelling "asking" because you
>>>> think it makes you sound more Maori, Taffy?
>>>
>>>
>>>Now ehoa, I don't go around calling you yanky do I.
>>>I would not demean myself to sink to your level...
>>>
>>
>> You can call me a Yank if you like, David. And you're a Welshman, not
>> a Maori. And some people might find it condescending that you write
>> "axing" for "asking" when you want to sound Maori.
>
>Me tuhi au te reo Maori, ka tuhi au nga kupu Maori.
>
>If I want to sound Maori I can write in Maori, silly.
>
>Sue, you are implying that if i want to sound Maori
>I use a kind if pidgin.
>
>That's demeaning and ridiculous.
>
But if you write in Maori, around 95% of the people who read this
newsgroup will not understand you.
newsgroup will not understand you.
On the other hand, if you want to sound Maori, you write "axing" for
"asking". Yes indeed, that is demeaning and ridiculous.
"asking". Yes indeed, that is demeaning and ridiculous.
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