Ken Bruce Sacked

[Middle-agedClaret]

Highly likely.....a truly dismal choice. Has he ever said anything genuinely interesting or witty ?
Liza Tarbuck would be vastly better but doubt she would want the workload. Her Saturday evening show is maybe the least formulaic show on the station and she has great, and eclectic, taste in music.

I agree. Liza Tarbuck has wit and style, and plays an excellent variety of music. I think she would be a great replacement for Ken,, but as has been noted above, would probably not want the workload.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

I always thought Bruce tried to be Terry Wogan. Almost like he was doing a bad impersonation. Pop Master is just a music quiz - not that difficult to come up with something similar.

[Lancasterclaret]

I always give everything a fair chance and I'm flattered that you pay so much attention to me. Thanks.

You got a like from Wrongo

Thats worth the posting on this thread alone!

[dougcollins]

Not listened to Radio 2 since Cox and Ball took over.

[RicardoMontalban]

Not listened to Radio 2 since Cox and Ball took over.

There does seem to be a natural order and progression to these things where you outgrow (get too old) for certain radio stations. Like, during the 90’s I listened religiously to John Peel, Mark and Lard etc on Radio 1, then the target demographic shifted and I realised it wasn’t me. So I shifted to 6 music, and even that’s starting to sound a little light on 90’s alternative indie and rock for my tastes.

Maybe some of those saying the same about Radio 2 are going through the same thing. It’s too ‘young’ for them. There’s a thought.

[claret2018]

I always thought Bruce tried to be Terry Wogan. Almost like he was doing a bad impersonation. Pop Master is just a music quiz - not that difficult to come up with something similar.

I genuinely thought they were the same person for years. I thought Terry Wogan was Ken Bruce’s stage name

[Lancasterclaret]

There does seem to be a natural order and progression to these things where you outgrow (get too old) for certain radio stations. Like, during the 90’s I listened religiously to John Peel, Mark and Lard etc on Radio 1, then the target demographic shifted and I realised it wasn’t me. So I shifted to 6 music, and even that’s starting to sound a little light on 90’s alternative indie and rock for my tastes.

Maybe some of those saying the same about Radio 2 are going through the same thing. It’s too ‘young’ for them. There’s a thought.

This

Time, people and music all move on

Well, when I say people, some people clearly don't

[GodIsADeeJay81]

There does seem to be a natural order and progression to these things where you outgrow (get too old) for certain radio stations. Like, during the 90’s I listened religiously to John Peel, Mark and Lard etc on Radio 1, then the target demographic shifted and I realised it wasn’t me. So I shifted to 6 music, and even that’s starting to sound a little light on 90’s alternative indie and rock for my tastes.

Maybe some of those saying the same about Radio 2 are going through the same thing. It’s too ‘young’ for them. There’s a thought.

This sounds about right for me tbh

Stopped listening to radio 1 when I didn't like the newer generation of presenters, so switched over to heart FM and/or radio 2.

[Rileybobs]

There does seem to be a natural order and progression to these things where you outgrow (get too old) for certain radio stations. Like, during the 90’s I listened religiously to John Peel, Mark and Lard etc on Radio 1, then the target demographic shifted and I realised it wasn’t me. So I shifted to 6 music, and even that’s starting to sound a little light on 90’s alternative indie and rock for my tastes.

Maybe some of those saying the same about Radio 2 are going through the same thing. It’s too ‘young’ for them. There’s a thought.

This is exactly it, I'm not sure why people find it hard to comprehend that the world moves on, people's tastes change. If radio stations/tv shows have the same presenters until they retire or die then their audience would dwindle by failing to capture the next generation.

I'm in my late 30's and find the likes of Ken Bruce and Steve Wright to be far too dated in their style and taste, obviously they will appeal more to listeners of their generation. My favourite music station is 6 Music, but no doubt when I'm in my 60's I will be seeking out the DJ's/presenters that I like listening to now.

[bobinho]

There does seem to be a natural order and progression to these things where you outgrow (get too old) for certain radio stations. Like, during the 90’s I listened religiously to John Peel, Mark and Lard etc on Radio 1, then the target demographic shifted and I realised it wasn’t me. So I shifted to 6 music, and even that’s starting to sound a little light on 90’s alternative indie and rock for my tastes.

Maybe some of those saying the same about Radio 2 are going through the same thing. It’s too ‘young’ for them. There’s a thought.

And if it wasn’t for people in their 30’s and 40’s listening to Terry wogan every morning for years, I’d say you had a point. And what about those peoooe listening to Jeremy vine, Paul gambaccini and Tony Blackburn? Are they too ‘young’ for them?

Maybe some elements are too young. Zoe ball is, but shouldn’t be. She’s 52 but acts up like she’s 22. Maybe it’s that which grates on people. Well, that and the fact she overstates everything to a ridiculous level.

[RicardoMontalban]

And if it wasn’t for people in their 30’s and 40’s listening to Terry wogan every morning for years, I’d say you had a point. And what about those peoooe listening to Jeremy vine, Paul gambaccini and Tony Blackburn? Are they too ‘young’ for them?

Maybe some elements are too young. Zoe ball is, but shouldn’t be. She’s 52 but acts up like she’s 22. Maybe it’s that which grates on people. Well, that and the fact she overstates everything to a ridiculous level.

The point I’m making isn’t that Radio 2 is for old (but not that old!) farts who get anxiety attacks from a bit of drum and bass. Nor am I suggesting that a 30 year old listening to Terry Wogan should have been avoided at all costs.

Radio stations cater for particular demographics and audiences. Some may be more catholic and varied, others may be narrow. But just as individual people’s tastes may change, so does what constitutes as popular and it must surely be the case that that is reflected in editorial choices of the radio stations themselves.

The examples I used were just my experience and observations. I’d argue Radio 1 is probably at an extreme on that scale, catering for what is the most in the moment popular tastes and undeniably aimed at a younger audience. Indeed that was a significant driver towards the launching of 6 Music to provide a platform for music that catered to people closer to me with interests in alternative music. But even that is shifting. The wheels of time may be moving slower at Radio 2 but I’d be astonished if those same laws did not apply in some way. Just look at where Ken Bruce has gone - Greatest Hits radio. That tells its own story.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

And if it wasn’t for people in their 30’s and 40’s listening to Terry wogan every morning for years, I’d say you had a point. And what about those peoooe listening to Jeremy vine, Paul gambaccini and Tony Blackburn? Are they too ‘young’ for them?

Maybe some elements are too young. Zoe ball is, but shouldn’t be. She’s 52 but acts up like she’s 22. Maybe it’s that which grates on people. Well, that and the fact she overstates everything to a ridiculous level.

Zoe Ball is really bad, she was poor when she took over from Chris Evans on the Radio 1 breakfast show, the ratings tanked.

I switch over if she's ever on the radio, same with Scott Mills

[AlargeClaret]

What do you mean when you say you resent funding things like RuPaul's Drag Race? Do you mean all light entertainment shows? Or, is there another characteristic of this show that drives your resentment?

Maybe he just doesn’t particularly like men dressed as women or women with penises or whatever ? or drag queen humour ? I’ve never seen this but it’s in its 15th!! season so must be both very profitable and very popular .

[Lancasterclaret]

Another Zoe Ball/Scott Mills "turn off when they come on" here

Mind you, I only tend to listen to Radio 5 Drive and the football stuff when it comes to the BBC

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Maybe he just doesn’t particularly like men dressed as women or women with penises or whatever ? or drag queen humour ? I’ve never seen this but it’s in its 15th!! season so must be both very profitable and very popular .

Never watched it until I started dating the current missus and she loves watching it, so I've seen bits of it.

It's actually not bad, can be interesting and also some over the top drama of course.
The work they put into their transformations is impressive though, I'll give them that

[Claretitus]

Rylan to replace Ken? FFS, the BBC Radio director is taking the p**s there. Ken must be wetting himself. Talk about pressing the self-destruct button. They’ll be lucky to keep any listeners. From 4am you’re gonna get that that Welsh “guy” who did the weather on BBC Look North West, Ball, then Rylan. Christ on a bike……… NO!! just NO!!!!

[Rileybobs]

I really hope it’s Rylan.

[Claretitus]

It doesn’t matter to me really who it is. I won’t be listening so it doesn’t matter, apart from the fact it’s me and millions of others paying his wages with our licence fee. How the hell do BBC bosses think that a line-up like that will attract listeners? They may as well pull the plug on the whole station, it’s absolutely pathetic.

[Rileybobs]

It doesn’t matter to me really who it is. I won’t be listening so it doesn’t matter, apart from the fact it’s me and millions of others paying his wages with our licence fee. How the hell do BBC bosses think that a line-up like that will attract listeners? They may as well pull the plug on the whole station, it’s absolutely pathetic.

What makes you think they won’t attract listeners?

[TheFamilyCat]

What makes you think they won’t attract listeners?

Well they won't be attracting claretitus who wouldn't have been listening anyway so they've already lost one non-listener. It really is the death of radio 2.

[Claretitus]

What makes you think they won’t attract listeners?

Did you not see the line up? Or are you just doing your usual Riley? ie looking for an argument

[TheFamilyCat]

Did you not see the line up? Or are you just doing your usual Riley? ie looking for an argument

Rylan has a weekend show. Presumably it is popular if they are considering giving him a weekday gig.

[Claretitus]

The Welsh fella has a voice/ accent / manner that would make a nun swear. Ball, we’ll is just Ball, and don’t even get me started on that no- mark Rylan. It’s then ok for 2 hrs with Jeremy Vine, but then reverts to sh**e with Scott Mills. Give me strength. “ NURSE”!!!!!

[Rileybobs]

Did you not see the line up? Or are you just doing your usual Riley? ie looking for an argument

No argument, you posted something and I responded. It’s just how things get done around here.

Do you honestly think that Rylan would get less listeners than Ken Bruce? One has 1.7m Twitter followers, the other has 138k.

[Claretitus]

Honestly Riley, yes I do. The amount of Twitter followers is irrelevant, and the point I’m making is that with the wholesale changes on R2, people won’t be switching on and staying with it from early doors like they do now. I’m on the road at 4.30 most mornings. I will now listen to Nicki Chapman ( who is on till Owain starts ), then at 6.30 it’s Absolute 80’s for 3 hours till Ken Bruce. When the new line up starts, I’ll be on 80’s or Greatest Hits, as soon as I’m driving, and I’m confident I won’t be the only one. Each to their own of course, but R2 no longer for me. The only R2 content I will continue to listen to is on BBC Sounds, Johnnie Waker Sounds of the 70’s and Gary Davies for Sounds of the 80’s.

[Rileybobs]

Honestly Riley, yes I do. The amount of Twitter followers is irrelevant, and the point I’m making is that with the wholesale changes on R2, people won’t be switching on and staying with it from early doors like they do now. I’m on the road at 4.30 most mornings. I will now listen to Nicki Chapman ( who is on till Owain starts ), then at 6.30 it’s Absolute 80’s for 3 hours till Ken Bruce. When the new line up starts, I’ll be on 80’s or Greatest Hits, as soon as I’m driving, and I’m confident I won’t be the only one. Each to their own of course, but R2 no longer for me. The only R2 content I will continue to listen to is on BBC Sounds, Johnnie Waker Sounds of the 70’s and Gary Davies for Sounds of the 80’s.

Fair to say that if Rylan takes over from Ken Bruce then you won’t be his target audience. Surely you can see that he will have a target audience though? Of course his Twitter following isn’t irrelevant, he’s got 1.7m people on that platform who are interested in what he has to say.

[Claretitus]

Fair to say that if Rylan takes over from Ken Bruce then you won’t be his target audience. Surely you can see that he will have a target audience though? Of course his Twitter following isn’t irrelevant, he’s got 1.7m people on that platform who are interested in what he has to say.

Of course he has a “target “ audience.

Doesn’t mean to say they’ve all got 3 hrs spare every day to listen to his show every day though does it?

It’s the end of Radio 2 as we know it. Fair enough some might say, and there’s always the off button. But when you’re driving 500/600 miles a day, you need to listen to something, and I won’t listen to what I consider is crap. I’m off at 4am in the morning to Helston in Cornwall, and Ken Bruce apart, I won’t bother wi R2.

[Rileybobs]

Of course he has a “target “ audience.

Doesn’t mean to say they’ve all got 3 hrs spare every day to listen to his show every day though does it?

It’s the end of Radio 2 as we know it. Fair enough some might say, and there’s always the off button. But when you’re driving 500/600 miles a day, you need to listen to something, and I won’t listen to what I consider is crap. I’m off at 4am in the morning to Helston in Cornwall, and Ken Bruce apart, I won’t bother wi R2.

Sounds like you’ve outgrown Radio 2 then. I used to watch Fireman Sam when I was a nipper, but when I now watch it with my boy I don’t complain that the screenplay and script is childish. Daft example I know, but Radio 2 isn’t just for you (it’s not for me either btw).

[expoultryboy]

The only time i like zoe balls programme is when she's ill and Zernon Kaye steps in .

[Pickles]

Vernon Kay reported to be taking over the mid-morning slot. A very good choice in my opinion.

[Claretitus]

Vernon Kay reported to be taking over the mid-morning slot. A very good choice in my opinion.

Don’t mind Vernon. He always did a good job when regularly stepping in for Ball, or Steve Wright. The problem he will have, is he will be directly up against Ken Bruce time wise, and as I stated earlier, I firmly believe that hundreds of thousands of R2 listeners will already not be tuned in cos of Owain and Ball.

[Woodleyclaret]

When Zoe was given the job and asked about the salary she was told to think of a number and times it by 10.
Johnny's influence got her the gig and it's a job for life

[Swizzlestick]

Vernon's really good on the radio, excellent choice and a long overdue refresh of the mid morning slot.

[arise_sir_charge]

When Zoe was given the job and asked about the salary she was told to think of a number and times it by 10.
Johnny's influence got her the gig and it's a job for life

You don’t half talk some shite Woodley.

[pushpinpussy]

Vernon Kay reported to be taking over the mid-morning slot. A very good choice in my opinion.

Horrible guy who cheated on his beautiful wife.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Id like Keaveny but it wont happen

[Burnley1989]

I like Vernon, I also think Dermot is good on a Saturday morning.

I'm not a huge Zoe Ball fan but she's good enough, just find her banter a little forced sometimes, prefer Sarah Cox but I know she's a little marmite as well to some.

Its all about opinions and they generally get it right

[Swizzlestick]

Id like Keaveny but it wont happen

Wouldn’t be surprised if Keaveny was given an evening show or something in the future - he’d be good on R2.

[Pickles]

Keaveny's good. Seem to remember him popping up on R2 fairly recently. He's apparently making an fortune from his independent show via Patreon.

I think overall the R2 roster is pretty much bob on but it's all opinions isn't it.

[Acting Claret]

Boom radio is what r2 used to sound like.

[Somethingfishy]

I'm with several others on here in that it really is a case of the march of time...as we get older we outgrow a radio station..but we follow the music of our own generation.

When I was younger I listened to Radio 1..through the 80's..into the 90's. It very gradually changed in that time but was still within my generation. I also thought Radio 2 was for "older people" and would never consider listening to it. As time passed the DJ's on Radio 1 changed..the music became aimed towards the generation below me and I started realising that Radio 2 actually wasn't that bad..and as time went by I realised it was just like Radio 1 used to be.
The next jump is happening as Radio 1 disappears down the proverbial sh*tter (due to the general poor standard of a lot of modern music) and Radio 2 becomes what Radio 1 was for the generation below me.
My new homes are Absolute 80's and Greatest Hits. Greatest Hits won't be too dissimilar from how Radio 2 was just a few years ago although I do find the music a little middle of the road on there compared to how eclectic Radio 2 was/is.

Back in the day the choice was mostly of the BBC stations and the very odd commercial station. These days there is a station to suit every musical generation and taste. It really shouldn't be a problem. Just go where you like the music.

[dougcollins]

Cox, Mills, Ball - it's unlistenable until about 8 pm.

[Claretitus]

Cox, Mills, Ball - it's unlistenable until about 8 pm.

Absolutely. Can’t believe that Mills gets away with playing girl groups, teeny groups ( he was beside himself when S Club 7 announced they were back ), Katy Perry, Kylie, Rihanna etc etc for 2 hrs solid every day.

[mikeS]

Good choice. Vernon Kays filled in a few times for Zoe Ball recently and will play a decent selection of tunes.
I had hoped Detmot OLeary would have switched from Saturday mornings - quite like his style and varied tastes.

[Jakubclaret]

Horrible guy who cheated on his beautiful wife.

We all make mistakes & had she been ugly would it have made any difference.

[cblantfanclub]

Radio 2 – Zoe Ball, over hypes everything talks to her audience like they were kids – what’s on the tellybox? Doesn’t listen to what most of her interviewees are saying.
Jeremy Vine – just a complete idiot, lost count of the number of stupid things he says.
Scott Mills – boring bland frilly nonsense only surpassed by Anita Rani
Sara Cox etc. Great if you want to know what to know what Dawn and Darryl from Dagenham are having for dinner or what Motorway The Doolallys are stuck on on their way back from Aunty Veras.
Lately becoming good for getting a request for your dog. I include Lisa Tarbuck in this but does have a good playlist.
Lazy, lazy radio that requires little thought and is not worth putting out. Especially as they are just reading off a screen what the producer sends to them – yes YOU could do it.
By the way I’m having Garlic bread and sausages when I get out of the traffic on Brunshaw Ave., and can you play a love song for Derek my cockerpoo who’s the love of my life he especially likes ……………..
Radio 2 is finished it’s dreadful

[claret2018]

I'm with several others on here in that it really is a case of the march of time...as we get older we outgrow a radio station..but we follow the music of our own generation.

When I was younger I listened to Radio 1..through the 80's..into the 90's. It very gradually changed in that time but was still within my generation. I also thought Radio 2 was for "older people" and would never consider listening to it. As time passed the DJ's on Radio 1 changed..the music became aimed towards the generation below me and I started realising that Radio 2 actually wasn't that bad..and as time went by I realised it was just like Radio 1 used to be.
The next jump is happening as Radio 1 disappears down the proverbial sh*tter (due to the general poor standard of a lot of modern music) and Radio 2 becomes what Radio 1 was for the generation below me.
My new homes are Absolute 80's and Greatest Hits. Greatest Hits won't be too dissimilar from how Radio 2 was just a few years ago although I do find the music a little middle of the road on there compared to how eclectic Radio 2 was/is.

Back in the day the choice was mostly of the BBC stations and the very odd commercial station. These days there is a station to suit every musical generation and taste. It really shouldn't be a problem. Just go where you like the music.

The old ways of outgrowing one radio station for another doesn’t exist anymore. The age that Radio 1 used to be aimed at doesn’t listen to FM radio anymore, so something drastic will change in radio land in the next generation. In turn the generation that would have graduated to Radio 2 won’t be there either.

I listened to R1 when I was a teen, then 6 music came along so I skipped r2 completely.

[martin_p]

48 year old white male. Typical woke BBC…..

Oh, hang on!

[Somethingfishy]

The old ways of outgrowing one radio station for another doesn’t exist anymore. The age that Radio 1 used to be aimed at doesn’t listen to FM radio anymore, so something drastic will change in radio land in the next generation. In turn the generation that would have graduated to Radio 2 won’t be there either.

I listened to R1 when I was a teen, then 6 music came along so I skipped r2 completely.

Well indeed. That progression won't neccessarily be made as DAB has created so much choice. It makes this entire argument pure folly. If a Ken Bruce fan then I'm sure it's easy enough to follow him and retune to Greatest Hits.
The BBC just wants to keep the core demographics for each of its stations and that includes DJs that are relevant to that demographic. As much as I admire Ken Bruce as a broadcaster he increasingly was outside the demographic as the years passed by. It was only a matter of time. The same will apply to most other DJs..if any of them last as long.
At some point..and if he stays long enough then Jordan North will be deemed too irrelevant for Radio 1 and he moves on.
I don't understand the rage over it.

[TheFamilyCat]

All those hours wasted getting angry about the thought of it being Rylan...