On Eddie Mair
Writing about web page http://www.radioawards.org/winners05/win05.htm
I swore to myself I wouldn't blog when I got back, and just produce an OHT for my GCSE class tomorrow, but I couldn't resist.
Tonight, the Radio 4 broadcaster Eddie Mair won the Sony Gold Award for News Journalist of the Year. And quite rightly.
Nearly everything he says or does is radio at its finest. He perfectly balances serious discussion and detailed questioning with sharp wit and intellectual refinement.
Today, on PM, Radio 4's afternoon news programme, he introduced the main stroy with this line (or somethig similar):
"Tonight, the knives are out for Mr Blair…." A standard phrase, you think, and then:
"...But some MPs come out to praise him" (Cue Jack Straw calling him a genius)
At once, Mair sets out the story – The labour party is divided over Blair – whilst subtly alluding to Julius Ceasar. Simple, subtle and intellectual.
At times, he's just downright silly/cheeky/funny whilst fronting one of the flagship R4 programmes. A couple of weeks ago, he signed off from Friday's programme thus:
"Dan Damon will be here tomorrow at 5…
…Assuming there's any news"
10 May 2005 00:45
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Hm yes the sony's were quite interesting last night. Looks like R4 has lost its Station of the Year accolade though…but what better successer than R2?
Eddie Mair is, i believe, currently top of the list to take over from the legend, John Humphreys when he retires in a few years time.
10 May 2005, 09:19
On another note, just listening to your coventry jazz festival report – bloody marvelous sah! Spot on :)
20 May 2005, 17:32
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