BBC's Country File Summer Edition

[Bernardo]

As I watched the Summer midweek version of Country File the other evening I had the overwhelming feeling that I was actually watching the Blue Peter format. Does anyone else share my view? Both style and content, amateurs showing animals and having mini adventures plus the brisk boy scout style 'Hello I going to have a ripping time today'.

[paul kersey]

name='Bernardo' date='07 July 2010 - 09:17 AM' timestamp='1278490656' post='448750']

As I watched the Summer midweek version of Country File the other evening I had the overwhelming feeling that I was actually watching the Blue Peter format. Does anyone else share my view? Both style and content, amateurs showing animals and having mini adventures plus the brisk boy scout style 'Hello I going to have a ripping time today'.

Yes, I totally agree with you. I now try to avoid the programme for the same reason and yearn for the days when the programme was presented by John Craven. I feel that the problem stems from Matt Baker's failure to realise that he no longer presents Blue Peter and his inability to adopt a more adult style when presenting adult shows. I have noticed this problem before with other ex Blue Peter presenters ie Peter Purves and John Noakes but put it down to just associating them with Blue Peter. Matt Baker, however was on the show a long long time after my viewing days ended. I feel that most TV these days

has been dumbed down in style, or maybe I am just getting old

[Steve Crook]

name='Bernardo' date='07 July 2010 - 09:17 AM' timestamp='1278490656' post='448750']

As I watched the Summer midweek version of Country File the other evening I had the overwhelming feeling that I was actually watching the Blue Peter format. Does anyone else share my view? Both style and content, amateurs showing animals and having mini adventures plus the brisk boy scout style 'Hello I going to have a ripping time today'.

It was for a while when Matt Baker (ex Blue Peter) and Julia Bradbury were presenting it.

They always seemed to have some sort of competitive thing going on



But they seem to have got the old heave ho and for the last few weeks it's just been farmer Adam Hensen as the main presenter with a couple of others presenting the smaller pieces.



John Craven has been relegated to a "special report" each week.



Shame they got rid of Michaela Strachan



Steve

[Johnallan]

name='Steve Crook' date='07 July 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1278496234' post='448784']

It was for a while when Matt Baker (ex Blue Peter) and Julia Bradbury were presenting it.

They always seemed to have some sort of competitive thing going on

I sensed a similar thing with The Gadget Show. I used to be a avid viewer of the programme but when each show reached the point where the woman and bald-headed guy were testing gadgets (so long since I watched it I’ve forgotten their names), there was always a competitive element with undertones of ‘the battle of the sexes’ which I found tiresome. I’ve avoided it for that reason for the last umpteen series.

[Onedin]

name='Bernardo' date='07 July 2010 - 09:17 AM' timestamp='1278490656' post='448750']

As I watched the Summer midweek version of Country File the other evening I had the overwhelming feeling that I was actually watching the Blue Peter format. Does anyone else share my view? Both style and content, amateurs showing animals and having mini adventures plus the brisk boy scout style 'Hello I going to have a ripping time today'.

Yes, and you're not the only one, as I've been reading on the BBC 'Points of View' message boards for weeks now. And I have to agree, even though I'll keep watching - this to me is about the countryside features, not the presenters per se. Although I must admit that I do miss my tv hero John Craven! I loved that time when Jon Culshaw came in as John Craven, when the real one was reading a script or something at a picnic table - John Craven is a lovely, humble man.

name='Steve Crook' date='07 July 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1278496234' post='448784']

Shame they got rid of Michaela Strachan



Steve

Can't say the same, Steve......... I felt more and more uncomfortable the skinnier she got, and she always did have that 'Blue Peter' feel for me. Can't help it.





Not that Matt Baker or Julia Bradbury are helping much.............

[Steve Crook]

name='Onedin' date='16 July 2010 - 07:14 PM' timestamp='1279304042' post='452860']

name='Steve Crook' date='07 July 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1278496234' post='448784']

Shame they got rid of Michaela Strachan



Steve

Can't say the same, Steve......... I felt more and more uncomfortable the skinnier she got, and she always did have that 'Blue Peter' feel for me.

I've always liked the way she presents shows to do with animals ever since I saw her do an early one from a chimp or monkey enclosure. While she was doing her piece to camera one of the animals ran up behind her and thumped her on the back.



Rather than screaming or even squealing she just rolled with the punch and carried on talking to the camera



Steve

[Onedin]

name='Steve Crook' date='17 July 2010 - 01:11 AM' timestamp='1279325519' post='452983']

I've always liked the way she presents shows to do with animals ever since I saw her do an early one from a chimp or monkey enclosure. While she was doing her piece to camera one of the animals ran up behind her and thumped her on the back.



Rather than screaming or even squealing she just rolled with the punch and carried on talking to the camera



Steve

True, she is a natural with animals. I just sometimes thought it was as if she was talking to children........

[Steve Crook]

name='Onedin' date='17 July 2010 - 08:31 AM' timestamp='1279351913' post='453028']

True, she is a natural with animals. I just sometimes thought it was as if she was talking to children........

She often is

A lot of the shows she does are aimed at children



But when she started presenting on Countryfile she did so in a much more adult manner



Steve

[Onedin]

name='Steve Crook' date='17 July 2010 - 09:30 AM' timestamp='1279355418' post='453047']

She often is

A lot of the shows she does are aimed at children



But when she started presenting on Countryfile she did so in a much more adult manner



Steve

Well that explains it then......... I don't know any of her children's thingies.............. apart from 'Countryfile'..............

[Steve Crook]

name='Onedin' date='17 July 2010 - 09:35 AM' timestamp='1279355702' post='453050']

Well that explains it then......... I don't know any of her children's thingies.............. apart from 'Countryfile'..............

She was one of the presenters on The Really Wild Show for some time and has done quite a few shows where they visit zoos or wild animal parks and work with the keepers. She's also done a few of the "diary" shows like Orangutan Diary where they follow families of a particular species in the wild.



Most of those shows are shown in the daytime and are aimed at children so they usually tend to emphasise the "cute and fluffy" aspects of the animals. But Michaela is just as happy working with the ugly, messy & gory side of natural history



Steve

[Nick Dando]

name='Steve Crook' date='17 July 2010 - 09:47 AM' timestamp='1279356471' post='453058']

SBut Michaela is just as happy working with the ugly, messy & gory side of natural history



Steve

Are we talking about Bill Oddie?



Nick

[Onedin]

name='Nick Dando' date='17 July 2010 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1279361774' post='453100']

Are we talking about Bill Oddie?



Nick

Nooooooooooooo..................... Bill Oddie.............





He would be the reason to stop watching 'Countryfile' if he'd ever present that!

[Steve Crook]

name='Nick Dando' date='17 July 2010 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1279361774' post='453100']

Are we talking about Bill Oddie?



Nick

No, he's the "cute and fluffy" side of wildlife



Steve

[Onedin]

name='Steve Crook' date='17 July 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1279367174' post='453133']

No, he's the "cute and fluffy" side of wildlife



Steve

Have you lost your marbles, Steve?

[Steve Crook]

name='Onedin' date='17 July 2010 - 12:50 PM' timestamp='1279367404' post='453134']

Have you lost your marbles, Steve?

You're assuming that I had any marbles to lose



Steve

[Onedin]

name='Steve Crook' date='17 July 2010 - 12:59 PM' timestamp='1279367950' post='453143']

You're assuming that I had any marbles to lose



Steve