BBC Radio 4

[Poppy-Hopkins]

I don't wish to sound square, but try as I might, I just can't find anything to rival BBC Radio 4. It truly is a unique experience and a novelty to be able to tune in to a channel, in this day and age, that is free of; commercial ads, low-brow humour and insincerity. It's completely reliable, educational and even when I fail to fully comprehend subject matters, topics and discussions, it still sounds like poetry to the ears. I go to bed with it and I wake up listening to it, and if the truth be told, I can't get enough of it. Is there anything remotely like it on any platform over any media format?

Poppy.

[smudge]

BBC4...

Smudge

[Steve Crook]

BBC4...

Smudge

BBC4 is Radio 4 with pictures

Steve

[Windthrop]

BBC4 is Radio 4 with pictures

Steve

Yes and we are going to get Just A Minute next year in yet another attempt to visualise it - won't improve it IMHO

[GRAEME]

Yes and we are going to get Just A Minute next year in yet another attempt to visualise it - won't improve it IMHO

But it will be startling to see just how old Nicholas Parsons is these days, God bless him.

[RogerThornhill]

But it will be startling to see just how old Nicholas Parsons is these days, God bless him.

I saw him on TV recently in the documentary about Sid Field, of course he does look older but still very spry.

[Steve Crook]

Yes and we are going to get Just A Minute next year in yet another attempt to visualise it - won't improve it IMHO

It didn't help last time they tried it, but that was on ITV

Steve

[RogerThornhill]

I did a little bit of research on him and I was very surprised to find out that he is 88.

[Poppy-Hopkins]

Shall I conclude then that there is nothing to touch BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC 4?

Poppy.

[Sgt Sunshine]

Its the only radio station I listen to.....not even local radio can tempt me away...

[Steve Crook]

I don't wish to sound square, but try as I might, I just can't find anything to rival BBC Radio 4. It truly is a unique experience and a novelty to be able to tune in to a channel, in this day and age, that is free of; commercial ads, low-brow humour and insincerity. It's completely reliable, educational and even when I fail to fully comprehend subject matters, topics and discussions, it still sounds like poetry to the ears. I go to bed with it and I wake up listening to it, and if the truth be told, I can't get enough of it. Is there anything remotely like it on any platform over any media format?

Poppy.

Sometimes a bit too much news and current affairs what with the extended World at One and there's always the dreadful You and Yours with an hour wasted that could be summed up by the phrase "Caveat emptor" and that serially uninteresting sociologist, Laurie Taylor with Thinking Allowed.

But even with those, it is still the best radio station in the world, by a country mile, and often wins awards to acknowledge that.

With the broad range of subjects covered, at least one play every day, new comedy (doesn't always work), panel shows and quizzes that nobody takes too seriously, even those taking part in the most intellectual ones and many other things including lots of quirky little things that just don't fit into any category and would never get an airing on any other medium. It'll do for me

Steve

[Poppy-Hopkins]

Well said Steve.

Poppy.

[GRAEME]

Well said Steve.

Poppy.

Not!

Laurie Taylor is a god, and his show is called Thinking Allowed.

[Steve Crook]

Not!

Laurie Taylor is a god, and his show is called Thinking Allowed.

There were a few letters missing when you said he is a good for nothing.

As for the show it should be called "No Original Thinking Allowed" or, as it's on the radio and we hear the title, maybe it should be "Random Incoherent Thinking Aloud"

No, I'm not a fan. I often wonder what hold he has over someone at Radio 4 to force them to let him broadcast it

Steve

[GRAEME]

There were a few letters missing when you said he is a good for nothing.

As for the show it should be called "No Original Thinking Allowed" or, as it's on the radio and we hear the title, maybe it should be "Random Incoherent Thinking Aloud"

No, I'm not a fan. I often wonder what hold he has over someone at Radio 4 to force them to let him broadcast it

Steve

I respect you even less for that reply. If that is possible.

[DB7]

Is there anything remotely like it on any platform over any media format?

Radio 4 Xtra

[Richard_in_wales]

Radio 4 is simply superb in my opinion.

[Edward G]

Graeme,
That's the mental image I had before I watched the programme but Parsons, it turns out, is wearing well as they say and is one of the last of the old school who still has a good trove of anecdotes from stage and screen to share from the golden age.

[duffy moon]

Having bought a new car, the radio doesn't have long wave (live in The Netherlands) , so now I can no longer listen to the absolute sense that is R4, I have to hop between 5 live and Talk Sport if I want a bit of Blighty in the morning / evening drive to work...oh lordy, I miss it sooooooo...have to make do with my LW radio in the shed when I lounge in the garden at the weekends in the summer... TMS...ISIHAC...TSDS...CR...

[Steve Crook]

Having bought a new car, the radio doesn't have long wave (live in The Netherlands) , so now I can no longer listen to the absolute sense that is R4, I have to hop between 5 live and Talk Sport if I want a bit of Blighty in the morning / evening drive to work...oh lordy, I miss it sooooooo...have to make do with my LW radio in the shed when I lounge in the garden at the weekends in the summer... TMS...ISIHAC...TSDS...CR...

You might not have that option in the shed for much longer because they are talking about cutting the Long Wave broadcasts as everything goes digital. It's a shame because the digital, VHF and even the Medium Wave signals don't reach all parts of the UK

Steve