Geoffrey Boycott demonstrated the difference between banter and chunter, while Nikki Fox's show about disabled workers was eye-opening and heartbreaking
*The Ashes: Test Match Special* (Radio 5 Live Sports Extra) | iPlayer
*Disabled and Desperate to Work *(5 Live) | iPlayer
*The Manuscript* (Absolute Radio) | Listen
Banter – "bants"– is a young man's game, involving competition for ladies' attention using wit and repartee, occasionally progressing to downing seven pints and then doing the caterpillar for the entire length of the bar. Chunter is for the over-50s, those chaps who really don't care whether or not a lady is listening to them, unless they need a cup of tea or information as to the whereabouts of clean socks. Banter is BBC3. Chunter is Geoffrey Boycott.
On Thursday lunchtime, everyone listening to the *Ashes* on 5 Live Sports Extra thought that England had it in the bag. By 3pm, the last two Aussies standing had made the highest ever 10th-wicket Test partnership, with 19-year-old debutant Ashton Agar clocking up a massive 98. Even I know that's something. I tuned in and out throughout the day. For much of that time, Geoffrey was chuntering. "I'm speechless," he said at one point (he wasn't). It turned out he was shocked by another presenter's shirt. "It sparkles," marvelled Geoffrey. "It's like a three-year-old's painting." Listening to Boycott is like eavesdropping on a golf club dinner, circa 1978; you worry he might have a heart attack if someone turned up in shorts. Enjoyable, though, to hear that chunter (as long as you're not getting the same at home); and he knows his stuff. Even at lunchtime he commented: "It's getting quite irritating from England's point of view, Australia eking out a few runs…"
Geoffrey is a natural radio presenter because he retains his personality in front of a mic. He also has insider knowledge, of course. As does Nikki Fox, presenter of *Disabled and Desperate to Work*. This was Nikki's second documentary for 5 Live, and, as with her first, she was a delight to listen to: funny, friendly, honest, revealing. I really recommend this programme, for its insight into how able-bodied employers discriminate against disabled workers, even when they don't want or mean to. An interview with Nikki's sister, who, like Nikki, suffers from muscular dystrophy, was quite devastating: due to an employer's unwillingness to let her have a parking space in the car park, she fell over while walking from her car and fractured an ankle. She was in plaster for five months and so lost more function in her legs. Since then, she's never been able to walk unaided again. "Cue crying," she said, wryly. Well, yes.
Fox followed four other disabled people in their search for work. More than one reported that their Job Centre told them to claim benefits rather than seek employment. Despite the government's best efforts (ho), most people have reduced expectations of disabled people's working capabilities. Nikki ended the show by pointing out that she too is now unemployed. If I were 5 Live, I'd sign her up quick.
Over on Absolute Radio, a station that refuses to sit still (you can buy tickets to festivals on its site, for instance), a new venture: *The Manuscript*. This is a panel show with a hook: it's a guide to being a modern man. Hmm. Clearly, the idea is to poke fun at men, as well as celebrate them, but it's still, initially, a little galling for the lady listener. Hosted by Nick Hancock, it's not a bad programme by any means; but it needs more work on the script, and the sound. I listened to the show with Ian Stone, Robin Ince and Holly Walsh; the microphones weren't adjusted correctly, with some panellists louder than others. Walsh, who I hadn't heard before, was much the funniest; her puns pinging and flying and scoring like shiny balls in a pinball machine.
Other stuff? I enjoyed Pop-Up Ideas with Malcolm Gladwell, mostly because of his amazing way with a story. Desert Island Discs last week was a doozy; cardiologist Jane Somerville, a truly inspirational woman. And I can't believe I missed Nigel Havers' Ravers a couple of weeks ago on Dermot O'Leary's show. Havers talked us through the acid house years, rather like he's reading you an astonishing fairy story. Exactly as much fun as that sounds. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.
*The Ashes: Test Match Special* (Radio 5 Live Sports Extra) | iPlayer
*Disabled and Desperate to Work *(5 Live) | iPlayer
*The Manuscript* (Absolute Radio) | Listen
Banter – "bants"– is a young man's game, involving competition for ladies' attention using wit and repartee, occasionally progressing to downing seven pints and then doing the caterpillar for the entire length of the bar. Chunter is for the over-50s, those chaps who really don't care whether or not a lady is listening to them, unless they need a cup of tea or information as to the whereabouts of clean socks. Banter is BBC3. Chunter is Geoffrey Boycott.
On Thursday lunchtime, everyone listening to the *Ashes* on 5 Live Sports Extra thought that England had it in the bag. By 3pm, the last two Aussies standing had made the highest ever 10th-wicket Test partnership, with 19-year-old debutant Ashton Agar clocking up a massive 98. Even I know that's something. I tuned in and out throughout the day. For much of that time, Geoffrey was chuntering. "I'm speechless," he said at one point (he wasn't). It turned out he was shocked by another presenter's shirt. "It sparkles," marvelled Geoffrey. "It's like a three-year-old's painting." Listening to Boycott is like eavesdropping on a golf club dinner, circa 1978; you worry he might have a heart attack if someone turned up in shorts. Enjoyable, though, to hear that chunter (as long as you're not getting the same at home); and he knows his stuff. Even at lunchtime he commented: "It's getting quite irritating from England's point of view, Australia eking out a few runs…"
Geoffrey is a natural radio presenter because he retains his personality in front of a mic. He also has insider knowledge, of course. As does Nikki Fox, presenter of *Disabled and Desperate to Work*. This was Nikki's second documentary for 5 Live, and, as with her first, she was a delight to listen to: funny, friendly, honest, revealing. I really recommend this programme, for its insight into how able-bodied employers discriminate against disabled workers, even when they don't want or mean to. An interview with Nikki's sister, who, like Nikki, suffers from muscular dystrophy, was quite devastating: due to an employer's unwillingness to let her have a parking space in the car park, she fell over while walking from her car and fractured an ankle. She was in plaster for five months and so lost more function in her legs. Since then, she's never been able to walk unaided again. "Cue crying," she said, wryly. Well, yes.
Fox followed four other disabled people in their search for work. More than one reported that their Job Centre told them to claim benefits rather than seek employment. Despite the government's best efforts (ho), most people have reduced expectations of disabled people's working capabilities. Nikki ended the show by pointing out that she too is now unemployed. If I were 5 Live, I'd sign her up quick.
Over on Absolute Radio, a station that refuses to sit still (you can buy tickets to festivals on its site, for instance), a new venture: *The Manuscript*. This is a panel show with a hook: it's a guide to being a modern man. Hmm. Clearly, the idea is to poke fun at men, as well as celebrate them, but it's still, initially, a little galling for the lady listener. Hosted by Nick Hancock, it's not a bad programme by any means; but it needs more work on the script, and the sound. I listened to the show with Ian Stone, Robin Ince and Holly Walsh; the microphones weren't adjusted correctly, with some panellists louder than others. Walsh, who I hadn't heard before, was much the funniest; her puns pinging and flying and scoring like shiny balls in a pinball machine.
Other stuff? I enjoyed Pop-Up Ideas with Malcolm Gladwell, mostly because of his amazing way with a story. Desert Island Discs last week was a doozy; cardiologist Jane Somerville, a truly inspirational woman. And I can't believe I missed Nigel Havers' Ravers a couple of weeks ago on Dermot O'Leary's show. Havers talked us through the acid house years, rather like he's reading you an astonishing fairy story. Exactly as much fun as that sounds. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.