The Glass Box for Thursday
In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:
We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.
hard a starboard please no.1..
Hope the sea doesn't get any rougher, but if it does, you're welcome to drop in on me.
Whose idea was it to get Prunella Scales talking about the Queen? It was one of the most painfully embarrassing interviews I've ever heard. It was always going to be a disaster - she just plays a character, reciting someone else's words. What possible insight can she have into the real person. Then to top it all,she starts talking about Elizabeth I - where did that come from?
Sub-Lieutenant Wyman (1):
"Left hand up a bit," it is sir!
Bzzzt!
Starboard lookout here. In case anybody's interested, we've just gone past two sets of bongs.
Ooo, nasty!
'T isn't the room that's at a slant, it's the camera.
Good 'tea' was it Eric?
The interview with Prunella Scales was a surprise to me. Firstly why choose her for the topic - as pointed out above, she's only recites lines. Secondly that she was so nervous (I cannot think of any other reason why) she rambled, hesitated etc. Not what I expected from a seasoned actor, but it's all in the context. Thirdly that the interview was live.
I guess that as the interview was at the end of the programme, there was no chance to pull it to a quick close and pad out something else later, both saving PS and the audience further embarassment. Only her short anecdote of meeting the Queen had any flow to it.
I cannot think of a name, but if this was a topic that did need more coverage than statement of fact (unlikely?) surely there must be a "celeb." historian of the Victorian era, who could compare and contrast Vic with Liz II.
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I was working during PM, what happened about the clocks and having people email in the time?? No-one has a watch?
Martin (3)
Yep. It was a car crash. I found it toe-curlingly unbearable - so much so, I switched off.
But, I LOVED the bongs - what a lovely interlude.
Yes, the Prunella Scales interview was unbearable. Was it recorded before-hand ? if so, why bother airing it at all. The whole point, I thought was to draw comparisons between Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria and yet all Prunella Scales talked about was wigs and costimes. Poor Eddie, no wonder you forgot what time it was.
Prunell Scales, 2 out 0f 10.
Rock, Papers and Scissors, 10 out of 10.
Bongs also 10 out of 10.
I really felt for Prunella, she did seem quite awkward in that interview.
It was a lot like Jane Horrocks years ago on Des O'Connor's chat show; the poor thing looked terrified and could hardly get a word out.
Both are very talented people, but maybe not suited for live work?
I hope you only spoke to Prunella Scales because every historian in your contact book had already gone away for Xmas. Surely it can't be because R4 is going the way of the rest of the media and would rather speak to a celeb, even though they've got nothing to say, than someone less well known but possibly more interesting and better informed.
I usually find that kids' contributions are as embarrassing as the P Scales interview, but the bongs had me laughing. If that's not on Pick of the Week, I'll eat my computer.
Bongs were brilliant of course.
I didn't object to the Prunella Scales interview personally.
She is an actress at the end of a day - not a commentator.
I'm surprised that Eddie, Elouise or someone with some editing skills didn't take some of the hesitations out - the umm's and err's -
Had I been allowed to submit that for transmission I'd have been called to one side I think!
Bongs were brilliant of course.
I didn't object to the Prunella Scales interview personally.
She is an actress at the end of a day - not a commentator.
I'm surprised that Eddie, Elouise or someone with some editing skills didn't take some of the hesitations out - the umm's and err's -
Had I been allowed to submit that for transmission I'd have been called to one side I think!
Um...it was live.
Oh - Sorry, bath was running :-(
jonnie (15)
must be Christmas if you're having a bath!