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GW 06 - Who's leaving?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by drwalter (U1365507) on Sunday, 29th January 2006

  Over the last three weeks I have, in my spare time, been transferring my VHS recordings of Monty Don's time as "Head GW gardener" (2003 onwards) to DVD (yes, I finally bought a machine ealier this year - it's great!).
  
  One thing I noticed was the "weaning-off" of Chris Beardshaw (a very articulate, intelligent and presentable man) until his demise in 2004, and introduction of Sarah Raven & Carole Klein. All very odd.
  
  Also I noticed how many items were started on camera and then never heard of again, and how many items were discussed again and again and again. There seemed a true lack of "continuity" within the programme (producers should make a note of what was shown and come back to it months later...don't disregard it).
  
  Also the style of presentation has changed (not the for better...) with focus on lingering people shots which could have been better close-ups on "hands-on" (like taking cuttings, seed sowing, division, etc). One item was discussing cuttings; and as soon as the knife touched the cutting, the camera went to long shot of the presenter looking through another plant... Might be "arty"-looking but this is "a practical gardening advice" presnetation not a Quentin Tarrantino film.
  
  Overall, the 2003/04 series was "tighter" than 04/05, and is perhaps due to the number of presenters. There's four at the moment. Three of whom are "struggling" to be, unlike Beardshaw, articulate and likeable. (BTW: what happened to Penny [the bug lady]? She was the female equivalent of Chris!).
  
  SO, WHO SHOULD LEAVE and WHO SHOULD STAY?
  
  Monty, even with his new Wales-based project, must stay (don't forget Geoff Hamilton stayed for 15 years, and did we tire of him? NO!).
  
  Sarah Raven must stay (she doesn't mind getting her hands mucky - no gloves in sight! Take note Rache de Thame!).
  
  Carol Klein is uncomfortable in-front of the camera doing demos; she must go.
  
  Joe Swift has to go back to his Islington-based consultancy as he is not engaging enough; he has to go.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Shauna-The-Sheep (U3023397) on Sunday, 29th January 2006

  Agree totally - see the thread about the late start of GW 06

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by janeth1948 (U2397434) on Sunday, 29th January 2006

  We also have a recordable dvd player & OH transferred old GW presented by AT. It was 2001 & it was wonderful. Oh if only!
  I might end up watching that if the new series doesn't improve.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by drwalter (U1365507) on Monday, 30th January 2006

  If only I had recored some Geoff Hamilton years...
  
  The best!

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 30th January 2006

  I did. I had years of it taking up masses of space and DVDs then one day OH got cross and siad we didn't need that much gardening and they've all been reused.
  
  I have never felt the urge to keep a record of this incarnation of GW. It's simply not inspirational. I live in hope though.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 30th January 2006

  Oops. I meant video tapes of course. Doh!

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by drwalter (U1365507) on Friday, 10th February 2006

  It seems...thankfully...that Mr Monty Don is staying with GW.
  
  And why shouldn't he?
  
  The world's longest running gardening series (?) with an average of 3.5 million viewers. A great showcase for his organic gardening philosphy (esp. veg and fruit)(I've even bough some Raspberry canes this year to try...and there's garlic in the soil from last year. He's very inspirational).
  
  But he needs (a) better or (b) less co-presenters (or fill more time with recorded inserts - what happened to the very descriptive and watchable Stephen Lacey?).
  
  I just hope that from March 3rd the show is less reliant on the "Changing Rooms" quick-fix format and we get some proper gardening.
  
  And, yes, a retrospective of the fantastic gardener, Christopher Lloyd. Not a five minute piece but a full half-hour from his garden.
  
  Good luck for the new series, guys!
  

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by MizzTuppence (U2378711) on Friday, 10th February 2006

  Yes, really looking forward to seeing it back on our telly. Friday nights are just not the same without it. Sitting back to watch GW with a G&T in hand is a tradition in my house, well with me it is!!

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