photograph 12·01·10 Week 2 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel : I J an THE BBC NEWSPAPER ohnson , A N ssistant E ewsgathering

AFTER THE AMBUSH - REPORTER GETS ditor FIRST INTERVIEW WITH ADEBAYOR . Pages 4 freeze frame

BBC Scotland reporter Julie ◆Peacock and cameraman Brian Ashman at the Cairngorm ski centre. Snow sports enthusiasts were in heaven, but the extreme cold caused technical problems for the reporting team. Apart from keeping themselves warm in temperatures as low as -30C, batteries lost power in minutes, tapes froze and snapped, and the fine, powdery snow got into equipment. > NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 PERSIAN TV 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 12·01·10 FROST BITES a Manchester based SBCJ Rob Wood provided lives into the Snow Patrol News Channel from a Kwik Fit in Stockport – while the VSat van u Room 2316, White City A week of record snowfalls and record was having a puncture fixed. Not temperatures produced record audiences for BBC content with that demonstration of 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS programmes, as the British lived up to their repu- technical versatility, the following 020 8008 4228 tation of being obsessed with the weather. day he took the side of the camera Editor Around the UK news crews have been out in off, moments before a live on Candida Watson 02-84222 freezing temperatures and falling snow, report- the One, to remove snow that had Deputy editor ing on school closures, transport problems, got into the mechanism while Cathy Loughran 02-27360 cut-off communities, and the stoical responses filming on Saddleworth Moor. Chief writer of the general public. From local radio to BBC One special programmes the information flow BBC North East reporter Chris Sally Hillier 02-26877 is non-stop, relaying the latest weather fore- Jackson blogged and broadcast on Features editor casts, travel news and school closures, as well his three day attempt to get to Nice Clare Bolt 02-27445 as showing the situation from top to bottom of for an Inside Out film. After snow Broadcast Journalist the UK as the bad weather continues. closed Liverpool airport he and his Claire Barrett 02-27368 Staff made heroic efforts to continue work- producer tried different routes, but Art editor ing. Snowed in BBC Scotland SBJ Cameron But- cancelled flights, trains and buses Ken Sinyard 02-84229 tle set up a radio sat phone in his garden and thwarted them at every turn. You Business co-ordinator reported live for Radio Scotland, 5 live and the can follow the marathon journey Silvana Romana 02-84228 News Channel. Then he made a short film of life at bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjackson/ Ariel mail in his Borders village, where two foot of snow Multi-media journalist Cameron Buttle [email protected] had fallen, which ran on Reporting Scotland and Neil Pringle, BBC Sussex breakfast the News Channel. Meanwhile Borders police It was a massive, expensive effort, with two presenter, slept on the office floor explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel Ariel online came to the aid of BJ Angela Soave, ferrying satellite trucks being brought in, and extra fly- on Tuesday evening to be sure the BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 her along miles of blocked roads to Selkirk. She ing time for the news helicopter. BBC One con- show went on. He had to lie on tributed towards the costs. jiffy bags after problems with his Kevin Bakhurst said: ‘It stretches us quite a lot airbed, and finished the week by Guest contributors this week to do specials, because of the lower numbers of inaugurating the station’s SlipSlide people in the newsroom [following cuts in BBC group after falling over and Peter Horrocks, World Service News in the last three years]. But the audience re- banging his head in the carpark. director, on the Africa Cup of Nations sponse has been remarkable.’ and the attack on the Togo team. So rosters were juggled, people came in from BBC Berkshire presenter days off, and the production team for each spe- Susanne Courtney walked four COLIN ANDERSON, comedy cial was just five, headed by assistant editor miles through the snow to get to producer on a Stepping Stone Gwennan Roberts. work, and as she was trudging up attachment to San Francisco The efforts to reach the story, and report it ful- a hill in her wellies, the station’s ly, were rewarded with record viewing figures. assistant editor Duncan McLarty On January 5 and 6 the Six O’Clock News had audi- ran past her. He jogged ten miles ences of 6.5 and 6.9 million respectively, with the between his home and the office. Ten drawing 6.95m and 5.8m. Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 Dominic King, with canine assistants GNS producer Alex Grundon BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 decided to come in early after Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS then single-handedly broadcast an hour long spe- hearing the weather forecasts. cial on the weather. BBC Scotland’s head of news Instead of starting his shift at 0530 Advertise in Ariel Atholl Duncan commended their efforts. He he began at midnight, working Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 said: ‘I take my hat off to them, and all the rest of through the night to ensure www.bbcarielads.com the BBC news teams who braved the cold.’ local radio stations would have Printing At the opposite end of the country Radio Kent’s plenty of material, even if they Garnett Dickinson Group Drivetime programme came from presenter Do- had fewer staff than usual. Rotherham 01709 768000 minic King’s house on January 7, after heavy snow made his journey to work impossible. Nigel Margerison, World Service Subscribe to Ariel Kevin Bakhurst, controller of the News night editor, was on a train which Six months: £26, £36, £40 Channel, oversaw two news specials for BBC One ground to a halt when power lines Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 on January 6. The logistics were immense. News- came down. Passengers were led up (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world gathering deployed eight satellite trucks and two the track to safety at Hackney Downs. respectively) VSats to be live from Breakfast onwards and dur- Weatherman Paul Hudson, live at Stamford Bridge Deputy night editor Steve Jackson Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, ing the course of the day a total of 14 trucks were couldn’t get from Oxford to his shift Brookfields Way, Manvers, out providing pictures, as well as three VSats and The Big Freeze news special on BBC One at Bush House. He went to Radio Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL roving crews. on January 6 was watched by almost six million Oxford and did the job from there. Tel 01709 768199 News organiser Alan Reed co-ordinated the people and, on the same day, the News Channel coverage, and said nations and regions staff achieved some of its highest audiences in recent The snow threatened Radio Solent’s INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY made everything possible, with some crews stay- years, reaching half a million on occasions. exclusive plans for a live audience Telephone 0800 0688 159 ing overnight on location to ensure the output. There were also record figures for the 1830 grilling of Gordon Brown, until the Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 regional bulletin. More than 10 million people station landed the first live interview Ariel is produced by Internal across the country watched their local shows. with the PM following Wednesday’s Communications for people at the BBC The 18.30 edition of Reporting Scot- shock leadership challenge. Solent’s land on January 5 had an audience of almost scheduled Question Time-style a million, the largest for almost ten years, while audience event in Portsmouth Wales Today achieved its highest early evening had to be abandoned, but Brown figure this century, possibly its largest ever, with talked live from Downing Street 571,000 people watching. Figures for radio audi- to presenter Julian Clegg – before ences are not yet available. taking questions from listeners. Deputy DG Mark Byford paid tribute to all staff for their efforts. He told Ariel: ‘The key thing I want to say is ‘Thanks’.’ He went on: ‘We know how big moments bring audiences togeth- A Question of Sport game PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL er, and the weather comes straight into that; If you tried to enter last week’s they want to see it, hear about it and they want QoS competition and failed, all the information we can give them. What apologies – we published an in- shines through is the on the ground reportage, correct URL. If you want to cre- the King ideal of reporting all aspects of the UK.’ ate a game for the show, please You can see more photos of BBC staff at work in the email Ariel Competitions. Broadcasting from the A3 at Petersfield snow at Ariel Online

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 12·01·10 News 3 photograph: pa photos pa photograph: Jonathan Ross is considering his I love making options after deciding the shows to wave goodbye to In a statement Jonathan Ross said: ‘I signed my current contract with the BBC the BBC, where he has having turned down more lucrative offers from other channels because it was where both delighted and I wanted to be and – as I have said before – would happily have stayed there for any fee dismayed they cared to offer, but there were other considerations.

I love making my Friday night talk show, my Saturday morning radio show and the Film Programme, and will miss them all. I look forward to continuing work on these shows until the summer, and I will continue hosting the Bafta Film Awards, Comic Relief and other BBC specials.

While at the BBC I have worked with some of the nicest and most talented people in the industry and had the opportunity to inter- view some of the biggest stars in the world. I am grateful to the BBC for such a marvel- lous experience.’

And this is what the papers said The prudes get what they wanted and Auntie loses a terrific talent The Evening Standard

Where now for motormouth? Good widdance The Daily Telegraph by Sally Hillier I need a rest, I don’t want to pro- Norton are nonsense,’ he adds. over how long the scary, sweary ap- ceed. He has clearly enjoyed the Mark Lamarr appears to be a pos- proach could last.’ Wickedly mischievous, flawlessly slick Timing is everything and Jonathan work he has done at the BBC, but sibility for the Radio 2 show and It was a question that loomed – in short he’s a huge loss Ross’s admission that ‘it’s not a bad some of his reasons are private.’ Mark Kermode is the name in the ever larger following Sachsgate, as The Independent time for me to move on and possi- At the weekend it was report- frame for Film 2010: ‘You know your a result of which Ross was suspend- bly not a bad time for them [the ed that Ross’s wife Jane, tired of stuff, make good telly and interact ed, Russell Brand quit and Radio 2 Talented, yes – but he threw it all away BBC] either’ says it all. all the attacks over pay, had urged with the punters,’ one admirer has controller Lesley Douglas resigned. Daily Mail This could be a challenging year him to quit. posted to Kermode’s website, while To try to prevent a similar editorial for the beleaguered BBC and some So what now for the present- another comments: ‘One always disaster – the lewd call to Sachs was The loss of Ross will backfire on the BBC of the heat is now off, thanks to er who in 2005 – the same year he ends up waiting for [Ross] to drop a made during Brand’s radio show, The Observer Ross’s snowy day news that he will received the OBE – was voted the double-entendre bomb.’ produced by his own company – step down when his contract ends in most powerful man in broadcast- Well, that’s his schtick. And it the BBC brought in new compliance July – 18 months after ‘Sachsgate’. ing. A complete break and more is loved by millions of fans, many measures and it is these, many be- Who shot JR (in the foot)? JR did, time with the family perhaps? of whom besieged the internet last lieve, that have turned Ross into a with that call to Andrew Sachs. There is speculation that he is week with messages of support. shadow of his former self. With his ‘edgy’ brand of enter- keen to forge a career in the US, But not that much of a shadow tainment and reported £6m a year while closer to home it is suggest- Editorial disaster because even with new compliance pay deal (although it’s not clear how ed that both Sky and Channel 4 are But while many delight in his flirty, rules, and a requirement that he much goes to his production com- interested in signing him up. dirty line of chat, others were ap- record his Radio 2 show, he still up- pany and how much to him person- The BBC meanwhile finds itself palled when, for example, he told set some people with this ‘advice’ to ally), Ross had become a symbol of with three gaps to fill: Friday night Gwyneth Paltrow she was ‘gagging parents: ‘If your son asks for a Han- excess and the stick with which to on BBC One, Saturday morning on for it’; asked Michael Aspel if he nah Montana MP3 player, you might beat his employer. On Question Time Radio 2 and Film 2010. had ‘fxxxed’ a beauty contestant, want to think about putting him columnist Polly Toynbee described Graham Norton, Michael McIntyre and David Cameron whether he down for adoption before he brings his salary as a PR ‘catastrophe’. and even Russell Brand (surely not) had ever masturbated while think- his…erm.. partner home.’ Even so, the decision to quit was have been touted as replacement Fri- ing of Margaret Thatcher. Which brings us to Four Poofs the star’s alone, insists creative di- day night hosts, but Yentob says no As fellow broadcaster Mark Law- and a Piano. What will happen to rector Alan Yentob. ‘He’d had a decisions have been taken yet. son observed in the Guardian: ‘… them after July? They’re open to of- tough year…and I think he thought, ‘All the stories about Graham there was always some question fers – just like Ross. mixed reaction: We asked staff for their views and this is what you told us

I would imagine that Jonath- I look forward to seeing him visible ink on all BBC studio insulting of disabled people, ed, along with other recent shoddy handling of the Sachs an Ross is tired of being at do something different in the doors saying ‘Edginess no disguised as humour. I might events, a lack of conviction affair, which the corporation the centre of a ‘compliance future. Good luck to him. longer welcome here’. be tempted to hold the door among senior management… has allowed to define Ross. storm’, one that will/has Simon Kay Greg Kerchhoff for him on his way out, but I their mute response to Ross’s Russell Newlove inevitably toned down his par- business accountant, Cardiff project manger, might also be tempted to let departure reveals a lack of studio manager, Bush House ticular brand (no pun intend- Broadcast Centre it go when he was halfway confidence which doesn’t ed) of comedy. I remember Mixed feelings. Sad to see him through. bode well for the future. Why I for one am glad he is going. the first time I ever walked go but the shows have lost As someone who has spent Geoff Adams-Spink couldn’t they say ‘so long, Yes, he is good at what he does around TVC and saw his pic- something since his return. almost all my career in BBC chairman of the Disabled thanks for all the good times, but his pay far outweighs his ture on the wall. He looked It is interesting to see that his News, I took exception to Staff Forum, White City but it’s time to go’? talent, and there are many tal- right at home as a part of this would be successors have all Ross’s boast that he was worth Daniel Edwards ented people in the BBC. May- institution and I, for one, will toned down their act (which 1000 journalists – in truth, he Jonathan Ross is a highly en- assistant producer, CBBC be we could all now have a de- miss him. is what got them on the BBC wasn’t worth 1000th of any of tertaining broadcaster but interactive development cent pay rise with the money Tim Johns in the first place) as the big my colleagues. not worth the fee he was re- the Beeb will be saving. station sound producer, prize looms in front of them. As a disabled person, I took portedly being paid.... I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d Pat Noel BBC Lincolnshire Perhaps there are signs in in- exception to his gratuitous His leaving has highlight- been pushed, given the BBC’s receptionist, BBC Oxford

4 News a 12·01·10 Robinson exclusive was WS captures two faces BBC NI’s best kept secret of Africa by Cathy Loughran ter Robinson has denied, that grammes – BBC NI’s head of tv envisaged it would be such a big Director of World Service, Peter Horrocks, was in he failed to tell the authorities current affairs Jeremy Adams, exclusive.’ Africa in the build up to the Cup of Nations The story that broke like a storm about the £50,000 his wife ob- reporter Darragh McIntryre Other recent Panoramas from over Northern Irish politics last tained from developers to set and producer Mary McKeagney current affairs in Belfast have World Service sports journalist Farayi Mungazi week was the result of a months her young lover up in business. – had always intended the Rob- included What Happened to Baby was live on air, announcing the winner of the long inquiry which, even by the Robinson himself has called the inson investigation to work for P?, nominated for an RTS jour- BBC African footballer of the year competition. investigative standards of the re- allegations ‘unfounded and mis- both Northern Ireland audienc- nalism award, and Slumdogs and But as he revealed the fans had chosen Didier spected Spotlight team, was a re- chievous’ saying he acted ‘ethi- es and network, as one of 12 Pan- Millionaires, about migrant la- Drogba, a darker side of the continent struck. markably well kept secret. cally and properly’ bour in Dubai – reflecting the While a package on Drogba played out, Farayi The astonishing allegations throughout. team’s strength in investigative learnt from an interviewee that the Togo team in Thursday’s Spotlight pro- The claims about filmmaking. had been ambushed in Angola. The production gramme about MP Iris Robin- controversial assem- Since the strengthening of team checked the tip, Farayi broke the news and son’s financial dealings and her bly member Iris Rob- BBC NI as a centre of excellence African football’s dreams were turned upside affair with 19 year old Kirk Mc- inson that were at for tv current affairs – and the down. Cambley caused an unprece- the heart of Thurs- increase in Panorama output As the news rippled out, the World Service’s dented scandal at Stormont. day’s documentary planned as part of the network consistent commitment to football in Africa On Monday, her husband on BBC One Northern supply strategy – only a handful paid off. Not only do we have a team deployed in Peter Robinson temporarily Ireland were made by of films have centred on North- Luanda but Matthew Kenyon was in the Angolan stepped aside as first minister her former advisor- ern Ireland affairs, including enclave of Cabinda where the Togo team came and requested a parliamentary turned-whistleblower Return of the Gunman about the under fire. (See his story below) and assembly investigation into Selwyn Black. In a series of tele- orama films now made annually Real IRA, also by Darragh McIn- Two Togolese officials and the bus driver his own conduct. vised interviews on Wednesday, in Belfast. tyre, brother of Donal. were killed in the attack. Several other people For Monday night’s Panorama, Peter Robinson revealed that his ‘It was carried out in condi- ‘Two of Panorama’s best were injured. The Togo team has withdrawn The MP and the Whistleblower, the wife had attempted suicide on tions of great secrecy and only young filmmakers, James Oliv- from the tournament. BBC Northern Ireland tv current the night last March after he a very few people were ever er and Katy Stead, have taken on The violence has cast a shadow over Angola’s affairs team updated the docu- learned of her affair. She is now aware,’ says Panorama editor full producing roles in North- attempts to show a new face to the world. Being mentary, adding context for a leaving politics and is receiving Sandy Smith. ‘Out of 12 films, ern Ireland and the intention is here I’ve been impressed by how far the country UK-wide audience and repeat- acute psychiatric treatment. we knew one would be a rever- very much to develop local tal- has moved on since the main civil war, although ing the allegations, which Pe- The team behind both pro- sioned Spotlight, but we never ent there too,’ Smith says. much remains to be done. In a week travelling in Africa I have seen how football brings Africa together – in triumph and in sadness. It’s a story that is riveting and is followed endlessly by the BBC’s largest Fear and forgiveness reach audience in the world – its African audience. The BBC World Service will continue to back that commitment to Africa and will make sure that it’s on hand to tell the story close up, better across the Guantanamo divide than anyone else in the world.

Several months ago, tense. After an initially awk- ex Guantanamo Bay ward introduction, the conver- sation turned to the reason for That interview guard Brandon Neely the visit. Brandon wanted to ex- decided to get in touch press how complicit he felt in with a former prisoner, their detention, and acknowl- with Adebayor via Facebook. His edge the wrong they were sub- jected to. message eventually Shafiq and Ruhal were asked Matthew Kenyon (left), a led to a face to face to explain their reasons for be- sports producer with meeting in the UK with ing in Afghanistan, which had the African service, resulted in their capture. Bran- spent most of Friday two of the Tipton Three. don told them he thought it at the airport in the BBC reporter Gavin was a case of ‘wrong place, Cabinda province of Lee was also at the wrong time’. Angola, reporting the extraordinary reunion… Both sides were beginning arrival of competitors Tension broken: Gavin Lee (right), with former prisoners and guard to bond, until Brandon re- in the Africa Cup of Na- vealed something that threat- tions, and had just got ened to derail the whole proc- back to his hotel when he As Brandon Neely nervously en- Brandon Neely was their jailer. press his regret in a novel way. ess. He told them that he had heard about the attack on Togo’s ters the room, he comes face to The journey of reconcilia- He contacted Shafiq on Face- ‘slammed’ an elderly detainee’s football team. He made his way to the players’ face with two British Asian men tion started almost a year earli- book. At this point the BBC be- head against the floor when the village where he was told that the squad was at who look equally awkward. ‘Hi, er in Texas. Brandon, who left came involved. I had been talk- man refused to comply with an a nearby hospital. I’m Brandon.’ ‘You look differ- the military in 2004 to become ing to the so-called ‘Tipton order. Ruhal was speechless, ‘I headed to the hospital and, as luck would ent without your cap,’ Ruhal a Houston police officer, was Taliban’ and I proposed a face- then evidently struggled as he have it, saw the Togo squad walking back to- Ahmed says quietly. struggling to come to terms to-face meeting between Bran- considered whether he could wards the players’ village,’ he told Ariel. Brandon points out that they with his time in Guantanamo don, Shafiq and Ruhal. They all forgive Brandon. He chose for- He introduced himself and in turn was in- too look different, since he last and had become increasing- agreed. giveness. A poignant moment. troduced to Emmanuel Adebayor, who was on saw them wearing prison jump- ly dubious about the legitima- Brandon arrived at Heath- All three felt they’d found a board the bus when it came under fire. suits. There is nervous laugh- cy of Shafiq and Ruhal’s impris- row ashen-faced and reluctant form of closure from meeting. Although shocked and upset, the Manches- ter, reflecting the fact that the onment in Cuba. As a guard, he to say much before the meet- All left with resolve, one with a ter City star was happy to talk to Kenyon, giving three men were last together in had come to know Shafiq, and ing. Nerves had set in. Shafiq degree of absolution. interviews in English and French, which were vastly different circumstances bonded with Ruhal in chats and the normally gregarious Their story will be featured immediately filed back to London for use on a at the world’s most notorious about rap music and women. Ruhal were notably quiet as across 16 BBC outlets, including range of outlets including the World Service, prison, Guantanamo Bay. Then, In 2004 both Rasul and they sat in front of tv cameras Newsnight on Tuesday, January 12 Radio 5 live and the News Channel. Shafiq Rasul and Ruhal Ahmed Ahmed were cleared and re- waiting for Brandon to enter and in Guantanamo Reunited on ‘I’ve been caught up in news stories before were terrorist suspects brand- leased from Guantanamo. Last the room. No-one knew what to Radio 5 live on Thursday, January while covering sports events but nothing of this ed the worst of the worst, and year Brandon decided to ex- expect, and the atmosphere was 14 at 10pm. magnitude,’ said Kenyon. a 12·01·10 Features 5

Can an ad man write a comedy? Adam ALL he needs is love Bambury might just be persuaded... Clare Bolt meets Chris Evans – the Wogan successor who is happy to wake up with anyone who cares to listen to him How (not) to get

He opened with The Beatles and self effacingly turned the spotlight onto Moira Stuart, celebrating her return to the BBC with three cheers. ‘You are too good to me,’ intoned the news- ahead in reader silkily, with just a hint of irony. When we meet at Western House in the week before transmis- sion, Evans is pink cheeked beneath an unseasonal Santa hat. He’s not been home for three days, because the snow meant advertising he couldn’t guarantee getting in for the 7am show run- through, and is missing his wife and 11 month son, Noah. The rehearsals have paid off though. ‘We’re good to go,’ he tweets on Friday. ‘Moira’s the nuts.’ ‘There are a lot of unhappy era set up, The Persuasionists was On the cusp of taking over what he’s called ‘the big- people in advertising,’ states green lit. Six episodes were gest job in radio’ he is composed. Focused. Unflappable. Jonathan Thake, writer of new filmed with a comedic cast that While he’s heaped praise on his predecessor, his show, ad-agency sitcom The Persua- includes Iain Lee in his first he says, will be ‘entirely different. Completely different. sionists. ‘So it’s a rich area to acting role, stand-up comedi- Haven’t held back at all. It’s not a soft sell’. write about.’ He should know an Jarred Christmas, and 6 Mu- What’s clear is that nothing has been left to chance. – he was in the industry for sic’s Adam Buxton, who plays Each link (including Stuart’s) has been crafted, features years, working for the likes of hapless account executive and road tested and the playlist fine tuned with help from his Pot Noodle and creating one of central protagonist, Greg. existing Drivetime listeners. ‘Once the mechanics are in the most complained about ads While the world of advertis- place, it gets funnier,’ he reasons. ‘It’s like actors on stage ever in the brand’s short-lived ing, which offers such rich dra- – you need to know where you’re standing first.’ ‘slag of all snacks’ campaign. matic material in Mad Men, is The supporting cast is also in place. Stuart is ‘amaz- It was this disillusionment surely ripe for parody, don’t ex- ing,’ he promises. ‘She’s as good as on tv, but even more with a profession he fell into pect a caustic satire in the man- authoritative. She comes in and we all go, waaay!’ With as a way of paying the bills that ner of Nathan Barley’s assault traffic’s Lynn Bowles and sports presenter Jonny Saunders spurred Thake to create his sit- on hip new-media types. More on board, the show feels com. ‘Beyond a certain age you akin to The IT Crowd in its exe- balanced and grown-up – it think, this isn’t the way I had cution, it finds room for every- ‘I won’t bounces along nicely without my life planned out...going into thing from cerebral humour to the anything-can-happen ver- meetings, being shouted at by crude gross-out gags in its sur- change tiginous quality of his Radio 1 the marketing manager of Mc- real world. breakfast show. Cain’s oven chips…’ Thake finished his first script It’s also underpinned by a It was, he reasoned, time to just before the Channel 4 series anything simple ethos: ‘The more organ- stop going to the pub, sit down, began: ‘I saw an interview with ised you are, the more effortless and try to write a script. [writer] Graham Lineham about because it will seem,’ he says. ‘The more Iain Morris, an exec from in- a new show set in an office that prepared you are, the more re- die Bwark, liked the result so was going to be a studio sitcom of what laxed you’ll be and the better much he bought it and took with lots of gag lines. I thought you can communicate.’ it to BBC exec Simon Wilson. – shit, that was all the things Wogan, he reasons, was fun- A single camera pilot, then that I was hoping to do,’ he re- people say’ ny because – after 27 years on known as The Scum also Rises, members. the show – he was so relaxed. was made for BBC Three – with Thake finally quit adland in He wants to achieve that kind of levity. ‘His show was very sim- disappointing results. early 2009, when The Persuasion- ple, it wasn’t pressure driven. I’ve tried to take the pressure out ‘It wasn’t that successful cre- ists went into production. Is he so that I can have fun.’ atively, but we still believed in glad to have left? ‘Yeah, I am,’ And that, he argues, is what the audience want: good music the writing,’ remembers Wil- he says, crying mock tears of and fun. For his part, he’s said before that it is the ‘grammar’ of son. ‘So we reconfigured and relief. ‘But I would never slag radio which really counts and that ‘personality’ is only the wall- re-piloted it for BBC Two, but it off. If it all goes wrong I’ll paper surrounding a live show. But, as his blog testifies, he has this time in front of a studio shuffle back in and start doing a knack of connecting with people. Controller Bob Shennan has audience, which is quite a rad- ads for washing powder again already speculated that he will bring ‘a very large army of fans’ ical shift.’ and pretend it didn’t happen. to the breakfast show. With extra gags (‘you want Maybe I could get my old desk Evans shakes off any suggestion that this army will follow the to make sure the people in back...’ breakfast show and become his very own, er, ‘Eggs’ (Evans’s guys the audience are laughing,’ as- The Persuasionists, and gals). His show, he says, will embrace ‘100 percent of listen- serts Wilson) and a multi-cam- BBC Two, January 13 ers all the time’. ‘It’s not a club for anyone,’ he says forcefully. ‘I don’t want any link, any record, to be exclusive.’ When he pictures his audience, he pictures the kids he knows, the grandparents he knows. As he points out, he’s not trying to appeal to women or white van driv- ers or football fans. Radio 2 gets everyone at breakfast. Was he mindful of the Togs when he was planning the show? ‘I’m not mindful of a particular demographic,’ he says, with a touch of defiance. ‘To compartmentalise is to marginalise – it’s dangerous.’ He’s also playing to his strengths – including a knack for com- ing up with original ideas and formats (his producer Helen Tho- mas says his team are ‘constantly striving to match the levels of audacity and creativity’). Music-wise, there’s the Jukebox Jury where listeners judge new releases, and Moira’s Golden Oldies, Acting up: Iain Lee which should appeal to the heartland listeners. plays Billy Will he change the show if listening figures dip? He bristles. ‘I won’t change anything because of what other people say. I might change it because of what I think, but we do this job for a living and we should know better than anyone what works. Sure, there will be criticism – I’ve had criticism for everything I’ve done.’

6 Features a 12·01·10

Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) enjoys some rare dry weather on the West Country shoot for the third series of the costume drama cutting edge

RORY CELLAN-JONES What makes a story news? It sounds like a journey to geek heaven. I spent last week visiting the California head- quarters of Facebook and Google, then roam- ing round the monstrous gadgetfest that is the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I’m grateful to have been sent to cover what I consider important stories about the technol- ogy that will shape our lives for years to come. But some people who contact me or complain to the BBC will say that we are conniving at product placement by major companies. Should we, for instance, have covered the launch of a mobile phone, Google’s Nexus One? I battled to persuade the company’s PR team to let my cameraman into the news conference after they said there really wasn’t room for us. And while the American networks all had satellite trucks outside the launch, we took ad- vantage of the wifi network which blankets the Googleplex to file for the Ten O’Clock News. So I was just pleased to have got on air. But am I – in the words of one Twitter user – just a Made it through the rain ‘Google shill’? I must say I was quite amused If anyone needed a barbecue to read that comment – in the fiercely partisan summer last year it was the team The blue skies and gentle pace of Lark Rise belie some world of technology, I’ve been accused of behind Lark Rise to Candleford. being in the pocket of both Apple and Micro- With 50 percent of the bad weather and fast work on set, as Sally Hillier writes soft, but never before of being a paid promot- period drama filmed outside, er of the search engine giant. the cast and production staff right side of sentimentality. I do think the Nexus One story was impor- would have welcomed some ‘It has a very solid, loyal tant, not because viewers and listeners need decent weather during their audience that everyone assumes to know about every new phone that comes six months on location in the is female dominated, but a lot of out, but because it tells us a lot about chang- West Country. It didn’t happen. husbands and boyfriends watch ing technology and a looming battle between ‘We started filming on June as well – they particularly two giant companies. 1 and had only about a week like the comic characters.’ Apple fired the starting gun for the smart- of sunshine throughout the With a large cast – around phone revolution when it launched the iPhone summer,’ recalls producer 13 regulars plus supporting three years ago – and our coverage of that Annie Tricklebank. and guest actors – and 12 one- event was also questioned at the time. Now Things didn’t get much hour episodes in each series, the Google has signalled that it wants to be a ma- better in the autumn and Lark Rise to Candleford team has jor force in the mobile industry too. early winter when persistent plenty to contend with during Should I for that matter have taken viewers rain upset the shooting Outdoor pursuits: Rufus Andrews and Annie Tricklebank a demanding filming schedule on a tour round Facebook headquarters, with schedule. Not that viewers will that requires them to spend its free food and ping-pong tables, or intro- have noticed the unhelpful many months away from home. duced them to the new e-reader, unveiled in conditions in this third series. Candleford memoir. It has been as cables, pylons and airfields.’ ‘A huge amount of work Las Vegas by the British firm, Plastic Logic? Tricks of the trade, such as adapted for television by Bill The first series, starring goes into the programme,’ The culture of a social networking business grading (adjusting the colour Gallagher, who chronicles the Dawn French and Julia Tricklebank explains. ‘We didn’t that now has more members than the popula- of camera shots), give a largely lives of farm workers, crafts Sawalha, proved a hit, regularly finish filming until the middle tion of the United States will obviously be of blue and dreamy hue to the people and gentry through a attracting more than six million of December – so it’s a tight interest to many viewers. skies even when it is bucketing range of colourful characters. viewers. French left halfway turnaround. We do the post As will the story of a British company taking down, as happened during The set for the hamlet of through the second series, due production work as we go along, fundamental research from Cambridge Univer- the filming of harvest. Lark Rise has been constructed to other commitments, but but it’s always a case of trying sity and turning it into a product which could While the interior on a genuine working farm the show has held its appeal. to keep up with ourselves.’ rival Amazon’s Kindle. scenes are filmed inside a while that for the neighbouring ‘People love it,’ says Annie Sarah Brown describes The problem is that just about every tech- warehouse complex in Yate, market town of Candleford Tricklebank. ‘Whatever their Lark Rise as ‘period drama on nology story features companies which may just outside Bristol, those all- is on a private estate a 30 age, they know they can a budget’, and praises the stand to benefit from the coverage. But does important exteriors are shot minute drive away. watch without fear of being ingenuity and hard work of that mean we can ignore what the likes of on two dedicated sets in the ‘Building the sets for the offended, embarrassed or the people who make it. Google, Facebook or Apple are doing, and the countryside around Bath. first series was a huge job that upset. Television has many But despite the financial impact they are having on our lives? A few The area’s famous Cotswold took months,’ says location contemporary reflections of life, and meteorological challenges, weeks back a giant entertainment franchise stone is similar in colour and manager Rufus Andrews. ‘Even but this is different – harking spirits are high, says Tricklebank. and its ‘chief executive’ received plenty of BBC style to the buildings in rural with those in place, we need back to a gentler, slower age.’ ‘The cast and crew get on airtime. Simon Cowell and the X Factor made Oxfordshire, where writer Flora other outdoor locations for Sarah Brown, the show’s exec well, and are very happy to be for a good story – but then again so did Goog- Thompson spent her childhood some of the stories and it can producer, says that while the involved in such a lovely series.’ le’s Nexus One. at the end of the 19th century, be a struggle to find places show has been accused of being Happy as larks, you might say. Rory Cellan-Jones is BBC technology correspondent inspiring her Lark Rise to without modern features such too twee: ‘I think it stays on the Lark Rise, BBC One, Sundays a 12·01·10 Features 7 photograph: Sarah Solftley Sarah photograph: BBC CHANGING IN ACTION PLACES BBC Devon’s Drivetime duo ‘Shep and Jo’ (aka David Shepherd and Jo Loosemore) went on a mission to get peo- ple who were fed up with the snow to honk their horns – all for their new afternoon show on the station. Presenter Jo Loosemore said: ‘We wanted to reflect the fact that people were fed up of slipping over and driv- ing in the ice so we thought we’d give them something Peter Tat (pictured) is leaving his bj to smile about. The reaction post at BBC Lincolnshire to do an was fantastic. We were get- attachment with Radio 4 Audio and ting eight honks a minute!’ Music in Birmingham… Along with bringing lis- teners all the latest on school Rob Unsworth is stepping down as closures, news stories and editor of Watchdog in order to become essential information about an editorial policy advisor for in- the weather, Shep and Jo also house factual programmes. He takes found time to experience over from Su Pennington who is mov- some of the fun that people ing to a new role at the BBC Academy. were having by attempting to build the world’s smallest Rachel Stock has moved from her snowman (below). Week@ role as director of A&M HR to director Work is not convinced it’ll of resourcing, with Richard Burdon make the Guinness Book of taking over the position of director of Records, though. A&M HR… Shep and Jo is on between 3 and 7pm weekdays and in- Over at the World Service, Liliane cludes the new news show, Landor is head of the newly-created BBC Radio Devon’s Nightly Middle East Region while Jerry Tim- News, at 5pm. mins remains head of Africa region and takes on the additional post as head of international relations.

It’s all change at Radio Derby with breakfast editor Aftab Gulzar on attachment to the Asian Network; week@work Mid-morning producer Alison Whis- son off to Midlands Today for three months; reporter Kate Henderson to Look North in Hull for four months and broadcast assistant Glen Jones Twitter is a thing of wonder to me. Like off on attachment to Radio Cambridge- Whatever gets you 1 licences and cash-back, it is one of the few shire’s afternoon show. advances in human development that has made a through the week tangible difference to my life.

I like it when listeners get in touch. They’re Nick Wallis Breakfast Show 2 often very funny and always have something presenter at BBC Surrey useful to add. I don’t even mind the abuse. rEMINDER Is your Global Address List entry Ambition is one of the uglier qualities, but it up to date? If you’ve recently 3 does help when the alarm goes off at 4am. I am changed job (or you’re about to) ambitious for the BBC Surrey breakfast show and then don’t forget to send Directo- determined to establish a significant audience for it. ry Updates a message to let them know where you are moving to. Breakfast. I have to have breakfast before I 4 go to work or the final hour of the show can make for an interesting listen.

I physically get to Guildford in an eight year-old 5 VW Polo which, for some reason, I decided was called Clive. I thought this would make me more HOT SHOES interesting, but it doesn’t. It’s just sad. LEARNING How do you fancy a couple of weeks (metaphorically) work- curve ing in someone else’s shoes? Are you getting the best from your box? @ If you’d like to try something Following the technical launch of High Definition on The IT CROWD @ @ new, then don’t miss out on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), the BBC HD channel the chance to apply for one will now be available on each of the major UK tv plat- Did you return from your holi- click on Options (it’s in the View @ @ @ of the BBC North ‘Hot Shoe’ forms. To celebrate this achievement, Jo Gardiner, head of days to find your email inbox tab) and then check the box next @ placements. Freeview HD delivery, is hosting a session on everything overflowing with messages that to ‘Expires After’ and give your This year’s scheme launches you ever wanted to know about Freeview HD. This is your are no longer relevant? BBC email a ‘sell by’ date. @ @ on Wednesday and you’ve chance to learn what Freeview HD is, why it’s good for Radio Devon’s John Govier When that date arrives, it will got a month to apply for the audiences and what more you could be getting from explains how to create self- magically disappear from any @ chance to be ‘refreshed and your television. destructing emails that vanish if inboxes where it hasn’t yet been inspired’ and work with teams The event takes place between 1.30-2.30pm on unread by a certain date… read, instantly cutting down the from Dragons’ Den to 6Music. January 21 at the Think Tank, Media Centre, Each time you send an email, number of emails. Voila! @ London W12. Email Peta Stamell to http://tinyurl.com/hotshoesinfo book yourself a place. 8 9

Desired effect: Jessica Henwick, who plays hero Bo, uses her Chi power tracy beAker: please handle with care

Holding auditions across the Jacqueline Wilson country, the casting director sought a true mix of young talent, with a keeps a protective variety of accents one important ob- jective. ‘The shoot was in Newcastle, eye on her best but the story isn’t set there,’ points out Ward. ‘The first series was made known character’s in Ealing, the next four in Cardiff, while the Dumping Ground itself return to tv. Claire hasn’t been the same building for two series running.’ Barrett reports As with previous programmes, there’s a natural – rather than righteous – inclusiveness among Tracy Beaker has grown up, the cast. Nine year-old Gus has high but she may not have shaken off functioning Asperger’s, craving that ‘hayfever’. The return to CBBC routine and blundering social- of Jacqueline Wilson’s care home ly – ‘everyone lives with it; it’s Prolonged preparation and a speedy scamp – after five years spent losing who he is’. Frank’s cerebral pal- the curls and the rougher edges – is sy, meanwhile, can make him shoot were key to delivering movie- set to be a more heartfelt affair. And tricky to understand, but the as fans of the first five series will other characters repeat his style ambition on a CBBC budget. know, a bit of emotion usually gets lines where necessary and al- The Beaker’s eyes watering. low Frank’s humour and em- Claire Barrett meets the director of ‘It’s a little more serious,’ agrees pathy to shine through. exec producer Josephine Ward of The whimsical animations Spirit Warriors, which starts this month the new 13-parter, ‘but it’s still a – drawn by Nick Sharratt and lot of fun. It remains a comedy brought to life by Andy Walk- drama with a big heart.’ er – survived any inclination The original 2001 adaptation to distance this series from its of Wilson’s bestseller spawned predecessors. ‘We weren’t sure one of CBBC’s most enduring whether to include them,’ re- brands. It is the most repeated veals Ward, ‘but our research told children’s drama and is still the us that children wanted them.’ most watched. Punctuating the live action, the A willingness to revisit the cartoons were originally devised show had been brewing for some as the consciousness or fantasies time, explains Ward. ‘We discussed of first Tracy, then other charac- Entering into the spirit bringing it back as The Dumping ters, and give vent to some bi- Ground, without Tracy Beaker, zarre flights of fancy. but Jacqueline Wilson wanted the The main break with the Imagine Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon atures rather than always leaping for the latest but we just couldn’t find him. Then a little girl character included and she want- original format is in the meets The Incredibles. Throw in a cast of thou- toy – CGI.’ came in who knocked our socks off, so Timothy ed Dani Harmer – who first played length of the episodes. Pre- sands, fire-breathing dragons, sumptuous mag- An unusually long research and develop- became Jen.’ Tracy when she was 12 – to reprise viously clocking in at ical universes and dazzling special effects, and ment period, when each shot was storyboarded The blue screen technology proved no prob- the role.’ just 15 minutes, they you’d figure a major movie studio had struck box with visual effects in mind, meant that by the lem to the young actors who ‘are used to fanta- It was the author’s idea that are now 30, allowing office gold. time of the shoot, both the techniques and costs sising’, while they were unfazed by the break- her heroine should return to the greater depth of sto- But with some thorough groundwork and a required were clear. neck pace of the shoot. ‘Where an adult drama care home as a trainee care worker, rytelling and explora- fresh approach to action filming and visual im- While East’s concept art had provided a start- might shoot 25-30 slates a day, we’d be shooting granting her a foot in both camps as tion of feelings. The ex- agery, CBBC has created a martial arts fantasy ing point for creating the mythical landscapes, 90. Adult actors may have found this speed dis- she seeks both professional respect tra time makes it easier to drama series that wouldn’t look out of place in the dragon proved a bigger beast to pin down. concerting.’ and the trust of the children. appeal across CBBC’s target de- Hollywood. ‘He had to be a Chinese dragon,’ insists East. ‘I Despite a brief brush with judo as a teenager, Anything Beaker-related needs mographic of 6-12 year-olds. ‘There Spirit Warriors, inspired by Chinese legend, fol- had to drag everyone’s imagination away from East called on choreographer Jude Poyer to de- Wilson’s approval. It was at her be- has to be something for everyone,’ lows a group of school children who are trans- the concept of dinosaurs in order to arrive at an vise the martial arts encounters, using story- hest that Cas Lester, who exec pro- says Ward. ‘There’s more dramatic ported to a parallel spirit world. There, mentored aesthetic that was original, fresh and distinctive, boarding and digital doubles. ‘We had to cre- duced series one, joined the writ- and emotional content for those by Chinese dragon Shen, they discover their but still culturally authentic.’ ate our own martial art, similar to wushu. We ing team, alongside Ellie Brewer, at the top end and plenty of phys- spirit powers as they embark on a quest to find 12 Such a creature – partly-translucent and appa- couldn’t have people hitting each other,’ rea- a writer on the first series, and ical comedy for the youngest legendary spirit pieces ahead of an evil warlord rition-like – has not been seen on western screens sons East. ‘These are archetypal battles taking Ben Ward. Involved at the devel- viewers.’ with world domination on his mind. before, claims the director who starts his series place in a magical realm, not street brawls, and opment stage, Wilson also over- But will the audience ac- It was neophyte tv writer Jo Ho who inspired Jon East’s pencil drawings provided the foundation for the magical universe he wanted to build back in the real world of school trips and sibling we had to create a metaphor for that activity.’ saw storylines and vetoed the cept a Tracy Beaker who’s the children’s drama department to shake off its rivalry. ‘It makes it all the more amazing when While East Asian films like Crouching Tiger emergence of a new leader of knocked on maturity’s door? natural modesty and think big. Her initial, unso- honing a new script with the writer. ‘It’s wild, The key was finding a post production partner they do step into the magical realm.’ and Hero have penetrated western children’s the pack. ‘Series five finished ‘She’s still outspoken,’ reas- licited script, which drew on fantasy themes and expansive and vast, borrowing from epic, mytho- without costly overheads or preconceptions. ‘Ret- Casting children is never easy, admits East – culture, East believes it’s the archetypes pepper- with a girl, very much like sures the exec, ‘just not in tropes of gaming and manga, chimed with exec logical themes.’ ro-juice were no frills; they didn’t have expensive around 500 drama school/group pupils were seen ing the Chinese mythological landscape that Tracy Beaker, being dragged everybody’s face. And she producer/director Jon East’s notion of an ancient But could his budget – between a quarter and premises in Soho with coffee and croissants,’ while a further 100 responded to posters placed will resonate most deeply with young audienc- in to the Dumping Ground. still makes decisions that China-themed action/adventure for children. a half of that for an average adult drama – con- East reflects. ‘They were able to analyse each in Chinese cultural centres or cash and carrys – es. ‘The wise old man, the Shadow, the Hero – But Jacqueline didn’t want Back home: Dani Harmer aren’t necessarily the ‘Spirit Warriors is testament to Jo’s fertile imag- jure this sense of scale? Digital effects, after all, challenge with fresh eyes to see whether it could but flexibility is essential. ‘Originally the main they’re found in the story traditions of most cul- to go down that route – she reprises the role she first best ones. But she’s lost ination,’ admits East, who spent a year and a half don’t come cheap. be achieved with, say, false perspective or mini- character Bo had a little brother called Timothy, tures giving them universal appeal.’ didn’t want one child took on at the age of 12 the curly hair and who stood out.’ dungarees.’

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BBC Persian tv is celebrating its first anniversary after a dramatic 12 months, Sally Hillier reports

As if it doesn’t face enough challenges, such as a lack of journalistic firepower in Tehran and refusal of the authorities to be interviewed, BBC Persian television has just lost its place on the Hot Bird satellite. Whatever happens we The owners of Hot Bird removed it because constant jamming was affecting other services broadcast via the same satellite. It was a bit of a pre-birthday spoiler for a net- work that celebrates its first anniversary on Janu- ary 14 after an eventful 12 months during which, need to be prepared amid growing unrest in Iran, it has gained a rep- utation as ‘the one to watch’. On air: news presenter A great deal of in- Never intended as a news channel only, Per- Ironically, only a few weeks ago, Persian TV Nader Soltanpor formation gathering sian tv, on air eight hours a day, also offers other won the international Hot Bird Award for Best Left: intake producer is done from London, programming such as natural history, sport and News Channel of 2009 and an impressive statu- Dena Tahmasebi and he explains, using a the arts. Top Gear, dubbed into Persian, is particu- ette now adorns its offices in W1. schedules co-ordinator wide range of contacts larly popular. Sadeq Saba, head of BBC Persian, smiles at Mohamad Ismail (back) inside Iran, and there Blokey Top Gear aside, the network is unusual the latest cool turn of events with Hot Bird but below: Sadeq Saba, is input from a well- in Arabic countries in having an equal number of says he understands why it wants to protect head of service established network male and (uncovered) female presenters. its other satellite clients, and points out that of correspondents in Output is produced and presented by a young negotiations are in hand with potential new Beirut, Jerusalem, Ka- team – many under 30 and recruited from Iran providers. Meanwhile, the Persian tv service is bul, Islamabad and – based in the new Egton Wing at Broadcasting still on two other satellites including Telestar Istanbul. House as part of a tri-media operation with BBC 12, which is virtually unjammable because the With the peo- Persian radio, 70 years old this year, and ultra suc- uplink is in the United States. It is available as ple in charge in Iran cessful Persian online, which gets an average 40 well on the internet. refusing to give inter- million hits a month and more than 50 million Jamming, Saba believes, is testament to the views to the Persian during big news events. success of the channel, which also broadcasts tv service, how does As for the tv channel’s success, no official au- to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. ‘Attempts to Every day it receives hun- it retain its inde- dience figures are available, but a survey conduct- interfere with the signal show that we matter; dreds of emails, calls and pendence and avoid ed by a government department in Iran put the that we are important,’ he says. texts from Iranians who are becoming an opposi- audience at between 12-15 million among a popu- Just before the channel launched a year ago, prolific users of Twitter and tion mouthpiece? lation of around 71 million. Iran put out a statement denouncing it as a plot other social media. ‘The authorities ‘When we started I thought we might get a to overthrow the Islamic Republic; now, along Citizen journalism is a might not talk to couple of million viewers, but never imagined we with many other observers, Saba sees the black- key part of the news opera- us, but that doesn’t would be so popular,’ says Saba. ‘We are profes- list as evidence that the country is in big trouble. tion and Saba speaks of ‘hun- mean we shouldn’t sional and slick, offering something that nobody ‘Issuing something like that is not the action dreds, if not thousands of reflect their opin- else provides.’ of a regime that is confident and in control.’ people working for us’, infor- ions,’ Saba explains. From the feedback, it is clear that large num- Tension has been building ever since the mally and unpaid, through- ‘They speak to Irani- bers of women watch and enjoy the channel. disputed elections in June, when president out the country. an tv and radio and Saba’s ambitions now include strengthening Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was controversially ‘When something big happens, we are inun- Iranian news agencies, so we monitor those care- delivery of the service – by using different returned to power, and increasingly people are dated with [picture] clips. At the height of the fully and pick up statements and interviews from frequencies and satellites to circumvent jamming taking to the streets to voice their anger and trouble in June [following the elections] we were there. – and extending transmission hours. demand change. getting six or seven clips every second.’ ‘We are governed by BBC editorial values and A bid has been made for extra money to do Some of the protests have turned violent, As for the professional newsgathering opera- it’s crucial that we remain impartial and tell all this, but much will depend on the next World resulting in deaths, and so many opposition sup- tion, Tehran’s refusal to admit a Persian-speak- sides of the story, especially as many of our view- Service grant-in-aid settlement, due next year. porters have been arrested that Saba jokes: ‘Soon ing correspondent is clearly a disadvantage (its ers don’t watch Iranian tv news at all because Ideally, given the current troubles and uncer- there will be nobody left for us to talk to.’ displeasure with the BBC was further highlight- they’ve boycotted it.’ tainties in Iran, Saba and his team would like to In fact, there is no shortage of people availa- ed last summer when it expelled English speak- It also helps, in terms of maintaining balance, get the channel ready to turn into a 24-hour roll- ble, and only too happy, to talk to BBC Persian tv, ing correspondent Jon Leyne), but Saba believes that pro-government speakers are enthusiastic ing news operation should events demand it. the only independent source of television news that his team does a pretty good job in overcom- contributors to Your Turn, the BBC’s daily interac- ‘Iran is going through a period of instability, available in Iran. ing the problem. tive programme. and we have to be prepared,’ he says firmly.

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Leaving room for more sit on a committee looking at ways Following Jonathan Ross’s announce- of raising its profile. The Legion de- ment that he is to leave the BBC, can Special request to slip out of the mainstream cided to try out my suggestion of a we expect the recruitment of 1000 For me music is everything; it is what keeps the and their role in programming, I don’t under- switch back to the idea of a national new journalists or producers? world turning and makes it such a wonderful stand why the specialist music shows seem to silence and appointed me project di- Mark Crossan rector. producer, The Movie Cafe, Radio Scotland place to live in. I love listening to records that be holding back on playing music that is differ- That PR campaign later won the are different and that can change your life, even ent from the mainstream. two top PR industry awards and if it is just for the length of a song. Isn’t the point of a specialist music show to raised the RBL profile at a time when School’s out for 2010 The last year in music has been amazing. So be just that – special. There’s nothing wrong Remembrance was otherwise in de- I was interested to read BBC corre- cline. We put Remembrance back many great records have been released by with being different or alternative, as the 2009 spondents’ predictions for 2010 in last into the classroom, into every court- week’s Ariel. But something missing, bands and artists from all over the world and Christmas Number One showed us. Sometimes room in the land, every supermarket surely? Where was education? from all different genres of music. But there is a it is a breath of fresh air. and every sports venue. The biggest Apart from the fact that educa- problem, they just don’t get played by the BBC. Cat Norris problem I faced was persuading the tion is always a political battlefield As much as I understand the point of playlists broadcast assistant, BBC Essex BBC to adopt a new two minute in an election year, the thousands of silence ritual on the 11th. BBC staff who are parents might just How things have changed. I was have a passing interest in what’s in both humbled by, and proud of, the store for the education system in the after a das- or London red route? Well, this is abuse you gave it, it was back the scale of the recent coverage and hope coming year. tardly plan nothing compared to the far greater next day for more. those responsible will carry on the Wendy Jones, head of policy and public hatched by shock you may be in for if you’re RIP dear friend precedent. And may I commend Nick affairs, BBC Learning The Doctor’s driving a BBC vehicle and are in- Mike Hughes Witchell for his splendid commen- old foe, The formed by fleet management that business manager, BBC Academy tary from Whitehall. He carries the Master, who you’ve been spotted committing a torch previously held by the greatest Door shuts on digital came back minor motoring offence. of the BBC’s outstanding commenta- I am dismayed to hear that the pow- despite his ‘Do you want us to pay the fine Sweet on supermarket tors and he carries it well. ers that be plan to extend the digital apparent de- for you and deduct it from your sal- David France con to radio, proposing to switch off mise in the ary?’ they will ask. If you agree (as I Dorset a large proportion of the traditional last series. did) they will pay it and then charge services by 2016. I knew all this before the pro- you for the privilege. Quite apart from the issues of gramme was broadcast. The new Eight weeks later, after the £60 Will death do you? poorer quality – because those in Doctor’s identity has been public fine had been paid, I got an email I am happy to read that SPAGGIS is charge care not one wit for the pic- for months, and we know about the from Fleet Management telling me alive and well (November 17). Like ture or listening standard, but more Master’s return thanks to all those that £75 would be deducted from many other retired staff I was glad about how many revenue earning BBC trails. I’m only glad The Usual my salary to cover the fine and ‘asso- of the opportunity to maintain my streams they can jam into the space Suspects wasn’t a BBC series. ciated admin charges’. cover on taking unwilling early available – I’d like to share my latest Peter Dixon Surely they should be telling us it How many points on its Nectar Card retirement in 1994. digital radio experience to explain online bj, BBC Hull will cost £15 at the outset? did the BBC get for this (One O’Clock In 2007 I fell while descending why retaining analogue is essential. Nick Woolley, senior broadcast camera News, Wednesday, January 6)? from a viewpoint in a motorway serv- I have a portable DAB receiver journalist, newsgathering Barnaby Perkins ice area near Mont St Michel, France which I use on my commute, which Blinded by the light stills library and was hospitalised for ten days works reasonably well. That was un- Re ‘EastEnders’ Facebook generation having snapped the main muscle in til I boarded a particular type of train belongs online’ (Ariel, January 5). Bin there, done that my left thigh. I still suffer out of the Bush last week. Upon clos- Funny, I thought we worked in The office bin has been an integral I’m the quiet man severe stiffness, adversely affecting ing the doors, the DAB signal abrupt- the communications industry... but part of office life and a major moti- I was touched by the BBC’s coverage my main hobby, walking, as well as ly ceased. Nothing. Nada. Not a click then Clare Bolt comes up with this vational tool. Who can forget throw- of Remembrance and Armistice Day climbing stairs and driving, and was or a pop. So I stood there, in the si- fantastically obtruse bit of future- ing a banana skin (narrowly missing in November, which was reflected in out of pocket by over £1200. lence, wondering who it could be speak: ‘Green lit by multiplatform your colleagues) and slam dunking Ariel. I wonder how many readers I made a claim on SPAGGIS which that would manufacture something commissioning exec Rosie Alli- straight into the bin? Pure satisfac- realise that the current high levels of was then being run by Norwich Un- that completely cuts off any form of monos’. Eh? tion. Handy either being used as a respect for the Armistice Day two ion. I should have saved my breath digital communication. The answer Blue sky thinking? Left in the ‘look out’ post while jolly japes are minute silence are down to a former and my time. Their consultant, after was etched into the glass of the car- dark? Seeing red? being carried out or as a leg up for member of staff? a cursory examination, riage. Siemens. Ah. QED. Neil Smith any budding jockeys. For it was my idea, presented to declared I had made a good recovery Andy Richards sbj, Radio Cumbria (Barrow) For any bash it could (by placing the Royal British Legion following and refused to support a pay out. editor, studios and post production it on your head) be seen as the latest my early retirement as senior events The only reason I still pay into fashion statement with people say- producer (radio) in 1994, that led to SPAGGIS is that one day I might die Fine tooth-comb ing ‘is that a bin on your head or are a change of emphasis from Remem- in an accident. Perhaps then their Christmas giveaway Isn’t it a pain when you get that you just pleased to see me’. brance Sunday to a two minute ‘consultant’ will be satisfied? So Matt Smith is the new Doctor. letter telling you that you’ve been Their loyalty couldn’t be ques- silence in the working week. David France The latest regeneration happened fined for stopping in a box junction tioned, no matter what rubbish and I had been asked by the Legion to senior producer events and travel (ret’d) Photogra pressed by his success, he was excit- of politics and current affairs. The A reputation for being in the OBITUARY ed being close to Choice FM’s Carib- guy could talk about anything to an- front line and venturing into dan- p

h: CVM h: bean audiences, and we soon found yone, a characteristic that could only gerous areas grew, and he was even michael pryce ourselves swapping employers. enforce his reputation as a charmer. attacked during one assignment, an T V Michael revelled in the environ- Although many of his friends put incident that could only elevate him You could hear his roaring laughter ment of black music and news, intro- it down to blind ambition, he always within the affection of the nation’s from 50 paces. Michael Pryce was ducing international music acts live talked about working in Jamaica, viewers. big on fun, an enormous character on stage and presenting live liter- and in 1997 he succeeded, joining As an open character, Michael although his ego was greatly con- ary events. But he always remained TVJ as a reporter, then rising even was quite candid about his illness. In tained. He’d find fun in everything, accessible, ready to give advice to higher to become a key news anchor 2006 he returned to the UK for can- whether it was the fortunes of his young people looking to break into at CVM TV. cer treatment, and again last sum- beloved Aston Villa FC, the bawdy be- the media. Known as ‘English’ or ‘BBC’ to mer, but last month Michael died haviour of Men Behaving Badly on tv, He also spent an absolute fortune the public, Michael became one of from complications caused by multi- or a silly take on a news story. on his vinyl addiction, collecting Jamaica’s leading journalists, his ple myeloma. We met around 1995 when I was hundreds of records to expand his broad Brummie tones smoothed out Michael is survived by his wife at London’s Choice FM and he was vast collection. This was reflected in for interviews with all the big names Maxine and two daughters. at the BBC World Service. I was im- his knowledge, not just of music, but in Jamaican politics and industry. Errol Murray 12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 12.01.10 a 12.01.10 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13

Beautifully furnished one bed flat with Cosy cottage near Padstow. Sleeps 5. Holland Road studio, 5 minutes walk Lovely house in Chiswick. Single Rooms available Manchester. Large Walthamstow. Furnished one bedroom Andalucia, Spain. Iceland. The fly drive of your life... ATOL. Winter sun. Small charming bush Damian Segal Property Renovations. Sapphire painters & decorators garden, Kennington. Available February, www.forgecottagecornwall.co.uk to Shepherd’s Bush station (Central line). room - share bathroom with one other, luxury house. Walled grounds, secure flat close to tube/BR. £600pcm excluding Villanueva-del-Rosario. Holiday house. protected 6190. Telephone camp in southern Gambia, just 15 Quality renovations & extensions All your decorating needs. See website *366)28 March, April. Discounted rate £250pw. From £290pw Separate kitchen. £900pcm including and double loft room (with ensuite), parking, large communal dining, sitting, bills. Off street parking. Telephone Wonderful mountain views from large 01773 853300. www.icelandholidays.com minutes stroll to lovely secluded carried out by reliable, tidy and for full details. Email [email protected] bills. Telephone 07810 400926 large reception, new kitchen/dining, utility areas. Heaton Moor, all amenities. 01688 302558 terrace. Sleeps 4. From £145pw. Now beach. Safari style tents with proper friendly professionals. All trades in-house. www.decoratorsouthlondon.com 4 minutes from underground and bus Train station 2 minutes. MCR centre/ booking spring/summer 2010.Malaga 35 beds. Birdwatchers paradise. Free estimates. References on Italy, Le Marche. Restored 200 year old 2 beds, 2 bathrooms, garage and Double room for rent. Shepherd’s Bush. stops. Must love cats. Single £600pm airport 10 minutes, near motorways. Willesden Green NW2. Pleasant two mins.Visit Seville/Granada/Cordoba Great value, unforgettable holiday. request. Contact Damian Beautifully refurbished S/C flat near farmhouse. Rural setting. Pool. garden flat. 5 minutes walk from TVC. 5 minutes to BBC. Share w/3 girls 20-25. Huge double room with balcony on (available end January), double £700 Rent £500pcm viewing. double bed flat in quiet street near shops, www.rosariohouse.co.uk. 07769 701803 thegambianhideaway.com Telephone 020 7727 7575 or Tibetan healing & relaxation Westbourne Grove, F/F. £390pw Sleeps 8+. 50 minutes airport. Available immediately short/long term All work in music. Must be reliable, tidy, Hampstead Heath. £160pw. Telephone (end February) plus heating/gas. Email [email protected] restaurants. 10 minutes walk to Call 07758 223312 07961 357119 exercises. Classes on Monday http://www.wix.com/sappho/Flat Website www.villagelsi.com rent. Contact [email protected] aged 23-30. Available 7 February. 07817 593354 Minimum 1 year rental required. Email Jubilee line. Only £850pcm (excl bills). Beach house featured in Coast evenings, W6. £509pcm +bills. [email protected] Telephone 020 8960 5975, magazine. Beach 100 yards. Sleeps 6. Website www.bodhi-yoga.co.uk Zakynthos (Zante) self catering Get into shape this New Year! Get Email [email protected] [email protected] Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex. Acton Lane, Chiswick, Light and airy Big, bright, furnished garden flat. Share eccentric flat in Shepherd’s Lake District. Pullwood Bay, Ambleside, cottages 2 minutes from quiet beach. personal training from a world class modern one bedroom ground floor flat. Luxury room to rent Macfarlane Road Email [email protected] 2 double bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen/ Hunt Close 2 bed/bath flat £400pw end Bush with two relaxed creatives. Large World Cup 2010. Extremely well located Windermere’s exclusive lakeside 5 From our guestbook: “A fantastic holiday athlete and get the body you crave! £1,100pcm. Available 1 February. Shepherd’s Bush W12. Large room Telephone 07880 702959 dining and living area. Close to White January. Telephone 07976 209351 airy room, charming Edwardian terrace. 3 bed house, with pool, for rent. See star apartments & woodland cottages. in the most beautiful location!” Email [email protected] for special Details and pictures at City/TVC (ten minutes by bus) and Double room in lovely flat, White City. £650pm bills included. Share kitchen, Low season rates apply. Book online or www.daphnes-zakynthos.com or Outdoor space. 8 minutes to BBC. www.houseinfresnaye.com. Call Malcolm Exmoor National Park. Beautifully BBC offers http://web.me.com/rfgibb/234/ Bakerloo line (20 minutes to Oxford £650pcm including bills. 2 shower rooms, TV Freeview. WiFi. Telephone 01539 433333 Call Maria at +30 26950 35319 £650pcm. Telephone 07896 159350 Lyons 07973 308063/020 8780 0988 located, secluded Exmoor stone cottage, ActonLane.html or call 07778 198106 Circus). £1,280/month including utility Telephone 07950 263285 Large, newly built and beautifully Fridge. Non Smoking Contact Pete Email [email protected] full facilities, sleeps 5. bills. Jan 07834 845524 furnished 1 bed flat split over 07970 074627 [email protected] Website www.pullwoodbay.com Independent financial advisers Acton. Lovely room to rent in a house 2 levels. W6 9NH. On the doorstep are Website www.venfordcottage.co.uk for all your financial needs. Monday to Friday, 8 minutes walk Monday to Friday close to transport, local amenities and Ealing flat single room available. Riverside, St Peter’s Square, local shops Shepherd’s Bush Website www.tjal.co.uk. Email from Ealing Broadway, furnished 4634)68= Fabulous Farthing Cottage is a quaint *367%0) easy access to TVC. Available January. £354pcm plus shared bills. Sharing with and restaurants, Ravenscourt Park and luxury double room to let in Queen’s Park/Maida Vale. Superb two [email protected] Telephone 01923 333199 double bedroom, large wardrobe, 2 bedroom stone property in idyllic long or short term £500pcm. two other BBC employees. Clean and Stamford Brook station. Rent £1,150pcm gorgeous garden flat. 15 minutes walk bed furnished flat. Suitable for couple or own flat screen TV, shared living Corfe Castle, Dorset, and is the ultimate (nr A40, Chiswick, Ealing) email quiet. Off street parking. Email Telephone 07733 186642 from TVC. £495pcm incl bills. sharers. Vacant from 1 January. £295pw. Charming Islington room and kitchen, available from http://spareroom.co.uk/987587 3,000+ sq ft. Executive home for sale country, coastal break. Dogs welcome. Manchester. Outdoor personal training [email protected] two bedroom flat for rent [email protected] Call John 07950 000286 Adjustable sofa. £50.00 ono. January, £450 including bills. Joel 07787 184401 in a very private part of Cheshire, easy Telephone: 07517 238629. Collect only 07841 474815 with professional fully qualified Level 3 from February. Quiet street, Website www.farthingcottage.com A lovely large studio flat in Ealing Large room in shared first floor flat Call Zoe 07540 535382 commute to Manchester. For photos Instructor. Service delivered at location Georgian building. Ground and and details visit www.hatched.co.uk/ Romantic cottage in SW France sleeps convenient to you. Specially designed Common. £750pcm. Please contact Mira Ealing. Lovely brand new one bed flat. in West Acton. 5 minutes walk to basement floors, with shared Newly decorated 1 bed flat in Belsize Shepherd’s Bush. Walk to work. property_details.asp?id=2151 or call Fabulous west Wales cottage. 4 adults. Outstanding guestbook, bargain programme to suit your fitness and diet on 07710 040581 Good road close to transport and local Central and Piccadilly/District lines. garden. Recently redecorated. Park. 3 tube stations within 5 minutes Unfurnished room available in 07788 564865 Website rentmaesgwyn.co.uk Bergerac flights. www.maison-bb.com requirements. www.fitnesspinnacle.com Fantastic location, easy walk amenities. Easy access to TVC, Sharing with two other girls. Approx 7)6:-')7 £420pcm excluding bills. Available now walking distance, Available now. £375pw. charming terrace house, sharing Contact Glenn on 080 0862 0298 B&B London/Bucks homes. for tubes, buses. £1,250pcm. 12 minutes to Paddington by overland France. Three Valleys. 2 cosy 07917 698982/07957 578796 Call Pat 07875 413085 with 1 other. Large kitchen fully kitted. FOR SALE. Fantastic, large, quiet, one inexpensive, flexible. 020 8840 1071 Contact [email protected] train. Available January 2010. Long or bed flat next to BBC. Over two floors. apartments in converted barn, idyllic Available immediately. Villas. Holiday villas & apartments in Adrian Silk Solicitor. Specialist in family Piano for Beginners! [email protected] or [email protected] short term let. £1,200pcm. Percy Road W12 single room Monday to Bright, spacious and only a 3 min walk to hamlet near St Martinde Belleville, slopes Contact Una 07834 763721 France & Italy. www.deckchairvillas.com law. Telephone 020 7266 5070 Website website www.easypiano.webs.com Mobile 00 30 69 49 735425 Email: [email protected] or telephone Friday. N/S F. £350pcm incl. 07912 476536 Westfield. Great condition. An exceptional only 5 minutes away, sleeps 6/8 & 10/12. Large room in shared flat in West Telephone 01773 850111 www.adriansilksolicitor.co.uk Eva 07905 243403 Barnes/Mortlake 2 bedroom flat, sunny 07946 610526 Acton. 5 minutes walk to Central/ investment opportunity! £265k. Contact www.chaletmarmotton.com garden. Close river, train, buses to Piccadilly/District lines. Spacious 1st Perivale, beautifully decorated single Simon and Gemma +44 (0)7971 567482 Telephone 07711 898723 Hammersmith. £200pwk. 020 8789 3334 floor flat, sharing with two others. Approx room, share living room and kitchen. Two Short let 4 bedroom house in Winter breaks on north Wales coast. A tax return to complete? Let us help! Flat for rent 1 bedroom. Brondesbury. £420pcm excluding bills. Available minutes from station and 10 minutes Wimbledon Park available 25 January- Glasgow Immaculate serviced apartments. Gozo. Charming Mediterranean island. Lovely barn conversion, fully furnished For all taxation and accounting services Battersea Park. Lovely two bed flat. Chiswick. Lovely, light double room in Nearest tube stations Kilburn (Jubilee 18 April. £2,200pcm inclusive of WiFi, Website www.westendflatsglasgow.co.uk Superb views from our comfortable villa with all mod cons (including broadband) friendly flatshare by Stamford Brook December 23. 07917 698982/ from White City. £100pw including a contact Anthony, Wells & Co, Chartered Wooden floors and double glazed line 6 minutes walk) and Queen’s Park 07957 578796 cleaner. Email [email protected] gas, electricity. Email with pool suitable for families of up to to let a mile from Abersoch on the Accountants. For free initial consultation throughout. Excellent decorative order. tube. 2 professional flatmates (one BBC). (Bakerloo line 8 minutes walk) as well [email protected] 8/9. Rates dependent on occupancy but beautiful Llyn Peninsula. Set in a quiet £620pm plus bills. Available immediately. or 07766 831356 call Alan Wells on 020 8455 7733. Email Very easy access to TVC and BH. Three as No. 98 bus right outside, straight to Telephone 07985 218926 from £900pw high season (end July to location overlooking fields in a former [email protected] minutes Victoria, six minutes Waterloo Emily [email protected] 07808 268202 Oxford Street/Holborn. £250pw. Light and London Bridge. Furnished double room Provence idyllic hillside villa, private ,30-(%=7 beg. September.) Lower rates available farm complex a mile from the sea. overland train. Under 15 minutes walk to modern with great views across London. available for up to 3 months. Excellent pool, stunning views, alfresco for couples out of summer season. Walking, fishing, surfing and golf nearby. Sloane Square. Excellent bus services. Chiswick single room to let in shared Central Heating. Wooden floors. transport links. £600pm including bills. dining, close beaches. Spacious room to rent in flatshare Full colour photos and more details on Sleeps up to 8. Available over Christmas Camilla. Transcription service, Available January. Contact Alan house with garden £400pcm inclusive Call 07968 766730 or email [email protected] http://www.provenceholidayrental.co.uk in Kensal Rise. £596pcm, excl bills. Algarve sunshine @£25 per night for up www.warnerweb.org.uk or telephone and New Year. Call 01444 482677 www.transcription4uinlondon.com, 07973 409535 quote Ariel call 07774 692864 [email protected] Telephone 07903 141845 Telephone 020 8995 6637 Contact Tal 07852 485415 to 4! http://cli.gs/pMLBHX 01367 240049 Email [email protected] please call 020 8977 4078

To place a classified ad in Ariel please telephone 020 7878 2313 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may post your ad to: Ariel Advertising, Ten Alps Media, One New Oxford Street, High Holborn, London WC1A 1NU To place an ad online go to www.bbcarielads.com 

14 Jobs See Attachment   California

             calling                            Comedy producer        Colin Anderson is at San             Francisco local radio                   The first time tracking my own voice for local San         Francisco station, KALW, is a horrible experience. I     slur my speech, misread words, sound worryingly like        a nuisance phone-caller and find a renewed awe for     the people I work with back home. Reading words            into a microphone, it turns out, is not as easy as the           pros make it look.         I’m in California, on a BBC Stepping Stones place-    ment, to gain experiences like this, hurtling out of     my comfort zone to hone my production skills, learn           New World radio techniques and – in a nation prac-    tically devoid of it – learn from podcasters what the       future of radio comedy might sound like.       I spent Boxing Day morning eating pancakes in a   diner with one of my personal comedy heroes, Jesse        Thorn. He produces shows from his apartment and                          I’ve              learned               new               tricks –             and so                    have they                    with listeners now donating directly to support his     work, he sees his public radio broadcasts merely as     free hour-long adverts for his podcasting. To him, the        permanently downloadable podcast, not the ephem-           eral broadcast, is the valuable end product.            My time at KALW has been filled with similar rev-      elations and they’ve cut both ways. I’ve introduced     the KALW team to new editing tricks and a fresh ed-     itorial perspective and have learned in return about        story structure and creative audio use in features.        I’ve been reporting, engineering and producing            on a daily news show, put out on a shoestring budget     by a couple of full-time staff and a stream of amateur     volunteers. In terms of connecting with your audi-     ence, you don’t get much better than having most of     them help make the programmes!           They’re all wrangled together into an effective         (and award winning) news team by an editor who    gives feedback on scripting and edit structure and         sends thank you emails at the end of each day.     Back in Radio Comedy we’ve not had to resort to a      volunteer team so far, but we often rely on star con-               tributors’ fondness for the medium, their commit-     ment to the work, or the suggestion that ‘hey, maybe it’ll transfer to tv’. That’s another small, but priceless      thing that this placement has shown me – the value of a well-timed thank-you note. Thanks, KALW.   Stepping Stones is run by the BBC Academy’s College of Leadership, which facilitates 3-6 month placements for     staff to learn new skills and ways of working. For more   on the 2010 scheme, see http://explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/      steppingstones/stepping_stones.aspx   Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt      

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 12·01·10 What am I doing here 15 photograph: Mark bassett Mark photograph: micheál jacob head of the college of comedy

What is the College of Comedy? favourite is the one that broke Mark Freeland, head of comedy, the mould – It’s Garry Shandling’s was interested in training new writ- Show. I also love the Larry Sanders ers so asked me to come up with show, Fawlty Towers and Porridge. a scheme. In the first year we had 3500 applications for just six places. You’ve had a fascinatingly diverse career I completely knackered myself with Whether it was publishing, jour- that so this year raised the qualifica- nalism or public relations, writ- tion standard and got 1300 appli- ing was my thing. I’ve always loved cants which was more manageable. words and writing and have al- ways been interested in people. How did you choose between them? I insist on reading everything and Is there much bad comedy around? trust my own judgment but the first Yes, but comedy is incredibly im- thing is, does it make me laugh. precise and nobody ever sets out to make a bad show. It is the most What does make you laugh? difficult area of tv to get right Good writing, good characters, and most new comedies fail. something a bit unexpected. I like somebody with a voice and a unique You were a bit of a telly obsessive... style. All the best comedy is a slight- I came from a little village in south- ly sideways look at the world so ern Ireland and we didn’t get a tv What happened after that? on 80 episodes. I ended up as head of Have at least three projects on the you want someone who’s got that until I was 14 when I used to watch I kept in touch with Laurence and, development. I have been at the BBC go. One out there, one you’re writing sensibility. It’s not about jokes. everything. I wanted to be a drama together with his old friend Mau- now for about eight years where I’ve and an idea for the next one. There’s director because I’d done quite a bit rice Gran, we formed another band developed and execed The Smoking a lot of sitting around waiting for a What makes a good character? of theatrical stuff at school. I was called Spoon. They went on to be- Room, 2 Pints, Grownups and My Family. response, and it’s good to be busy. They need to feel like real people, rather an arty little git. come Marks and Gran with a string with some depth and some exagger- of hit comedy shows including Shine What are your plans for the college? What other interests do you have? ated characteristics that make them You had a stab at the rock and roll life on Harvey Moon and Birds of a Feather. Having found 12 writers in two years My big passion is Arsenal. I model funny. I think the great classic com- When I worked at Collins [publishers], my plan is to regroup and work with myself on Mr Wenger because he’s edies have all been about people I met a bloke called Laurence Marks. Did that get you started in comedy? them for the next year. Most of them brilliant at spotting talent and giv- you can identify with or have met. We formed a band and went pro for Yes. Laurence and Maurice had mas- are involved with shows – writing ing it a chance. He believes in play- about 18 months but we didn’t earn sive success with Birds and I became sketches or an episode of something. ing football purely, which means Have you got a favourite comedy? enough to live on so I got a job at script reader, then script editor, for that sometimes we lose. Yes, too many. I suppose my the Church of England press office. their new company, Alomo, working Any tips for budding comedy writers? Interview by Sue Llewellyn

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œÀʓœÀiʈ˜vœÀ“>̈œ˜ÊVœ˜Ì>VÌÊ ˆœÌÌÊ/ÕVŽiÀʜ˜ äÓäÊÇÊÓ{ÓÊÓΣ£ÊœÀÊi“>ˆÊi°ÌÕVŽiÀJ>Õ`ˆœ˜iÌܜÀŽ°Vœ“ÊÊ 16 a 12·01·10 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: The dressing ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off ICE-COLD IN room door sign for UPSIDE Somehow it’s hard to BBC Two quiz show ▲ picture Sex in the City’s Carrie Pointless (right) Bradshaw (left) tuning into the has been confus- ▲ World Service after a hard THE OFFICE ing a few people… evening treading the tiles in ▲ New York’s most achingly Tech reporter exclusive new nightspots, but Dan Simmons’s the actor who plays her has upper-body ▲ recently been bigging up the strength is per- station. ‘Sarah Jessica Parker haps not one of his ▲ says she loves BBC WS and most discussed listens to it every night from attributes, but was ▲ her home in New York,’ revealed well in evidence Mary Hockaday in last week’s at the Consumer Electronics Show last week ▲ newsroom update. It seems that in Las Vegas. Presenting a piece for tech show before her Woman’s Hour interview, Click about an apparently ‘unbreakable’ mobile ▲ Jessica Parker spent her time enthusing phone, Dan was challenged by a smiling Ameri- about the WS, admiring the ‘objective way’ it can salesman to do his best to break it. First tells the news and remarking that she ‘finds he placed it in a fish tank, with no ill effects. ▲ the global perspective particularly interest- Then, perhaps taking out his frustration at all ing’. Perhaps SJP is on the look out for a new the poor quality mobiles he has to review, he ▲ gig if her latest rom-com with Hugh Grant proceeded to repeatedly smash it on the cor- goes the way of the shellsuit. ner of the tank. The screen came off, much to ▲ the astonishment of all concerned and the DOWN SIDE He may play a central charac- evident glee of Dan. See it at tinyurl.com/ ▼ ter in one of the most watched programmes phonesmash in the UK, but life for EastEnders star Adam ▼ ‘Ian Beale’ Woodyatt isn’t all champagne New lab: the R&D department at Eagle-eyed Tim ‘Mandrake’ Walker of the and caviar. Kingswood Warren Telegraph spotted some interesting conversa- Last week the tion on the Points of View website last week. It ▼ actor was us- seems that a couple of viewers took exception ing Twitter to the amount of cleavage displayed by break- ▼ to complain fast presenter Susanna Reid when she inter- about the viewed Hugh Grant. The criticism also included ▼ quality of food allegations of ‘flirtatious’ hair tossing, and be- on offer at the haviour akin to that of a ‘14 year old school girl ▼ BBC. He post- on her first date’. Unfazed, Reid told Walker that ed a photo of she had ‘come to accept that you can’t please ▼ a paper plate all of the people all of the time. However, after half full of anonymous looking gruel (‘we breastfeeding three children,’ she added, ‘I’m were told it was some sort of lamb’) to prove amazed people still think I have a cleavage worth ▼ his point, adding that ‘Babs and Pam reckon complaining about.’ I’ve made it look much better than it actually ▼ was’. Woodyatt later realised the tweet may New office: Nik Muttaluri, prove controversial, but remained unrepent- Simon Lumb and Andy Mace Win a book ▼ ant: ‘I’ve probably opened a can of worms with that earlier tweet… If I have, I hope the of EastEnders ▼ caterers don’t use them for spaghetti!’ Last week’s snow sion (‘it’s a bit flakey,’ to build our own,’ said No wonder he brings his own lunch. chaos meant that for admits Andy) and even a R&D engineer Sam Dav- interviews many, the rare privilege special desk that cools ies (far right, crouching) of working from home laptops with the power by way of an explana- Though LArry Jaf- was foisted upon them of snow to prevent tion. It only took them fee resides in New EARWIGGING by the icy hands of Jack them overheating – so an hour and a half to York, he still man- Frost. The daring few no more toasted nether build as well – take that, ages to edit and OVERHEARD AT THE BBC who actually made it regions. W1 Project! publish the Walford into the office – through Over in Surrey, the Gazette – the only …There are going to be more all the ice, kids build- R&D department de- New desk: newspaper solely BBC News trucks out than ing snow daleks, and cided to build a new lab David Twyford dedicated to East- gritters tomorrow… hordes of shoppers out of snow, complete Enders in the world. frantically buying ther- with aerial. ‘We thought As he puts it: ‘Many …I’m fed up with hearing mal underwear – had to the move from Kings- of these actors don’t make do as best they wood to our new R&D talk to the British about snow on the news could. Thankfully, staff South labs was taking press because of the – it’s turning into Newzac, resourcefulness levels too long, so we decided tabloids’ typically went into overdrive… scandalous cover- which is worse than Muzac… ‘We in Television age of their personal …I’m trying to do a piece on snow and Platforms Manches- lives. But they have ter are embracing new granted exclusive in- business… ways of working and are terviews to the Walford Gazette, which respects fully acclimatising to their privacy and focuses instead on the craft of …Sorry, but the shoot’s been cancelled - the situation up north,’ acting.’ Now Jaffee has compiled 52 interviews Dizzee Rascal has toothache… said software engineer from the paper’s 18 year history into one book, Andy Mace, presenting Albert Square & Me (rrp $30). We have five to …‘Do you know what our budget is?’ snaps of their new ‘of- give away. To enter to win one, tell us: Who origi- fice’. It came complete nally played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders? Email ‘Yes... er... No.. er... ish’… with ‘snowfas’, a televi- ariel competitions by January 18.

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