photograph 17·11·09 Week 46 explore.gateway..co.uk/ariel : MIKE ALSf : MIKE a THE BBC NEWSPAPER ord Strictly for Pudsey

Spotlight presenter Natalie ◆Cornah and her professional partner Nick Hole took to the floor on the weekend to help raise money for Children in Need. Cornah was of 11 presenters from Radio Cornwall, Radio Devon and Spotlight to take part in Strictly for Pudsey, a dance competition held in the Plymouth Guildhall. See Page 4

> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 salaries /news aa 00·00·08 17·11·09 a 17·11·09 news 3 NEWS BITES BBC to go public with hospitality register and aggregate salaries Pay list embraces the high As part of Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s a anti-bullying season, Bebo, Facebook, Habbo, MSN, MySpace profile and lesser known and YouTube have teamed up to offer advice on their sites to Room 2316, White City The salary list of the top 107 Salary: £120,000 Salary: £76,300 combat online bullying. Radio 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS decision makers includes both Total remuneration: £127,800 Total remuneration: £81,100 1 is dealing with bullying this 020 8008 4228 household names and little week in its output and a website Editor Still more to come known managers. Their earn- Marketing, Communica- BBC People has been created to support the Candida Watson 02-84222 ings encompass a wide range, tions and Audiences Lucy Adams, director campaign. bbc.co.uk/bullyproo Salary: £320,000 Deputy editors by Sally Hillier they hold positions on the most senior boards as shown in these examples Sharon Baylay, director and therefore hold the greatest responsibility Salary (May 2009): £310,000 Total remuneration will be in A revised version of the BBC Sally Hillier 02-26877 u Far from being the end of the story, the for spending licence fee money and for over- BBC Direction Group (BDG) Total remuneration: as a new- Annual Report and Accounts iPlayer is to be launched as Cathy Loughran 02-27360 publication last week of the salaries, out-of- seeing the BBC’s services in their area of oper- Mark Thompson, comer, this will be in Annual 2009/10 a dedicated channel on the Features editor pocket expense claims and centrally booked ations,’ Caroline Thomson explained. director general Report and Accounts 2009/10 Robert Johnston, Nintendo Wii on November 18. Clare Bolt 02-27445 costs of the BBC’s top leaders is part of an on- In an interview with Ariel ahead of last Salary: £664,000 Jacky Brandreth-Potter, direc- reward director The iPlayer is already accessible Reporters going process, with further disclosures prom- week’s publication, Lucy Adams, director of Total remuneration: £834,000 tor of brand and planning Salary: £183,750 via the Nintendo Wii, but the Laura Scarrott 02-84224 ised in the new year. BBC People, said the corporation had thought David Jordan, director of Salary: £167,145 Total remuneration: £196,550 new version is faster and has Production editor Another round of expenses submitted by sen- ‘long and hard’ about the fairness or other- editorial policy and standards Total remuneration: £174,945 Paul Greeves, head of safety, a full-screen user interface. Claire Barrett 02-27368 ior executives will be revealed, fulfilling a pledge wise of pitching staff with no public profile Salary: £167,000 Sue Lynas, director of MC&A security and health Art editor to make such information available on a quar- into the spotlight by exposing their earnings. Total remuneration: £174,800 for audio and music Salary: £114,400 BBC One The Street, which Ken Sinyard 02-84229 terly basis, and a register of gifts and hospital- ‘That’s why we went on board structure, Jessica Cecil, head of director- Salary: £128,375 Total remuneration: £119,200 has ended with the closure of Total remuneration: £136,175 Business co-ordinator ity will be published. This will set out the gifts rather than just picking people at random,’ general’s office ITV Studios drama department, and hospitality that have been accepted by exec- said Adams. ‘If you have a position of respon- Salary: £122,500 Journalism where it was made, won five of Silvana Romana 02-84228 utives in accordance with BBC policy. sibility sufficient to be on a board, then you’re Total remuneration: £130,300 Finance and business Mark Byford, deputy dg 13 BBC prizes at the weekend’s Ariel mail A register of interests for senior staff is clearly a senior manager, which means that Zarin Patel, Salary: £471,000 RTS North West Awards. Writer [email protected] also to be disclosed, including sharehold- sometimes you will be on the receiving end of Vision chief financial officer Total: £485,000 Jimmy McGovern took the craft Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel ings and any memberships or director- decisions that may not feel very comfortable. Jana Bennett, director Salary: £346,000 Dominic Coles, award with the judges’ award ships of public or industry bodies, as well as ‘We did a lot of consultation and sessions Salary: £412,000 Total: £429,000 chief operating officer going to the production team. business interests held by immediate fam- on why we had chosen to do this, and actu- Total remuneration: £515,000 Chris Day, group financial Salary: £257,500 Dragons’ Den and BBC Three comedy Guest contributors this week ily members. Such information is already ally the feeling was that while people might John Yorke, controller of dra- controller Total: £265,300 Massive were other winners. available on Executive Board members and find it difficult, they understood that as sen- ma production and new talent Salary: £211,500 James Heath, controller of gareth hydes, head of editorial details are being gathered on people and expenses of the 107 top decision makers ior managers it was their responsibility to be Salary: £238,119 Total remuneration: £219,300 strategy, journalism group To mark the 10th anniversary of for Children in Need, on the lower down the command chain. represent ‘unprecedented levels of transparen- part of this.’ Total remuneration: £270,919 Jo Woods, finance and busi- Salary: £85,000 BBC Radio’s Food & Farming Awards sometimes ‘harrowing’ stories In another move towards greater openness cy’ that ‘go beyond any other public body’, said Even so, the process of going public was Claire Dresser, chief adviser ness director, audio & music Total remuneration: £89,800 Prince Charles and the Duchess behind the appeal. Page 4 and transparency, the BBC says that early in 2010 chief operating officer Caroline Thomson. a tricky act to get right, Adams observed. Salary: £98,500 Salary: £134,003 of Cornwall will attend this year’s it will unveil details of how much it pays celebri- Among almost 3000 lines of information on ‘We’re trying to be open and accountable, Total remuneration: £103,300 Total remuneration: £141,803 audio & Music ceremony, to be hosted at the end of Peter Stewart, broadcast ty performers, although this will be in aggregate expenses, only one percent has been redacted but in doing so are revealing the salaries of Tim Davie, director the month by Mark Thompson in the journalist at Radio Kent, finds a form, shown in total in bands, rather than as a (blacked out) to protect confidentiality, she some of our staff, a number of which are in FM&t Operations Salary: £325,000 Radio Theatre at . different dimension to reporting breakdown of individual payments. added. excess of £100,000. Erik Huggers, director Caroline Thomson, chief Total: £403,000 the news on the Falklands. Page 15 The BBC has long argued that it could be The disclosures, which went live last ‘I imagine that if I were earning the na- Salary: £223,000 operating officer Graham Ellis, controller of , editor commercially damaging to let rivals know Thursday on the About the BBC website, and tional average [about £27,000], and my part- Total remuneration: £274,000 Salary: £333,000 production of , represented the what its big names are getting – a case that include job descriptions for each managerial ner had just lost their job in the recession, Kerstin Mogull, chief operating Total remuneration: £413,000 Salary: £200,000 programme and the BBC at the holds little water with critics who believe that role, cover high profile executives such as Mark and I saw a list of big salaries at the BBC, it officer Nicholas Eldred, group gen- Total: £207,800 funeral last week of actor Norman BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 a publicly funded broadcaster should come Thompson, Alan Yentob, Jana Bennett and would not feel very palatable. However, we Salary: £175,000 eral counsel and secretary Paul Smith, Painting, who played Phil Archer completely clean on talent costs. Peter Salmon as well as lesser known people. can’t have a remuneration strategy driven by Total remuneration: £182,800 Salary: £219,751 head of editorial standards for nearly 60 years. A memorial Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 Last week’s revelations about the salaries ‘These senior leaders were selected because public opinion.’ Anna Mallett, controller, Total remuneration: £227,551 Salary: £110,000 service will be held in 2010. BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 business strategy Tom Sleigh, chief adviser Total remuneration: £114,800 Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS The BBC’s news service in Turkish, Advertise in Ariel BBC Turkçe, will celebrate 70 years of Ten Alps Publishing 020 7878 2314 broadcasting on November 20 with www.bbcarielads.com ‘Surplus’ funds new service but no decision on top slicing until 2012/13 a televised debate on the future of news co-presented by the BBC’s David Printing We had to check and check again Eades and Banu Güven from NTV, the Garnett Dickinson Group BBC’s broadcast partner in Turkey. Rotherham 01709 768000 u The publica- clear and easy to were consistent. Some Pilots for replacement ITV regional Subscribe to Ariel tion of salaries, understand,’ says ‘Great people wrote one line Graham Liver, currently at Radio Six months: £26, £36, £40 expenses and job Lucy Adams (left). describing their job, Leeds, will be the new voice of Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 specifications is the ‘A lot of time was lengths while others wrote half Radio Lancashire’s breakfast show, result of many hours spent making sure a book!’ news programmes to start next year taking over in January from Tony (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world respectively) of painstaking ef- that central charges, were taken The BBC press team Livesey, who is joining Radio 5 live fort by a number of such as taxis, were was involved too, mak- by Cathy Loughran they would be considered. English region will host the pilot attracted 90 responses, with more to host a late night programme. Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, departments, includ- allocated to the right ing sure it was fully The pilots will be delivered by will be made by Christmas. than half saying that sources of Brookfields Way, Manvers, to ensure ing procurement, the people, and remu- across all the details Pilot regional television news servic- independently funded news con- The selection panel will recom- funding other than the licence fee The BBC won the photographic Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL Freedom of Informa- neration details also that the published on the About es in Scotland, Wales and one Eng- sortia (IFNCs) ‘using public funding mend successful bidders to culture should be investigated. In a sepa- coverage section of the Promax Tel 01709 768199 tion team and BBC had to be carefully the BBC website so lish region – funded by the licence to incentivise commercial delivery secretary Ben Bradshaw by March, rate UK-representative survey for Awards for Psychoville, which was INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY People. checked. information that when journal- fee ‘surplus’ from digital switchover models and provide greater syndi- after which pilots could launch. the government, 65 percent sup- shown in June. Ross Walker was Telephone 0800 0688 159 ‘It was a very, very ‘In addition, we ists rang with queries, – will begin next year, the govern- cation between news providers’, A DCMS spokeswoman said there ported the proposal to top-slice the picture campaign executive and Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 big piece of work and had to make sure that was clear’ press officers ‘were ment announced this week. the government says. Media com- was no firm launch date in mind. licence fee to ensure a variety of Phil Borg, photographic designer. Ariel is produced by Internal great lengths were managers were happy on the front foot’ with And although top-slicing the panies who have already shown In its response this week to a providers of regional tv news. taken to make sure with their job descrip- Lucy Adams answers and explana- BBC licence fee remains the gov- interest include the Press Associa- public consultation on region- Responding to the DCMS con- For the first time, the Royal Communications for people at the BBC the information was tions, and that these tions. ernment’s long term preferred op- tion, ITN, Trinity Mirror, Guardian al news, the Culture Department clusions, the BBC Trust said it British Legion’s Armistice Day tion, no final decision on the fund- Media Group and STV. said: ‘The pilots are an opportunity ‘welcomed the government’s an- event in Trafalgar Square joined up ing method for the replacement Replacements for the ITV re- to test funding models. The govern- nouncement that it is prepared with similar commemorations in u With one or two exceptions, ing they were to be laid bare, Lucy Ad- Thompson for two nights in a top ITV regional services would be gional services are likely to cost ment is firmly committed to the to consider alternative options for Swansea – the only official event Claims of the expenses unveiled last week (for ams, director of BBC People, told Ariel hotel in Las Vegas, the Bellagio, and made until 2012/13. between £40m to £100m a year to multi-year licence fee settlement supporting regional news’. outside London. The wartime the period April to June 2009) were there had been a ‘legitimate dip’ over a flight costing £3,211,70, taken by The Department of Culture, Me- run. Neither the shape of the con- with the BBC, and will continue The trust continued: ‘We are reflections were shown on the far more moderate than those pub- the summer months when there was Alan Yentob to New York. dia and Sport said that, during the sortia – which are opposed by the to respect it as this is a crucial el- carefully considering the docu- BBC Big Screen in Swansea. lished earlier in the year, when the always less business activity. The creative director’s business debate about how a plurality of re- Conservatives – nor the final lev- ement of the BBC’s independence.’ ment and will continue to engage PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL high flyers press had a field day over the ‘extrava- Even so, it is notable how modest class seat was justified, said the gional news could be provided, el of any switchover surplus is yet A final decision on the source with the government on the issues BBC Sport will provide live gance’ of BBC execs and their endless some of the sums are from April to BBC, because ‘he was filming soon some ‘credible’ alternative fund- known, but under a timetable an- of the public funding of IFNCs it raises. The trust recognises the coverage of the ATP World Tour gifts of chocolates, flowers, cupcakes June, with some managers putting after landing’. The explanation will ing options had emerged, includ- nounced this week, an independ- would be made ‘nearer the time of importance of plurality in region- Finals from London’s O2 Arena cause stir and cashmere socks for celebrities. in no expenses at all. not go down well with staff who are ing spectrum tax. The department ent selection panel to oversee ten- roll-out, in the light of the lessons al news and has no desire for the between November 22-29. Andy Asked whether the bosses had tem- Claims that were submitted in- obliged to travel economy when on added that if ‘better options’ came dering of bids will be set up this learnt from the pilot experience’. BBC to become the sole provider in Murray, Roger Federer and pered their claims since then, know- cluded one for almost £650 by Mark assignment. forward during the pilot process, month and a decision on which The government consultation this area.’ Rafael Nadal are all scheduled to play in the tournament.

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< 4 News a 17·11·09 Radio arts hub ahead of plan Stories of Children in Need The teams behind domestic and World Service radio arts programmes are to by Gareth Hydes child or family before we start come together, ahead of schedule, in recording. It’s amazing how a In-house effort an arts production hub in Broadcast- This week there will be more than child or parent will confide in ing House. 300 features broadcast across you when you have visited them All this week staff are helping to Announcing the move, Graham television, radio and online telling a couple of times. Also, it’s very top last year’s total of £38million. Ellis, audio and music’s controller of the story of projects funded by difficult for a child to tell their n More than 16,000 people applied production, said that staff who make Children in Need. own story of poverty. for 400 tickets for Plymouth’s Strict- arts programmes for the World Serv- The stories we tell are They are too young to ly for Pudsey dance competition (see ice – including The Strand, World Book sometimes harrowing and understand what it means, and in cover). Donations on the night to- Club, Charlie Gillett and The Proms – will emotional, but in nearly all many occasions it is all they know. talled £1800. Plymouth-born dance transfer to W1 next year. cases they have an uplifting and While we try to make our stories expert Wayne Sleep led the judges. Four posts will close as a result, al- positive outcome. Our core aim child-led at this time of the year, n BBC Workplace will be asking though no compulsory redundan- is to improve the life of a child – poverty can be the exception – a people who forget their passes to cies are needed. The job cuts are to and we try to reflect that in our project worker, a parent or a carer pay a ‘Forgotten Pass Fine’ of £1. allow A&M to meet its savings tar- storytelling. might well be able to tell the story n Radio York will be busk- gets for World Service without re- The hardest area of our n Gareth Hydes, head of edito- better. ing in the city centre on Fri- ducing output. Other programmes coverage to get right is when we rial, for Children in Need charity We fund hundreds of projects day with help from Tinchy Stry- in A&M’s World Service factual unit, look at children living in poverty. across the UK which help children der and the York Minster choir. including the daily magazine Out- It’s such a difficult word to define, control due to drink, drugs, abuse living in poverty, and while we are n Staff at Pacific Quay are invited look, will stay at , be- and our audiences tend to have or mental health problems – it’s always looking at different and to swap their wares at this year’s coming part of A&M general factual their own firm views of what not as simple as saying ‘this child new ways of telling their story, it Frock Exchange on Wednesday. from April. Anne Tyley, executive poverty actually means. The is poor’. It’s a big challenge for is always an inspiration to meet n Kingswood Warren will host its editor of WS factual will oversee tran- stories are complex to tell. Many our to tell these stories. and work with families who are last charity firework display before sition of the Bush House teams and are in their situation because Crucially, we try and spend as coping with the most difficult of R&D moves to Centre House. Last has confirmed she will leave the BBC their lives have spiralled out of much time as possible with the circumstances. year they raised £1600. once the move is complete. FM&T awards Key science and Laughing with the MasterChefs for innovation photograph: KEN SINY KEN photograph: Erik Huggers praised R&D’s engineers media roles as ‘the unsung heroes of our industry’ after FM&T won four out of seven cat- Andrew Cohen, editor of Horizon, egories at the RTS Innovation awards has been appointed head of the sci- last week.

ence unit. He replaces John Lynch, AR ‘They work in the engine room and

Vision productions’ current head of D do a lot of the heavy lifting that crea- science, who is leaving the BBC next tive people take advantage of,’ FM&T’s year. director told Ariel. ‘But it’s their proac- In his new role Cohen will lead tive thinking and innovation which London’s factual science team, has taken us from black and white to which is responsible for programmes colour and from Ceefax to the web.’ such as Bang Goes the Theory, and up- He singled out the winning team coming series Seven Wonders of the So- behind DVB-T2, the technology that lar System, as well as heading up the makes Freeview HD possible. Without new virtual Academy of Science, Nick Wells’s R&D team ‘it would never which aims to connect the BBC with exist. They have made it possible for us science institutions around the UK. to deliver HD into British households’. He said it was a ‘privilege’ to be able There was also a win for R&D’s au- to build on Lynch’s leadership’. tomated tapeless production system, ‘I’m looking forward to working Ingex. ‘You can buy these systems to- with a highly talented and experi- John Torode, Gregg Wallace, day for hundreds of thousands: this is enced team of senior executives and ‘Audrey’ and Andi Peters available for tens of thousands and is one of the most creative and original taste a dish in the Invention already being used by Dragons’ Den and production teams anywhere in the Test at MasterChef Live at EastEnders,’ Huggers said. There was world.’ Next year the BBC will focus Olympia on Saturday also a prize for CBBC website Bugbears on its science programming and will which allows children to ‘use avatars feature a landmark series on the his- to get questions and concerns out into tory of science. the web in a safe environment’. iPlayer beat Sky’s news app on Alex Gubbay, Sport’s interactive Listed events proposals cause furore Apple iPhone to the judges award. news editor, is to be the first social media editor in BBC News. by Candida Watson chairman of the England and Wales Cricket From January, he will take charge Board, told BBC News: ‘Listing will have a signif- 2m for Parliament of developing social media initia- The Winter Olympics, which take place in Van- icant on funding at all levels. It will be tives and user-generated content couver in February, are skating on thin ice. absolutely devastating.’ BBC Parliament topped 2m viewers across TV Centre’s multimedia news- To the dismay of snowsports fans, a panel led In contrast, the chief executive of the British for the first time last month, beating room – managing the UGC hub, co- by former FA chief executive David Davies has Olympic Association, Andy Hunt, was ‘extreme- its previous best of 1.8m in June. ordinating content from audiences proposed dropping the Winter Games from the ly concerned and disappointed‘ that the Winter The record figures (2.08m) covered for use on all platforms and making list of sporting events that are protected for free- Olympics might come off the list. the party conference season and the sure News has the technology to sup- to-air broadcasting – the so-called ‘crown jewels’ In a statement, the BBC welcomed the recom- channel’s average audience size this port its social media ambitions. considered to have ‘special national resonance’. mendations made by the Davies Panel on List- year has been 2,200, or 0.02 percent He will also co-ordinate the work But the panel suggestion which provoked ed Events, ‘and the support the report gives to share. But controller Peter Knowles of correspondents and reporters al- most comment was to return domestic Ashes the principle that it is in the public’s interest to says the increased monthly reach is ready using social media tools. Head tests to free-to-air broadcasting. When England protect events of national importance to ensure proof that, despite so-called ‘disen- of newsroom Mary Hockaday said won the Ashes last summer the games were ex- they remain free to air’. gagement’ with politics, there is an Gubbay’s track record running the clusively broadcast on , the first time It continued: ‘We will be reviewing the find- appetite for televised debate.’ popular and successful BBC Sport a home series against Australia was not available ings and recommendations and will respond in The approach of the election was website, and his strong editorial ped- to viewers without a subscription package. full in due course.’ also a factor, he said, as was Freeview. igree, made him an ideal person to Cricket authorities are concerned the loss The proposals now go out to consultation The audience has doubled since it lead the development in this area. of revenue will damage the sport. Giles Clarke, for 12 weeks. moved to the platform in 2006. a 17·11·09 Features 5

Auteur and actress: Poliakoff on set with Garai, who plays ‘Glorious’ Anne Keyes

Claire Barrett meets Stephen Poliakoff, whose latest film exposes upper class corruption in 1939 inglorious times It may have won Barack Obama – is described as ‘a thriller in a histor- good way of time travelling.’ luxury he fears would be denied to the Nobel Peace Prize, but appease- ical context’ by its writer and direc- The resulting script landed on ’s factually-based drama mak- ment never did Neville Chamberlain tor. ‘It’s a big departure for me,’ says BBC Films MD Jane Wright’s desk ers by the ‘Kafkaesque’ compliance win the any favours. Poliakoff, ‘telling a story where peo- early last year, courtesy of a deal committees – he viewed the pros- The British prime minister’s ple suffer violent deaths.’ with Poliakoff brokered by Alan Yen- pect of a co-production with trepida- signed attempts to reach a peaceful under- He concedes that this part of the tob. Wright had no reservations in tion. ‘With cinema, people watch the standing with Nazi Germany – to try fiction, which centres around the backing the auteur. ‘He’s so iconic cuts and pipe up with their opinions, screenplay to preserve the traditional English aristocratic Keyes family, has been as a director and delivers distinctive, although if by then they’ve approved way of life by overlooking some of heightened, but insists that the visual pieces of work,’ she says. ‘You the script, I won’t change a word.’ Hitler’s more aggressive tendencies backdrop of covert monitoring of could just feel that Glorious 39 would Wright admits that while it – resulted in a ferocious World War make a great movie.’ ‘wasn’t the way we work with every- Ariel has a copy of the Glorious 39 II and Chamberlain’s supersedence The subject matter, too, had never body’, Poliakoff was ‘probably as col- screenplay, complete with colour by Winston Churchill. been dealt with on film before and laborative as he’s ever been’. stills from the film and signed by It’s a period in history that has ‘I read she found it ‘both fascinating and Anyway, he’s on her side. With Stephen Poliakoff. lured dramatist Stephen Poliakoff genuinely startling’. cross-party support for the Brit- To enter, email Ariel Competitions by back to the cinema after ten years of every diary BBC Films committed some of ish film industry, Poliakoff believes November 20 with your answer to the making dramas for BBC television. the finance – ‘not all, not by a long BBC Films could be crucial to the following question: ‘People in the industry have been published shot’ – and brought in co-production corporation’s fight for survival, saying ‘make a movie, make a movie’,’ partners. The Poliakoff name proved ‘especially with a hostile government How did Hitler break the terms of 1938’s he tells Ariel, ‘but I wanted to wait - it was like a potent draw, also attracting a top coming into shape that is intent on Munich Agreement? until I found a story that I felt level cast. Poliakoff had earmarked cutting it down to size’, and believes belonged on the big screen.’ Bill Nighy for the part of Alexander its budget should be increased. That came in the tales of duplic- time travel’ Keyes, and identified Romola Garai Besides, he says, investing in qual- ity and corruption he discovered at (Anne Keyes) as ‘a remarkable talent’. ity films is a ‘fantastic deal’ for the the core of the pre-war British estab- opponents’ phone conversations, David Tennant, who’d sent ‘nice mes- wider BBC – allowing it first broad- lishment as it sought to maintain the family divisions over which side sages about my work via friends’, got cast and repeats, while delivering the status quo at all costs. ‘I didn’t to take, the profound sense of doom to play family friend Hector, while ‘high quality drama with incredible realise the British secret service was among the upper classes and even the ‘cinematic legend’ Julie Christie casts’ to the audience at home. quite so active in trying to suppress killing of pets in the panic as war is stepped in for Maggie Smith. Wright appreciates the senti- opposition to appeasing Hitler,’ says declared are rooted in historical fact. Shot in around 38 days in rural ment, but yields to realism. ‘In the Poliakoff. ‘A lot of dirty tricks were ‘I read every diary published, Norfolk and London, Poliakoff found last round of cuts our budget rose brought to bear.’ including those by prominent politi- that little on a film set had changed from £10m to £12m. Film Four has Glorious 39 – a talkbackThames cians like Harold Nicholson and Hen- aside from the stock. But having been cut, changes are afoot at the production funded by BBC Films, ry Channon – a lot of people kept enjoyed ‘total creative freedom’ while UK Film Council; BBC Films is a safe, the UK Film Council and Screen East them in the run up to war. It was a making his BBC drama cycle – a steady port in this storm.’

6 Features a 17·11·09 photograph

cutting gor : anna d edge on BILL THOMPSON What’s television Daddy? One of the best things about being a technology pundit is that if you say some- thing completely outrageous you may be mocked but, by and large, whatever you said will be forgotten in a few days. Sadly, the same does not hold for senior executives at world-dominating software companies, especially those with ambitions in the media space. Their speeches and com- ments tend to attract the sort of scrutiny formerly reserved for speeches from the Soviet hierarchy, and are examined carefully for clues about future strategy and direction. So when Ashley Highfield, formerly head of FM&T and now UK managing director of Microsoft, told the Cabinet conference that he saw a future where television sets, like video consoles, would be controlled by facial recognition and hand gestures, it attracted I know what it’s like to be some attention. It was clear he had spent time with the team behind Project Natal, Microsoft’s innovative hands-free interface for Xbox 360 games. Natal was well-received by the gam- ing community, and could well give Microsoft hit by lightning a way to attract those who currently play Wii. overall climate coverage. warming). But he then went Frustrated by sceptics who accuse Almost 800 comments later – But it has been a good exer- on to speculate that including my 12 interventions – cise, and the idea of engaging ‘He saw your tv will ‘interact the BBC of climate change bias, the lightning is still coming. at such length (while fearsome- with you, analyse your My basic approach to report- ly bad for my sleep patterns) has a future facial expressions, environment correspondent ing climate science has always been well received on the blog, your body move- been to let developments speak even by some of those ready to where tv ments and gestures’ Richard Black is fighting back for themselves; in explaining burn the corporation at the and even suggested and defending our reporting, I stake. Some colleagues have works like that the tv would have In case you ever want to meet made by climate ‘sceptics’: that tried to do the same thing, point- remarked how unusual it is for enough data about up in the blogosphere, I’m the taken at face value, temperatures ing out the breadth of our cov- the BBC to defend its output consoles’ your viewing patterns guy with the target on his back. have not risen for more than a erage, the range of opinions against criticism. and how they cor- It’s big, it’s green and it flash- decade. I agree. One of the biggest BBC relate with your mood – as revealed by your es up a message saying ‘climate A Telegraph blog anointed bugbears is how reluctant senior facial expressions – to offer you something to sceptics – shoot here’. this as a ‘BBC U-turn’ – a sudden ‘As Copenhagen managers are to go out and fight watch without all the fuss of trawling through At least, that’s often how it switch from our theologically our corner. Newspapers can call irritating EPG menus. has felt over the four-plus years pure doctrine of carbon dioxide approaches, the us anything they like and write The problem with imagining a future where that I’ve covered environmen- equals global catastrophe. what at times amounts to com- our tv sets interact and observe what we’re tal issues for the news website. Of course it was nothing of arrows are flying plete fiction, but we must never doing is that it assumes that there will be tv And as the potentially seminal the sort because there is no such answer back? Why on Earth not? sets, and this might not be a safe assumption. Copenhagen climate summit canonical BBC position. Would thicker and If I had stuck to my original One of my favourite films of all time is approaches, the arrows are flying Jeremy Clarkson grace the air- idea, the blog might have noted Aliens, the one where Ripley leads a troop of thicker and faster than ever. waves if there were? faster than ever’ that, unlike , we marines into battle. It’s a great film, but I just In the run-up to Copenha- The Trust report From Seesaw to cannot campaign for ‘action’ on can’t watch it any more because I get so gen, I’d been planning to write Wagon Wheel places climate cover- climate change. Unlike some pa- upset by the green CRT screens showing a blog post entitled Why you need age in the broadest of churches, but expressed at different times, and pers, we cannot allow column- vector displays of coordinates that I have to the BBC’s climate ‘bias’, making is explicit not to mandate any the neutrality of the language we ists with as little understanding leave the room. the point that when some read- notion of ‘equal time’; the bal- generally use. of climate science as an elephant It wasn’t James Cameron’s fault that the ers perceive us as biased towards ance of science, it says, sits firmly Was everyone convinced? Not has of embroidery to pontificate future portrayed in his SF movie was grounded man-made global warming and with the ‘warmers’. at all. Some regular comment- on the issue. in the 1980s, but because he did not foresee others as biased against, where Nevertheless, fiction sells, and ers maintain there is absolutely no We have to be impartial and the massive changes in display technolo- does the bias really lie – here, or the mythical U-turn – propagated evidence that rising green- independent and balanced – it’s gies and user interfaces, it is simply too dated in the eye of the beholder? across the febrile blogosphere – house gas emissions are driv- what people expect. And on this to watch. Cameron didn’t see the future – at A few weeks ago this all gathered strength. ing present-day warming; so of issue, it’s what they get. I’m glad least when it came to technology. became suddenly more urgent Website editor Steve Her- course for them, just about eve- I took the time to detail the myr- And that’s the problem with predicting the with the publication of an article rmann and I decided the best rything we write is by definition iad news stories, analysis articles future of tv and assuming the remote control by Paul Hudson, a meteorologist approach was to bring my biased, whether it is about scien- and opinion pieces that prove will be replaced by a touch screen. It assumes appointed as climate correspond- planned blog post forward, strip tific developments (because very the point. there will be televisions, and I’m not so sure. ent for the north-east. it of its provocative title and use few in reality challenge green- The target on my back will Paul’s web article Whatever hap- it as a ‘lightning rod’ to call down house warming) or about the remain in use – that’s for sure. Bill Thompson is a technology writer pened to global warming? discussed all the fury from ‘sceptics’ using politics (which are predicated But the armour feels a little bet- one of the arguments most often the issue as a club to bash our on the reality of CO2-mediated ter constructed today. a 17·11·09 Features 7 photograph: Kevin Mc Kevin photograph: In Northern Ireland the Stephen Nolan show is changing lives. Filling the C Cathy Loughran reports auley gap with music

‘When it opened 50 years ago Wat- ford Gap was the place to be seen,’ says Anna Bartlett, Radio Northampton’s communities producer. ‘People would go there for dates because it was one of the only places you could stay later than 11pm.’ Watford Gap Services was opened on the same day as the M1 motorway in 1959 and, as Bartlett discovered, it re- mains one of the county’s most famous – if not glamorous – landmarks. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Bartlett teamed up with local composer and director Benjamin Till to produce a ten minute musical based on people’s Both sides of the glass: producer Kevin Kelly in the studio with Stephen Nolan, whose show is the most listened to in Northern Ireland memories of the motorway stop-off. ‘Past employees came forward with tales of meeting The Supremes, Cliff Richard and Leo Sayer,’ she says. ‘One former security guard used to open agent provocateur the access road so Charles and Diana could reach the M1 quickly from Althorp ‘In the name of God, can not one politician Reporter Peter Cardwell broke the story He has presented the 9-10.30am Radio in this country deliver!’ They were the words of that Northern Ireland police were training Ulster programme for six years, doubling the Stephen Nolan, as he vented his and his listen- the Libyan force, which, given Libya’s history audience to almost 150,000. Latest Rajar fig- ers’ frustrations on air. of supplying weapons to the IRA during the ures show the station as a whole has gained In September, his Radio Ulster talk show Troubles, caused ‘a massive backlash’, Kelly 103,000 listeners since the summer, reaching highlighted the plight of a policeman who’d says. ‘It got bigger when it turned out the de- a weekly audience of 554,000. had death threats from dissident republicans, cision had been approved by Ian Paisley Jr.’ Controversial and sometimes confronta- and had had to move his family to a safe house. And when the father of 19 year-old tional, Nolan is not averse to biting the hand A government scheme called SPED, which Gareth Anderson asked for Nolan’s help to that feeds him – as he did on his Friday night helps victims of intimidation buy a new home, get his son onto a liver transplant waiting 5 live show, criticising BBC ‘suits’ after a late ran out of money, leaving the officer in limbo. list, the strength of audience response again night spokesman could not be found to talk ‘There was such an outcry over the case we triggered action. The teenager had fallen foul about top BBC salaries. brought the ministers responsible onto the of health regulations because he’d not been His own critics accuse him of appealing to show and devoted three programmes to the alcohol-free for six months. He was told he the lowest common denominator in his audi- story,’ says Kevin Kelly, Nolan’s producer. had weeks to live. Nolan ran the story on the ence. ‘That’s patronising to my listeners,’ he On the day of Nolan’s outburst, finance late night weekend show he presents on Ra- says. ‘I appeal to the working class big time, minister Sammy Wilson and minister for dio 5 live. Soon after, Gareth was flown from but I also attract one of our biggest ABC1 Musical interlude: composer Benjamin social development Margaret Ritchie, walked Belfast for specialist treatment in London. audiences.’ And if the show’s on a roll, it’s Till with producer Anna Bartlett out of Stormont and read a joint statement, Airing Ulster stories on network is some- down to the relationship he has with his releasing money for the policeman and 60 thing the Sony/RTS-winning presenter does editor, a widely experienced Belfast journalist House.’ others through the SPED scheme. more and more – seldom more powerfully and long standing producer to former Ireland One hundred listeners attended open So when Kelly says the new Northern Ire- than earlier this month with a mother’s raw correspondent Denis Murray. ‘When press auditions and the musical was shot in land administration is at the centre of the big- account of her son’s punishment shooting. officers are going ballistic down the phone at two days, using runners from the local gest stories the show tackles, the proof is on ‘Northern Ireland is in an interesting place him on the other side of the glass, it’s Kevin’s university and the service station as a air and online. right now with the dissident threat harking judgement I trust on air,’ Nolan says. backdrop. Nolan’s talk show – the most listened to in back to the Troubles,’ Nolan says. ‘But there is a ‘We share an office and mutual respect,’ All of Radio Northampton were Northern Ireland – has run a series of cam- new generation who may not know what pun- Kelly adds, ‘but there are some hard, hard involved in drumming up support for paigning stories that have affected the gov- ishment shootings are all about. That goes for conversations that go on about stories, the production: the mid-morning pro- ernment’s stance and changed people’s lives. the wider UK audience too.’ behind closed doors.’ gramme even managed to find a double- decker bus and classic 50s car after ask- ing listeners for their help. Bartlett says they’ve been ‘over- How to take children back in time whelmed’ by the response, which has helped promote the anniversary more It was a novel way to teach news events, the music, films and 1950s felt exactly as they do now,’ widely. Earlier this month, 300 people children about hippies, the min- fashions,’ says Joanna Durrant, Durrant says. ‘Most of us have an descended on the Watford Gap service ers’ strike and the death of Diana. who produced the event. ‘It was image of what an era was like, but station for a special screening of the Earlier this year, Radio Glouces- interesting seeing which events it’s only when you speak to the musical – and if you missed it the first tershire launched a creative writ- and themes struck a chord with individuals that you learn what life time and you’re heading up or down the ing project called Time Will Tell the children and what meant the was actually like.’ M1 on November 20, you can catch the and invited children from six local most to them from the decade.’ Local actor Fiona Ross helped second screening for Children in Need schools to pen a story which Children’s author Philip Ardagh them turn the stories into plays, Watch the musical at tinyurl.com/ reflected one of the last six dec- helped all the children come up which they performed at the Chel- watfordgapmusical ades – from the formativeLot of50s bottle: to Jess,with who ideas appears for their in BBCstories, Three’s while look attenham binge-drinking Literature festival. the nerdy noughties. If the chil- ‘detective’ and Tewkesbury town Durrant is delighted: ‘We Watford Gap the Musical will be shown dren got stuck, they could call on crier Mike Keane Price shared his brought different communities at Northampton Cineworld on November ‘decade detectives’ – listeners memories of being called a teen- and different age groups with 20 at 7pm. Entry is by voluntary donation who could share their own memo- ager for the first time in the 50s. different interests together,’ she of £5 and all money raised on the night will ries of those years. ‘What’s been interesting is says. ‘It’s fired everyone’s imagi- go to Children in Need. To book a place call ‘The detectives told them all seeing the teenagers in 2009 nation, from the children to the The Cotswold School took on Radio Northampton on 01604 239 100. about the big national and local learning that teenagers in the listeners.’ the 60s space race 8 9 Three of the BBC’s key BBC IN ACTION trainee schemes went to Salford last week to see the Media City site, meet Peter Salmon, director of BBC North, and find out more about job blogbites opportunities in the north. Around 40 people travelled week@work by train from London in the Military losses at home and abroad first gathering of its kind The president’s morning will begin laying of participants from the wreaths for Veterans Day; it may end with Production Trainee Scheme, him very much closer to a decision to send the Journalism Trainee Scheme more troops to a foreign war. He’s just and the Design Trainee come back from honouring the dead at Scheme. Fort Hood – not killed in a war, but almost ‘Some of them come from certainly killed as a result of wars. switch on to switch off the north and did not need Mark Mardell, North America editor to be told what it could offer, bbc.co.uk/blogs /thereporters/ whereas others had never markmardell/ considered it as a place to The BBC has set itself a tough target: a 20 percent above, head to the BBC Environment homepage and live and work ,’ explains Kate Holidays in Iraq; Google Copyright Books reduction in electricity usage per person by 2012. download this oh-so-subtle flyer (left) and pin it to Hoyland, manager, trainee and Row - your Qs please But it doesn’t mean layering on an extra hoody their PC. development schemes. After more than six years of conflict Iraq at work. As Erik Huggers puts it, ‘we can make ‘Unfortunately it rained on seems an unlikely place for a holiday. some great reductions in both cost and our carbon And what the corporation is doing... the day but it was still an But could its status as the birthplace of footprint by implementing a few small changes’. Automatic PC switchoff: enjoyable trip with plenty of civilisation see tourists flocking? Iraq is Gradually being rolled out across the BBC, forcing opportunities to talk to people sending representatives to one of the And here they are: some PCs into standby mode after a short period of at the current BBC Manchester world’s biggest tourism fairs for the first u Not to bang on about it, but switching off PCs, inactivity. building [in Oxford Road] time in more than ten years. The delegation televisions, printers and monitors around the office before getting on a coach to to the World Trade Market in London will be when you’re not using them should be a no-brainer. Building optimisation see the new Salford site. We led by the chairman of the Tourism Board An appliance that is switched off rather than left on A team from Workplace is looking at BBC buildings were all struck by the size and of Iraq, Hammoud al-Yaqoubi. standby uses 50kg less of CO2 per year, so unless to see where it is possible to ‘power down’ areas. In scale of it.’ Dan Damon, reporter your office is centrally controlled you can still make a practice, this means providing lighting, heating and Interactive design trainee bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldupdate/ difference. air conditioning only when a building is occupied, Joe Fung (pictured) said or for business critical reasons. Switch-off trials are the visit had provided ‘an Cat out of the bag on vouchers u Only boil as much water as you need when you’re ongoing and the effect is being monitored. exciting insight’ while for boarding school making a cup of tea. Amazingly, it’s also faster. journalism trainee Jess Perhaps I should have declared an interest Buying more efficient PC hardware Creighton said: ‘It gave me a over last night’s story on the government u Remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones New efficiency requirements are now in place for all sense that something fresh phasing out childcare vouchers, as I on charge unnecessarily (this one’s from the Energy new PC assets being purchased through Siemens. and groundbreaking was claim the maximum amount of tax-free Savings Trust – more at tinyurl.com/stopenergywaste) happening.’ vouchers for childcare for my three-year- Buying greener energy For production trainee Kieran old daughter. I was interested to learn how u Get competitive: see how much energy your Most of the BBC’s electricity comes from no or Interactive design trainee Joe Yeates, Salford ‘doesn’t seem parents of children at private schools are building is using compared to the rest of the BBC at low carbon sources. Small sites such as local radio Fung at Media City in Salford abstract anymore’. allowed to use the vouchers to pay for tinyurl.com/yourbuilding stations are supplied with renewable electricity and boarding fees (though not tuition costs). the medium to large sites are served with low carbon And several top public schools, including u If you find your colleagues fail to do any of the energy. Ampleforth and Wellington College, encourage their parents to make use of the scheme. What of Eton? I contacted YOUSAY IDOL TALK: WHEN YOU MET YOUR HERO the bursar who told me that none of their parents do so. ‘It’s not been suggested,’ he SHAMELESS PLUG LEARNING CURVE CHANGING said. So they’re missing a trick there then. After Green Room reported on Shelagh followed. I tried every technique in the Last week we had on country singer Toby What surprises me is how little take-up Matthew North, senior technical Find a work-life balance PLACES Fogarty blushing her way through an interviewer’s repertoire to warm her up, Keith. In 2008 my wife and I arranged our there is. Three hundred thousand families operator, Plymouth and raise money for interview with her hero, former Wimbledon including shameless sucking up. ‘You’ve holiday in Florida around his tour so we could is a very small fraction of the many millions u I’m taking my band, All Living Fear, on the road disadvantaged Graham Liver (pictured) champ Goran Ivanisevic, we wanted to been described as the greatest cool blonde see him. I had sweaty palms, butterflies, the of parents of children up to the age of 15 for the first time in 11 years later this month. children becomes the new presenter know whether you’d ever been lucky in cinema history,’ I wittered. ‘Ees not true,’ lot before the interview but they subsided who might benefit. Indeed, I suspect that Combining classic rock with technology we’ve All week the Academy’s of Radio Lancashire’s breakfast enough to interview your idol. Did you La Catherine answered. ‘What isn’t true?’ eventually and it went perfectly. My other many parents might not have known about released six albums and have supported The coaching network is show. He is currently Radio hold it together and did they live up to I blurted out in exasperation. ‘You’re not ‘sweaty palm’ moment was when I asked Liz the scheme until this row broke out. So Damned, The Wildhearts and All About Eve. The offering group coaching Leeds’ mid-morning expectations? great? You’re not cool? Or you’re not really Carling to marry me live on air. I was single ironically Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s tour will take in venues in Wolverhampton, sessions in the run-up to presenter... Janet blonde?’ Er, the interview got even worse at the time and she was a favourite of mine policy may encourage a lot more people to Stockport, Glasgow and Sunderland. Children in Need. Morrow, head When I was a producer at MTV in the from that point. No more heroes. when she was in Border Cafe. She was a subscribe to childcare voucher schemes, For more information visit Up to six people can of compliance for mid-90s, Toots Hibbert (of Toots & The Gavin Esler, presenter, news sweetie, thankfully. and claim tax relief while they still can. And alllivingfear.co.uk. work with an executive coach MC&A, leaves the Maytals) was in the green room waiting to David White, bj, Radio Cornwall that, of course, would end up costing the to make a personal action plan for a mini- BBC... Dina Rana, be interviewed. A life-long fan I thought I wouldn’t say she’s my hero, but Abi government money in the medium term, mum £5 donation to the charity. One-to-one brand executive I’d swallow my pride for once and say Titmuss has always aroused my interest. I tried interviewing Wogan once through not save it. sessions are also available for a minimum for the iPlayer and hello. I walked into the room and muttered Interviewing her about her new stage role as the intercom on his front gate. He politely told scary experience, not least because of the , editor £10 donation. Online, becomes something about a few favourite Toots & Lady Macbeth gave me the opportunity to me to call him. Very embarrassing, but he was legendary presence of Mr Savile. I ended up bbc.co.uk/blogs// Usually only available to grade 9s and future marketing The Maytals albums. He looked at me blankly make my male friends green with envy when I lovely when I did eventually call. meeting Sir Jim again in Selby Abbey last year michaelcrick/ above, the one-hour sessions are being manager... BBC for a moment before saying simply and updated my profile picture on Facebook. Joe Tidy, broadcast journalist, Southampton - 25 years later - and it was fantastic. I felt like I offered to all staff in London, Cardiff, Glas- Wildlife magazine has devastatingly ‘do you know how to turn the Joel Mapp, reporter, Look East was a youngster again. From Here To Infirmity gow, Caversham, Coventry as well as UKTV. appointed Ben Hoare TV on?’. I obliged and left as fast as I could As a piano-playing child and teenager I Jeremy Buxton, presenter, Radio York It’s a slightly bitter joke that the cultural Book a place at tinyurl.com/CiNcoaching as features editor. without saying another word; something I’d loved the work of pianist John Lill and would firebrands of the Seventies are becoming heard about how you should never meet your always go to his concerts whenever he played I interviewed Bjorn Ulvaeus from Abba ancient and grizzled. The journey from idols echoing round my head. in Sheffield. About ten years ago, I made a in the mid 90s. Anyone who knows me anarchy to infirmity is well advanced. The Charles Simmonds, leader ESP programme for Radio 3 and went to interview knows that my knowledge of Abba’s back- kids who once sang ‘No Time To Be 21’ COMING UP John Lill in his house in Hampstead. He made catalogue is encyclopaedic. I was beside are now counting down to the free bus Catherine Deneuve was always my ideal me and the presenter, Richard Coles, a cup of myself, with nerves and excitement. Bjorn pass. They’ve gone from ‘Wild Youth’ to u BBC One will follow Four, Richard Klein, has one-hour programme of the ultimate movie star. Until I interviewed tea and sat at the piano demonstrating. I had agreed to an interview if I was prepared to severe angina. So how better to console three girls with selective commissioned a 60 looking at how fathers her. She agreed to a half hour Hardtalk based to pinch myself. Obviously I didn’t tell go to his house in Henley to record it. He the old folk than to make a shopping visit mutism in a one-off minute documentary have been portrayed in on a loose kind of autobiography she had him how much I admired him. It was a treat was charming throughout, and not remotely to punkgrandad.com. You can then deliver documentary for the exploring the literature. Presented written, but I don’t think it occurred to her to realise that he was as nice as I’d hoped patronising when he suggested a way I might their Xmas cheer with an amusing ‘Pension channel next spring. psychological impact by novelist Andrew that she would be expected, in an interview, he’d be. get more from my Uher when we were hit Calling’ T shirt, or even ‘Generation XXL’. Called My Child of the father-figure. Martin (pictured left) to say something. It was the worst interview Sarah Taylor, senior producer, radio with interference. In more than 20 years with And on a rather callous note, there’s Won’t Speak it will be Who Needs Dads? is it will also look at the I have ever conducted. She changed the documentaries the BBC, he is the only interviewee I’ve ever ‘Nevermind The Prostrate’ to ring the shiver made in-house and exec due to tx next year. It relationship between date twice; the time three times; then she asked for an autograph. I felt bad at the time, of mortality ever closer. Cheers. produced by Maxine will be made by Pioneer writers and their arrived two hours late. The interview began I was on Jim’ll Fix it in 1983 when Jim but I just couldn’t not, the occasion was so Stuart Bailie, presenter, radio Ulster Watson. productions and exec u Klein has also fathers. Made in-house and 30 minutes of languorous silences and fixed it for me to be a presenter on Radio 2 momentous. bbc.co.uk/blogs/stuartbailie/ produced by Cassian commissioned Dads it will be exec produced the occasional Deneuve monosyllables with Gloria Hunniford. It was an amazing but Jane Hill, presenter, news u Controller of BBC Harrison. in Literature, a by Michael Poole.

IF YOU HAVE A suggestion FOR who or what should be in WEEK@WORK PLEASE Email clare bolt 10 Opinion/Analysis a 17·11·09 Hang on to today’s talent to get aview more older women on screen

Amanda Rice wants more than a few more female over-50s CANDIDA on tv. The BBC’s new head of diversity tells Cathy Loughran WATSON she’s looking for new money and new business opportunities What is Ariel?

TO SAY Amanda Rice will hit the crash and runs Changing Faces, The obvious answer is that it is the ground running, as the BBC’s Amanda Rice a charity that campaigns for the BBC staff paper – the principal forum for new head of diversity, is an ‘The thing about is excited rights and inclusion of people debate and information about the company, understatement. about the with facial and body disfigure- and window on what it thinks about itself. She’s been acting in the job social class is it’s possibilities ments. But what does it mean to you? Are you for a year, as successor to Andrea that will open ‘I think it’s great that Five entertained, informed or enraged by it? Does Callender, over a period where up through News is being so proactive. It it bore you to tears? Does it tell you what you her division, BBC People, has un- almost impossible BBC North will stimulate debate, but that’s want to know, what you don’t really want to be dergone a change of leadership. and wants to a good thing,’ Rice says. ‘Do I bothered with but think you ought to know, or And she’s already closely asso- to measure’ see more think it’s something we should do you just skim it to see if there are any good ciated with some of the diver- ideas like be doing? First and foremost letters, interesting jobs being advertised, or a sity headlines of recent years, the division’s we want presenters who are ex- picture of one of your friends in it this week? including the innovative men- ‘Dragons cellent at what they do. If they As the new editor of this BBC institution toring and development scheme Den’ pitching appear or identify as different in I‘d like to know what you, our colleagues and (MDP) – now in its second intake session some other way – then good, we readers, want from Ariel. I have been a news – which particularly targets eth- are succeeding in reflecting the journalist for almost 30 years, I want Ariel the nic minority and disabled peo- diversity of our society.’ paper, and the online site, to be as fresh, rel- ple with the potential to fill sen- She cites ‘the great swell of evant and newsy as possible. I hope that you’ll ior roles. support’ for disabled present- all think of Ariel when you have something to The BBC has all but met its er Cerrie Burnell on CBeebies, shout about, good or bad. I know some staff 2007 target for minority ethnic ‘compared to the very few mean don’t read it, reasoning that they can get all representation in the workforce minded comments from a tiny the information they want from the office – 12.5 percent – with a current minority of parents’, as evidence grapevine and corporate emails. That’s dis- figure of 12 percent, up 0.5 per- that audiences are overwhelm- appointing for those of us who are trying to cent from a year ago. At senior ingly accepting of difference. make Ariel an entertaining and engaging read, manager level though, the fig- but we can’t please everyone. ure is static at 5.5 percent – far Challenging class issues In fact, when I was appointed the most short of the seven percent goal The White City-based diversity frequent comment I got, after the obligatory to be achieved by 2012. centre she heads is now co-or- congratulations, was a warning that I was For disabled staff, the target dinating with A&M, a pan BBC about to try to perform a daily balancing act has been stretched to 5.5 per- working group which has com- that would require combining the diplomatic cent (currently 4.4 percent). And missioned new research into les- skills of Talleyrand with the political skills for the first time there is a sen- bian, gay and bisexual portrayal of Machiavelli. So you can watch me on that ior manager target – 4.5 percent, in BBC programmes. highwire, and I fully expect to hear from you against present levels of 3.4. The issue of class – particularly when I slip. within the BBC workforce and We all know this is a difficult time for the Glass ceiling must go how that affects content – is a BBC. The licence fee, the Trust, the channels Targets are not the be all and paid BBC work placements for acts with audiences as well as in growing debate. we broadcast, our online strength, executive end all they once were, Rice ac- qualified disabled people. workforce planning. And her re- ‘The thing about class is, it’s pay, talent contracts, compliance in comedy knowledges, and they now dif- They are all coming to the mit covers output and content. almost impossible to measure. – everywhere we turn there are critics. So we fer from division to division, re- end of their three-year funding After a year when the BBC’s We’re involved in a piece of work could be forgiven for feeling bruised, bunker- flecting factors like recruitment commitment. Rice is looking for ‘snubbing’ of older women on tv at the moment on socio-economic ing down and using our internal discussion pools for certain job families more than finance: ‘The execu- has barely been out of the head- class, looking at what other or- forums to unleash our angst. It takes no time and geography. She welcomes tive has always been behind the lines, Rice agrees that there’s ganisations do,’ Rice says. ‘It is at all for a BBC internal communication to be high profile new appointments MDP, but we’re looking for more a job to do in getting more a bigger issue here than in oth- broadcast more widely – quite often you’ve like Pat Younge as chief creative project opportunities for people mature female faces on screen. er public organisations – ‘the barely finished reading something before it’s officer of vision productions who were in its first 2008 intake, Or rather, keeping them there. BBC’s not for me’ problem.’ online at a rival organisation, or out in the and Aaqil Ahmed as head of for example in BBC North.’ ‘We have to take this issue se- Yet she points to the suc- blogosphere. Which is not to say we shouldn’t and ethics. But the glass She wants to see more open- riously, and not just because of cess of the journalist training have an open debate about our future; we ceiling in senior manager diver- ings like the ‘Dragons Den’ the headlines. Why can’t we do scheme and journalism talent absolutely should, and hold ourselves to ac- sity has to remain a top priori- initiative, where aspiring senior something about this? We can. pool, which have thrown the count. I would like Ariel to be the home of that ty, she says, as the BBC works to managers pitched to Peter Salm- We need to look at the successful recruitment net wider, to internal conversation, as we strive to adapt reduce its numbers at that level on, with a view to developing women we’ve got on screen now attract not just greater ethnic to a rapidly changing broadcasting environ- by more than 100. ideas for the division. and make sure we keep them diversity, but a wider range of ment, and with the prospect of continuing ‘The MDP is a long term Grabbing opportunities, in- there later in their careers,’ Rice socio-economic backgrounds. political pressure on the BBC as a whole. scheme so we’re not expecting side and outside the BBC, looks says, with the Fiona Bruce, Emily She knows that diversity This paper is your unique platform. You can to see immediate results. Eight like being a bit of a Rice theme: Maitliss and Stephanie Flanders at the BBC will be under ever write a letter to Ariel questioning a policy and people from the first intake ‘My aim is to ensure we identi- generation in mind. more scrutiny in the run up to we can ask the relevant manager to reply. You have now moved into more chal- fy and respond to every opportu- In the output, Rice says there’s new equality legislation in 2011, get previews of programmes, campaigns and lenging roles. By the end of year nity to diversify our output and been significant improvement which will require by law that proposals. Some ideas that will be featured three, it may be realistic to start workforce and show that we are in ethnic diversity while there’s the organisation monitors and in Ariel will never see the light of day, equally measuring results.’ doing just that,’ says the former still a need to push for more in- publishes progress in areas like you will read here first about major changes Early in the new year, Rice head of equalities for London’s cidental portrayal of disabled employment – much of which it to the type of programmes we consume, and will be bidding for new money Hackney Council. people, as highlighted in the already does. the way we access them. So, don’t dismiss to continue not just the men- And she sees industry-wide recent BBC/ Talking Back on the opportunity Ariel, let us know what you would like to see toring programme, but also benefits in broadcasting part- Disability audience research. front, Rice is excited about the on its pages. If you are a manager be available the restyled journalism trainee nerships, for instance in diversity She commends Five News, possibilities presented by BBC to Ariel to answer staff questions – let’s have a scheme (JTS) – which has recruit- training. which is this week handing over North: ‘There’s a great oppor- conversation. ed a considerably broader mix Part of her job is clearly as presenting of its 12.30pm bulle- tunity to be seized here in the Candida Watson is editor of Ariel than elite schemes of old – and a strategic leader, but she also tins to James Partridge, who suf- range of people we will need to Extend, the initiative that offers has a role in how the BBC inter- fered severe facial burns in a car recruit.’

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Prayer for Today tried to stop even providing the non- Both and branded diaries but did a u-turn make compelling arguments against Mathematical solution to religious riddle after staff quoted Ariel. and for atheists contributing to Ariane Sherine makes a strong argument in However, if nearly 25 percent of the adult However, I’m sure that this year (Ariel, November the BBC’s chief financial officer will 10). If I were to hear John Humphrys favour of the nearly 25 percent of the adult population are atheists or agnostics then be pleased that, even though many begin the Today programme with ‘in population who are atheists or agnostics there is a simple solution – give every fourth of us still require paper diaries the name of the Father, the Son and having their voices heard on the BBC (Ariel, edition of Thought for the Day over to a non- for our work, we are finally being the Holy Spirit’, I think Ariane Sher- November 10). In addition to the programmes believer, the same rules against attacking banned from ordering her cheaper ine would have a point. replacements. News staff requiring she lists favouring those with a religious established being applied. Mark Warburton to note their BBC shifts and meet- religion and ethics, Manchester , she could have added We could then all have our voices heard, and ings for 2010 are now expected to on Radio 4. we might hear some interesting points of subsidise the corporation by making n Giles Fraser believe seems to And Giles Fraser is correct to point out that view. I have one or two ideas myself. a purchase from their own taxed believe that atheists and humanists income. religion has no monopoly on the virtues William G Stewart are purely about denying God and I understand this will make a television/radio producer/presenter that we are incapable of doing so normally accredited to it. grand saving to News of 99p a year without attacking other people’s for each member of staff. But I’m belief systems. He neglects to con- sure colleagues will be pleased to sider the possibility that has know that similar diaries are avail- positive alternatives to offer and is Hit the top claim sums like 60p for his newspa- chippy about this matter, but this able to purchase at TV Centre’s WH not just about denial. I have to say that the current BBC per or that such claims seem to have event can be filed in the, ‘there’s Smith for four and a half times that Personally I have no strong view generated publicity over the ques- been paid out without fuss? one rule for rugby union at the BBC, figure. on whether or not atheists should be tion of senior managers’ salaries is, I recall many run-ins with the and another rule for the rest of us’. Gordon Findlay allowed to broadcast on Thought for at best, disingenuous and, at worst, expenses unit who could not grasp Greg Dyke called the BBC ‘hideously tv news director The Day, but I object to the assump- misleading. that journalists working in outsta- white’. In fact, the BBC is hideously tion that if it were not ‘robustly The fact is that a large propor- tions might need to buy the local rugby union. That’s the real anti-God’ it would become ‘like every tion of so called ‘senior managers’ rag once a week. Do the same rules problem. Rings false other secular comment piece that are paid a relatively modest salary, not apply across the board? Neil Morrow Re the story about Gordon Brown’s appears in the media’ and that is in many cases less than people at the Eric Wise NW, Manchester letter to the mother of a dead soldier. ‘about being against something’. top end of the pay band below them. retired staff What difference is there, in terms of I do not believe in God – I’m not These members of management are Brian Moore issued the following genuine editorial standards, between ‘against God’, I just don’t believe not receiving the excessive rewards apology as soon as he came off air: broadcasting excerpts from both there is one and hence I deal with enjoyed by the few at the top of the Debt relief ‘I unreservedly apologise for remarks ends of a phone call recorded with- the big ethical and moral issues of organisation. They do not make I have just bought Brucie some Lem- I made pre the England Argentina out the subject’s consent, and broad- life and death from a different per- expense claims for hairdos, posh din- sip. To whom may I send the receipt? game. They were completely inappro- casting actuality of one end of such a spective to someone of faith. These ners for well rewarded consultants, (Other cold and flu remedies are priate and caused offence and quite recording, with an actor voicing the issues are rarely covered in normal or expensive presents for highly paid available.) simply I should have not made them. words spoken by the participant be- secular comment pieces, and atheist so called talent. They don’t have Duncan Hess I cannot apologise enough.’ ing duped? views on them are just as important. cars to ferry them backwards and director I struggle to see any. I would have thought atheist phi- forwards to the station or book into Phil Tanner losophy would be meat and drink to expensive boutique hotels while on Don’t do lunch BBC Monitoring Thought for the Day. BBC business. Part of the union Anne Branigan (BBC Workplace PR) Frances Watson The pay freeze, which covers all On Saturday, suggested in Ariel last week that tv projects senior managers, will impact far 5 live apolo- there have been no significant chang- Call for help more severely on the majority of SMs gised for es to hot food choices in the canteen Old lags like myself will be familiar n Giles Fraser argues that Thought for at the lower end of the organisation Brian Moore’s at Bush House, but the fact of the with SPAAGIS, the BBC’s staff acci- the Day should remain exclusively than it will on the few at the top. joke about a matter is that the cooked breakfast dent insurance scheme, but does it religious. However, he fails to explain Given that executive board members former col- service – available before the ‘refur- still exist? I think it must do because why religion alone should be given a have enjoyed inflation busting pay league drop- bishment’ to night workers from 0230 it still appears as a deduction on my daily opinion piece in the middle of rises over the last few years, they are ping a rugby – now starts at 0600 – as those night payslip every month. a peaktime news programme. If the hardly going to have to worry about ball, and workers prepare to go home. However, there is no record of it slot remains as he wishes it clearly paying the next gas bill if their sal- doing ‘a full- If the BBC can no longer afford to anywhere on Gateway, and I’ve heard belongs elsewhere in the schedules. ary remains constant for a while. on impression provide a cook for the whole 24 hour nothing from the scheme since they Chris Newell Given that parts of News have of a Thalido- period – unlikely given the salary last sent me a policy schedule in lead technologist, R&D seen staff numbers cut by 15 percent mide’. packages of its senior management 2006. Try calling phone numbers on over the last few years, it would have I accept that anyone can make a – then do away with the Bush House this elderly schedule and all you get been far more equitable if executive mistake on a live broadcast, but this lunch service, when people can use is a ‘number unobtainable’ tone. salaries were immediately reduced goes well beyond a mistake. This is the many other excellent facilities HR Direct have just one contact, by the same amount. In addition, clearly in the category of Ron Atkin- available in the Covent Garden area, a financial intermediary, who has there should be a pro rata cut in the son’s ‘mistake’ which saw him lose and keep the cook for the period promised me a new schedule from number of people on the BBC Execu- his job at ITV, and at least as bad from 2200-0600 when alternative the insurers – but that was over two tive to bring it in line with the cuts as Carol Thatcher’s comments in a facilities are closed. months ago. made in staffing levels elsewhere in green room, or even Russell Brand/ Night shifts are difficult enough Let’s hope I don’t have an accident the BBC. It appears to me that we Jonathan Ross’s crass phone call to without arbitrary decisions which in the meantime…(i.e. HELP!) have too many highly paid individu- Andrew Sachs. make them even more difficult from John Hemingway als whose only function seems to be I’m not calling for Moore to be office hour managers. senior studio manager, A&M Operations to oversee the work of other perfectly sacked for ever, but I am incredulous Pierre Vicary competent managers. That’s a luxury that his ‘mistake’ appears to have Bush House newsroom Anneke Heaton, reward manager, BBC n Reference Ariel articles ‘Where do we can’t afford in the present climate. resulted in no serious sanction. People, replies: SPAGGIS (which is a you draw the line? That’s no joke’ Nick Serpell Would this be the case if the man voluntary personal accident insur- and ‘Is it time to give atheists their NEC member, NUJ was not part of the rugby union Expensive date ance scheme) is still alive and well say on Thought for the day’ (Novem- establishment? Two years ago Zarin Patel is quoted and details can be found on the my- ber 10). So far, the hasn’t in Ariel saying that not printing Deals pages of gateway here http:// I looked at the picture of the Paper money launched a campaign against Moore, bespoke BBC diaries would save the sites.gateway.bbc.co.uk/myreward/ Atheist Bus and thought there must It is fascinating to trawl the expenses so presumably all will be forgotten, BBC ‘up to £60,000 depending on mydeals.shtml. be a God. of senior managers but I am not and the incident will provide merri- how many people want the non- The administrators of the scheme Bryan Morris sure which is the greater surprise: ment in the future. branded diary that will still be avail- are Marsh and they can be contacted Steria Finance That the deputy dg has the energy to Sorry to get all rugby league and able’. My department immediately on 01376 395 060.

12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 17.11.09 a 17.11.09 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13

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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 

                  Learn all                                  about it                  Radio Lincolnshire                       web producer Michelle         Andrews embraces a                   new lifestyle in Devon             I’d been at Radio Lincolnshire for seven years     before I went on attachment. The time was certainly     right. I’d been a website producer from day one of     the Lincolnshire website – part of the team that gave        birth to a tiny site and watched it grow, helped to            steer it through its difficult adolescence (migrat-      ing the site to a new production platform) and finally       seeing it blossom. It felt like it was time for me to     face some different challenges. The only problem     was I wasn’t sure what those challenges should be.       There has always been a part of me that loves              organising events, and whenever the opportunity   came up to work on projects, be they local ones or                              The tytyt                 ty ty ty           tyt ty              tyty ty ty             ty ty ty             ty ty ty                         Children in Need, I would always take it. So when the     new post of Learning project assistant was adver-    tised as an attachment it seemed too good a chance     to miss.          The initial three month attachment was extended           for another nine months. About halfway through I      was already starting to think about what would hap-         pen at the end of that time. As much as I love the      website and the team that produce it, I didn’t really     want to go back, and that is where fate stepped in.           My fiancé was brought up in Devon and, after a           holiday there this April, decided it was time to move        back. A week later the Learning project manager      South West post was advertised.    There is no doubt at all that if I hadn’t taken the       attachment, I would never have got the LPM post.         The experience of working with partners, planning       events and delivering BBC Learning projects gave              me hands on experience that it would be impossi-   ble to get by any other means, and having already     worked in the department, it made the change of     location as well as the change of job much easier to          cope with.     I love my new job and it certainly offers the chal-     lenges I was looking for. Added to that I am now liv-       ing in a completely different part of the country and     my lifestyle has changed too: I live in a little barn on               the edge of Dartmoor and have fully embraced the             outdoor life (although learning to kite surf can wait until the weather is a bit warmer!). It is no exaggera- tion to say that an attachment completely changed   my life.

  Been anywhere nice?        Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt        

     

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 17·11·09 What am I doing here 15 PHOTOGRAPH: m PHOTOGRAPH:

ar foreign k b a sse tt report

peter stewart Radio kent bj finds new challenge on falklands ‘Mud huts and no electricity.’ Apparently that’s the kind of view many people in the UK have of the Falkland Islands, where I went for a ‘working holiday’. Eight thousand miles away, the British dependency is somewhere most Britons have heard of, but few people ever get to, so when I was invited there on a ‘consultancy’ basis by Does everyone get on? I wrote off to Sky Sports asking the management team at the radio station in When you’re watching on a if they could show me how tv Stanley I jumped at the offer. I was not repre- chris hollins Saturday night and you see works and I got a job as an edi- senting the BBC and went in my own time. them all getting upset and cud- torial assistant on Soccer AM. I held workshops on libel and defama- dling each other you think, tion, presentation techniques, news writing, presenter sport what a load of tosh. But when What did you do next? reading and interviewing. By the end of my and strictly come dancing contestant you’re a part of it and every- After six months I thought I’d stay the news output had increased (adding one has had a hard week, and like to be a reporter or pre- hourly three minute on-the-hour bulletins it clicks that someone’s going senter so I took a huge risk, to the existing three ten-minute news pro- to go out, it is upsetting. But left Sky Sports and went to grammes), and new production techniques Nine weeks on Strictly and you worry and not eating lunch be- it’s not so competitive that Channel 1, a London based and programme features introduced. survived another Saturday night. cause we’re training all day. you forget your manners. cable station where I was a Falklands Radio is funded by the Falkland How was your Paso Doble? video journalist. When this Island Government. It takes limited advertising We went for it big time, and Did you know who you’d be Are you naturally competitive? closed I joined Meridien which from the 3000 res- got a mixed reception from the paired with before meeting Ola? It’s not like a football or rugby was a baptism of fire. It was Changes in idents and few lo- judges. I had to pull ridiculous No, but there wouldn’t have game where you can influence my first bit of real live tel- cal businesses, and facial expressions, but I gave it been much point pairing me someone else’s dance by doing evision – car crash tv some- currents mean is overseen by The the full monty – and we’ve sur- with someone tall. We hit it a rugby tackle. The only thing times – but great experience. Media Trust which vived to dance another week. off from the word go and we that I’m in control of is my that stocks of also gives guid- have a good giggle. I’m basical- own performance, so there’s How did you get from there to ance to the weekly How have your Breakfast col- ly a very slow learner. It takes no animosity to anyone else. Breakfast? fish are at an paper, The Penguin leagues reacted? me forever to learn the steps After being given £75,000 to News. Between I sometimes find myself gliding and seconds to forget. She gives You were pretty fit yourself make my own six part golf all time low them, they keep across the newsroom, count- series, which must count as people ing my steps and standing by one of the best jobs of my ca- with what’s happening on the Islands, as well the editor in a pose. That’s a reer, I went to GMTV and Lon- as news from the UK and South America. bit weird. Bill has been great CV don Tonight until I joined BBC There is a lower ‘threshold of news’ for and it helps that he has been Degree: BA sociology and social policy at Durham News 24 in 1999. Since then stories than in the UK, but almost every- in it. He used to send me texts I’ve done stints at Football Fo- one tunes in. And the residents are hugely in the afternoon on Saturday First job: Editorial assistant on Sky Sports Soccer AM cus, Grandstand, indoor bowls, politically aware: it’s much more obvious saying things like desire, believe Career landmark: Presenting from the World Cup 2006 pretty much every job in sport. how decisions taken by the Falkland Islands and concentrate. Sian has texted Family: Linda and John, sister Liz and girlfriend Sarah government affect them ... and of course the me to say good dance, but shut What was your biggest break? chances of meeting the decision-makers in your gob – when I’ve been danc- When I joined I got to go to the street or pub are far higher than in the UK. ing with my mouth open. me tough love, but it works. even before Strictly... Brussels to do the draw for Euro There’s a great deal of news: changes in Yes, I’ve always been pretty 2000 as the main live presenter/ currents mean stocks of fish around the What does your family think I hear you two have got a nick- sporty. When I was born, Dad reporter for it. My second big Islands are at an all time low, creating a hole in about you being in Strictly? name... was playing for Chelsea and break was during the Sydney FIG finances. That in turn means that health- Mum’s initial reaction was, Len called us the Dancing Hob- they’d just won the FA Cup. Games in 2000 when every- care (which used to be free, paid for by for- oh my God, are you sure you bits; Ola calls me her ‘little hob- Then he played for QPR, Arsenal body was away except me, and eign fishing licences) now has to be paid for. want to embarrass yourself? I bit’ which her husband, and and for England. We socialise as I ended up as the sports news But by taxes or by private insurance? Difficult told her I was just going to be fellow dancer, James thinks is a family by playing sport. presenter on the Ten O’Clock decisions will have to be made... me in a dancing competition, hilarious. To the extent that News. Then I got the dream job I reported on the trial of a teenager charged but I think she was really wor- he called me Chris Hobbits Did you try to follow in your I’d always wanted on Breakfast. with causing a friend’s death by reckless driv- ried, as the whole family was. the other day on It Takes Two. father’s footballing footsteps? ing. Never before have I had such a reaction After university I played profes- What do you get up to in your to a story. Everyone listened to the station to You’ve done incredibly well to How do you feel about the cos- sional cricket and pro football. free time? hear what had been said in court. It certain- get this far. Could you dance tumes you have to wear? I was offered some trials for I sold my flat and I’m waiting ly concentrates your mind, sharpens your re- before you started? I’ve dressed up in various out- Charlton and I played a bit for to move into my new house, so porting, and adds more empathy to your voice No, and every time we start a fits for Breakfast, so I was quite them and QPR but nothing was for the last three months I’ve when you know that the mother of the ac- new dance I’m petrified. For prepared for the spangly shirts, really happening so I thought lived the life of a 13 year-old. . cused, and of the victim are listening. And that the latest one on Saturday, the tight trousers and the tux. I was I should get a proper job. In the morning I go to Break- you’ll meet many of them later that day... Paso Doble, I had to act mas- less prepared for the fake tan fast school, then I say goodbye And yes, there are brick buildings and terful and mean which just you have to put on for the Lat- What sort of proper job? to my teachers and go to meet electricity on the Falklands ... and internet, isn’t me. At the beginning of in dances. Those are the most I nearly became an account- Mrs Jordan for dance lessons mobile phones and possibly offshore oil the competition I was worried embarrassing weeks, when ant with Coopers and Lybrand until 5pm. Then I go home to reserves too. And any discovery of that really that I’d make an idiot of my- the chest has to come out and but didn’t get the job because Mummy and Daddy. Then I have will be big news for the broadcasters there, self because I couldn’t dance. Ola’s going ‘Get him darker – I they didn’t believe that I really dinner and I’m in bed by 9pm. here and in Buenos Aires. I’ve lost about 8lb through want more buttons undone’. wanted to be an accountant. So Interview by Sue Llewellyn

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News viewers were reminded to watch out for hedgehogs hibernating in their bonfires by graphics designer Simon Hunt, whose hedgehog was spotted crossing the weather green room headline graphic last week. ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: Talk.gateway has hosted many discussions ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off concerning the pressing issues of our time. But UPSIDE few have succeeded in penetrating so deeply ▲ A round of tea for into the very nature of what it is to work at the Sandy McCracken who BBC as the great pudding debate currently rag- ▲ scooped ‘runner of ing under the heading ‘equal pay for equal pud’. the year’ at the first The issue? The varying price of hot puddings ▲ freelance awards across different BBC buildings. Apparently, up this week. until last month, the puddings, which cost 85p in Not only can Sandy White City, were costing a pound-barrier busting ▲ keep his cool in ‘highly £1.25 for those unfortunate enough to be eating pressurised situations’, in the TVC canteen. Aramark rectified the dispar- ▲ the ProductionBase judges enthused, but while ity, but comparisons continue – 65p for a pud- working on Antiques Road Trip he taught him- ding in Kingswood Warren and 90p for the high- ▲ self to draw caricatures and sketched each of rollers in Cardiff. The debate has even moved on the presenters as a gift – a bold and, as it turned to soup. Forget salary revelations – this is where ▲ out, not a career-ending gesture. the real inequality is being revealed… The 26 year-old, who also worked for the BBC ▲ on In It To Win It, clearly has a way with people. Rumblings of discontent at the location of ‘Sandy always used his initiative and would the ‘first joint newsroom and newsgathering often second guess the needs of the producer/ Christmas party’. It’s scheduled to be held in ▲ director,’ said one former colleague. ‘A very Aussie-themed pub chain Walkabout – a venue valuable skill indeed.’ Green room wagers we’ll more commonly associated with drunken wan- ▲ be hearing more of Mr McCracken. nabe antipodeans stumbling around in school uniforms listening to hits from the 80s. A far cry ▲ from the refinement of past venues, but that’s what you get when the management aren’t foot- ▼ DOWNSIDE ing the cheque. ‘Outrage, grim times, boycotting ▼ it’s not easy it,’ mumbled our news channel source… ▼ Win a Blackadder being green Box Set ▼ Maggot, member of Welsh ‘comedic environmental myths in an exclusive To celebrate this rap’ act Goldie Lookin’ Chain and some- web video series for BBC Wales called week’s launch of all ▼ time star of Celebrity Big Brother, has Maggot’s on a Mission. Thankfully this four Blackadder series been wearing a green monster outfit isn’t an excursion into climate change becoming available ▼ and sitting in a rubbish bin. Don’t worry denial – the myths are more along the to download on the Question Time titan David Dimbleby was – he hasn’t been forced to emulate eve- line of whether it takes more energy iTunes store and the ▼ across all the papers last week thanks to a bul- ryone’s favourite passive-aggressive to turn tvs on and off rather than leave release of BBC Au- lock encounter. The presenter was knocked out homeless character Oscar the Grouch them running, and Maggot sets the diobooks’ Blackadder while loading one of the animals onto a trailer at due to his band being dropped from record straight with a host of experts. The Complete Collected Series ▼ his home in Sussex and had to spend the night Atlantic records. The rapper has actu- Which still doesn’t explain why he has on cd, BBC Worldwide is offering the entire in hospital. ‘I haven’t missed a Question Time in ally been looking at the truth behind to wear that itchy suit… cd box-set to the lucky winner who can com- ▼ over 15 years. Trust my wife’s bullock to take me plete the following sentence: out. I’ll be giving bullocks a wide berth in future,’ ‘Blackadder: Am I jumping the gun, Baldrick, ▼ said Dimbleby. John Humphrys, who parked or are the words ______marching with himself in the Question Time chair as replace- ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this ▼ ment on the night, was characteristically terse: Win tickets for conversation?’ Three runners up will receive ‘You will have noticed I’m not David Dimbleby.’ series 1, 2 or 3 on cd of the BBC Audiobooks Blackadder series. Email ariel competitions by radical drama November 23. EARWIGGING Radical TV is a season at BFI South- Win tickets OVERHEARD AT THE BBC bank critically examining how ‘radi- cal’ drama has explored the divisions to 1Xtra Live …You sneeze like my mother… in British society since the 1960s. …I’m in my lair waiting for From December 1-11, the second 1Xtra Live is the station’s flagship event and it part of the season looks at how a boasts a line-up of acclaimed UK music artists him… new generation of writers began to including: Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, emerge with a more tenuous con- Chipmunk, Taio Cruz, Jay Sean and …The thing is, even as nection to the leftwing ideology of JLS. Artists will perform across two far as Walkabouts go, the the 60s and 70s than their predeces- stages in front of up to 12,000 sors. From Newcastle-based drama Curteis, Stephen Frears and Peter people, making it the biggest one in Shepherds Bush is Our Friends in the North (right) in 1996 Morgan. standalone event in the sta- PARTICULARLY bad… to the examination of the mistrust Ariel has three pairs of tickets tion’s history. We have five and cynicism engendered by New to any screening or talk in this pairs of tickets to give away …It’s meant to be lucky to have an elephant Labour in Stephen Frears’s The Deal, second season (from December for the event at Sheffield Arena in your house… the season considers what it means 1 to 11). To enter to win a pair, on Saturday November 28. to be a radical dramatist now. just answer this question: What To enter to win a pair, answer this …You can never find your way around and it is the name of the only main question: What is the title of Dizzee Ras- Highlights include special dis- character to feature in all cal’s debut album, which won him the smells of cabbage… cussions involving Skins writer/crea- three series of Skins? 2003 Mercury Music Prize? Email ariel …Oh, I thought it was regarding the tor Bryan Elsley as well as talks from Email ariel competitions by competitions by November 23, and a number of writers, producers and November 23. look out for a feature on the event spanking story, I’m so sorry. Goodbye… directors such as Peter Flannery, Ian Tinyurl.com/bfirad in next week’s paper.

> IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT ADAM BAMBURY