h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I just spent over half an hour working on a post about this entry - I hit 'post' and it disappeared

I'll do my best to reconstruct it

Excellent entry and excellent subject for an entry. I'm surprised that we didn't already have one in the EG about Radio 4, especially since the Hitchhikers Guide was originally broadcast on R4 (a fact which I'm sure could be worked into the entry without anyone throwing up their hands and wailing 'This isn't a fan site you know!').

That little mention of Radio 2 - "(today's Radio Two having been 'The Light Programme')" seems a bit of a non-sequitur. Why not either take it out, or add that Radio 3 used to be The Third Programme, just for completeness.

If you're going to mention that Radio Four was originally The Home Service, and you're looking to flesh out the entry a bit, you could add that the BBC originally had two services - The Home Service (which became Radio 4) which was intended for broadcast to the nation, and the Empire Service (which became The World Service) for broadcast to British Citizens stationed overseas on Empire duty.

"its most well-known and long-running programmes"
An entry about Radio 4 wouldn't be complete without mention of at least two others which are not included here - Desert Island Discs and Woman's Hour (the precursor of which - The Afternoon Talk for Women - was first broadcast in 1926). You could also add that both The Archers and Letter From America are (I believe) in The Guinness Book of Records for longevity in their respective categories.

"presented by John Humphreys" Have James Naughtie and Sue MacGregor left the programme? It's been a while since I heard it (it's on during the middle of the night here in Texas you know ). The foundations of the current Today format were laid down in the 1960s by Jack De Manio (who could never get the time right ), and built upon in the 70s and early 80s by Brian Redhead and John Timpson. There are many who prefer those earlier days to the current, more serious style of the programme, with its confontational and combative style of interview.

Ah, Desert Island Discs is mentioned. My mistake

"the BBC have often used it as a ‘testing ground’"
Are you sure that's the reason why they were put on Radio 4, or is it just coincidence that many of them later went on to television. Steptoe and Son went the other way - television to radio. And this is where you should mention The Hitchikers Guide, since it too transposed to television How about mentioning a few older programmes which moved to TV? Hancock for instance.

"Just a Minute and the eccentric I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, which has attracted a signficant cult-following."
'which have both attracted...'

"The most incredible feat of broadcasting endurance, it was his mission to bring everyday life in the United States to Britain, through his trademark gentle anecdotes, finishing only due to ill health shortly before his death."
I think that would work better as two sentences:
'The most incredible feat of broadcasting endurance, it was his mission to bring stories of everyday life in the United States to Britain through his trademark gentle anecdotes. The run only came to an end when Alistair retired due to ill health at the age of 95, and he died just a few weeks after the final 'Letter' was broadcast.'

"the later being the regular home of Test Match Cricket"
'the latter being the current home of Test Match Special, which was broadcast on the medium wave frequency of Radio 3 for many years, much to the chagrin of classical music afficianados'.

Notice that programmes on radio 4 are called 'programmes', not 'shows', unless the word 'show' is in the title of the programme, such as 'The Now Show', thus reinforcing its rather old-fashioned image. Clear?

And I don't think it would be hyperbole to call radio 4 a 'national treasure' In fact, I'm sure it's been done many times

There. I've remembered all that I can, but it feels shorter than it was first time around


Scout

Oh yeah...

"It's continued broadcasting of The Shipping Forecast"
No apostrophe necessary.

inapporiate - inappropriate

Sue McGregor has left. She now works for Channel 5 amongst other things.

How about mentioning Dead Ringers and the Now Show? Dead Ringers did a brilliant sketch on the Shipping Forecast which involved Brian Perkins rapping it! Worth mentioning?

By the way Old Hairy what the f*** are you doing listening to the radio at 5:30 in the morning?!

Well obviously, while listening to the radio at 5.30am I was ... listening to the radio. Probably drinking tea, and online at h2g2 as well.

Was the tone of your last posting really necessary?

Old Hairy. I listen to Radio 4 at 5:30 in the morning as well, although I haven't usually got to the tea by then. I'm still coming to and assessing the weather out of my bedroom window

Fb

Cheers for all the suggestions guys, particulary Gosho. I'm a bit busy pretending to revise for my finals at the moment, but I'll try and update it as soon as I get a bit of time.

Thanks again for the help everyone!

Hi Paul,
Great entry - amazing that the subject has been overlooked until now
Anyhoo...

I'd like to suggest that some (not all) instances of the word 'station' could be replaced by 'Radio 4' without sounding stilted or whatever and, more importantly, increasing the likelihood of search engines finding the entry
____________________
[[
To much of the public, Radio Four is simply its most well-known and long-running programmes.
]]
I've read this sentence three times and still I'm confused - I think the word 'it' being used at the start of a paragraph is throwing me... Who is 'it'? The BBC or Radio 4?? Would something like this work???
>>
To much of the public, Radio Four is home to the BBC's most well-known and long-running programmes
<<
Please feel free to ignore this suggestion - it could just be me
____________________
[[
Just a Minute and the eccentric I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, which has attracted a signficant (= significant ) cult-following
>>insert 'worldwide' (because they both most certainly have!)<<
.
]]
____________________
One other typo that seems to have gone unnoticed: offically = officially
____________________

and good luck for you finals

thanks,

i'll look into sorting those things out. i agree that 'to much of the public...' sentance is a bit clumsy, i'll out soon. cheers for the typos too, i don't know how they slip through the net!
thanks again for your comments!

Also worth noting that R4 won the prestigous 'Sony Station of the year award' in 2003 and 2004. Several individual programmeson the channel also won their categories (perhaps a search of the archives would reveal more).

Paul

How are things going with this?

Researcher PSG

I like the style of this entry. It is factual and quirky with a touch of humour . I hope it gets put forward for the guide. I have learnt lots just reading it once!

Nick

Is there a mention of Brian Perkins? The "Big Daddy" as Dead Ringers call him is a pretty iconic figure on the station!

The author has Elvised, but there's clearly enough interest here for it to be carried on, so I propose a move to FM.


Geggs

I'll second that

Researcher PSG

Ok, I'll add it to the list I'm working up.


Geggs

What's this doing still here then

Well, I did send that email. And it's sitting on the Scouts Yahoo group awaiting italic attention.

It's just a matter of waiting for them to get around to it.


Geggs