Lyric fm's Breakfast show presenter - Marty Whelan.

HeidiHeidi · 26-03-2014 10:41pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

It is. And broadly, thats what it delivers. With a little chat and refreshment to link the music. By thy way, those bemoaning the breadth of music on offer throughout the day, should not be disappointed. Its no less than Lyric sets out to deliver : "RTÉ lyric fm is a music station with a classical bias whilst also offering the listener a vast and eclectic array of music from all periods, continents, genres, styles and expressive forms.".

I would beg to disagree with that in the case of MITM.

When I get sick of listening to all the bad news and doom and gloom on the news stations in the morning, followed by the very poor chat shows available after them, my refuge was always Lyric, where I was guaranteed some music - not always my favourites by any stretch, but it was music. The last few times I switched over - until I gave up switching over - it was Marty wittering on (I keep repeating that phrase, but honestly it's the only way I can think of describing it) about Hugo and Daphne and god knows who else, and telling appallingly bad jokes which he laughs at himself.

Music. It's early morning, I'm not in the best of form, I've turned over from the talking, I'd just like some music. Is that too much to ask?

Yvonne23R · 26-03-2014 11:32pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I would beg to disagree with that in the case of MITM.

When I get sick of listening to all the bad news and doom and gloom on the news stations in the morning, followed by the very poor chat shows available after them, my refuge was always Lyric, where I was guaranteed some music - not always my favourites by any stretch, but it was music. The last few times I switched over - until I gave up switching over - it was Marty wittering on (I keep repeating that phrase, but honestly it's the only way I can think of describing it) about Hugo and Daphne and god knows who else, and telling appallingly bad jokes which he laughs at himself.

Music. It's early morning, I'm not in the best of form, I've turned over from the talking, I'd just like some music. Is that too much to ask?

\

Actually, I like the Hugo & Daphne story. I've never heard anything like it on radio anywhere. It reminds me of Downton Abbey. It really puts a smirk on my face.

And I find I'm telling Mart's jokes to people all through the day. :eek:

"Why did the Jelly Baby go to school?"
"Because he wanted to be a Smartie!"

jmcc · 27-03-2014 12:49am

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Not sure what the 'catch' is (you're not answering one of your phantom posts by any chance?).

I'll explain it simply for you then. The given speech was quite different to the press office speech as he apparently mangled it. Yvonne was trumpeting the press office one as a great success but the reality is different.

The point I was making was not that Enda listens to MITM, but that so many people do.

It seems to be a speech written by Kenny's writer. It has to tick all the boxes for the occasion.

So many, that even he is conscious of how many people have said to him that they do.

Or his speech writer has a vivid imagination.

And that he makes reference to this fact in a speech on radio (whether he really said it or not I cannot say and that point is moot to this discussion).

Well it appears that it is central to the point.

On the same topic, being a new follower of this thread, I took a look at the first page of the thread from way back when. There was without doubt a majority supporting and approving of the show.

I guess people change their minds. And apparently there have been bannings over sockpuppetry and other things.

But it seems that over time, the general fan of the show has been hounded away from the thread, leaving it to a handful of to stand up to the oprobrium (at times verging on downright bullying and personal abuse).

This mythical plain person of Ireland? There has been some abject trolling on this thread with Opera tours and competitions being blatently promoted. If RTE/LyricFM and the travel firm which does the Martydom tours are so eager to promote these things then it would be better if they paid for a commercial "talk to" section on Boards.ie.

This may have given the anti-Marty brigade a very false sense of the numbers of those pro or anti the Lyric revamp of a few years ago.

When it comes to music, I just want to listen to it without the "commentary". You seem to think that it is a simple numbers game. It is not. It is a question of taste and perferences. It seems that Marty faces the classic problem for the aging DJ who never made the leap to management or production. He was dumped from 2FM because of falling audience figures. He was repurposed for LyricFM in an attempt to make it into some kind more sedate, RTE1ish 2FM. The problem is that he still uses the same cheeky chappy act and it just doesn't gel with Classical music.

Regards...jmcc

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 1:00am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

\

Actually, I like the Hugo & Daphne story. I've never heard anything like it on radio anywhere. It reminds me of Downton Abbey. It really puts a smirk on my/quote]

The Marty in the Morning programme reminds me a bit of the much missed Wake Up To Wogan on BBC Radio 2 - the Hugo /Daphne et al stories are somewhat akin to Wogan's Janet & John inserts in his show - available on YouTube

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 1:06am

jmcc wrote: »

I'll explain it simply for you then. The given speech was quite different to the press office speech as he apparently mangled it. Yvonne was trumpeting the press office one as a great success but the reality is different.

It seems to be a speech written by Kenny's writer. It has to tick all the boxes for the occasion.

Or his speech writer has a vivid imagination.

Well it appears that it is central to the point.

I guess people change their minds. And apparently there have been bannings over sockpuppetry and other things.

This mythical plain person of Ireland? There has been some abject trolling on this thread with Opera tours and competitions being blatently promoted. If RTE/LyricFM and the travel firm which does the Martydom tours are so eager to promote these things then it would be better if they paid for a commercial "talk to" section on Boards.ie.

When it comes to music, I just want to listen to it without the "commentary". You seem to think that it is a simple numbers game. It is not. It is a question of taste and perferences. It seems that Marty faces the classic problem for the aging DJ who never made the leap to management or production. He was dumped from 2FM because of falling audience figures. He was repurposed for LyricFM in an attempt to make it into some kind more sedate, RTE1ish 2FM. The problem is that he still uses the same cheeky chappy act and it just doesn't gel with Classical music.

Regards...jmcc

In my humble view there is no necessity for classical music programms to be drab and dull and religious. They can be light and airy and fun. And this is what Marty brings to the party and he does it with real success. More people listen to the Show now than live in Limerick City for example. And that's where Lyric is based.

It's all about linking music and people. And making a delightful daisy chain of a programme of music and banter and wit and interactions with the AA Roadwatch people and with the News and the Interviews with stars of Stage & Screen. It's a seamless package than flows over us like honey.

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 1:10am

Woodville56 wrote: »

Yvonne23R wrote: »

\

Actually, I like the Hugo & Daphne story. I've never heard anything like it on radio anywhere. It reminds me of Downton Abbey. It really puts a smirk on my/quote]

The Marty in the Morning programme reminds me a bit of the much missed Wake Up To Wogan on BBC Radio 2 - the Hugo /Daphne et al stories are somewhat akin to Wogan's Janet & John inserts in his show - available on YouTube

I must look them up - that sounds gas! I hadn't heard of them before. Is this before my time? Did Sir Tel make them up himself or did he have actors? I remember he used to have the BBC Virgins on the roof of Broadcasting House. They got up the noses of the Suits in the Corporation. They had been installed by Lord Reith back in the 1930s like Vestal Virgins, and had been forgotten for decades, but they kept the BBC flame alight up there.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 1:19am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

In my humble view there is no necessity for classical music programms to be drab and dull and religious.

Couldnt agree with you on the 'religious' bit now Yvie (but lets not fall out over it:)). I would criticise, just a tad mind, but criticise nonetheless, our Mart for leaving the field of sacred music piu o meno untouched. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn....some of the finest music what was ever writ be religious. Give it whirl on the platter Marty - expand the musical boundaries of the plan people of Ireland even further !

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 1:51am

jmcc wrote: »

You seem to think that it is a simple numbers game. It is not. It is a question of taste and perferences. It seems that Marty faces the classic problem for the aging DJ who never made the leap to management or production. He was dumped from 2FM because of falling audience figures. He was repurposed for LyricFM in an attempt to make it into some kind more sedate, RTE1ish 2FM. The problem is that he still uses the same cheeky chappy act and it just doesn't gel with Classical music.
Regards...jmcc

Oh dear, so just because Marty doesn't present with a certain gravitas implies a lack of taste ?? Do you not think that his programme would be axed if he wasn't drawing market share of listeners to his show ? Let's face it, a 100% pure classical music station is not commercially viable in this country given its potential listening audience nor should the taxpayer be required to fund such a specialist service. Thus, Lyric is aimed at a broader church that attracts listeners to the likes of John Kelly, Gay Byrne, George Hamilton etc. The nasty, personalised and insidious rhetoric of some posters on this thread against Marty Whelan is quite nauseating. As I said in an earlier posting, he's just a decent guy doing a job and quite unfairly targeted over his presentation style by those whose preference for a pure classical content on Lyric smacks more of snobbish elitism than a genuine appreciation of music as an art form, whatever it's genre. It's all about listenership really - if Marty wasn't getting the audience numbers he wouldn't be there !! As for the purists, why not invest in a few classical downloads to while away the mornings while the rest of us plebs enjoy the common or garden mix on MITM.

jmcc · 27-03-2014 9:17am

Woodville56 wrote: »

Oh dear, so just because Marty doesn't present with a certain gravitas implies a lack of taste ??

Our preferences. Our tastes. We prefer Classical music where the music is the star of the programme.

Do you not think that his programme would be axed if he wasn't drawing market share of listeners to his show ?

He seems to have been put there to attract the Tubridy-lite demographic - the kind of people who like the chat radio (rather than talk radio which seems to be far more interactive) style of banter but not the Tubridy play list. The management obviously decided to go after this "chat radio"/easy listening demographic at the expense of the Classical one.

Let's face it, a 100% pure classical music station is not commercially viable in this country given its potential listening audience nor should the taxpayer be required to fund such a specialist service.

LyricFM is, or rather was, a Classical/Arts station with a wide range of music not generally heard on the other stations.

The nasty, personalised and insidious rhetoric of some posters on this thread against Marty Whelan is quite nauseating.

It is a reaction to the endless trolling and sockpuppetry.

As I said in an earlier posting, he's just a decent guy doing a job and quite unfairly targeted over his presentation style by those whose preference for a pure classical content on Lyric smacks more of snobbish elitism than a genuine appreciation of music as an art form,

Rubbish! You are just trying to group people who don't want to listen to chat radio into a simple set of those who just want to listen to Classical all the time. The music is the star of the show. The other presenters on LyricFM get this simple point but Marty and his friends seem to think that he is the star.

whatever it's genre. It's all about listenership really - if Marty wasn't getting the audience numbers he wouldn't be there !!

The relentless pursuit of numbers? The problem is that the relentless pursuit of the chat radio demographic has created a mobile audience for LyricFM where rather than gaining listeners throughout the day, there is a slump as the chat radio demographic drifts away to other such programmes on other stations.

As for the purists, why not invest in a few classical downloads to while away the mornings while the rest of us enjoy the common or garden mix on MITM.

The purists? People who just like music? The "plain people of Ireland" who don't want chat radio? The problem is that some people are traveling to work or dropping the kids off at school and cannot be messing about with downloads and rely on radio stations to make things less complex.

But then it is easier, for the sake of your argument, to represent those who like Classical (and other types) as the nerds, the misfits, the outsiders while promoting the sheer 1970s/1980s DJ banality of Whelan not Vivaldi or Marty not Mozart. We don't seem to matter to the LyricFM management and their pursuit of the chat radio demographic.

Regards...jmcc

DownBeaten · 27-03-2014 9:27am

Just how many socks are allowed on this thread? Same style, same content, just different logon.

Expunge · 27-03-2014 9:31am

As I write this, I hear Mr Whelan giving the play 'Warhorse' his unique Culture Vulture seal of approval.... "it's very big!, bigger than I thought it was going to be!"... is his profound insight. Then, of course, followed by the usual " I believe the tickets are going fast!" line. More of the soft Payola beloved of this relic. If it's not a free night out, it's free hair 'restoration'.

They used to say Donie Cassidy's hair was his own.... he had the reciept.
Poor auld Marty can't even say that!

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 9:46am

jmcc, I never referred to those who prefer full on classical output on Lyric as nerds or misfits -I wouldn't disrespect or discount anyone's taste in music. It's just the personalised attacks on Marty Whelan that I find objectionable . And no, I wouldn't classify myself as a friend or even a huge fan of Marty, it's just that I quite like his lighthearted banter in the morning and also the music mix. I never listen to 2FM, it's not my type of music and less so Mr Tubridy as a presenter.
I can accept your preference for a more classically oriented programme on Lyric on the morning, but it's not Marty Whelan who sets the programme schedule for Lyric nor do I expect has he full control over the playlist. I have no problem with criticism of the station policies as regards to programming or content , it's just the personalised nature of the attack on someone just doing his job, what he is employed to do, that irks somewhat !

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 9:46am

Expunge wrote: »

As I write this, I hear Mr Whelan giving the play 'Warhorse' his unique Culture Vulture seal of approval.... "it's very big!, bigger than I thought it was going to be!"... is his profound insight. Then, of course, followed by the usual " I believe the tickets are going fast!" line. More of the soft Payola beloved of this relic. If it's not a free night out, it's free hair 'restoration'.

They used to say Donie Cassidy's hair was his own.... he had the reciept.
Poor auld Marty can't even say that!

Isn't it interesting that even people who come to bury the Show end up listening to it?

I'm going to go to War Horse on the strength of Mart's review. And I hadn't intended going but he has made it palatable to an ordinary listener now. I was laughing that he played "Mr Wonderful" just now for Gay Byrne! Waiting now for Daphne & Hugo in a few minutes. And the real London Underground announcements that he's read out from Damian are hilarious!

Hayley Westenra is up shortly live too for an in depth with Mart which will make a perfect show.

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 9:52am

DownBeaten wrote: »

Just how many socks are allowed on this thread? Same style, same content, just different logon.

As far as I know, multiple usernames are detected and blocked on Boards so where's your evidence of multiple log ons ??
There are others here who hold opposite views and eclectic tastes , however much you hold us in disdain from your rarified outlook !

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 10:09am

Expunge wrote: »

As I write this, I hear Mr Whelan giving the play 'Warhorse' his unique Culture Vulture seal of approval.... "it's very big!, bigger than I thought it was going to be!"... is his profound insight. Then, of course, followed by the usual " I believe the tickets are going fast!" line. More of If it's not a free night out, it's free hair 'restoration'.

They used to say Donie Cassidy's hair was his own.... he had the reciept.
Poor auld Marty can't even say that!

So much for the level of debate and constructive review on this topic ! Is resorting to personal abuse of someone just doing his job your own level of debate Expunge ??
Perhaps your username here is an appropriate way to deal with postings that are personalised and nasty ?

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 10:21am

Nice touch now with Marty where he pointed out a strong resemblance in the melody between La Boheme and Lakme. So much for those who claim he doesn't know his opera.

jmcc · 27-03-2014 10:31am

Woodville56 wrote: »

jmcc, I never referred to those who prefer full on classical output on Lyric as nerds or misfits -I wouldn't disrespect or discount anyone's taste in music.

If you have read the thread, (even back a few weeks), you will have seen how the show is represented by Yvonne and other(s) as being for "the plain people of Ireland". That's a rather loaded cliche. Then people who like Classical rather than MOTR at that time in the morning are represented as "purists" when they may have a very eclectic listening pattern. But it suits the promoted, if that's the right word, argument about Marty catering for the "plain people of Ireland" whereas those who just want Classical at that time are presented as the ones not being of "the plain people of Ireland".

It's just the personalised attacks on Marty Whelan that I find objectionable .

The endless trolling, the sockpuppetry and the blatent commercial promotions encourage it.

And no, I wouldn't classify myself as a friend or even a huge fan of Marty, it's just that I quite like his lighthearted banter in the morning and also the music mix. I never listen to 2FM, it's not my type of music and less so Mr Tubridy as a presenter.

Take away the playlist and you've got the same kind of chat radio going on. That's the problem. RTE/LyricFM management is chasing the chat radio demographic in a struggle for numbers. RTE is not doing well financially so what may be considered minority interests programming get it in the neck. 2FM is in trouble as it seems to exist in a pre-1988 vacuum fighting the pirates when all other stations seem to have moved into this century.

I can accept your preference for a more classically oriented programme on Lyric on the morning, but it's not Marty Whelan who sets the programme schedule for Lyric nor do I expect has he full control over the playlist.

The management is to blame and I think that he does set some of the playlist.

I have no problem with criticism of the station policies as regards to programming or content , it's just the personalised nature of the attack on someone just doing his job, what he is employed to do, that irks somewhat !

If there was less trolling and less commercial promotion, then it might not happen as much, if at all.

Regards...jmcc

jmcc · 27-03-2014 10:32am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Nice touch now with Marty where he pointed out a strong resemblance in the melody between La Boheme and Lakme. So much for those who claim he doesn't know his opera.

Aren't sleeve notes wonderful? Perhaps people might be more impressed if he figured out the connection between Vivaldi and the Beatles.

Regards...jmcc

Expunge · 27-03-2014 11:12am

Woodville56 wrote: »

So much for the level of debate and constructive review on this topic ! Is resorting to personal abuse of someone just doing his job your own level of debate Expunge ??
Perhaps your username here is an appropriate way to deal with postings that are personalised and nasty ?

Sorry, where's the personal abuse? I made reference to his inadequacy in plugging a play... on the nation's publicly funded arts and music radio channel.
I made reference to a worrying fondness for endorsing events and services outside off his own bat, which Whelan does again and again - including his own recent hair restoration, famously promoted by the presenter himself.
Remember Whelan's marathon 3 hour broadcast from Neven Maguire's restaurant to launch a friggen cook book?

I'm playing the ball, which happens to be the man in this case by his own design.
It's my view that Whelan himself is driving the crass, artless agenda of MITM with the collaboration of limp wristed, useless production and management types in RTE Radio.
It's a form of cultural rape, in this poster's view.
We had one station - just one - to cater in a serious and meaningful way for mainly proper classical music and the arts and it's being f**ked up by the very custodians of it.
Also, as in the case of Radio na Gaeltachta, there are some places where it's about service - not pure audience - and Lyric is supposed to be one of those spaces.

So, I'm glad you love the banter of the fella 'just doing his job'.
If you don't like my tone, pal, you'll find a report button somewhere around. Press that and shed a tear for the great Marty Whelan - King of the Banter.

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 11:13am

jmcc wrote: »

Aren't sleeve notes wonderful? Perhaps people might be more impressed if he figured out the connection between Vivaldi and the Beatles.

Regards...jmcc

In fact what Mart said was that the ending of the two arias was the same. Which is a bit like the singer finishing up in the carpark beside the opera theatre.

There's nothing like this on the CD because these are two separate operas.

There's a version of the Beatles that's done in the style of the Red Priest in fact and it's played from time to time. And it's a way of bringing Vivaldi up to date with more modern melodies that are lyrical and singable. Nobody can sing the Four Seasons even in the bath!

Hayley Werstenra was a superb and beautiful guest and she said that the RTE Concert Orchestra is her favourite orchestra in the world. Very high praise I have to say. Mart was also talking about the great John Wilson who has come here from the BBC and is a great catch. The Hayley concert is sold out already too so there's no question of advertising that on air. It was simply a public service visit to studio.

Hayley is going to try to get tickets herself for Kate Bush, which shows how normal she is even though she's a star. And she was saying in interview that she keeps the tradition going because she's a UN goodwill ambassador who did great work on the bicycle project, and she's head of the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. As indeed was the late Audrey Hepburn. Linking again because Vera Lynn is still a great favourite on the Show.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 2:04pm

jmcc wrote: »

Aren't sleeve notes wonderful? Perhaps people might be more impressed if he figured out the connection between Vivaldi and the Beatles.

Regards...jmcc

Sir ! Sir ! I know that one !
- they both wrote the same piece hundreds of times !

Gold star ?

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 2:04pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Hayley Werstenra was a superb and beautiful guest

She's just lovely.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 2:06pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Nice touch now with Marty where he pointed out a strong resemblance in the melody between La Boheme and Lakme. So much for those who claim he doesn't know his opera.

Showing it isnt just Italian opera where Marty is at home - he seems equally erudite in the French sphere.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 2:15pm

Expunge wrote: »

Sorry, where's the personal abuse? I made reference to his inadequacy in plugging a play... on the nation's publicly funded arts and music radio channel.
I made reference to a worrying fondness for endorsing events and services outside off his own bat, which Whelan does again and again - including his own recent hair restoration, famously promoted by the presenter himself.
Remember Whelan's marathon 3 hour broadcast from Neven Maguire's restaurant to launch a friggen cook book?

I'm playing the ball, which happens to be the man in this case by his own design.
It's my view that Whelan himself is driving the crass, artless agenda of MITM with the collaboration of limp wristed, useless production and management types in RTE Radio.
It's a form of cultural rape, in this poster's view.
We had one station - just one - to cater in a serious and meaningful way for mainly proper classical music and the arts and it's being f**ked up by the very custodians of it.
Also, as in the case of Radio na Gaeltachta, there are some places where it's about service - not pure audience - and Lyric is supposed to be one of those spaces.

So, I'm glad you love the banter of the fella 'just doing his job'.
If you don't like my tone, pal, you'll find a report button somewhere around. Press that and shed a tear for the great Marty Whelan - King of the Banter.

Some good points there in fairness Sponge. But on the question of Lyric supposed to being about service and not pure audience, that may have been the case in the past. But am pretty sure its not the case any more. You might like it to be so. But it is no longer Lyric's mission. And maybe thats where some of the anger and unhappiness being expressed here comes from. It is not that Lyric is providing you with a bad service - you are simply expecting a service that it no longer aims to give you in the first place. And so the criticism of El Marto is indeed unfair.

jmcc · 27-03-2014 2:22pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Sir ! Sir ! I know that one !
- they both wrote the same piece hundreds of times !

Gold star ?

No.

Regards...jmcc

Expunge · 27-03-2014 2:31pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Some good points there in fairness Sponge. But on the question of Lyric supposed to being about service and not pure audience, that may have been the case in the past. But am pretty sure its not the case any more. You might like it to be so. But it is no longer Lyric's mission. And maybe thats where some of the anger and unhappiness being expressed here comes from. It is not that Lyric is providing you with a bad service - you are simply expecting a service that it no longer aims to give you in the first place. And so the criticism of El Marto is indeed unfair.

Not the case anymore? Says who? You, Hugo?
Last time I checked, Noel Curran was the DG. He's still supporting a policy of talking 160 Euro from every TV owner or go to jail. When he announces the end of Lyric as an arts and mostly classical public service broadcaster we can talk about what is and is not the case with your multiple personalities.
My criticism of Mr Whelan and your terrible contribution to Lyric is fair enough. He's happy taking a cheque made up of public finds while doing a great deal to destroy a public resource.

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 3:18pm

Expunge wrote: »

Sorry, where's the personal abuse? I made reference to his inadequacy in plugging a play... on the nation's publicly funded arts and music radio channel.
I made reference to a worrying fondness for endorsing events and services outside off his own bat, which Whelan does again and again - including his own recent hair restoration, famously promoted by the presenter himself.
Remember Whelan's marathon 3 hour broadcast from Neven Maguire's restaurant to launch a friggen cook book?

I'm playing the ball, which happens to be the man in this case by his own design.
It's my view that Whelan himself is driving the crass, artless agenda of MITM with the collaboration of limp wristed, useless production and management types in RTE Radio.
It's a form of cultural rape, in this poster's view.
We had one station - just one - to cater in a serious and meaningful way for mainly proper classical music and the arts and it's being f**ked up by the very custodians of it.
Also, as in the case of Radio na Gaeltachta, there are some places where it's about service - not pure audience - and Lyric is supposed to be one of those spaces.

So, I'm glad you love the banter of the fella 'just doing his job'.
If you don't like my tone, pal, you'll find a report button somewhere around. Press that and shed a tear for the great Marty Whelan - King of the Banter.

Playing the man not the man gets you a red card in most codes I'm familiar with !
It seems on this thread however that anyone who doesn't agree with you and your like minded posters on this topic are somehow lesser beings whom you castigate for offering views contrary to your own 'serious classical music' nous.

As I pointed out before, RTE/Lyric management is responsible for scheduling and programme mix, not Marty Whelan, much as you prefer to scapegoat him and the fact that his programme includes items like live interviews and some lifestyle features. Thats the way it is, get over it !! There are many other 'serious classical music' programmes on Lyric. In its current format it's never going to be 100% serious classical music, there just isn't the listenership full stop !
Its just your intolerance of this programme , it's presenter and those who would defend fair, balanced and respectful debate that I don't get ? Do you have the same dislike for John Kelly and his excellent afternoon programme, where he ad libs in his own inimitable style or for Gay Byrne's ongoing Road Safety campaigning and rattle bag of views on his Sunday show ? Or is it just a "Marty" thing ?? Live and let live I say, but your superior and condescending tone in responding to my earlier postings is a bit pathetic really......."pal"
I have no interest in reporting or flagging anyone here for their views I thought that's what Moderators were for - to moderate balanced debate, free of personal comment or nastiness. It appears the ref has lost his whistle on this one though !
In closing, I do not know Marty Whelan nor do I have any connection with any other poster in this thread of with Lyric. I wouldn't even be a big listener to Lyric at that time of day, it's just that I do occasionally listen and enjoy his show as do I enjoy other Lyric programming ! It was just the level of personal comment and nastiness levelled at the presenter that struck me as unbecoming.
Fair enough to disagree with content and format of programming but play the ball not the man - he has a right to respect and fair comment as do all of us ! He also has a right to earn a wage for what he does, much as you might disagree. Most of us pay our TV Licence and we don't alway agree with what we get for our money either. but such is life !
I will be making no further comments on this thread, just asking for a more tolerant and measured debate, that's all !!

DownBeaten · 27-03-2014 3:35pm

Woodville56 wrote: »

I will be making no further comments on this thread

Which name will you use next?

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 3:43pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

Which name will you use next?

I do not have another log in / name here - it's not allowed far as I know ? Can Moderator confirm this ?
If you know otherwise then post my alternative name here . If not, don't make allegations you can't support , otherwise I will be reaching for that red flag !

jmcc · 27-03-2014 3:54pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

Which name will you use next?

I think Woodville56 might just have wandered into the crossfire and is not a single-topic poster.

Regards...jmcc

Onthe3rdDay · 27-03-2014 4:49pm

Any form of criticism could be labeled personal because the powers that be in Montrose have called the show Marty in the Morning. I'm not blaming Marty for this, he's just one of many pawns at the station. However, Lyric was never supposed to be personality radio.

The first real symptom of this was when John Kelly was shoved onto the network. While he does suits the station, he was also surplus to requirements when changes were made to RTE Radio 1. That's why I won't be surprised when other presenters who are on long term contracts eventually end up on the station, even if they're not suitable.

As for listening figures, if Lyric FM, 2FM and RnaG relied on listening figures they'd all be closed in the morning. None of them make any money. RnaG don't sell adverts because it would cost more money to find people to advertise in the first place.

Martys figures are terrible but they're not much worse than a few years ago, as I said in a previous post when the figures are so low you can't measure them accurately. There are almost no ads on Lyric because no advertising agency with any sense would ever buy time on the station at current rates.

There is plenty of room for a Classical station in the country. Combined BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM have almost 9 percent listenership in the UK, If you got half of that you could run a station here commercially. Lyric rarely reaches anywhere near 4 percent.

In the areas I work in Marty in the Morning isn't even mentioned. Not because they don't like him or his show but he and the station are not relevant, and the people I work with are very much radio people.

Addressing the point about the radiodays speech, as someone who has written speeches for others, the mention of Marty in the Morning in Enda Kenny's presentation meant nothing. The speech writer was given a list of points to cover. He went to the RTE Guide and various websites and picked out a few shows. It's an okay speech but it was poorly delivered.

Finally, Lyric like most of RTE radio needs a huge shake up. Marty has driven away old listeners, like it or not. He has brought some fans along but they're not loyal to the station, they're loyal to Marty. Using Marty in that slot is a disaster. If and when Marty is dropped (He will be, that's the way things work in RTE, I know from the experience of friends! Someone new comes in and it's all change.) Those few listeners will follow him to his next port of call, and Lyric will have almost no listeners at all. Will anyone notice? not really, as I said when figures are so low you can't accurately measure listenership.

I wish Marty the very best over the next few months no matter what happens. He wasn't treated well by RTE in the past. I hope it doesn't happen again.

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 5:44pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

I wish Marty the very best over the next few months no matter what happens. He wasn't treated well by RTE in the past. I hope it doesn't happen again.

Agreed !

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 5:47pm

Woodville56 wrote: »

Agreed !

Yes, Marty's position on Winning Streak was being undermined by someone who thought that Marty Morrissey would be a more suitable compere but that seems to have died a death.

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 5:51pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

Which name will you use next?

That's got a fairly serious implication.

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 6:12pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

That's got a fairly serious implication.

Not taking it seriously at all TBH Yvonne,although he/ she hasn't seen fit to withdraw or substantiate their claim !
Doesn't bother me though, life is too short for that type of pettiness !
Thanks for your support Yvonne23R

Sulla Felix · 27-03-2014 6:41pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I'm going to go to War Horse on the strength of Mart's review. And I hadn't intended going but he has made it palatable to an ordinary listener now.

This is exactly the kind of condescension that is getting you a hostile reaction Yvonne.
You do yourself and the "ordinary listener" a disservice to suggest that the War Horse, without Marties intervention, would otherwise be out of your reach. This kind of anti-intellectual dumbing down of culture is precisely why I loath the show.

DownBeaten · 27-03-2014 6:44pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

He wasn't treated well by RTE in the past. I hope it doesn't happen again.

You are aware that he quit his job in RTE to jump ship to Century Radio when they were set up? That was back in the days of Ray Burke and the brown envelopes. RTE took him back in, more fools them.

DownBeaten · 27-03-2014 6:46pm

Woodville56 wrote: »

Not taking it seriously at all TBH Yvonne,although he/ she hasn't seen fit to withdraw or substantiate their claim !
Doesn't bother me though, life is too short for that type of pettiness !
Thanks for your support Yvonne23R

My bad. Given the constant pop-up of new users with the same message, the same syntax and the same rubbish, I must have had a Marty Moment. :eek:

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 6:50pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

You are aware that he quit his job in RTE to jump ship to Century Radio when they were set up? That was back in the days of Ray Burke and the brown envelopes.

And the connection is ????
Pretty handy with the auld innuendo aren't ya DownBeaten

DownBeaten · 27-03-2014 6:54pm

Woodville56 wrote: »

And the connection is ????
Pretty handy with the auld innuendo aren't ya DownBeaten

I'm simply pointing out that Mr Whelan showed no loyalty to RTE when someone else waved a chequebook in his direction, in response to the comment that RTE did not treat him well. Where's the innuendo in that?

From Burke's wikipedia entry:

An interim report of the Flood Tribunal found as fact that the backers of Century Radio had paid large bribes to Burke to secure favourable ministerial decisions.

From Whelan's:

In 1989, Whelan left RTÉ radio to join its rival radio station, Century Radio. When that project failed[7] he was given the cold shoulder by RTÉ.

QED.

Woodville56 · 27-03-2014 7:11pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

I'm simply pointing out that Mr Whelan showed no loyalty to RTE when someone else waved a chequebook in his direction, in response to the comment that RTE did not treat him well. Where's the innuendo in that?

From Burke's wikipedia entry:

From Whelan's:

QED.

The innuendo in linking Ray Burke and Marty Whelan in the same paragraph is tenuous to say the least !

Yvonne23R · 27-03-2014 7:19pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

I'm simply pointing out that Mr Whelan showed no loyalty to RTE when someone else waved a chequebook in his direction, in response to the comment that RTE did not treat him well. Where's the innuendo in that?

From Burke's wikipedia entry:
From Whelan's:
QED.

That is just appalling. I'm made to feel sad to see that anyone would say that. Mart is above politics and it really is unpleasant to try to link him to Ray Burke by association. I have to say I have never heard anyone say anything about Marty before now. It's just not nice - and he's one of the nicest lads in the business.

Onthe3rdDay · 27-03-2014 7:23pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

You are aware that he quit his job in RTE to jump ship to Century Radio when they were set up? That was back in the days of Ray Burke and the brown envelopes. RTE took him back in, more fools them.

Indeed I am, I had friends that worked at Century. The first few years of Legal private broadcasting in Ireland doesn't show RTE in any great light. Marty did leave his radio show but he was basically fired from all TV work. I also understand the whole murky mess that Century was with burke and everything else, but that doesn't excuse RTE's behaviour either. I'll like to point out I'm neither for other against Marty on this issue, just stating facts.

Remember at the time RTE was the only TV game in town. If they ignored someone there was nowhere else to go. Now You might think Marty is talented or indeed he is talentless. However, up to the time he left for Century he was loved by certain Management types in RTE TV. That all changed when he left RTE Radio.

This kind of thing also happened to others. It's part of the problem with RTE today. Now someone has taken a shine to Marty plus he probably has a long term contract. Put the two together and you get him on Lyric FM. That's why I don't know if he'll be on the air next year. The wind changes in RTE on a regular basis.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 7:54pm

Expunge wrote: »

Not the case anymore? Says who? You, Hugo?
Last time I checked, Noel Curran was the DG. He's still supporting a policy of talking 160 Euro from every TV owner or go to jail. When he announces the end of Lyric as an arts and mostly classical public service broadcaster we can talk about what is and is not the case with your multiple personalities.
My criticism of Mr Whelan and your terrible contribution to Lyric is fair enough. He's happy taking a cheque made up of public finds while doing a great deal to destroy a public resource.

I dont think Hugo, or Daphne for that matter, comment on Lyric and its programming policy at all.

Michael and Sinead do have significant direct input into the philosophy of the MITM show, but Marty himself is the main driving force and creative inspiration behind its various strands that add up to the polished product that its audience enjoys. If you recalibrate your understanding of the programme mission, you would have to concede, even if you don't personally like what it sets out to do, that Mart does bring it all off with tremendous elan.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 8:01pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

There is plenty of room for a Classical station in the country. Combined BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM have almost 9 percent listenership in the UK, If you got half of that you could run a station here commercially. Lyric rarely reaches anywhere near 4 percent.

The UK is a far more musically sophisticated country. Ireland is pretty backwards in this respect, and bobbling around 2%, even stretching its range far outside the 'classical' realm that R3 and Classic FM maintain, feels about right to me.

Onthe3rdDay · 27-03-2014 8:13pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

The UK is a far more musically sophisticated country. Ireland is pretty backwards in this respect, and bobbling around 2%, even stretching its range far outside the 'classical' realm that R3 and Classic FM maintain, feels about right to me.

That is an outrageous comment... seriously.... Back in the Pirate Days there were several Stations that had Classical Music shows. They had no trouble whatsoever selling the Advertising Time. I know this because I know some who were involved. The trick, actual Classical Music, Little chat, NO JOKES and No Pop!!!

That's the problem with yourself and other posters on this topic. You insult the country and you wonder why people have no time for your point of view. I have nothing against Marty but his show has ruined the station, Not only my opinion, but the opinion of many of those in the Classical Music industry, The occasional listener that has now left the station and practically every advertising agency in Ireland.

HeidiHeidi · 27-03-2014 8:50pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

I dont think Hugo, or Daphne for that matter, comment on Lyric and its programming policy at all.
Michael and Sinead do have significant direct input into the philosophy of the MITM show, but Marty himself is the main driving force and creative inspiration behind its various strands that add up to the polished product that its audience enjoys. If you recalibrate your understanding of the programme mission, you would have to concede, even if you don't personally like what it sets out to do, that Mart does bring it all off with tremendous elan.

How do you know all this, just out of interest?

For a plain housewife of Ireland you seem to have a lot of the inside track.

SaveOurLyric · 27-03-2014 9:06pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

That is an outrageous comment... seriously.... Back in the Pirate Days there were several Stations that had Classical Music shows. They had no trouble whatsoever selling the Advertising Time.

Classical music shows. Yes. Richard Clayderman, Rondo Veneziano, and James Last on loop ? These are the musical dark ages from which Lyric is now trying to drag the plain people of Ireland.
It will be an uphill battle admittedly. But thats what is needed, and it will be a long process before we can hit anything like 9% listenership to classical music. Of course much of it is pap. I dont listen to these dregs of the 'classical' (I not only use the term loosely, but downright incorrectly) music world. Yvonne does not sit back in the evening to listen to his Andre Rieu or Kathrine Jenkins. Even my old sparring partner jmcc I have no doubt has knowledge and taste far above that.
Lyric bolted off in the beginning thinking it had the likes of the UK's potential audience. And has now corrected that mistake and realigned its output appropriate to the audience available to it. And Marty fits this baby steps approach perfectly. Apart from his international renown as a Puccini scholar he is as clueless as his audience, i.e. ideal.

Onthe3rdDay · 27-03-2014 9:20pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Classical music shows. Yes. Richard Clayderman, Rondo Veneziano, and James Last on loop ? These are the musical dark ages from which Lyric is now trying to drag the plain people of Ireland.
It will be an uphill battle admittedly. But thats what is needed, and it will be a long process before we can hit anything like 9% listenership to classical music. Of course much of it is pap. I dont listen to these dregs of the 'classical' (I not only use the term loosely, but downright incorrectly) music world. Yvonne does not sit back in the evening to listen to his Andre Rieu or Kathrine Jenkins. Even my old sparring partner jmcc I have no doubt has knowledge and taste far above that.
Lyric bolted off in the beginning thinking it had the likes of the UK's potential audience. And has now corrected that mistake and realigned its output appropriate to the audience available to it. And Marty fits this baby steps approach perfectly. Apart from his international renown as a Puccini scholar he is as clueless as his audience, i.e. ideal.

No, In fact it was serious pieces, by serious Musicians. There were other shows with the likes of James Last and Richard Clayderman. They would be categorized as easy listening or Beautiful music format.

Again you need to read the post, It's not 9%. You need about half that to run a commercial Station, It's done in several other countries. Lyric doesn't even come close. It was heading in the right direction until Marty Came along.(Not saying it was entirely his fault) You can throw figures back at me, But there are no real adverts on the station or on his show. Money talks.

Again you insult Irish people. I can now only assume that you're a troll deliberately trying to cause trouble. The country has spoken, No one listens.

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 12:26am

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

No, In fact it was serious pieces, by serious Musicians. There were other shows with the likes of James Last and Richard Clayderman. They would be categorized as easy listening or Beautiful music format.

Again you insult Irish people. I can now only assume that you're a troll deliberately trying to cause trouble. The country has spoken, No one listens.

I think there is nothing wrong with playing beautiful music: it's what Marty does and it's what Niall Carrooll continues on and then Liz Nolan picks it up again for the reverse of the Marty journey. All simply beautiful music of different types. From Nelson Riddle to Beethoven and Hayley Westenra and from Lakme to La Boheme to Ennio and so on and on.

And you say, and I quote - No one listens -. Well I listen and now more than 50,000 people listen and growing. No one listens? Do me a favour!

I agree with what the reasonable people here have all been saying. And it's all about linking people to the music. Ordinary people being lifted up to great music of all the Genres - jazz, hits from the shows, the light classical, the bit of John Barry, some trad even, and the bits of the Goon Show that Mart puts in like currants in the cake to give the musical diet a bit of a lift. All linking in you see and sending us off to our days with a smile on our faces and a song in our heart.

Lyric fm's Breakfast show presenter - Marty Whelan.

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