RTE Radio 1: Sunday Miscellany

KevRossi wrote: »

Ah, it's harmless stuff. I like it. It's 50 minutes where the likes of Duffy and Tubridy aren't on about death or illness.

This is true, but was it always this formulaic? Last time I listened it was like the homework for a creative writing course.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The show has had the same format throughout it's 52 year run. In with a short blast of Galliard Battaglia, no compere or narrator or continuity to interrupt proceedings; just prose until the shows ends again with Galliard Battaglia.

Shockingly simple as formats and more so in an age that gets off on instant stories but it has lasted on RTÉ 1 and long may it last IMO.

I know the show format, I'm talking about the sections of prose read throughout. I used to love this programme but don't listen regularly anymore but maybe the standard of writing has improved.

Deleted User wrote: »

^^^^^^This is what is KILLING Irish radio / tv / media:

Eh? A brief annual celebration of Ireland's most acclaimed author?

Doodah7 wrote: »

Personally I find the programme eternally tedious; it being filled with worthy, earnest writers who desperately believe they have the next great Irish short story or novel in them. Most of the time the prose is read with all the solemnity of a graveside eulogy and where every word, having been so carefully and studiously crafted, is thus so heavy with gravity and meaning.

I caught a bit of this morning’s drone and I thought of the staffers behind the scenes and how much dross do they actually have to read to fill a programme.

It is a programme that should be excommunicated to a podcast-only format which would suit it perfectly

I don't mind the prose, and the musical selections are great.

But I really object to amateur poetry on the radio. And I love poetry; I prefer poetry to prose, or even music.
But it's next-to-impossible to grapple with good poetry on a single reading, let alone hearing it. You have to run back over a line or a verse, or have a minute to think about it.

Poetry is so compressed, and every word is chosen so deliberately, that a once-off radio broadcast can't do it justice. There's a reason why poets rarely have spotify accounts.

The only time poetry should be broadcast on the radio is where the listener is already familiar with the poem, or to give an initial idea of a poet's new work, which can be sought out if the reader is interested.

The stuff that is broadcast on SM is probably decent enough, but it's a waste of airtime. They should stick to the prose and the music imo.

ford fiesta wrote: »

Just wondering what percentage of the contributors are retired School Teachers or present Teachers?

I doubt if even the programme's producers know that. What would it mean?

Lots of failed writers are teachers, and lots of failed teachers are writers. It's a standard career path for an arts graduate, so it kinda stands to reason.