Move over Snowy boy, Mary Beard's on your case now!

[Pighills]

Specialists not celebrities is what she wants, in today's Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2395393/Mary-Beard-argues-television-history-programmes-presented-specialists-celebrities.html

[Seadog]

She has a point but forgets that even Jeremy Clarkson was in my opinion excellent in the programme about his father-in- law at Arnhem and the series “Not Forgotten” presented by Ian Hislop was again in my opinion very good indeed, so its “horses for courses” in this case and she would be correct if all experts where as good at presenting as the late lamented Richard Holmes but sadly they are not.

Norman

PS: She should also realize that she is fast becoming a "celebrity" as well and seems to love publicity!

[spof]

I'm impressed. The Mail got to the second line of a Mary Beard article before the phrase "her looks" came up.

The articel by Brian Sewell referred to hit the nail on the head "That friendly face then becomes the subject of the programme"

[Seadog]

Personally I prefer a “friendly face” who perhaps has the passion and charisma to infuse the viewer with an interest in the subject matter rather than some boring open-university type lecture. Anyway does she not comprehend that the vast majority of presenters certainly on BB2 and BB4 TV are more than qualified to present “serious” documentaries. No I am afraid that Ms Beard is rapidly becoming a bore.

Norman

Edited 16 August , 2013 by Keith Roberts
Taste.

[Dragon]

On the other hand some brilliant experts are utterly hopeless communicators. As Professor in the English Faculty at Oxford, Tolkien was renowned for being absolutely incomprehensible. In lectures he would often turn away from his students and mutter at the wall.

This is what Mary Beard said in full (that is, here's the primary source). History Matters blog. Dan Snow does at least have a degree in History from a very respectable university.

Gwyn

[centurion]

But effectively Beard has become a celebrity. Sir Mortimer Wheeler was a celebrity but both are/were experts too. Having once met the latter and heard him speak to an audience in person (and not via the TV screen) his big advantage was that the subject of his talk was the focus of attention rather than himself* not the "look this is me walking up and down in front of ...." "this is me holding an early..." "this is me me me..." approach some celebrity presenters adopt.

* Even though he could be personally quite vain I think, it didn't obtrude into his performance

[Dragon]

If the script has been researched and written by an expert in the subject, and the programme put together with considerable input from said expert, what's the problem? As long as the presenter is honest about who he or she is and doesn't let it be thought that he/she is the expert, then the programme may end up better for it. Why not let someone whose talents are in communicating to camera present the acknowledged work of someone whose talents are in knowledge?

In fact in the original piece, Mary Beard wasn't completely dismissing enthusiastic presenters, she was arguing for a prominent and valuable role for subject experts. If an expert can communicate and hold attention, then splendid, but a lot can't.

Gwyn

[centurion]

"Hallo Androculus what you been doing?"

"Werl Philimon went to see a talk on 2nd Troy didn't I"

"Any good and who was it by?"

"Yes very good, brought it alive, not sure who it was - blind bloke, kept smiting his bloomin lyre which I found a bit irritating. Think he said he was the son of Sim or somethink. Still bloody good talk."

"Must try and catch the repeat in the Autumn season. Don't think much of this new retsina Timon's brought in do you? ..."

[judy7007]

Followed by a bit of camera fade and strolling off into the sunset.

[rumplestiltskin]

To me it does not matter what the presenter looks like, they could stand there in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe.

As long as the talk and presentation are of a good quality, that's does it for me.

Most of the people on telly have an ego to massage, goes with the territory.

Terry.

[Jack Sheldon]

Bring back Sister Wendy.

[judy7007]

To me it does not matter what the presenter looks like, they could stand there in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe.

As long as the talk and presentation are of a good quality, that's does it for me.

Most of the people on telly have an ego to massage, goes with the territory.

Terry.

I find it very off putting when the focus seems to be on the presenter or some fancy camera technique and not on the message.

Judy

[Gareth Davies]

Dan Snow does at least have a degree in History from a very respectable university.

Gwyn

In the words of General Melchett: "Cambridge is a complete dump".

[centurion]

Bring back Sister Wendy.

"in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe" ? Surely not! Mother Superior would certainly object to the pipe.

[rumplestiltskin]

"in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe" ? Surely not! Mother Superior would certainly object to the pipe.

"in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe" ? Surely not! Mother Superior would certainly object to the pipe.

It would be a sight for sore eyes

[keithfazzani]

"in a loincloth hobnail boots and a pipe" ? Surely not! Mother Superior would certainly object to the pipe.

Sister Wendy doesn't have a Mother Superior she is a solitary, in other words a hermit.

[centurion]

Well if we're going to be pedantic about this Abbot Aelred of Rievaulx who wrote Rule for a Solitary Sister would object

[rumplestiltskin]

Well if we're going to be pedantic about this Abbot Aelred of Rievaulx who wrote Rule for a Solitary Sister would object

I wonder if Abbot Aelred wore loincloth,hobnail boots and a pipe, a very fetching ensemble.

[Ron Clifton]

In the words of General Melchett: "Cambridge is a complete dump".

Or, to quote the script correctly, "Oxford's a complete dump."

And if we bring back Sister Wendy, can we please leave her teeth behind? It would make it easier to hear what she was saying.

Ron

[rumplestiltskin]

A fine set of choppers

[Seany]

"Hallo Androculus what you been doing?"

"Werl Philimon went to see a talk on 2nd Troy didn't I"

"Any good and who was it by?"

"Yes very good, brought it alive, not sure who it was - blind bloke, kept smiting his bloomin lyre which I found a bit irritating. Think he said he was the son of Sim or somethink. Still bloody good talk."

"Must try and catch the repeat in the Autumn season. Don't think much of this new retsina Timon's brought in do you? ..."

Very good, well done

It would be a sight for sore eyes

No it wouldn't

[David Filsell]

There is of course celebrity which is genuinely earned and the celebrity label which is pinned n any one who becomes of meeeja interest for being on the box, in the charts or has cocaine up theyre hooter.

[Muerrisch]

Standard "car-cleaning-in-a thunderstorm" kit at RAF Nicosia in the 1960 was: swimming trunks/ knickers, wellies/ flipflops, a wide hat and a ciggy/cigar.

Is not Sister Wendy a Stylite? Like a Troglodyte inside out?

[centurion]

I'm pretty sure she doesn't live on top of a tall pillar in the desert like Saint Simeon nor in an deep underground cave like a Troglodyte. I'd be happy if the unsainted Snow did either provided he had no access to a ladder. Some of the original solitaries had themselves walled up with just a slot for passing food and water in and out, again quite an acceptable solution. Roger Bacon spent some years in this way and what's good enough for the Bacon ought to be ok for the ham.

[Muerrisch]

Snow joke being up a pillar without a ladder.

Hat, coat .............