Radio 4 teeters...

Monday 6 December has not been a huge success for Radio 4.  James Naughtie stumbled over Jeremy Hunt's name in the run-up to 0800, and then blithered and snorted his way through the headlines - it was sufficient to see the Naughtie name trending worldwide on Twitter.  Andrew Marr and David Aaronovitch on Start the Week thought it amusing enough to start a discussion on Freudian slips, and, heigh-ho, Marr did it again.  Then, on the World At One, James Robbins started an interview with someone purporting to be Libdem Mike Crockart.  The prankster very soon tailed off in suppressed giggles, talking about being "backed into a corner" and "the problem started with the drip bins".   It's a risky day all round, with Donald Peterson, sorry that should be Peter Donaldson, the man who brought you the arrest of the Pink Panther, also around on news-reading duties !

• Even this blog turns out to be gaffe-prone today. The Pink Panther was brought to you by Peter Jefferson, not Donaldson.  Thanks, readers.  Be gentle with me.  
• 1600 Tuesday update. And now, a clear assertion that The Pink Panther was the work of Eddie Cole. I wish I'd never started this..     As a distraction, let me offer MacDonald Hobley introducing a broadcast by Sir Stafford Cripps as Sir Stifford Crapps.  And US announcer Harry Von Zell introducing his President as Mr Hoobert Heever.    From the BBC World Service almanac of things they wished they hadn't said, some terrible fumbles of "fork lift truck" and "West Bank", as well as the undiscovered military heroes of the "Royal Arse Hortillery".