Saturday, September 21, 2019

Humph

A pretty rumbustious farewell last night to Today presenter John Humphrys in the wood-panelled BBC Council Chamber. In case there might not have been enough drink, the event was rammed, meaning access to the Majestic Wine area, at the far narrow end, was almost impossible throughout. Sweat became obvious as the event progressed, with James Naughtie in particular in need of a blow-dry.

Three DGs present - the good Lord, Greg Dyke and Michael Checkland - and one interim, Tim Davie. I get the feeling Lord Birt and Mark Thompson might not have been invited. Political balance was provided by the presence of David Davis and Jack Straw, with no obvious Libdem in sight. UK Keepers of Culture Lord Bragg and Alan Yentob offered extreme ends of the groomed/casual spectrum. As Lord Hall began his eulogy, a serial of Daily Mail executives arrived at the back, with Paul Dacre riding shotgun, and plowed through remorselessly to the wine.

Some of John's speech followed themes that appear in today's Mail, as part of a serialisation of his latest book (never waste work done at a typewriter). He's generally right on 'institutional liberal bias', but a tad too Piers-Morgan on trans issues.

Gags ?  He said he'd been asking for advice on the right time to leave for quite a while, and that the Director-General had suggested hanging on til 75, to make sure of a free-tv licence. He said that Jane Garvey had promised him a role on Woman's Hour, but there would have to be some gender re-assignment, and she was willing to perform the operation, without unnecessary anaesthetic.

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