View Full Version : Jon Gaunt in Brixton.
behemoth
16-07-2003, 18:46
Did I hear correctly that his show on Thursday 16th will be coming from Brixton Village?
Yes, from Coffee Shack by the Coldharbour Lane entrance. If you like that sort of thing.
I dropped Jon a line inviting him for a beer afterwards, but he wrote back to say he couldn't make it because of work commitments.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I definitely don't agree with most of his opinions (and that's an understatement!) but he's very good at what he does.
And after the last Brixton/BBC 'tri-media' event, he earned my respect by bothering to hang around for (several) pints afterwards to chat to me and others who'd turned up.
The rest of the BBC presenters fucked off out of Brixton in double quick time...
aurora green
17-07-2003, 08:08
'Brixton village'??
and where might this be exactly? Is this a regularly used name for a bit of Brixton I have missed?
tarannau
17-07-2003, 08:27
Brixton Village is the new name for what was Granville Arcade.
Come down Aurora. And bring some eggs...
;)
Whilst I can appreciate that 'Gaunty' may be more palatable to talk to in the flesh, I've a deep dislike of his show.
Horrible leading questions, unashamedly pandering to the most popular right wing views. Anti asylum, pro car, tough on crime - all bluster, little substance. And if anyone gets too argumentative or thoughtful, Gaunty simply cuts them off and belittles them.
I know Gaunty's largely playing a character, but this distinction sits uncomfortably with his firm assertion that 'he's just himself, just honest joe' on the radio.
Popularity is everything to our Gaunty -witness the way he deflects any criticism by repeatedly crowing about his growing listening figures.
Which may be true, but Gaunt should also exhibit a little responsibility on air.
Equally, I'd be interested to see a breakdown of his listening demogs. The recent BBC review pointing to the corporation's 'inability to engage with ethnic minorities' is perhaps indicative. And shows like Gaunt's don't help at all.
:(
He just interviewed a guy called Devon Thomas (head of Market Trader's Association, I think) who was abolutely excellent and completely befuddled Gaunt's attempt's to paint Brixton as nothing more than a crack-infested crumefest.
Respect!
Dubversion
17-07-2003, 09:00
yeh, the thomas fella was great.
i try and respect gaunt for his broadcasting nous, but whenever i start feeling that way, he'll just shout over somebody and act like an utter cock.
his agenda may not be actively right wing - more 'righthinking man in the street blah blah blah' - but he STILL lets his own bias HEAVILY affect the way he deals with callers.
anyone he suspects of being a lilly-livered liberal he shouts down or cuts off...
Dubversion
17-07-2003, 09:15
the editor is now with gaunty..
aurora green
17-07-2003, 09:45
I dont know, but its radio London 94.9fm
corporate whore
17-07-2003, 10:14
I think it's called The Jon Gaunt Show.
I can't stand him - voice of London, lives in Luton (or somewhere equally not-in-London) :rolleyes:
The bloke from the Juice Bar is on one right now, demanding the return of the SUS law in Coldharbour Lane and heavily hinting that crack is being sold from certain bars and businesses along the road - and I think I know which ones he's referring to (clue: I don't think he's on about the Living/Dogstar)
Robert Beckford (Juice Bar) is a pretty conservative man. Return of SUS indeed. Maybe, targetted, not indescriminate. I don't trust the judgement of the police to stop the right people.
One of the earlier callers rang up to slag off Brixton saying she moved here because she thought it would be a 'trendy' place to live and then didn't like what went on, and then promptly moved out
What a shame, eh?
Another black interviewee is also requesting that SUS be brought back into Brixton because of the problems of the crack trade - and this is a guy who says he suffered at the hands of the original SUS laws.
It's proving to be an entertaining show - I've just learnt that the market has been flogged off by the council and is now privately owned - and they're trying to double the rents...
Rennie's on the mic right now talking about the selling off of Clifton Mansions/Rushcroft Road etc
Law abiding people aren't against SUS necessarily. But I still think the issue is that many police would implement it unfairly as before.
PS Go Rennie! :)
IntoStella
17-07-2003, 10:51
Originally posted by tarannau
Brixton Village is the new name for what was Granville Arcade. Mrs M and me can oft be heard moaning about this absurd and quite offensive piece of 'rebranding'. Offensive in that it's an insult to people's intelligence. What was wrong with Granville Arcade? Are we suposed to believe we are in a 'Nu Brixton' because they have papered over the area's heritage and given it a Noo-Yoiky sounding name? In fact, all this recent talk about rebranding Brixton is offensive bollocks. You can't regenerate an area just by ignoring the problems and giving things new names. It's pathetic.
There seems to be depressingly little middle ground in the Brixton debate between Brixton being condemned as a no-go crack-ghetto and those who are saying ''Let's call it Brixton Village (or some other pants rebranding) and break out the cappuccinos -- that will solve the problem. Maybe a Starbucks would help...." Really!
The problems Brixton has will not go away until the government - whether through the local authority (pah) or via the voluntary sector (some good results so far) -- puts its fucking hand in its pocket and invests in real, sustainable regeneration in consultation with residents.
Originally posted by editor
The bloke from the Juice Bar is on one right now, demanding the return of the SUS law in Coldharbour Lane and heavily hinting that crack is being sold from certain bars and businesses along the road - and I think I know which ones he's referring to (clue: I don't think he's on about the Living/Dogstar) I rest my case, your honour.
Gaunt's now got some nutter going absolutely berserk in the background after he stopped him alleging that all police are paedophiles!
Dubversion
17-07-2003, 10:59
and if you've got any crackheads in your family, give them a kiss, give them a hug -
and hey! tell them you love them
Mrs Magpie
17-07-2003, 10:59
Mmmm, one for the 'Brixton Moments' thread methinks, editor.........
Loved the woman talking about the Moorlands. I thought here comments were positive and at the same time you could tell she really knew the area.
Great post intoStella, I agree with that. You're right tho, opinions were pretty polarised weren't they? I guess those are the people who push to the front so to speak and hog the mic.
aurora green
17-07-2003, 11:16
I though it was a very interesting show, with the good people of Brixton manging to raise so many salient points;
gentrification, Rushcroft Rd, privatisation of the market (I too only disovered this today), The scandalous selling of Dick Sheppard school, lack of youth provision in general and, crucially, how the police just dont seem to give a fuck about street crime.
The juice bar owner sounded like a desperate man, and who can blame him, having to live within such lawlessness.
That bloke who mentioned having to que to report a crime, spot on as well. No wonder the crime rates are 'lower' here, you can just get away with it.
Jon Gaunt is thouroughly offensive git though, his comments about about the moorlands estate residents, that you can put a 'pig in a palace' but it wouldn't necessarily change, I found deeply offensive.
Originally posted by IntoStella
Are we suposed to believe we are in a 'Nu Brixton' because they have papered over the area's heritage and given it a Noo-Yoiky sounding name? In fact, all this recent talk about rebranding Brixton is offensive bollocks.
Wise words indeed!
john x
I think Jon Gaunt's a bit of a dick as well. I don't even agree with Mike that he's good at his job.
Originally posted by hatboy
I think Jon Gaunt's a bit of a dick as well. I don't even agree with Mike that he's good at his job.
Interestingly, a friend of mine used to tell me about this idiot who used to do a talk show in Coventry. Imagine his horror when he moved to London and found that Jon Gaunt had followed him!
He rang up the BBC to complain, and amazingly the woman in the duty office was indiscreet enough to agree with him that Gaunt was no good and also revealed that his appointment was the thing that pissed off the staff most about the dumbing down of GLR!
john x
RedDragon
17-07-2003, 11:46
The juice bar owner sounded like a desperate man, and who can blame him, having to live within such lawlessness.
I thought he came across as a dickhead. A Blackman suggesting a reintroduction of SUS in Brixton? Jesus!
Alan Piper (Brixton Society bloke) is on the Robert Elms Show talking about local architecture with Maxwell Hutchins.
Originally posted by hatboy
I think Jon Gaunt's a bit of a dick as well. I don't even agree with Mike that he's good at his job. His escalating viewing figures and mantelpiece full of Sony Broadcasting Awards would suggest otherwise.
Hey Mike I went on that "Brixton Tour" yesterday. But I'll post up a longer review/comment later.
"His escalating viewing figures"
I think you mean listening figures, but anyway Mike, popular isn't quality. LDN is definitely dumbing down and Gaunt isn't helping even if he is your chum.
Mrs Magpie
17-07-2003, 12:55
Originally posted by editor
His escalating viewing figures
I take it you mean views of the 'Slap Gaunty' thing here on Urban as he's on the radio...............
:D
Originally posted by editor
His escalating viewing figures
Viewing figures? For a radio show? Surely some mistake.
john x
Anyway never mind that. I'll tell you why Brixton doen't have any flagship, distinctive new architecture (question on LDN). Because Southwark has (or possibly had) a much more adventurous director of planning (hence Peckham Library) than in Lambeth in recent years.
IntoStella
17-07-2003, 13:01
Originally posted by editor
His escalating viewing figures Best quote since whoever it was that complained about U75, proclaiming ''I pay my TV licence..." :D
Originally posted by hatboy
"His escalating viewing figures"
I think you mean listening figures, but anyway Mike, popular isn't quality.. I'm not saying that. But I think you're very wrong to assert that he's not good at his job.
You may not like him or his style or the demise of GLR, but the fact remains that he has proved instrumental in the success of BBC London.
I prefer the old GLR presenters by a mile, but amongst his peers he is clearly highly regarded - how else could he have set a new record by winning three Sony Awards in one year?
Originally posted by IntoStella
Best quote since whoever it was that complained about U75, proclaiming ''I pay my TV licence..." :D I'd be grateful if you and others stopped selectively requoting my sentence.
Here's the full text, without the convenient snip:
"His escalating viewing figures AND mantelpiece full of Sony Broadcasting Awards would suggest otherwise"
Now argue/take the piss out of the full comment, please.
Thankyou.
Gongs for gonks! :p
"You may not like him or his style or the demise of GLR, but the fact remains that he has proved instrumental in the success of BBC London".
Only if your measure of success in listening figures alone. The Daily Mail is "successful" but it's still crap.
We'll just have to agree to differ Mike, but I'm sure you're increasing rapport with him will stand you in good stead for a job at BBC LDN one day. ;)
Originally posted by hatboy
Only if your measure of success in listening figures alone. Please don't make me repeat myself again.
christonabike
17-07-2003, 13:14
What do you get a Sony Broadcasting Award for?
Listening figures?
Content?
I dunno
Look Mike, I don't hate him. I'm fine with a down-to-earth bloke presenting a phone-in on LDN, I would just prefer someone else. Someone with more wit, more insight, more intelligence, more subtlety. The thing about phone-in guys is that they always polarise things: Is it this or is it that? Well, often it's neither or both.
Also phone-ins are the cheapest, easiest type of radio to do and often are shit.
And I don't care how many industry junkets he's been to or how many trophies he's received at them.
IntoStella
17-07-2003, 13:26
http://www.gifs.net/animate/ltbarhg.gif
Dee-dah dee-dah! SOH Failure alert! :eek:
tarannau
17-07-2003, 13:28
It should also be noted that all of Gaunty's much vaunted Sony Awards stem back from 2001, when he was on the lesser known Three Counties Breakfast show.
His trophy cabinet has been remarkably empty since then. And it's fair to say that he's outraged a fair number of people since then - check Gaunty's rigorously moderated BBC boards and a couple of independent websites.
I'd put him in the same category as Kilroy really - a patronising tosser whose mere presence is enough to have me reaching for the remote control..
:(
Originally posted by tarannau
I'd put him in the same category as Kilroy really -
:(
Talking of which, did anyone see the tosser on his show this morning. Someone had a pop at his patronising attitude towards people on the bru and he replied "I'm not letting you get away with saying that! I was a Labour MP once, you know?"
What a first class, gold medal winning, prime organic rumpsteak arse.
john x
Originally posted by hatboy
The thing about phone-in guys is that they always polarise things: Is it this or is it that? Well, often it's neither or both. True. But such a show would make for very, very dull listening in a phone in, and such debate is well served bu other programs.
My point is this: you're absolutely right to dislike the bloke, but I don't think you've even come close to proving that he's "bad at his job".
As a listenership-boosting, wind-'em-up and get 'em all ringing in presenter he's good at his job. Very good.
So don't blame him for doing what he does well: blame BBC London 94.9 Online TriMedia Inc or whatever the fuck they're called these days and ask for a different type of show.
I'd still prefer the old GLR. I don't want Vanessa fucking Phelps. I want eclectic music, intelligent comment, quirky London facts and more stuff like Robert Elms.
And I've written to tell them so... why don't you?
Originally posted by john x
What a first class, gold medal winning, prime organic rumpsteak arse.
No Kilroy truly is an arse.
I still like his slap nominee from years ago:
Punch Kilroy.
Why? "smug orange skinness"
Please see this. It's a well designed site full of vociferous protest about the dumbing down of BBC London.
It's called, aptly, Londumb. (http://www.londumb.co.uk/index.html)
Says it all really. And now Vanessa Feltz is on. :(
Originally posted by hatboy
Please see this. Err, I posted up about it months ago.
Have you written to complain to the BBC?
bubblehead
17-07-2003, 14:01
Originally posted by tarannau
I'd put him in the same category as Kilroy really - a patronising tosser whose mere presence is enough to have me reaching for the remote control.
radio remote control, i assume? ;)
Originally posted by bubblehead
radio remote control, i assume? ;) Haven't you got one of those?
How dreadfully old fashioned
And this:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/0,12636,877113,00.html
And this:
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/showbiz/articles/2999460?source=Evening%20Standard
There's no denying BBC LDN could be much better -with a mix of music and thoughtful conversation.
"Have you written to complain to the BBC?"
Yes, I sent it to the govenors and one to Tinky Winky just in case. :)
Originally posted by hatboy
There's no denying BBC LDN could be much better -with a mix of music and thoughtful conversation. They already had that with GLR, but then the marketing fuckwits decided to get out their rebranding sticks
Stop sticking up for fucking "Gaunty" then!!! You arselicking leek-shagger you!
:) ;)
Originally posted by hatboy
You arselicking... That might sizzle the sausages in your frying pan, but it doesn't do it for me
Originally posted by editor
They already had that with GLR, but then the marketing fuckwits decided to get out their rebranding sticks
In all fairness, the 'viewing' figures for GLR were in terminal decline. It is a sad fact of life that quality doesn't always suceed. Ironically with the advent of digital radio, GLR could have survived as a minority interest station, leaving the BBC to dumbdown 94.9 for a wider audience.
john x
Dubversion
17-07-2003, 14:22
Originally posted by editor
but I don't think you've even come close to proving that he's "bad at his job".
being a wind-up merchant isn't being good at his job. it would be acceptable for a presenter to be as caustic and dismissive as gaunt often can be, PROVIDED those characteristics were applied even-handedly.
gaunt doesn't do this, the way he deals with the callers is entirely predicated on the extent to which he agrees with them.
these means the kind of stereotypes and crass generalisations he trades in get perpetuated (and thus for some people, further reinforced) and often decent opposing viewpoints get belittled, shouted down or cut off.
the man's a cunt.
I don't recall speaking to any John Gaunt... moi?!:confused: :eek:
IntoStella
17-07-2003, 15:37
Originally posted by editor
I'd still prefer the old GLR. I don't want Vanessa fucking Phelps. I want eclectic music, intelligent comment, quirky London facts and more stuff like Robert Elms. And I've written to tell them so... why don't you? Well -- and I know this isn't the 'right' answer --- because when they totally vandalised GLR and replaced most of the informed conversation/good music with garbage phone ins, they lost me for ever to radio 4. I could not be bothered to retune the radio* before and after Robert Elms, and these days I'm always at work when he's on anyway. They fucked that station up so badly, it's a crime, but now it's out of sight ( ;) :p ) out of mind for me, I'm afraid I've felt no compulsion to write and complain.
*Not having fangled pre-sets on my radio, let alone a remote control.
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