Subject: new thread alan titchmarsh subject
From: Kay Easton
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2003 08:27:04 +0100

In article , Culturalenigma
writes

Janet B wrote:

I don't agree; imho it's socially exclusive and boring. It's also
insidiously detrimental when TV continually dins in the ghastly message
that "looking nice" is more important than effort, skill or character.

Socially exclusive of whom? Unattractive people?

Older women for a start.
We have progresses. I remember when it was considered that women did not
have sufficient gravitas to read the news. Now the news is read by young
men, older men, and young women.

Depends what you call 'young', but isn't Anna Ford who does the BBC 6:00pm News
almost 60? Not what I call young, and she seems an attractive person.


Not to be rude or anything - but you go to the library or school to be
educated.

Sorry, but I think that is wide of the mark. Although one may watch/listen to
a particular programme to learn something, or read a book, education is much
more than that. It means taking an interest in almost anything that you know
nothing/little about, and thus increasing one's knowledge. Of course many
TV/radio progs are principally to attract viewers/listeners. ITV want to
attract advertisers. The BBC have to compete. If it became a narrow elistist
group how long before Murdoch would get into the arena? Even the works of
Shakespeare were written as pot-boilers.

Attractiveness sells. So What? IF they honestly know their stuff, should
they be automatically tossed aside BECAUSE they are attractive? That sounds
like it's "exclusive" to me.

Most good presenters know how to explain their subject to a wide audiance, or
to enthuse thenm wirth some their passion forn the subject. If they are
'attractive' then so much the better. Would you call Fred Dibnah 'attractive'?

I think the truth is that many people think they are demonstrating some sort of
superiority by rubbishing the latest range of presenters. The fact is, you
can't please everybody, and most people like them. You will always get most
comment from those who do not like something.

true, but about 10 years ago, every US presidential campaign since about
the beginning of the 20th century had been won by the taller candidate.
Do you really think taller people have more of the characteristics
needed to make a good president?

Many would say that the current incumbent proves the point admirably.

I am mainly a lurker on this NG. However, I have noticed that there are always
more posting about topics with only a vague relationship with gardening. Many
of these posts are to complain that there is not enough gardening!! This topic
started of by an innocent post from somebody who was starting an AT fan club,
an look at the furore it has generated. Don't ell me about those wonderful,
caring, understanding gardening folk.

AT and all the others should take solace in the saying that goes something like
'disgree, criticise, etc but what you do, don't ignore me!'. Or perhaps 'all
publicity is good publicity'.


Peter Bridge