Is Radio 4’s Today Programme losing its place at the cutting edge of journalism? This week, Today almost descended into amateurish farce. Firstly a mobile went off during a discussion with the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on the EU constitution. Recess Monkey’s source at Today coyly (and unconvincingly) suggested that it might have been Mr Straw’s. Then Sarah Montague nearly got into a fight with a Zimbabwean diplomat. Finally we were given John Humphrys’ horrific impression of a cockney copper. This wouldn’t have happened in the days of the late, great Brian Redhead.
With the warmer weather, TV hacks are starting to get restless. John Humphrys, Michael Buerk and Andrew Marr have launched a collective broadside against the news anchors who earn so much for reading from an autocue. Trevor McDonald is thought to earn £800k and Recess Monkey’s personal favourite, Fiona Bruce has a salary around £400k. Marr and Humphrys earn a measly £150k or so. No wonder they’re so upset. But there is a simple test. Close your eyes and put a value on Natasha Kaplinsky. Now try with Andrew Marr. My point is illustrated. You can go back to daydreaming about Kaplinsky safe in the knowledge that all is fair in the world.
In the Palace of Westminster it’s getting to the point where it’s easier to list people who are not standing for the Tory leadership than those who are. Tory backbenchers are flitting from one camp to another like butterflies in a poppy field. One backbencher confided, “It’s strange. I haven’t been approached about supporting any candidates. Neither have my friends.” Recess Monkey’s response was, “You obviously have the wrong friends.”
Former SAS man David Davis seems to be leading the race for Tory leader, but his campaign manager, Iain Dale, is frantic about a so-called “killer” story that would scupper his man’s chances. Dale is thought to be asking around the Lobby for details of anything DD might have done that would cause a problem. I can only suggest he ask Davis himself. Recess Monkey’s dark horse for the leadership has to be Boris Johnson. He is by far the country’s favourite Tory, except perhaps in Liverpool.
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editor[at]recessmonkey.com
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“Today” has lost it - bigtime. During the election, John Harrumphries was spouting Tory saloon-bar opinions on crime and education at every possible opportunity. Michael White hilariously counted the number of irrelevant mentions of Iraq. And then, a couple of weeks ago - a long, unfunny distribe about Alastair Campbell (something to do with rugby) for no news reason whatsoever. Get over it, Today! Worst of all, the piss-awful banal Thought for the Day is still allowed on a NEWS programme. I’ve given up on it.
Simon said this on June 12th, 2005 at 10:53 pm
The only non-Tory bias I can spot is that their equipment which has broken down durng several recent interviews with Tories, staring with poor John Major.
Simon said this on June 12th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
Rachael Squire is very ill after suffering a stroke- I take exception to your flippant and idiotic remarks about MPs being “peaky”.
Prat.
Hackhater said this on June 15th, 2005 at 10:40 am
I agree with Hackhater. A number of Monkey’s recent comments have lacked a bit of tact (not to mention wit) Perhaps “Political wannabes of Westminster Village” should be replaced with “Sycophantic sphincter kissing primate bloggers”???
Eskimo Nell said this on June 15th, 2005 at 5:15 pm
Completely agree with both Hackhater and Eskimo Nell. Rachel Squire is very seriously ill and to make a joke out of it is sick.
How is it even clever to write such drivel?
Idiot.
Elizabeth Cheshire said this on June 16th, 2005 at 2:20 pm