FT Arts Podcast
I’ve been listening to the Financial Time’s Arts podcast. I’m pleased to be able to give it a reasonably good review.
Unlike some audio output by newspapers, it isn’t an attempt to make a talking newspaper, with correspondents reading out their columns like robots. It is formatted to sound like a talk show, with a host and with guest voices. But it is clear that the contributors are still reading their contributions, even if the audio is edited together to sound sort of like a conversation. On the plus side, it doesn’t fall into the trap of using a crappy signature tune drummed up on Garageband software. It just cuts straight into the host’s introduction. I approve.
Still it only goes half way to making a proper talk show. The host’s questions are along the line of - what have you been to see at the theatre this week? And now, in the world of film this week - what has Nigel Andrews seen? Also with us is the books editor. What have you been reading this week?
A good speech programme gets a conversation going. This is what Radio 4 does. If possible there are different points of view. There is the warmth, sometimes the heat, of human exchange. Still, I think the FT Arts Podcast is along the right lines, and is more natural in tone thant some other newspaper podcasts. I just hope that it can branch out into a fully fledged conversation. Come on chaps, it isn’t that difficult. You probably do it all the time in the office. Try chatting.
