Normal Island

[Psamathe]

I am struggling to understand this discussion, who or where was the "talent"?

Seems BBC are deciding whether or not to broadcast the latest series, finished and Wallace too prominent to edit out. Seems (being reported) it's up to Director General to decide https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-...series-of-masterchef-fronted-by-gregg-wallace

To me there is no decision. They F'd up (either BBC themselves or production company or inadequate monitoring or whatever) so they should be apologising profusely and telling us licence fee payers how much money they've wasted and how much has gone to Wallace.

Ian

 

[Beebo]

It’s the same with ITV and Gino D’Campo.

They employ a cheeky Italian who makes a living out of sexual innuendo and get surprised when he turns out to be a bit hands on.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I am struggling to understand this discussion, who or where was the "talent"?

Never watched Masterchef but enjoyed that Eat Well for Less show. He was the most annoying thing about it though. I think tv companies often over estimate how much affection audiences have for presenters. There are a few who people really like but most of them aren't as indispensable as producers might think. There are very few shows where another presenter couldn't do the job just as well.

It’s the same with ITV and Gino D’Campo.
They employ a cheeky Italian who makes a living out of sexual innuendo and get surprised when he turns out to be a bit hands on.

Never liked him much either, especially since learning he burgled Paul Young's house. The cheeky, lovable rogue thing quickly becomes tiresome.

 

[Pblakeney]

I struggle to think of many people who are actually indispensable. Let's face it, even kings are replaced.
TV presenters are the epitome of replaceable.

 

[Psamathe]

TV presenters are the epitome of replaceable.

A bit off topic but in my opinion an extreme example is the financial package BBC newsreaders get. Lots of people capable of looking smart, looking serious and reading autocues.

If BBC news want to pay ludicrous salaries then those reporters and crews in war zones telling us what is really happening would seem more deserving.

Ian

 

[Pross]

I struggle to think of many people who are actually indispensable. Let's face it, even kings are replaced.
TV presenters are the epitome of replaceable.

Strangely I find radio presenters harder to replace. I switched stations to carry on listening to Ken Bruce and Radio 2’s lineup fell apart when they had a knee jerk reaction to criticism over equality.

TV has been a mixed bag. Usually in turns out to be the “talent” that loses out in the end when they change stations albeit with a short-term financial boost. Des Lynham leaving MOTD, Jonathan Ross, Christine whatever her name is that was the original One Show presenter. On the other side of the coin Susannah Reid seems to have done well on ITV and the Top Gear lot did well out of their manufactured sacking especially as Top Gear itself was in its death throes.

 

[AuroraSaab]

Strangely I find radio presenters harder to replace.

Same here. Ken Bruce, Steve Wright were both shows I would happily have on in the background but I couldn't get along with their replacements.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I think I mentioned this in passing when Wallace first got mentioned in the thread, but here's the actual article. He has a non verbal autistic child to whom he gives 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. The rest of the day he mostly spends exercising, breakfasting in Harvester with his pa, and playing computer games.

 

[icowden]

Same here. Ken Bruce, Steve Wright were both shows I would happily have on in the background but I couldn't get along with their replacements.

I concur, although I did get used to Chris Evans after Wogan's departure. Couldn't bear Zoe Ball. On the flip side I couldn't stand Steve Wright - I'd much rather have had someone like Craig Charles.

What I miss most is the diversity of music. I used to love listening to Desmond Carrington and Paul Jones, Sounds of the Seventies, the Folk Music show they used to do etc.

I haven't listened to Radio 2 in years now.

 

[Ian H]

I'll stick with the news in the morning and very occasional R3. I don't even know how to work the car radio.

 

[Psamathe]

I see Gregg Wallace has issued another pronouncement on his fall from grace in which he manages to insult everybody, including those with autism, the producers he worked with, even cheeky greengrocers. He wasn't protected apparently.

View attachment 9019

I'm no expert/no experience of PR but I suspect he might have salvaged a career (in part and maybe not for a few years) had he done "mea culpa" apologise profusely to those he showed inappropriate behaviour to (I'm unsure how bad some of the allegations are).

Had he said how he now appreciates how inappropriate his behaviour was, maybe even said the "although no excuse, his autism can present him with additional challenges interacting with others and he is now seeking help" ... some of his fans would have forgiven him.

Instead he's insulted victims and come up with daft excuses still trying to maintain he is the saint he always was and blaming others. He's destroyed his own career and probably killed of possibilities for any recovery.

Ian

 

[AuroraSaab]

More people have come forward recently according to The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-...blication-of-report-on-masterchef-allegations

He's blaming the production company for not restraining his behaviour but the trouser/towel dropping and the groping and sexualised comments were all within his own control surely. As you say, far better to own up than ply excuse after excuse and lose any public sympathy that he might have retained.

 

[Psamathe]

He's blaming the production company for not restraining his behaviour but the trouser/towel dropping and the groping and sexualised comments were all within his own control surely.

Happened at his home

Gregg Wallace’s ghostwriter says he sexually harassed her
Shannon Kyle told BBC Newsnight the MasterChef presenter answered the door wearing only a towel, which he later dropped, made “revolting” and “sickening” sexualised suggestions to her, and touched her inappropriately.
...
On one occasion, she said a meeting was arranged at Wallace’s flat, and he opened the door "completely naked, except for a towel around his waist".

Is production company meant to provide cover and restraint 24/7 including whilst he's at home, etc.. Can you imaging the outcry from presenters were they subject to such intrusion into their private lives.

nb in the interests of "balance" article includes "Lawyers representing Wallace said: “Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour, and he specifically denies any sexual misconduct with Ms Kyle."

Ian

 

[HMS_Dave]

I think I mentioned this in passing when Wallace first got mentioned in the thread, but here's the actual article. He has a non verbal autistic child to whom he gives 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. The rest of the day he mostly spends exercising, breakfasting in Harvester with his pa, and playing computer games.

View attachment 9022

That's an interesting breakdown of his day. But i think ive found a problem. He says he spends 2 hours a day playing games. But that's from 3pm to 6pm... That leaves 1 hour unaccounted for. I think that he forgot to mention that from 5pm to 6pm, he poses in front of a mirror and tells himself how irresistible he is.

But everyone makes mistakes....

That being said, as somebody who was once 27 stone, i dismiss all logic that you can make a "healthy" Cheeseburger...But im glad he chose the more fulfilling option of watching a film in bed as opposed to sitting on a sofa eating biscuits for an hour a night. This might have been a leading factor in his weight loss. Just a guess...

 

[matticus]

You people are obsessed with this guy.

I mean, sure he's done some shitty things, but this is quite the right-on lynch-mob!