pic

pic

Friday 21 September 2012

My Not So Guilty Pleaure

I'm completely and utterly addicted to Desert Island Discs. (Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write!) In case you don't know, it's that programme on Radio 4 that my Ma listens to. The one where someone outstanding in their field has to choose the 8 records they would take with them if they were to be cast away on a desert island, and the reasons for their choices. Along with Women's Hour and The Archers, she's been urging me to tune in for years.
 Now, I'll be honest with you- I've kinda always resisted, desperately clinging to the fantasy that Radio 4 was too old for me. Oh yes, I may have quietly left Radio 1 years ago, sidestepping seamlessly into Radio 2, but Radio 4? Surely not.
I've been known to turn it on occasionally. Usually in response to a pinging text message from Herself, brusquely ordering me to 'Turn on Women's Hour right now!'. Then afterwards, she inevitably follows up with a phonecall to see what I thought/check that I was listening. Winging it is not an option. Recently she rang me saying 'Put on Desert island Discs, she's that gay one on you like, that one who tells you what to wear naked!' Turns out it was it was Gok Wan. (and I  DO so so love him)
But then recently, my good friend Jennifer, who used to live in Glenavy, but now lives in sunny California (I simply can't understand why!),confided that SHE  loves D I D and downloads the lot as podcasts. Well, I could deny it no longer- she's actually a few years younger than me, terribly smart and generally all round cool- so wasting no more time, I popped onto the Radio 4 website and downloaded my first ever podcasts....and I'm absolutely LOVING them.
Usually on my morning walks, or on the rare occasions I'm in the car alone,  I listen to my iPod playlists (such as the imaginatively named like 'Emma's Music to weep quietly to' and 'PMT Songbook' )whereas now, I'm  hearing all sorts of interesting people talk about their lives and listening to their (much better!) music choices. This week alone I've heard Alfie Boe, Martin Clunes, Craig Brown, Mary Berry, Martina Navratilova, John Bishop, Tim Minchin, Sir David Attenborough, Brian Cox, Bear Grylis, Tom Jones and Cath Kidson. And whether I'm a fan or not, I take something inspirational away from every single one.
And just between you and me, I think I may have developed a bit of a girl crush on the show's presenter Kirsty Young- that deep voice, her calm way of drawing someone out, the way she's clearly done her homework on each and every one, that deep voice....
So it looks like I'm a born again Radio 4 convert, doesn't it? Next thing you know I'll be extolling how the Archers is much more sizzling than the new Dallas. (Erm, on second thoughts, possibly not...) But now I'm afraid it's time to love you and leave you... Martin Sheen and our Kirsty are waiting, you know!

14 comments:

  1. MArtin CLunes was great, very interesting his upbringing, Martina's was really interesting about the way she had to just hide her sexuality although she had nor problem with it,. Fond one of my fave songs listening to hugh fernealy-whittington(into my arms - he played it for his wedding dance) I make roast potatoes the Michael Caine way, ruthie henshaw was good too.

    You are not alone...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Clearly a fellow fan Brenda! Will have to download those ones that I missed now!

      Delete
  2. Ems, what about Sunday Sequence?! Have you not been ordered to listen to that yet?! I must say I haven't got to Radio 4 yet-maybe I'll resist for another few years yet though class class blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sunday Sequence- definitely a step too far! C'mon over to Radio 4- no point in trying to fight it !

      Delete
  3. ooh, Martin Sheen- he could get me to listen to R4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly? He was one of my favourites so far! A really inspiring humble person.

      Delete
  4. You've actually brought me around to the idea of listening to this - I didn't realise it was an interview with the celebrity also. I'm off to hear a few on the iplayer now..thanks for accelerating my decline into middle age!! ;) Avrilx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Avril- it happens to the best of us! But no one will do it with more style than your good self!

      Delete
  5. Best ever interview is with Annie Lennox but you definitely need the box of tissues

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm off to hoke her out- gotta love Annie!

      Delete
  6. I've been listening to these for about a year...totally agree that its great listening when you're out walking. Funniest one ever is Michael McIntyre. Wasn't really a fan of his at all until I heard his DID but it defo changed my mind!

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really? Well I'm going to get him now too. Loved John Bishop - such a lovely funny man!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i think i remember Annie lennox too.

    2 things - podcast, does it go on your phone?

    how do we get alerted when people reply to this blog

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, I am TOTALLY addicted to Desert Island Discs and even download the podcasts (I'm 27) - it is my life ambition to go on there one day....


    xx


    sittingonherbumbaleerie.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete