AM and PM
The agonising in the 48 hours before broadcast centred on two things: securing the main political guest and overcoming the endless technical obstacles that seemed destined to scupper plans to broadcast live from an office block overlooking Tower Bridge.
The technical problems of outside broadcasts often dwarf the editorial issues and so it was this week. Could we twist sufficient arms to get access to the offices of 'Visit London' :floor to ceiling glass with a stunning view of London? Yes, but a process of tortuous negotiation proved just as tough as securing an interview with the PM. And on that front we failed.
As so often, the editorial opportunities looked rich at the start of the week. The PM was interested. So was the Tory leader. Blair's insistence that he wanted to cut thought the "Westminster froth" and talk policy made us more hopeful. And Cameron's success at PMQs and good poll ratings also augured well.
There was a long-standing promise of the first broadcast interview with the deputy prime minister... and aides to the new home secretary and the new foreign secretary were both interested in the prospect of a session with Marr. With so many alluring possibilities it was perhaps inevitable that every one would have evaporated by Friday afternoon. Lord Chancellor Charlie Falconer to the rescue.
As it happened, the Human Rights Act and its unintended consequences was a huge story by Sunday, so Falconer looked on the money - addressing an issue that featured in almost every Sunday newspaper editorial. And how were the vital minutes spent before we went on air? Trying to fix a bust Autocue and working out how to get the American ambassador's heavily armed motorcade anywhere near our building when it turned out a vast cycle rally had been routed precisely where the men with curly bits coming out of their ears hoped to park the US limos.
Telling Ken to stuff his congestion charge is one thing, mowing down women and children out for a Sunday bike ride was judged a diplomatic incident too far. Of course a solution was found eventually and the show went on air with a full set of guests, with autocue and with a good story. Who could ask for more?
Comments
Dear Editor
I struggle to teach French-also German/Spanish at lower levels, to secondary pupils. It would help enormously if institutions such as the 91Èȱ¬ aspired to correct use of grammar. Sadly it isn't sexy, exciting or particularly easy-indeed neither is the job I do.
The comparative is a HUGE part of the learning process. It is frustrating to see, as on your Sunday am programme today that so called educated people use 'eldest/oldest' without clarifying that they are comparing 3 or more siblings. Not once did I hear the use of 'elder/older'.
For most people,life isn't glitzy-but there are still so many of us who are trying to maintain high standards-including grammar- in a world that increasingly appears contemptuous of such values.
Perhaps by responding to this communication I will feel a little less like an alien.
Clare Lawrence-younger sibling who didn't go to Cambridge as the elder one did!!!