Andy Kershaw (cont.)

[David Clifford]

I've also e-mailed Andy Parfitt about Kershaw (copy below). He's sending
out (or getting someone else to send out) generic replies, mine was all
but identical to everyone else's who wrote.

-------- copied mail ----------

I'm sorry David  - it was a really difficult decision  - I spent time last
week discussing options for Andy K with my colleague Controllers at R3, R4
and R2. as you say he is just the kind of presenter who ought to be on the
BBC. All are enthusiastic about his talents, as I promise you I am too. I
cannot speak on their behalf and they will make their plans known in due
course.  The point about Radio 1 is that its audience changes constantly
and new DJs and new forms of music are coming through too, this makes
demands on the Radio 1 schedule. (which is already packed with different
and diverse shows) Something has to give way and we have to move on. Last
week we announced the line up of a new Thursday night schedule and I hope
you will appreciate the range and calibre (not just dance) of what we have
planned. Andy is a loss to Radio 1 but the new series that starts in
September will be a significant gain.

Thanks for taking the trouble to mail me
Andy


> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Clifford [SMTP:djhc2@...]
> Sent: 28 May 2000 12:32
> To:   andy.parfitt@...
> Cc:   djhc2@...
> Subject:      Andy Kershaw
>
> Dear Andy Parfitt,
>
> I am extremely sorry indeed to see that Andy Kershaw's show is no longer
> being broadcast on Radio 1. I understand this decision was made by
you. As
> a listener to Andy's excellent program for many years I am at a loss to
> understand the logic behind this decision. Andy's show was original,
> entertaining and unique: there is nowhere else on the radio where one
> could find such a wealth of magnificent world music presented by someone
> so knowledgeable and with such a passion for the music. I would have
> thought this more than qualified him for a place on R1's schedules, and
> not just the measly two hours at midnight he has just lost. I feel sure
> that another broadcaster will not pass up the opportunity to employ such
> an excellent DJ.
>
> And what is his show being replaced with? Is R1 hard up for dance
music? I
> happen to love the dance programs but I wouldn't have expected any radio
> station to restrict its schedules in such an unimaginative way. Because
> Andy's show was more of a minority interest show than some it won't make
> the headlines about BBC 'dumbing down', yet that's exactly what it
is. R1
> got slightly less intelligent at 2am on Friday. Radio was applauded (by
> me, at any rate; others agree) for ditching some of the awful DJs who
> couldn't care less about music in the early 90s. Do you see it as your
> task to weed out those DJs who actually do the job for the music, and
not
> because they want the sound of their own voice over the airwaves? Grave
> mistake Andy. And who, if Andy Kershaw can be royally dropped like this,
> is safe?
>
> With deep disappointment
> David Clifford