New Meridian, BBC South & South East Thread

More journalistic approach= younger, slimmer & more attractive obviously.

I fail to see how changing presenters makes something more journalistic, the only way they could do that is by actually covering proper news stories- rather than always sending their reporters out to cover fluffy feel good nonsense.

I also get the feeling reading the BBC'S 'angry' response, that they feel there is too much banter between the two & that they would rather have a sterile show, with presenters who have no chemistry together & make it as dull as possible for the viewers- obviously they must have been watching Meridian Tonight & seen this winning formula.

I'm not a fan of either Bev n' Geoff but I'm disappointed with the replacements . Why didn't they ( whoever made this decision ) look outside the region or to ITV for someone a bit better to front the show.

With the vacancies left in the reporting slots I don't hold out much hope for any improvements there either if some of the recent freelancers were any thing to go by. Hopefully now they can get someone new in who can add a bit of quality to the current team.

Probably because they do not want to pay for them- personally I would have gone with Natalie Graham rather than Polly, I bet Neil Bell must be worried- he is the oldest & got on well with the doomed duo. If a Sally Jockstrap from the sinking ship Setanta does not get his job, then surely one of the three pouting weather babes will.

Couldn't agree more on the Meridian comment Jimbo5.
As far as replacements are concerned and having read about Geoff & Bev's demise on the front page of the Kent On Saturday newspaper, I then turned the pages and read all about the Kent commercial radio station Invicta FM losing it's name to the Heart brand on it's 25th birthday and was reminded of the winning formula that made that station such a huge success in the late 80'e early 90's. The answer is so obvious, you've got the south-east's Richard and Judy on your doorstep. Glenn Thomsett (who's been on Meridian for years) and Julie 'Jambuster' Maddox. Both have a following in the area and if their on-air chemistry from days-gone-by are anything to go by, you wouldn't go far wrong! ...........and before you reply, no I don't know them personally but know of them.

I used to like Invicta back then- Caesar The Boogieman was funny, then the money scandal with him happened in 1992 & he was gone. He also had that Barry Bethal object on there playing various characters.

Barry Bethal who recently got done for child pornography or something.

I agree with most comments here but the obvious main issue is cost..especially in this climate. It's a 'sod the viewers' approach to TV sadly.

I haven't seen or heard Glenn Thompsett for a while now. He must cost too much.

It's a shame Invicta FM is going to be swallowed up by Heart - perhaps another case of regional identity disappearing but this time on radio. Caroline Feraday of course used to work for Invicta although I don't shes very good on SET.

As for Bev and Geoff's replacements..surely Ceri Perkins would be better suited and what the heck... bring back Giles Dilnot from the Politics Show!

No No not Giles again. Before Geoff arrived it was a pretty dire programme.

The best presenters were Phil Hornby and Charlotte Hawkins. They had a great chemistry and Hornby was a good interviewer and was quite funny, Hawkins was good as you can see on Sky News. Axton was ok. What Meridian are doing now is beyond belief. Dinenage presents as if he was on HOW - How did Dday happen? Why not ask Bunty? EXCRUSCIATING!!! - At least Hornby still pops ups occasionally, a reminder of the good reporting that made local ITV unmissable but where are the rest of them? Tom Bradbury is he the main man now? God help us..Trouble is I suppose Hornby is the wrong gender etc and 20 years too old. What a shambles . And bring back Gemma. The CBBC bloke who is now the weatherman makes it look like children's television and it's rubbish.

I could'nt agree more... As Fred said once to GH "you cheer us up even when the weather is bad" Parkin is dire so smug with it all...awful

News content wise maybe things may turn around with the proposed BBC funding idea IF it happens :-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192914/BBC-funding-slashed-130m-licence-fee-shake-up.html

Here he is with the weather - Perky, Parky, Simon Parkin!

That's him- he used to play the butler & do those strange supernatural story interludes. Then he went on to be the face of Slimfast & Peter Newman shoes.

I can't stand that Ceri Perkins, she reminds me of Miss Piggy & whatever happened to her nose, her talking through it annoys me. Natalie Graham is good & a bit of a fox as well. Feraday is just too orange.

I think Giles like Phil Hornby has moved onto bigger & better things, no way are either of them going back

No No No Barry Bethal NEVER played the butler on Glen's breakfast show during those halcyon days of Invicta, the Butler was played by one of the sales guys, someone called Paul Harvey. He was also was the voice of Major Chilston-Bottom.
Phil Hornby is still the political correspondent for Meridian (albeit with an awful hair makeover - he's gone ginger!!)