Nobody listens to a word they say. In fact, as soon as the speaking starts, they tune to something else. I have been in cars
Category: Media
Tony Blackburn understands radio
I’ve said before how I have a pathological hatred of oldies. Not old people, the music. Well, maybe old people as well, but this is
The Bible/Torah and Homosexuality
On her American radio show recently, homophobic Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus18:22, and
Mehdi Hasan gets told the truth about Climate Change
I’m sure Mehdi Hasan is a very nice bloke, but I just don’t like him. I can’t help it, but there is something about his
Shut the fuck up in cinemas
I have long been of the opinion that something needs to be done about, or should I say ‘to’, those who have random chattering conversations
What if Simon Cowell was openly gay?
Of course, I’m not even slightly saying Simon Cowell is gay, he is after all engaged to be married. Louis Walsh, on the other hand,
How to start a pirate radio station in London
At almost any location in London, and any time of day, even the deafest of FM radios will be able to hear between 30 and
Yes, it is time to close BBC Local Radio
The idea that BBC local radio might cease to do much more than relay Radio 5Live has been conveniently leaked into the world of muttering
Time to reject the Christian hard wired hatred of Isalm
For most people in the UK, who we are and what we think is pretty much pre-written and pre-designed. We are actually quite ignorant of
A Religion without a God
This is a speech given by Derk Jan Eppink in t’Stadleest bookshop, Antwerp on 25th May 2011 at the re-launching of the Dutch translation of
Demented Director for Britain’s Got Talent?
Unless I’m held prisoner upsidedown in a glass box, or it’s for professional reasons, I do not consume any of Simon Cowell’s programming. However, I
Radio Caroline capitulated with the authorities in 1964
Watching the mentally afflicted radio anoraks who are suggesting that Radio Caroline appearing on the UK Radioplayer system is dancing with the devil, cow-tailing to
What *did* happen to Madeleine McCann?
Many years ago I worked with a guy called Brendan. Among his many faults, or should that be, charms, was his ability to activate a
Have they charged the McCanns yet?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Christopher England -v- Radio Caroline
This is all about Christopher England, so it’ll be a fantastic read. Handsome, plus the voice (and looks) of a god. There is quite a
Tribute from Libya
I continue to spend 7 or 8 hours of my life every evening glued to Tribute FM, a contemporary English speaking radio station broadcasting from
The Offshore Pirate Radio Ship Challenge
The phrase “put your money where your mouth is” is often sneered at people who have made pronouncements about something. After careful consideration I’ve decided
A tribute to Tribute
I guess this is my overdue tribute to Tribute FM. Tribute FM is an ‘illegal’ or ‘pirate’ radio station in waiting. However, unlike such stations
The all newly launched South London Radio
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Background radio -v- Foreground radio
RAJAR is the name given to the organisation that gives random people a diary and says, “Hey, stick these pretty stickers in the bits over
AM fades and buzzes but Radio Caroline wants it
(Guest Author: Peter Moore) [In response to Christopher England’s article “Pirate Radio Ship Ahoy?” (here)] Chris makes his points well, as ever and yes, Pirate
The World Ends on Saturday
PREPARE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD. I can unexclusively reveal that Judgement Day is here. WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE ON SATURDAY MAY
Pirate radio ship ahoy?
As you know, I scan the olde worlde ‘anorak’ discussion boards and fora as well as those used by the folks involved in today’s thriving
Why I hate old songs
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Derren Brown let me down
Warning: Never ever look this man in the eyes! I have to state that an air of disappointment hangs over me following a viewing of
CB Radio makes a comeback
It seems hard for da yoof to imagine, but there was a time before we had constant and instant communication through things like Facebook, texts
BBC2 Programme for Stoners
Ok, so I keep funny hours. I don’t do the drink and drugs thing, it’s just that my lifestyle means my hours are different to
Nobody’s fleeing Climate Change
As the free thinking world wakes more and more to the whole Climate Change scam – the pretending that a) the Climate is in some
Beware the racist radio anoraks
As a radio anorak with an interest in today’s pirate radio scene I spend a lot of my daily gaze within highly active forums that
Word up on the Word Salad
There is an excellent episode of the superbly funny mid-2000s series Boston Legal during which one of the lead characters, a high profile lawyer, suddenly
Ofcom 87.7, home of the hits?
Sounds like an ideal time for a raid! Londoners have a choice of a hundred or so radio stations. They don’t know it of course,
Isle of Man International Broadcasting Madness
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
The rise of the Dementoraks
(Guest Author: Peter Moore) I am glad that Christopher England has reopened this discussion [about radio ‘anoraks’](here). It enables me to explain some things and
Most radio anoraks are mad. Fact!
Many many many words have been written via this whole England’s England blog place about radio ‘anoraks’. Most of them by me, but a few
Proof that we can’t trust journalists
I’m supposed to be able to trust my local (well, regional) paper to tell me the truth and to be accurate about stuff. But I
The decline in radio studio operational standards
When I was a lad in radio I was taught that your headphones were the most important tool you had. Not only would you hear
My Steve Conway Envy
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
On The Buses with Radio Caroline
(A guest article from Peter Moore) My Word Chris, that is a BIG subject you have opened, with your comments on [Radio] Caroline devotees and
Old Radio Caroline -v- Radio Caroline being old
I recently listened to 30 minutes of Radio Caroline and reported back (here) that my experience led me to label the station as the player
The Radio Caroline Facts
This comprehensive article is written by Peter Moore in response to my own article describing Radio Caroline as a ‘rock oldies’ station (here), and originally
Radio Caroline plays rock oldies, yes it does!
I recently wrote an article about Radio Caroline. As I have explained before, this can be a dangerous thing to do, as there are mad
We need more from Moore
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Devotees turn Radio Caroline into a joke
I’m not sure who believes that Radio Caroline is actually a legend. It self-proclaims that it is, but I worry that the ever more bizarre
Time to cull the old people at Radio 1
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Avoiding the bad press
I was privileged enough to be eavesdropping on a conversation between a number of very well known actors recently. I don’t mean I’d hacked into their phones
Chris Evans and his TV set
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Alan Freeman – a radio legend
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Who are the Borg?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Reducing radio audiences
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Peter Sissons whistle-blows on BBC bias
I don’t recall Peter Sissons retiring. I remember him as an ITN News Anchor and I remember him as the BBC’s Flagship Nine O’Clock News
Dragnet to the past
You know how you get bored and so start flicking. I don’t mean flicking bogies. Flicking around the TV channels. I had a flicking session
Behold, a man who looks like a thumb
This week, a couple of years ago, this picture simply titled, “Behold, a man who looks like a thumb” zapped around Twitter and instantly made
Chappers and Dave
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Are TV News presenters and reporters mad?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Radio is a patchwork blanket
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
2010 – a year in entertainment
It appears to be obligatory to look back on a year just gone and reflect on one’s entertainment high and lows. I don’t think I’ve
Christmas Shoppers are nutters
Rush rush rush. It’s Christmas. Panic Panic Panic. Are Christmas shoppers raving mad? Apart from the slightly odd thing that shops are selling stuff for
Should Radio Caroline be given a licence?
In recent weeks a small and mainly unnoticed campaign has started. It is a campaign to get MPs to sign an Early Day Motion prepared
Emergency Radio
Reading through the ‘Preparing for Emergencies’ book we all got a while ago, I notice that I have to gather up my belongings and along
Bullshit on Global Warming
It seems incredible to think that it was only four years ago that the whole, as Penn and Teller would say, “bullshit” of Climate Change
How to save Big L
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Big L a month on
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Fearne’s phone fears
An interesting side comment by Fearne Cotton on her radio show led to a barrage of texts and emails agreeing with her. She revealed in
Anoraks a-go-go
I just won a bet, and am happy to be collecting a whole Euro. Let me explain. In the reducing world of radio anoraksia (It’s
Outrageous T-shirt of lies!
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
X Factor racism?
Talent shows on television. Do they encourage racism? Let’s look at the X Factor talent show, but we could equally be looking at any or
The big Pintsize Geeza
Here’s a man that ought to go far in the future: Pintsize. Pintsize is a DJ on Hightz FM (108 MHz across London town) on
The saddest Radio Caroline legacy
Recently, the excellent film ‘Pirate Radio’ (known in the UK as ‘The Boat that Rocked’) “based on ‘Radio Caroline’” rocketed the name ‘Radio Caroline’ back
More sad Radio Caroline legacy
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Radio Caroline down the John
Offshore radio back in the 1960s is credited with changing everything radio wise. The one station that is named by the public to ‘represent’ all
Radio anoraks and their false idols
History is only what the loudest or most intimidating historian says it is. Rarely does history have any relationship to what actually happened. This is
The sadder Radio Caroline legacy
One of the saddest legacies of the offshore pop pirates of 50 years ago is the enthusiast known as an ‘anorak’. Whilst the modern world
The Rust Revenge, why bother?
Many years ago, before land-based sensible attitudes to radio broadcasting were invented, people used boats as a vehicle to house studios and transmitters in order
What was ‘Loving Awareness’?
The words ‘Loving Awareness’ have featured on Radio Caroline broadcasts for nearly 40 years. Radio Caroline devotees will sign letters and e-mail with some reference
What was Offshore Pop Pirate Radio?
Over half a century ago people used ships to broadcast pop music from. It was called ‘offshore radio’ or ‘pirate radio’ or ‘free radio’. There
Cyber bullying … about radio, ffs?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Big L – Big Luck?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Fringe Benefits
Remember the time when the X Files was the most exciting and believable thing on TV? FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigating those odd unknowns
Chaplin’s Time Traveller revealed?
Well, this is damn interesting. Assuming this isn’t a bit of publicity for this gentleman and his production company (not that I’m a cynic, but
Iain Lee on LBC
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
BBC Three Nightly News for Me!
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Adult talk and a fusion of music
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
I see The O. C.
I’m not sure why, but first time around I missed out on “The O.C.” It was an American TV series that ran for 4 years
Why radio enthusiasts mustn’t design radio output
It became very obvious to me some time ago that the older radio ‘anoraks’ (enthusiasts) of yesteryear who live for the return of offshore pirate
Your Mother’s Got a Penis
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
The great radio implosion
I imagine there are steam engine enthusiasts who sit doughy-eyed believing that one day the steam engine will return and rule the rails. There are
Why aren’t there any revolutionary pirate radio stations?
Broadcasting radio without a licence can be fun, although of course you shouldn’t try this at home. As long as technically your transmissions are not
The ignorance of people discussing Chris Moyles
It’s fascinating reading various armchair pundits and journos spouting their take on Chris Moyles’ recent on-air moan about the fact he’d not been paid for
The man who should be Prime Minister
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Derren Brown
I know something you don’t know I don’t like many performers, so Derren Brown should consider it a privilege that I find him to be
How music radio is dead and buried
I recently spent some time looking at a service available to subscribers to Talk Talk TV called V:MX. Talk Talk TV is like Virgin TV,
Big Brother is the new crack cocaine
So, here we are in a Britain with kids wandering aimlessly around in packs. These bored, restless and feral latchkey kids are going out and
Druggie Big Brother
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
Justice for Lemar
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to re-read it and see if it
OMG! It’s August 14th! …again.
I’m an anorak’s wet dream, I am Jeeez. Spare me. It’s August the 14th. Noooooooooo. Back in 1967 this was the day that all the pop
What is an Anorak?
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to read it and see if it
Laugh at Sandi Toksvig
It’s Flashback Friday. Every Friday we bring back a golden oldie article from yesteryear. A chance for you to read it and see if it
A Free Radio voice? The dream & the reality
A guest article from months ago, revisited, republished as-was, and worthy of reconsideration: Chris raised the possibility some time ago when we were talking about
Most Haunted – Most Hilarious
Here’s another golden classic article, republished and revisited as was for your reconsideration: As people get older the buffer between them and death gets thinner.
Radio Jackie and the anorak pheromones
Radio Jackie is the last truly independent local radio station. It’s based in Tolworth and broadcasting to “South-West London and North Surrey”. ‘Independent’ means it’s
England's England 