What the Papers Say
Encyclopedia
What The Papers Say is a BBC radio programme that originally ran for many years on British television.
Its first incarnation (1956–2008) was the second longest-running programme on British television after Panorama
. Each edition, presented by a different prominent journalist, was a wry look at how British broadsheets and tabloids had covered the week's news stories.
On 17 February 2010, the BBC announced What the Papers Say would be revived on BBC Radio 4
, with 12 editions being broadcast under the working title "What the Election Papers Say" in the run-up to the 2010 general election.
The 12-part revival was regarded a success by former Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer
, who commissioned the programme as a permanent addition to the station's schedule at 10.45pm on Sundays.
s read in a variety of voices and accents by actors. The quotes are linked by a script read by studio presenter who worked with the auto-prompt operator. The television version displayed the cuttings as they were being read, under the relevant newspaper's masthead.
Throughout its history, the television series was editorially based in Manchester by Granada Television
. The radio programmes are recorded at the Westminster BBC's Millbank studios.
in London and the North-West, and carried at different times in its history by certain other regional ITV stations; it was never networked nationally.
The first programme, on 5 November 1956, was presented by Brian Inglis
, then deputy editor of The Spectator
; the following week Kingsley Martin
, editor
of the New Statesman
, presented the show. Martin presented the show on six occasions; Brian Inglis became the most frequent presenter with about 170 programmes.
In 1969, the programme was briefly relaunched as The Papers, with Stuart Hall
as the first presenter. This version of the programme lasted for only 10 weeks, after which it reverted to its original title, and took on the format it retained, with a different presenter (almost always a journalist
) each week.
Presenters of the BBC Radio 4 programme have included The Spectator
' s editor Fraser Nelson
, the Daily Mirror' s Kevin Maguire
, The Guardian
' s Michael White
, The Observer
' s Andrew Rawnsley
and John Kampfner
.
when the latter was launched in 1982, but was dropped in 1989, to be taken up by BBC2, where it was broadcast on Saturday afternoons, with a running time of 15 (later 10) minutes.
In 2008, the BBC decided not to recommission the series, also dropping coverage of the annual What the Papers Say Awards. ITV Productions has stated it hopes to find a "new home" for the show.
In October 2008 the same format made a partial return to screens during Granada's own regional political programme Party People, where it is usually introduced as "a look at what the papers say". The programme was revived by BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.
' s Gillian Reynolds, who wrote, "Three cheers for whoever thought of rescuing What the Papers Say. The old essay format, where the presenter writes a script linking illustrative extracts from the week’s press, still bursts with life. All the presenters so far have kept it sharp and spiky, the extract readers are full of gusto, production and editing are first-rate. It’s an espresso in a Horlicks world".
, a student of Rimsky-Korsakov
. The ten programmes titled The Papers used the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
as opening and closing music; when it reverted to the original title, it was replaced by Allegro Non Troppo, the fifth movement from Malcolm Arnold
's Second Set of English Dances
Opus 33, which is now being used for the revived programme on radio.
Frances Jeater, whose long and varied career has included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, as well as theatres across the UK and USA. Her television credits include roles in Where the Heart Is, Wycliffe and A Wing and A Prayer. She has a solid background in radio and is a past member of the BBC Radio Drama Company.
Veteran stage and screen actor Steve Hodson
, who may be best known for his role as Steve Ross on the 1970’s children’s television series Follyfoot. Along with vast stage credentials, Steve is a seasoned Radio 4 drama actor and has recorded around 250 audio books.
Rachel Atkins, who has worked extensively in theatre and television with credits ranging from EastEnders
to BBC One's Doctors. She has also been a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. A veteran Radio 4 actor, Rachel can currently be heard as the voice of Vicky Tucker on The Archers
.
Laurence Dobiesz, who makes his radio debut in What the Papers Say. Having graduated from the Oxford School of Drama in 2008, Laurence has built up a portfolio of theatre credits including 'Twelfth Night' with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mad Forest and Paradise Lost at Southwark Playhouse. His TV credits include The Bill.
In its original television format, actors reading the excerpts from the papers, out of vision, included Peter Wheeler (who narrated the introduction to Granada Television's 'Crown Court' series), Daphne Oxenford
, Ray Moore
and Barrie Hesketh
.
Its first incarnation (1956–2008) was the second longest-running programme on British television after Panorama
Panorama (TV series)
Panorama is a BBC Television current affairs documentary programme, which was first broadcast in 1953, and is the longest-running public affairs television programme in the world. Panorama has been presented by many well known BBC presenters, including Richard Dimbleby, Robin Day, David Dimbleby...
. Each edition, presented by a different prominent journalist, was a wry look at how British broadsheets and tabloids had covered the week's news stories.
On 17 February 2010, the BBC announced What the Papers Say would be revived on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, with 12 editions being broadcast under the working title "What the Election Papers Say" in the run-up to the 2010 general election.
The 12-part revival was regarded a success by former Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer
Mark Damazer
Mark Damazer CBE is the Master of St Peter's College, Oxford, and a former controller of BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 7 in the United Kingdom.He is the son of a Polish-Jewish delicatessen owner in Willesden in North London....
, who commissioned the programme as a permanent addition to the station's schedule at 10.45pm on Sundays.
Format
The programme's format has been the same for both television and radio. It consists of (generally humorous) quotes (headlines and selections from the comment pages) from the previous week's newspaperNewspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s read in a variety of voices and accents by actors. The quotes are linked by a script read by studio presenter who worked with the auto-prompt operator. The television version displayed the cuttings as they were being read, under the relevant newspaper's masthead.
Throughout its history, the television series was editorially based in Manchester by Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
. The radio programmes are recorded at the Westminster BBC's Millbank studios.
History
For the first 26 years of its run, the series was broadcast on ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in London and the North-West, and carried at different times in its history by certain other regional ITV stations; it was never networked nationally.
The first programme, on 5 November 1956, was presented by Brian Inglis
Brian Inglis
Brian Inglis was an Irish journalist, historian and television presenter. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and retained an interest in Irish history and politics....
, then deputy editor of The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
; the following week Kingsley Martin
Kingsley Martin
Basil Kingsley Martin was a British journalist who edited the left-leaning political magazine the New Statesman from 1930 to 1960....
, editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
, presented the show. Martin presented the show on six occasions; Brian Inglis became the most frequent presenter with about 170 programmes.
In 1969, the programme was briefly relaunched as The Papers, with Stuart Hall
Stuart Hall (cultural theorist)
Stuart Hall is a cultural theorist and sociologist who has lived and worked in the United Kingdom since 1951. Hall, along with Richard Hoggart and Raymond Williams, was one of the founding figures of the school of thought that is now known as British Cultural Studies or The Birmingham School of...
as the first presenter. This version of the programme lasted for only 10 weeks, after which it reverted to its original title, and took on the format it retained, with a different presenter (almost always a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
) each week.
Presenters of the BBC Radio 4 programme have included The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
Fraser Nelson
Fraser Nelson is a British political journalist and editor of The Spectator magazine.-Early life:Educated at Nairn Academy and Dollar Academy, Nelson went on to study History at the University of Glasgow and Journalism at City University, London....
, the Daily Mirror
Kevin Maguire (journalist)
Kevin Maguire is a British political journalist, currently Associate Editor at the Daily Mirror newspaper. From an Irish Catholic family, earlier in his career Maguire was Chief Reporter for The Guardian....
, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
Michael White (journalist)
Michael White is an associate editor and former political editor of The Guardian.-Early life:White was raised in Wadebridge, Cornwall...
, The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
Andrew Rawnsley
Andrew Nicholas James Rawnsley is a British political journalist, notably for The Observer, and broadcaster.-Early life:...
and John Kampfner
John Kampfner
John Paul Kampfner is a British journalist who was editor of the weekly political magazine the New Statesman between 2005 and 2008...
.
Host channel
Originally the programme ran for 25 minutes, later reduced to 20. The show moved from ITV to Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
when the latter was launched in 1982, but was dropped in 1989, to be taken up by BBC2, where it was broadcast on Saturday afternoons, with a running time of 15 (later 10) minutes.
In 2008, the BBC decided not to recommission the series, also dropping coverage of the annual What the Papers Say Awards. ITV Productions has stated it hopes to find a "new home" for the show.
In October 2008 the same format made a partial return to screens during Granada's own regional political programme Party People, where it is usually introduced as "a look at what the papers say". The programme was revived by BBC Radio 4 in April 2010.
Critical acclaim
In its most recent incarnation, the programme has received a warm reception from critics, including The Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
Music
The show's theme music was originally The Procession of the Sardar, by Mikhail Ippolitov-IvanovMikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov
Mikhail Mikhailovich Ippolitov-Ivanov was a Russian composer, conductor and teacher.- Biography :...
, a student of Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer, and a member of the group of composers known as The Five.The Five, also known as The Mighty Handful or The Mighty Coterie, refers to a circle of composers who met in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in the years 1856–1870: Mily Balakirev , César...
. The ten programmes titled The Papers used the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Concerto in F (Gershwin)
Concerto in F is a composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and orchestra which is closer in form to a traditional concerto than the earlier jazz-influenced Rhapsody in Blue...
as opening and closing music; when it reverted to the original title, it was replaced by Allegro Non Troppo, the fifth movement from Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold
Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
's Second Set of English Dances
English Dances
English Dances for Orchestra, Opp. 27 and 33, are two sets of light music pieces, composed by Malcolm Arnold in 1950 and 1951 . Each set consists of four dances inspired by, although not based upon, country folk tunes and dances...
Opus 33, which is now being used for the revived programme on radio.
Voices
The regular voices of BBC Radio 4's What the Papers Say are:Frances Jeater, whose long and varied career has included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, as well as theatres across the UK and USA. Her television credits include roles in Where the Heart Is, Wycliffe and A Wing and A Prayer. She has a solid background in radio and is a past member of the BBC Radio Drama Company.
Veteran stage and screen actor Steve Hodson
Steve Hodson
Steve Hodson is a British actor who played the role of Steve Ross in Follyfoot.Hodson was working as a Civil Servant in Bradford when he won a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London...
, who may be best known for his role as Steve Ross on the 1970’s children’s television series Follyfoot. Along with vast stage credentials, Steve is a seasoned Radio 4 drama actor and has recorded around 250 audio books.
Rachel Atkins, who has worked extensively in theatre and television with credits ranging from EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
to BBC One's Doctors. She has also been a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. A veteran Radio 4 actor, Rachel can currently be heard as the voice of Vicky Tucker on The Archers
The Archers
The Archers is a long-running British soap opera broadcast on the BBC's main spoken-word channel, Radio 4. It was originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk", but is now described on its Radio 4 web site as "contemporary drama in a rural setting"...
.
Laurence Dobiesz, who makes his radio debut in What the Papers Say. Having graduated from the Oxford School of Drama in 2008, Laurence has built up a portfolio of theatre credits including 'Twelfth Night' with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mad Forest and Paradise Lost at Southwark Playhouse. His TV credits include The Bill.
In its original television format, actors reading the excerpts from the papers, out of vision, included Peter Wheeler (who narrated the introduction to Granada Television's 'Crown Court' series), Daphne Oxenford
Daphne Oxenford
Daphne M. Oxenford is an English actress known for her television and radio work.She is possibly best known for being the voice for BBC radio's Listen with Mother from 1950 to 1971, and for being one of the readers on newspaper review programme What the Papers Say for over thirty years...
, Ray Moore
Ray Moore
Ray Moore may refer to:*Ray Moore , comic strip artist and co-creator of The Phantom*Ray Moore , British broadcaster*Raymond Moore , former South African tennis player...
and Barrie Hesketh
Mull Little Theatre
Mull Little Theatre began as the Thursday Theatre, an entertainment for the paying guests of the Druimard Guest House on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Scottish Hebrides...
.
Awards
"What is universally accepted is that Granada’s What The Papers Say Awards, decided annually and first established in 1957, are among the most prestigious in the entire world of journalism..." – David Brockman.External links
- "BBC Radio 4 What the Papers Say" - programme homepage
- "What the Papers Say in pictures" – gallery of presenters at guardian.co.uk
- Allegro non troppo – theme music