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Gardeners World
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Bemean (U14387244) on Monday, 27th December 2010
I have just read that Monty Don is returning to head presenter of the show, fantastic. I have never been a real fan of Toby or Alys; they just didn't have a great deal to do with us veg growers. Let’s face it; if it wasn't for Monty’s illness they wouldn't have got the job. And as a member of the Soil Association and an Organic gardener from day one he is one to listen too. His enthusiasm is infectious.
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Message 2
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 28th December 2010
I suggest you go and check out the posts on the TV and Radio board. Not everyone is so pleased and many who do like Monty have doubts about what is a backward step for GW and doesn't get to the root of the problem - the production team..
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Message 3
Posted by grandcottagegardener (U14258183) on Tuesday, 28th December 2010
I agree with you Obs - this comment woud be better suited to the TV and radio thread. Having said this I will say that the presenters for this year were charismatic, although I do have an issue with Carol Klein. Seems to me far too gushing and I really do hate hearing over emphasis on words. OH has tried to placate me by saying that all Mancunians sound like this, but I don't agree. I have to admit that I got to the stage when I only viewed this program via iPlayer and when it got to Carol Klein I moved the program forward to avoid the dialogue.
The real issue is content and I think you are right - the production team need to have a re-think on what will hold their audience. How to sow your seeds was a bit demeaning if you ask me. -
Message 4
Posted by Holbert (U3994703) on Tuesday, 28th December 2010
......and don't forget the classic 'how to open a packet of seeds'........grr.......
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Message 5
Posted by luckydavid (U14704974) on Wednesday, 29th December 2010
I've heard about his return, too. I used to like him very much & was upset when I heard of his illness, probably brought on when he did the series of gardens around the world.
I find Toby rather "bland" but I really liked "Monty". Some may not like Carol but I find her enthusiasm infectious! I'm looking forward to her new series in her own garden at Glebe Cottage in the New Year.
Alys, I can't seem to decide if I like her or not! Sometimes I like her other times I don't! Not very interested in her own programmes though I sometimes read her blog entries. Some things she say I find interesting, others, boring! Not really into her ideas on "cooking" but I do like how she grows veg amongst her flowers in her own garden!
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Message 6
Posted by lateralthinking1 (U10007871) on Thursday, 30th December 2010
Really excellent news. Monty and Carol are the best gardening presenters by several miles.
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Message 7
Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Thursday, 30th December 2010
I have to confess I haven't watched GW for years. Having to put up with heavy clay soils myself it always used to get to me seeing presenters planting, in what was evidently preprepared soil, with their fingers. From the comments above, it sound as though I may not have missed much.
I find talking to other allotment holders down to earth and enlightening and you can get plenty of good advice from this messageboard. Most people prefer to watch and listen to moving pictures so perhaps Monty's return may be just what's needed. I've seen him in other programs and admire him so I may even start to watch GW again. -
Message 8
Posted by lateralthinking1 (U10007871) on Thursday, 30th December 2010
I'm clay soil too. Wonder what percentage of British gardeners are? Must be fairly substantial. Do the programme makers take that into account?
I like the combination of very down to earth while taking it out into a broader context. I do think that Carol does that with her enthusiasm - I love it! - and her art background is evident which brings a lot of colour.
Monty also has his feet on the ground but moves them into values, ideas, conservation, etc.
When are we going to have a repeat of that 100 gardens around the world series. I know some saw it as a jolly but I thought that it was one of the best things on TV in recent years. -
Message 9
Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Sunday, 2nd January 2011
Mony's articles in a Sunday mag are usually quite interesting and Carol is really enthusiastic about everything even on the most boring of topics.
I think they are both very good presenters. -
Message 10
Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Monday, 3rd January 2011
I have only ever watched a couple of episodes of Gardeners World on the iplayer, but they didn`t hold my interest.
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Message 11
Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Tuesday, 4th January 2011
Half my problem is I'm only really interested in plants that are edible (either veg, herbs and spices etc) I can't really be bothered with artyfarty stuff either but perhaps I should broaden my horizon a little and start watching again.
If should see a presenter panting an orchard using just their fingers then..... it could be another 20 years to the next episode.
I'm sure times have changed so I will give the show another go. -
Message 12
Posted by Its_my_Pightle (U14025370) on Monday, 17th January 2011
Carol is not a Mancunian, she was born in Walkden, Salford
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Message 13
Posted by horththit (U13862695) on Monday, 17th January 2011
I'm with you. I don't find Carol gushing at all, and find her passion infectious. I was delighted she got her own prog. - I always felt her spot on GW was too short.
I did not enjoy the last series of GW one bit, and while I appreciate it had to appeal to new, inexperienced gardeners, I felt it was quite patronising, also boring. Carol's slot was the best for me. They do need to pay more attention to fine details, i.e. soil composition; where to get products; answers to common problems like carrots not germinating. More about whys and wherefores. Glad Monty's back too. -
Message 14
Posted by Patricia (U14757080) on Tuesday, 18th January 2011
I believe the production team definitely need a re-think! I did not take to Toby or Alys and some of the items were just nothing to do with traditional gardening. I'm looking forward to Monty's return and I do like Carol Klein.
Content has been a problem but my other worry is the camera work. If the presenter is showing us how to prepare, dig, sow or prune, let's see it!!! We don't need to see endless cutting between the presenter's face and the pot (or whatever), we can just listen to them. We also don't need to see things in such close up or with such jerky movements, please pull out smoothly so we can see exactly what they are doing. This is so basic in TV terms, but I think the director is too interested in what he wants to do rather than provide the viewer with seemless coverage. This should be a relaxing and informative programme. If anything jars the viewer's sensibilities, then the production team are not doing their job. -
Message 15
Posted by maggiem (U14757191) on Tuesday, 18th January 2011
Welcome back Monty
Toby is a pleasant presenter but he just does not inspire as Titch and Monty did. -
Message 16
Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Tuesday, 18th January 2011
I'm with Obelixx on this one its mostly entertainment not education.
I haven't actually watched gardeners world being produced but I have watched the production team (and presenters) filming Gardeners World Live and Tatton park show and its very much the producer telling the presenter (choose who they are) what to do!
I am quite sure the presenters are very good in their own right when they are in their own gardens but when they are on camera its a whole different ball game.
Its very much; lets do that again but will you do it this way this time so the poor presenter has to go over it again and quite often the body language is. not again
My question is; Do the producers have to have 'gardening' experience?
I think not!
Or am I being too cynical?
I think it is about time the presenters become producers!...... after all film stars do! -
Message 17
Posted by Joe_the_Gardener (U3478064) on Tuesday, 18th January 2011
There are different skills going on TeeGee. The producers are trained to visualise the final prog, the presenters are like actors - skilled in their own trade. There's no need to invent unnecessary sympathy for the presenter having to shoot something six times - they really don't mind.
As for whether it's entertainment or education, it's both. Someone else here was complaining about presenters planting in ready-dug soil. I can't see that a half-hour prog of someone digging will catch on. -
Message 18
Posted by Oldends (U13875463) on Tuesday, 18th January 2011
Methinks the producers and directors should watch some of the much-missed Geoff Hamilton's stuff. It was both informative and inspiring and a delight to watch. They were definitely the golden years of GW. If you never saw Geoff, or just want to be reminded of just how good he was, then treat yourself to this DVD collection:
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