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The Best...newsreader

Dermot Murnaghan
  • Posted at 2:06pm
  • 16 January 2007
  • by DavidWhitehouse-RT
  • 11 comments

The news has changed. Gone are the days of received pronunciation and stuffy presentation; these days the news has more in common with an entertainment magazine show.

The war in Iraq sits in the headlines alongside Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes's wedding ceremony. A story about the one-year anniversary of the introduction of 24-hour licensing laws is presented from a virtual pub by a newsreader sat on a virtual bar stool. And in this case where the laws have had very little effect on anything whatsoever, presenting virtual news.

There is very little point in bemoaning this situation; this is merely a sign of the times and one that we need to live with. As such we must understand that we need a newsreader who can seamlessly link hard-hitting headlines with the scurrilous gossip that fuels our 21st-century obsessions - and be taken seriously at the same time.

There are a few…Bill Turnbull looks as comfortable dealing with the big issues as you'd suspect he would hosting Rainbow. The best, however, is Dermot Murnaghan.

Dermot may just be the busiest man on TV. He seems to be there first thing in the morning for Breakfast, last thing at night and intermittently throughout the day on the BBC News 24. I'm starting to suspect that he may in fact be a cyborg created deep inside television centre's presenter laboratory (where they first developed Anne Robinson).

He is the everyman; the ideal pub-quiz companion. He could evidently hold his own in a heated current affairs debate, but just as easily exchange football banter, or indulge in a bit of pointless discussion regarding the popularity of the manbag, or Paris Hilton's latest fashion faux pas. And, of course, he does it all with that knowing glint in his eye, the kind that could make a mother's heart flutter.

While other newsreaders appear too stuffy, authoritarian or geography supply teacher-like, watching Dermot is a bit like watching a mate of yours on TV.

He doesn't even seem that embarrassed by the excruciatingly awful Children in Need skits that the BBC newsreaders are now forced into on an annual basis. Now that's something…this year's spoof James Bond movie was perhaps the most ridiculous piece of television of 2006. Needless to say it was actually reported on by BBC news over the course of the next 24 hours. Yes, newsreaders reporting on themselves pretending to be characters from the James Bond films. Beggars belief, doesn't it?

That Dermot came out of it with a grin, a wink and any credibility left whatsoever is the reason why he should be clutched to the nation's bosom as the best newsreader on the box. That's news in the loosest sense of the word, of course.

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Post a comment | 11 comments

Comments

  • Posted on 08 October 2009
  • at 12:11pm
  • by Michael Watkins

Bring back Moira Stewart, Selina Scott and Kate Adie - all top presenters.

I also agree about the tranmission of background music. It is very annoying and totally unnecessary when dialogue needed to be heard. Why do programme makers not react to this request? It was made by Margaret Evans 2 years ago!!

  • Posted on 05 October 2009
  • at 11:59pm
  • by June Sherred

My suggestions for a more mature news-reader are, Jan Leeming and Moira Stuart. Both have earned their brownie points over the years and deserve to be suitably rewarded by being kept in post.

  • Posted on 04 October 2009
  • at 2:27pm
  • by Dumbo

Reference croneruk's comment I've got no problem with newsreaders "tittle tattle" and think their dress sense is quite acceptable - indeed I think the women dress extremely well. However in most cases their diction is atrocious.

  • Posted on 04 October 2009
  • at 1:56pm
  • by len haggerty

not moaning moira please. have the best ever never surpassed angela rippon.

  • Posted on 01 October 2009
  • at 8:03pm
  • by Jim

Reference Margaret Evans's comment. I agree entirely but if such "music" must be transmitted please reduce the number of decibels by no less than 90%.

  • Posted on 01 October 2009
  • at 7:55pm
  • by Dumbo

Can't decide between Kate Adie and Moira Stuart so let's have them both back

  • Posted on 30 September 2009
  • at 2:08pm
  • by Anne

Definetly bring back Moira Stuart and Selina Scott! They were very personable and delivered both good and bad news in the best possible way.

  • Posted on 30 September 2009
  • at 10:19am
  • by peter lubi

there can only be ONE -- Kate Adie--

  • Posted on 22 August 2009
  • at 2:08pm
  • by derrick

who cares?

  • Posted on 27 April 2009
  • at 2:55pm
  • by croneruk

News readers should only read the news and should not tittle tattle with each other. IE "Over to you Bob "Thank you Mary" Very annoying. Reporters should always be dressed smartly Men in a suit wearing a tie, even when reporting from outside broadcasts. Ladies with neat hair and smart clothing. The general public will have more respect for them.

  • Posted on 16 January 2007
  • at 10:48pm
  • by Margaret Evans

Please could programme producers realise that people with hearing difficulties find it impossible to hear commentaries & dialogue if incidental "music" is being transmitted too! The "Titanic" documentary screened this evening was ruined by background noise. This is impossible to eradicate, & many a good programme is lost because the content is not audible.

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