Christopher Evans

[Very Principal Boy]

Felicity’s recent posting and her reference on the Feedback Listeners’ Panel thread to Mr. Evans’s ‘warm glow of the radio’ comment struck a chord with me also. I enjoyed this programme immensely and it really did illustrate how profound the northern love affair with the ether really is. The listener’s hands were also very cold and sore as they, along with Mr Evans, undid the newspaper twine on that cold and wet morning. His recently acquired love of the countryside and nature also sounded very genuine and this was conveyed without sounding like one of those awful Gardeners’ Question Time contributors and the equally painful panellists (with the exception of Bob Flowerdew).

The Timmy Mallet influence is clear, but one can also detect an element of the late Kenny Everett within Mr. Evans’s radio character. However it’s the serious strand that I find most interesting. I’m sure most of us were familiar with the teacher who was a thug and bully, so I admired the way he stood his ground and simply walked out of the school – never to return - after he was ‘fisted’. The story about the tuck shop also illustrated how jealous a teacher can be when an enterprising pupil has success.

Honesty and openness with money is something that I’ve always admired and he was completely open in respect of this, quoting the 50% drop in value after the Virgin sale. Contrast this with the R4 presenter who refused to disclose their income when they were interviewed in Fame & Fortune in The Sunday Times – and yet another BBC presenter refused to disclose their income in this week’s edition. If the public are the paymasters, then they should have access to these incomes, especially when the ‘personalities’ are after free publicity. Martin Bell was completely open when he was interviewed in this column and declared everything.

His musical choices were clearly those that appealed to him and he wasn’t bothered about seeking approval from his peers. Ms. Lawley sounded quite relaxed and happy in his company, although ‘The ELO’ incident really did suggest that she’s never been in touch with popular music. Mr. Damazer should address the issue of R4 presenters and their narrow intellectual bandwidths. He should also suggest that they sound less old, stuffy and grumpy.

It was clear from Mr. Evans’s reaction to ‘We Are The Champions’ that this is a very sensitive man who cares deeply about his profession. I wish him happiness and peace of mind within his personal life.

A good programme – well done Ms. Buckle 8.246/10

[Crusoe]

There were two moments that stood out in the programme for me, both of which you have mentioned, Dr Boy. One was the “warm glow of radio” comment and the suggestion that radio is a friend (something that I believe to be true much more so than television can be and that must be due, at least in part, to the warmth Mr Evans referred to and to the power of the human voice); the other was the “The ELO” moment, which made me laugh and did highlight a certain lack of familiarity with popular music on Ms Lawley’s part.

The comment about the warmth of radio drew me to Mr Evanss, to a certain extent and I admired the amount of effort he’d put in to work, from his job with the newsagent to his early days working with Timmy Mallet. He had clearly had some tough experiences as a child such as the bullying teacher and the loss of his father, neither of which I had been aware of before.

I got the feeling, though that, a little like Boris Johnson before ,there was a desire to be liked which concealed something slightly darker and harder-edged. I don’t have a problem with people wanting money (although it can’t bring you happiness, it can make misery a lot more comfortable) but thought there was something odd about his motivation for making money. It seemed that his enjoyment seemed to come from maximising the amount that he could make others give to him. I haven’t particularly enjoyed his style of broadcasting, in the past (although I believe that it has been toned down a bit, now) and did feel that there was a certain tendency towards humiliating others. It was interesting to hear Mr Evans come close to an admission that this wasn’t a particularly good thing to do by saying that he wouldn’t do it now but he still thought that it was acceptable at the time, which again suggests a certain ruthlessness. I got the feeling that perhaps he is a bit of a loner.

I also noticed that the programme touched on his marriage to Ms Piper but not its break-up. I appreciate that tacky, tabloid-style intrusion would not really be appropriate or enjoyable to listen to but I did feel that this was something which was entirely glossed over which made me think that we were not being given the full picture about Mr Evans’ character.

Although he clearly enjoyed the music he chose, I was surprised that it seemed really quite run-of-the-mill, I’d have expected someone who had spent so long playing pop music would have found some real gems. I liked the rubber duck song, though.

All in all, I found Mr Evans more likeable than I expected (although this may, as I’ve said, have been due to careful “spin”) and did find it a revealing (in parts) and interesting interview.

[Very Principal Boy]

webb said:

“The ELO” moment, which made me laugh and did highlight a certain lack of familiarity with popular music on Ms Lawley’s part.

This is true Bob, did you notice how she made a point during the programme of informing the listener that she’d been tuning into R2? I liked his response to this in that he didn’t mock or laugh at her. It was almost like a young boy chatting with his wise old grandma.

He had clearly had some tough experiences as a child such as the bullying teacher and the loss of his father, neither of which I had been aware of before.

I’d never heard him speaking about the loss of his father, but have read quite a few newspaper articles about this event in his life.

I got the feeling, though that, a little like Boris Johnson before ,there was a desire to be liked which concealed something slightly darker and harder-edged.

I know what you mean Rob, I’ve often wondered if this desire to be liked is gender dependent, because one detects it quite regularly with male guests on DID, but not too often with females. I could definitely detect this with Boris Johnson – almost in a little boy lost sense – but I’m not so sure with Chris Evans. His darker side is fairly well documented, but I did get the impression that he’d done a lot of thinking over the last four years and really had changed. His calmness throughout the whole of the interview didn’t give one the impression that he’d prepared the answers to his questions in advance. I liked the reference that he made to still enjoying a pint in his local.

It seemed that his enjoyment seemed to come from maximising the amount that he could make others give to him

Perhaps he simply sees a relationship between talent and remuneration? I wonder how you would have felt (prior to the incident in the Peddlo off Rhyl promenade) if your boss had offered you £85K and you’d demanded £100K which he/she had conceded was your real worth?

I haven’t particularly enjoyed his style of broadcasting, in the past (although I believe that it has been toned down a bit, now) and did feel that there was a certain tendency towards humiliating others

I always enjoyed his Sunday afternoon show some years ago on Radio1, although it was his hosting of Live 8 on R2 recently which I thought really demonstrated his broadcasting talents. I’m never too sure what to say about the issue of humiliation in respect of broadcasters. I heard Andrew Davies interviewed on Feedback some years ago in relation to the way Jonathan Ross treats him and he made it clear that he never feels humiliated. Ms. Lawley raised the issue (with Mr. Evans) when he informed, on air, that he’d slept with a female colleague which I construed as rather humiliating, yet I wasn’t left with the impression that the lady had felt humiliated.

It was interesting to hear Mr Evans come close to an admission that this wasn’t a particularly good thing to do by saying that he wouldn’t do it now but he still thought that it was acceptable at the time, which again suggests a certain ruthlessness

I suppose it’s simply an issue of attention seeking getting out of control. Both Chris Moyles and Jonathan Ross have been guilty of similar offences in the past. I still think that Mr Ross is by far and away the worst offender, although he, too, has toned down his unacceptable comments somewhat over the past year.

I got the feeling that perhaps he is a bit of a loner

I did as well – quite surprised when he spoke about rushing off to a Harley Street trichologist when he thought he was losing his hair, yet school taunts about the ginger hair and glasses never appeared to bother him.

I also noticed that the programme touched on his marriage to Ms Piper but not its break-up. I appreciate that tacky, tabloid-style intrusion would not really be appropriate or enjoyable to listen to but I did feel that this was something which was entirely glossed over which made me think that we were not being given the full picture about Mr Evans’ character.

I did wonder about this, although I think Prof. Clare would have been the only broadcaster who could have dealt with this in any constructive manner. I’d like to think that he regarded this as a private matter and was thinking of Ms. Piper’s feelings.

Although he clearly enjoyed the music he chose, I was surprised that it seemed really quite run-of-the-mill, I’d have expected someone who had spent so long playing pop music would have found some real gems. I liked the rubber duck song, though.

I was surprised as well and quite liked the rubber duck song, although I thought it sounded rather dated. His comments about the live ELO concert didn’t suggest that he’d ever seen Rory Gallagher live.

[sea horse]

Despite Chris Evans choosing one good Van Morrison, I hope he's put on another island from me. I didn't hear one thing to like about him, nor did I find him interesting.

The way he spoke, about money and other things, suggested to me that he thinks he's 'smart' but 'nice', and I think Crusoe's assessment about his possibly ruthless character and how at the same time he wants to be liked, therefore probably accurate, and why he may be a loner of sorts. He sounded trite at times (and his music choices were), and I suspect, unlike Johnson the week previous, hasn't got his true self worked out yet. Maybe often a 'local boy makes big' problem?







Lastly, I don't share the criticism of, or laughing at, Sue Lawley for the way she referred to the Electric Light Orchestra, because that's exactly how I always refer to them - and I know (I think) a lot more about pop music than her, and normally have no sympathy or liking for her.

[Very Principal Boy]

urchin said:

Despite Chris Evans choosing one good Van Morrison, I hope he's put on another island from me. I didn't hear one thing to like about him, nor did I find him interesting.

I haven’t a clue how ‘ruthless’ or ‘nice’ Mr. Evans is – but his demeanour on this programme wasn’t any different from that when he compered the Live 8 concert on R2. POTW actually played an extract from this because it was such fine radio and there wasn’t a hint of ruthlessness or pseudo-niceness in that broadcast.

It strikes me that we’re witnessing the Nigel Pargetter/Les Battersby effect in this discussion. Mr. Johnson didn’t allow any serious discussion about his own personal life and I can certainly think of a few issues where one could conclude that he, too, can be ruthless. It was noticeable that no one commented about that in their reviewes. He was playing to the audience in a far more insincere manner than Mr. Evans and managed to fool everyone! I’d like to know how many Clash albums he actually has in his record collection and I’d also like to know what the Tory central office input was in respect of his record choices.

[sea horse]

Very said:

Mr. Johnson didn’t allow any serious discussion about his own personal life and I can certainly think of a few issues where one could conclude that he, too, can be ruthless. It was noticeable that no one commented about that in their reviewes. He was playing to the audience in a far more insincere manner than Mr. Evans and managed to fool everyone!

I’d like to know how many Clash albums he actually has in his record collection and I’d also like to know what the Tory central office input was in respect of his record choices.

I'm not thinking Boris Johnson can't be ruthless, I imagine he can, and with fewer scruples than Chris Evans. And I don't agree that Boris Johnson managed to fool everyone. The difference I felt was that Johnson knew he was playing to an audience and that, if it has any sense, the audience could easily detect this. You know where you stand with Johnson. He knew it was a game.

Evans, however, portrayed a nice, almost naive, man, which given his strong ambition, self-centred antics, and egoist manner, and his apparently hard financial drive, isn't likely to be the whole story, no matter how disarming and seemingly open some of his replies might be.
I think he's possibly deep-down insecure (granted his losing his father may play a role), without real substance, and now floundering. And that's why there are inconsistencies in his behaviour, and probably ultimately why he can't form a long-term relationship despite more opportunities than most men dream of.

Edit PS:
I'm not sure what difference number of Clash albums makes, but when they said in the programme that Strummer had written to Johnson praising an article Johnson wrote on hunting (I'm just guessing which side of the fence Johnson stands), it really did make me wonder about Strummer.

As for the music choices, the Rolling Stones record is good to dance to, as Johnson alluded (though I can't imagine he can well), and it's true the Beethoven is good loud when driving fast.
But you don't really think Tory central office get involved, do you? Johnson probably thought carefully what suits the image he wants to give, but then I guess many DID guests do this.

[Crusoe]

Very said:

I know what you mean Rob, I’ve often wondered if this desire to be liked is gender dependent, because one detects it quite regularly with male guests on DID, but not too often with females. I could definitely detect this with Boris Johnson – almost in a little boy lost sense.

I’m not sure that the need is gender dependent: I can’t imagine anyone being particularly happy at the idea of being disliked. The programme does, however, tend to deal with people who have achieved some level of success and I think that there is still a perception that women have to act tougher to be taken seriously so, perhaps, this affects the way people come across.

Very said:

I’m not so sure with Chris Evans. His darker side is fairly well documented, but I did get the impression that he’d done a lot of thinking over the last four years and really had changed… I liked the reference that he made to still enjoying a pint in his local.

Yes, certainly I got the impression that he’d calmed down a bit and had done some thinking but I still felt that the demons may well still have been there.

Very said:

Perhaps he simply sees a relationship between talent and remuneration? I wonder how you would have felt (prior to the incident in the Peddlo off Rhyl promenade) if your boss had offered you £85K and you’d demanded £100K which he/she had conceded was your real worth?.

Hee hee, despite the incident in the Peddlo, I’d be delighted if anyone offered me £85k. It’s a fair point, that there is some correlation between how much we feel we’re valued and how much we are paid but I just felt there was something slightly different in the way that Mr Evans talked about it.

Very said:

I suppose it’s simply an issue of attention seeking getting out of control. Both Chris Moyles and Jonathan Ross have been guilty of similar offences in the past.

A fair point, again – I’ve never enjoyed what I’ve heard of the shows presented by Jonathan Ross and Chris Moyles.

Very said:

I think Prof. Clare would have been the only broadcaster who could have dealt with this in any constructive manner.

You could be right about Prof. Clare – he really does have the ability to probe a person whilst remaining sensitive.

Very said:

His comments about the live ELO concert didn’t suggest that he’d ever seen Rory Gallagher live.

I think that people’s favourite concerts depend a lot on personal taste and when you see them. Mr Evans was very young when he saw ELO, so I think it is likely to have made more of an impression upon him than some later concerts may have done.

[Crusoe]

urchin said:

Lastly, I don't share the criticism of, or laughing at, Sue Lawley for the way she referred to the Electric Light Orchestra, because that's exactly how I always refer to them - and I know (I think) a lot more about pop music than her, and normally have no sympathy or liking for her.

Well, Seahorse, I found it a funny part of the programme – particularly the way Mr Evans tried to tell her the most common way of referring to ELO and she again did something different. I don’t think that Ms Lawley was being laughed at, as such. And he did concede that there was nothing wrong with Ms Lawley’s version.

By and large, though, I shared a similar opinion of the programme, and Mr Evans, to you.

[rosalie]

I enjoyed this DID lots. I've always liked Chris Evans on tv, our kids used to love The Big Breakfast, although I think they rate Johnny Vaughn and Denise Van Outen as the best combination. I've always thought of him as having a impetuous, maybe even a self destructive personality, but underneath is a very private person in spite of his larger than life persona.

I like his loyalty to his mum - that tells me a lot.

and yes, his description of working in the newsagents on a cold morning endeared him to me too. The memories came flooding back of my time as a papergirl for Dave on Allerton Road. Pedalling me bike on the frosty road, and looking forward to the bacon butty Dad left for me at home. ah

I'm not a fan of U2 but I liked his description of the moment described. We all have those moments to look back on when everything at the time seems perfect, encapsulated to look back on.

I bet he's great fun in real life as a mate, and in spite of all his wealth, fame, notoriety or whatever else the tabloids want to label him today, he seems pretty humble to me.

[Mrs Bears Hat Designer]

rosalie said:

I like his loyalty to his mum - that tells me a lot.

This is why I liked him so much and this wasn’t phoney niceness. When speaking about the £80 in the bank after his father died, he prefaced it with the comment that he hoped his mother wouldn’t mind if he disclosed this. I loved his reference to the ‘rainy day money’ that he shares in common with his mother.

Radio 4 has covered the mother/daughter relationship at least twice on Woman’s Hour over the last two years. The mother/son relationship has never been discussed – and I’ve no doubt that it never will.

and yes, his description of working in the newsagents on a cold morning endeared him to me too. The memories came flooding back of my time as a papergirl for Dave on Allerton Road. Pedalling me bike on the frosty road, and looking forward to the bacon butty Dad left for me at home. ah

I bet he's great fun in real life as a mate, and in spite of all his wealth, fame, notoriety or whatever else the tabloids want to label him today, he seems pretty humble to me.

I'd never thought (after his comments)of him as a bit of a hippy - can't imagine him in France listening to 4-Way Street.

[rosalie]

Mrs said:

rosalie said:

I like his loyalty to his mum - that tells me a lot.

Radio 4 has covered the mother/daughter relationship at least twice on Woman’s Hour over the last two years. The mother/son relationship has never been discussed – and I’ve no doubt that it never will.

Funny that isn't it? Somehow the adult relationship between mother and daughter is seen as beautiful and special - which having been very close to my mum, I can confirm it is. Is it my imagination though, that a close relationship between mother and grown up son is not regarded as so wonderful? Any thoughts? Or is this too philisophical a debate to have here? heh

[Very Principal Boy]

rosalie said:

Mrs said:

Radio 4 has covered the mother/daughter relationship at least twice on Woman’s Hour over the last two years. The mother/son relationship has never been discussed – and I’ve no doubt that it never will.

Funny that isn't it? Somehow the adult relationship between mother and daughter is seen as beautiful and special - which having been very close to my mum, I can confirm it is. Is it my imagination though, that a close relationship between mother and grown up son is not regarded as so wonderful? Any thoughts? Or is this too philisophical a debate to have here? heh

Funny that isn't it? Somehow the adult relationship between mother and daughter is seen as beautiful and special - which having been very close to my mum, I can confirm it is.

Pleased to read this Rosalie, because my own sister was also extremely close to my late mother – as indeed I was. The interview with Virginia Ironside (couple of years back) on Woman’s Hour was very interesting and it must be devastating to have a mother who doesn’t actually love you. However the WH phone-in devoted to this issue was extremely depressing, with most of the callers clearly upper-middle-class and southern (no surprises there). They all spoke very negatively about their mothers – fear of turning into a clone of their mother and conflicts over fashion choices.

Is it my imagination though, that a close relationship between mother and grown up son is not regarded as so wonderful? Any thoughts? Or is this too philisophical a debate to have here? Heh

No, I think you’re right here and I’m puzzled as to why discussions about the mother/son relationship always seem to focus on psychosexual factors and influences. It’s quite common for wives/female partners to be jealous of their spouse’s mother and I find this quite interesting. Similarly, if a son doesn’t marry, then the mother/son relationship tends to come under the spotlight, yet this doesn’t appear to apply in respect of the daughter who doesn’t marry.

Do you recall how obsessed R4 was with Edward Blishen’s Sorry Dad (about the relationship that he had with his father)? Can’t recall any Book of the Week or WH serial with a son writing about his mother.

[Crusoe]

Isn’t this just a sort of sexual stereotyping? Mums are meant to go shopping and talk about hairstyles (or some such) with their daughters and Dads are meant to play football with their sons and discuss cars and things. I don’t think that the stereotypes are so strong, these days, although the terms “daddy’s girl” and, particularly, “mummy’s boy” still seem to have slightly pejorative connotations.

I don’t think there was ever a time when boys and men didn’t love their mothers but it tends to be one of those things which does not tend to be expressed, greatly. I was always grateful, as a schoolboy, that my Mum didn’t go out to work, so I was always welcomed home by a friendly face and a cup of tea. Not that I necessarily demonstrated my appreciation greatly – a typical conversation tended to be:-

“Did you have a nice day at school, Dear?”

“Mmm, it was all right.”

Boys, eh?

[rosalie]

Very said:

rosalie said:

No, I think you’re right here and I’m puzzled as to why discussions about the mother/son relationship always seem to focus on psychosexual factors and influences. It’s quite common for wives/female partners to be jealous of their spouse’s mother and I find this quite interesting. Similarly, if a son doesn’t marry, then the mother/son relationship tends to come under the spotlight, yet this doesn’t appear to apply in respect of the daughter who doesn’t marry.

exactly. It's very strange.

Very said:

rosalie said:

Do you recall how obsessed R4 was with Edward Blishen’s Sorry Dad (about the relationship that he had with his father)? Can’t recall any Book of the Week or WH serial with a son writing about his mother.

Can't remember that now, but I do know that the Dali Lama's mum wrote a book about him...but maybe that's ok!