He really confused one of my old overseas radio consultants.
How on earth did this eccentric, quietly mumbling man attract an audience of millions? No teasing. Little ‘sense of the day’. No callers. No stunts. No giggling sidekick. Not slick. No crazy competitions. No showbiz. Few weather forecasts. Incestuous talk about his radio team. Interminable ramblings about the mundane.
How on earth did this eccentric, quietly mumbling man attract an audience of millions? No teasing. Little ‘sense of the day’. No callers. No stunts. No giggling sidekick. Not slick. No crazy competitions. No showbiz. Few weather forecasts. Incestuous talk about his radio team. Interminable ramblings about the mundane.
But, like most great breakfast shows, he broke some of the
rules and won. The phrase ‘radio legend’
was made for Terry Wogan.
Despite his audience of millions, Terry enjoyed true
intimacy with the listener. Every listener
felt he knew them - and that he understood them. From the shawled-pensioner in an icy semi to the savvy student from a magnolia flat; each listener heard a different show in their own head. Although he likely earned a touch more than
either of them, they felt this seemingly self-effacing man was still ‘one of us’. Like Blackburn, this man
grew not to take himself too seriously, with some success.
The Wogan vocabulary was his weapon. With enviable skill, he carved each sentence; turning a mundane anecdote from a black and
white photo to a colour film with a beautiful array of words, delivered with vocal warmth through a chocolate voice.
Tales founded on fact would be emebellished with a Wogan flight of fancy. A few words on from a 'listener' on Basildon Bond turned to gold in the hands of the master.
His artful pauses too. Terry has possibly made as much money in his career from saying nothing as saying something.
Tales founded on fact would be emebellished with a Wogan flight of fancy. A few words on from a 'listener' on Basildon Bond turned to gold in the hands of the master.
His artful pauses too. Terry has possibly made as much money in his career from saying nothing as saying something.
A little like Bernie Taupin, his rich career began with a chance newspaper recruitment ad. Charming the interviewers presumably,
he was signed up to RTE. As the early recordings of Moyles suggest too, distinctive broadcasters do not begin their careers with their trademark styles; but you can hear just a hint of the endearing Wogan to come on this early clip from the Emerald Isle, courtesy of the ever-helpful Andy Walmsley.
When work began to dry up in Ireland in 1966, he typed a quick missive on the Remington to the BBC. Auntie responded with the offer of a few programmes ‘down the line’ for the Light Programme, before a fledgling Radio 1 beckoned. In the days when programmes had titles, he hosted the wonderful ‘Late Night Extra’, a programme recalled fondly by a whole generation. After some relief presentation, afternoons became his home, simulcast on Radio 1 and 2.
When work began to dry up in Ireland in 1966, he typed a quick missive on the Remington to the BBC. Auntie responded with the offer of a few programmes ‘down the line’ for the Light Programme, before a fledgling Radio 1 beckoned. In the days when programmes had titles, he hosted the wonderful ‘Late Night Extra’, a programme recalled fondly by a whole generation. After some relief presentation, afternoons became his home, simulcast on Radio 1 and 2.
Terry ascended the Radio 2 breakfast
throne in the Decimal days of 1972, entertaining the Nation with his ramblings, interrupted only by JAM jingles and
pan-pipe music.
He signed off from Radio 2 in 1984 to dedicate more time to his TV career, wearing those brown suits we all wore back then. Whilst he did TV possibly as well as most
radio folk, he was still at his best when, as in the Eurovision, we couldn’t see
him. Like many in the radio fraternity, you got the
feeling he did his best work when he felt no-one was really watching.
Come January 1993, he returned home. Terry was one of very few presenters ever to host two
long spells on a significant breakfast show. By now, he’d become the eponymous hero of ‘Wake
Up to Wogan'; and he'd truly found his act. That's the stage at which a performer truly matures; and the audience give them permission to behave unthinkably on-air. One got the feeling that detailed show prep was not high on his list of priorities, but it mattered little.
As a professional, he's carried himself through his career with skill. Being sufficiently true to himself when speaking about the Corporation, but stopping short of going too far. His humour and presence softening comments on music policy, radio, or BBC antics which might have sounded unwise from others.
His handing over the Radio 2 breakfast baton to Chris Evans at the end of 2009 was text book. One could witness the smell of two performers respecting each other’s very different talents. I suspect it was well managed too; but one got the distinct feeling that he agreed with this unlikely plan. If he did, he was right. Here he was, letting his radio ‘son’ have a play now, probably shaking his head lovingly at the Evans antics like a tolerant father.
His handing over the Radio 2 breakfast baton to Chris Evans at the end of 2009 was text book. One could witness the smell of two performers respecting each other’s very different talents. I suspect it was well managed too; but one got the distinct feeling that he agreed with this unlikely plan. If he did, he was right. Here he was, letting his radio ‘son’ have a play now, probably shaking his head lovingly at the Evans antics like a tolerant father.
If proof were needed of his talents, watch his farewell
speech below. Radio is rarely perfect, and that’s why we love it. But this is. Truly perfect
delivery. As mentioned in my book, the pace is 165 words per minute, a little faster than his normal speed, but slower than most broadcasters. Terry delivers every valedictory word from the heart, as if to a close friend sat together in the living room. In truth, Tel is surrounded by producers and the nosey, gazing at a typed script,
and reads every word. Immaculately. Note how he gazes into the eyes of his listener throughout, never those milling around; possibly the secret of his art in those 28 successful years on earlies.
Wogan returned to Radio 2 in 2010 for Weekend Wogan. Whilst a live audience situation was arguably not the best home for the Wogan skill, 30,000 people were said to have applied for a seat in the audience, gazing at his mastery.
Wogan returned to Radio 2 in 2010 for Weekend Wogan. Whilst a live audience situation was arguably not the best home for the Wogan skill, 30,000 people were said to have applied for a seat in the audience, gazing at his mastery.
My book 'How to Make Great Radio' is published by Biteback
I still want to be him when I grow up! Thanks. GB x
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully written post for a top broadcaster. At the top of his game no one, absolutely no one, could beat him. No matter how many times I hear that final sign–off it brings a lump to the throat. Oh, and thanks for the plug too.
ReplyDelete