Save BBC's Saturday Review!

Comments

#2

Saturday Review is one of the most needed (and, for many of us, cherished) programmes in the Radio 4 schedule: informative, stimulating, entertaining – above all intelligent. Just what the BBC should be doing, in other words. Without it there will be no cultural review programmes at all, merely more and more promotional slots for artists and writers to tell us how wonderful their new work is. All well and good, but disgracefully inadequate if there isn't also this one little independent forum for critical judgment and discussion. Killing Saturday Review is an act of pure philistinism.

(Essex, 2017-07-02)

#3

We need more programmes of this quality, not fewer. Perhaps even more so in unsettled times, when the arts are one place where we might expect a interesting response.

(Cambridge, 2017-07-02)

#4

The best arts programme on TV or radio. It should be treasured, not discarded!

(London, 2017-07-02)

#5

I do not want to lose this exceptional programme.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#10

Intelligent criticism of the arts is necessary and should be offered by the BBC on their leading national speech channel.

(Edinburgh, 2017-07-02)

#28

Radio lacks a critical eye on arts and literature. Most radio is wall to wall pop music and Radio 4 too dominated by news agenda. Radio 3's critical programmes excellent but few in between the equally excellent music. Saturday Review very important example of limited review/critical programming

(louth, 2017-07-02)

#29

The programme is an important informative and critical review, stimulating thought and discussion and fills an important and largely neglected need.

(Kidwelly, 2017-07-02)

#33

If Radio 4 can't do pepper reviews then they should just pull the plug on the whole thing. And no I am not going to wade through the PR fluff of Front Row to find the occasional opinion.

(Canterbury, 2017-07-02)

#40

Unbiased review of the arts

(Berkhamsted, 2017-07-02)

#46

I was devestated to hear this! I love Saturday Review. One of the programmes I listen to on catch up if I miss it. Have read books, bought theatre tickets, gone to exhibitions because of this show. So key to have trustworthy review shows when opinion is everywhere.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#49

Arts criticism is incredibly important and Saturday Review one of the most entertaining and useful shows on R4, one that helps me keep up with books, art and cinema more than anything else.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#50

The Sat Review is the best arts programme on the air. Please don't let it go.

(Swansea, 2017-07-02)

#54

Why has the BBC got it in for Arts programmes?

(Diss, 2017-07-02)

#60

It's a good show.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#62

I really value this programme which opened many doors to new experiences for me.

(Near Eckington, 2017-07-02)

#63

It's the best programme on radio 4, and there is nothing similar in existence.

(Rickmansworth, 2017-07-02)

#68

It's an excellent programme, with content and style not available elsewhere.

(Theydon Bois, 2017-07-02)

#69

This is serious radio that I fear will probably be replaced by personality driven dross

(London, 2017-07-02)

#70

Saturday Review is the best broadcast overview of current shows/plays/films etc. Would be a great loss.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#72

Saturday Review is a total delight. Far more enlightening (and enlivening) than the puff promotions of most arts programming. It's far more interesting to hear four voices vigorously discussing - and often disagreeing over - a film or book, than a filmmaker or novelist telling you how wonderful their own work is.

(Cambridge, 2017-07-02)

#73

I enjoy the programme

(Wylam, 2017-07-02)

#74

....because I agree wholeheartedly with it's premise.

(Bazelat, 2017-07-02)

#75

A good meal is made of a number of ingredients. Remove a herb or a dash of Worcester sauce, and it loses that special something. That's life.

(Clitheroe, 2017-07-02)

#76

There is little enough serious Arts coverage in MSM and with book reviews being so squeezed in the nationals, we need Radio 4 to keep this going.

(Carterton, 2017-07-02)

#77

Saturday Review is my go-to programme for intelligent critical debate about the arts and arts events. Love it. Please don't scrap it!

(Brighton, 2017-07-02)

#79

Saturday Review is irreplaceable. The conversation between the guests is unlike anything else offered anywhere. It's a valuable program.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#85

I want more arts programmes on radio and TV! Why get rid of an entertaining and insightful discussion programme on the arts?

(Bingley, 2017-07-02)

#91

There needs to be be some intelligent discourse on the arts / culture, no just sound bites and PR releases

(Ealing, 2017-07-02)

#95

This programme is a perfect match for the BBC charter and Radio 4's specific purpose

(Uppingham, 2017-07-02)

#96

We need informed critical analysis and discussion of the arts in our country.

(Bradford on Avon, 2017-07-02)

#101

Disinterested and knowledgeable debate is something the BBC needs in the arts. It's not good enough to promote the arts without discussion. Saturday Review is a very good thing. (I declare an interest as an occasional participant).

(London, 2017-07-02)

#112

Without criticism, there are only adverts.

(South Croydon, 2017-07-02)

#113

Critical discussion and description of the arts is part of the BBC's job. How else will people not in the immediate artistic communities find out what is going on and what they might like?

(Bath, 2017-07-02)

#115

as well as this to also mention a petition started 11th February to the BBC to bring back programme still open all hours go to website www.petitions24.com

(plymouth, 2017-07-02)

#117

This programme is excellent and needs to stay on air

(Clare, 2017-07-02)

#121

If the BBC is not running even one serious arts review (rather than puff) programme on the radio there is, frankly, no justification for the license fee whatsoever.

(Belfast, 2017-07-02)

#122

Without a proper connection to the Arts we lose our very nature, brain development, depth, critical thinking and a value for individuality. We need to share and debate these things in the home and generally. If the conversation stops, we stop.

(Stroud, 2017-07-02)

#126

This programme should not be axed.

(Birmingham, 2017-07-02)

#129

Flagship BBC programme

(London, 2017-07-02)

#131

I love this programme and never miss it. My teenage sons also listen - it is accessible enough for them and opens their eyes to such a wide range of arts events. Why cancel such a strong show?
It seems tot

(Melton mowbray, 2017-07-02)

#134

No! Cuts to the arts!

(Portland, 2017-07-02)

#139

I'm signing because this programme, a highlight of my week, generates engaged debate by people who have something interesting to say.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#141

Don't axe this excellent arts programme, and don't underestimate your listeners.

(St Ives, 2017-07-02)

#146

The views expressed by punters on Twitter are not a substitute for critical discussion of the arts

(Bristol, 2017-07-02)

#147

I care about quality output on the BBC.

(Tw7 6nu, 2017-07-02)

#148

Only BBC arts programme with substantial critical content in it

(Harrow, 2017-07-02)

#150

Critical intelligence is being usurped throughout all media by vacuous hype and self-promotion. Saturday Review is one of the few oases left, one of the things that makes the BBC special and good. To kill it off is to give in meekly to the forces of slack-jawed stupidity.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#155

We need more, intelligent programs, not less- particularly this, which has such wide coverage of topics.

(Taunton, 2017-07-02)

#160

Because this is necessary food for thought

(Traunstein, 2017-07-02)

#165

Saturday review is essential listening. Thought provoking and essential. Please don't axe this outstanding piece of radio.

(Glasgow, 2017-07-02)

#168

It's the only arts discussion programme left on the BBC. Do you really want to banish them completely?

(Dundee, 2017-07-02)

#171

I'm signing because I love Saturday Review. It is an excellent programme.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#173

It's my favourite show on radio and getting rid of it leaves a massive hole in the field of cultural debate of this country. There is literally nothing else that does the same thing.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#174

Arts should be covered to the same extent as politics, news and gardening

(13 Linden Road Aldeburgh IP15 5JQ, 2017-07-02)

#179

It's a great programme, I always try to listen live or an iplayer - such intelligent and thoughtful broadcasting on the arts is in such short supply

(London, 2017-07-02)

#180

The arts are a vital part of our lives. It's vital that programmes like this should be supported not scrapped.

(Glasgow, 2017-07-02)

#186

I love this programme and read books / go to shows on its basis. It is vital for keeping the arts alive on radio. I am a licence payer and it is this sort of programme I pay my licence for. It is one of the best programmes on air.

(Cambridge, 2017-07-02)

#187

This is a terrific programme, with a really wide-ranging and inclusive remit. It would be keenly missed and should not be axed.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#191

I love Saturday Review

(Nottingham, 2017-07-02)

#195

In this age when BBC is leading most of the pack in producing serious, and seriously entertaining podcasts, Saturday Review is one of the very best. The idea of sending novelists, playwrights, journalists etc out to watch a play, read a novel, screen a television series, view an exhibition--and then gather around a table to critique each of them--is done brilliantly. Regrettably, I only get to London every five or six years or so, but Saturday Review keeps me well up-to-date. I would hate like hell to lose it.

(Vienna, 2017-07-02)

#198

This is surely a flagship programme for BBC arts coverage.

(London, 2017-07-02)

#199

Saturday Review with Tom Sytcliffe at the helm is essential listening, far better cultural dean are than the far weaker Front Row

(Bristol, 2017-07-02)

#200

This is a wonderful arts review show. And you do often feel like you are there. The BBC should think again.

(London, 2017-07-02)