It appears that as the British public becomes more illiterate, so does the media on all levels.
Serious is considered boring and the fright of creating anything which may be considered boring has removed any serious media from mainstream audio visual.
Not a while ago, The Culture Show represented the last bastion of hope for uncompromised art based journalism in the media; as the only TV magazine programme with a high level of integrity; it was uninfluenced by the need of a large and mixed audience. What can be seen now is a bastardized version of a once great show which now resembles the previous only in name.
In the case of The Culture Show the meaning of the word it seems, has been understood as audio and visual media only part either of very popular culture and the, exotic or ethnic culture. African and Balkan beats have as it was expected, have penetrated this culture show as it represents the new big thing.
As it may be obvious reading this, the word culture has been generously repeated, though it appears to be lacking from the presenter’s vocabulary, the failed though pretty ex musician Lauren Laverne. It would be harsh to blame the downfall of a BBC programme on one single person, but in this case, The Culture Show looks like nothing it has been before, and the change abruptly came with the introduction of the person above mentioned.
From reports and inside looks into classical music and art exhibits, the show based itself mainly on pop and indie music, quite a coincidence since Ms. Laverne once sang in an indie band. After the change of presenters and time schedule, the audience was enriched only with lengthy interviews and reports on legends like Paul Mccartney , Arcade Fire, Dizzee Rascall, Paul Mccartney and more Arcade Fire.
Andrew Graham-Wilson’s reports on architecture and art exhibits have been removed and with it any attempts towards serious journalism. While the whole change looks more than grim, the bar has been set to an all time low with one of the last episodes broadcast on the 8th of December. The entire show now appears to be dedicated towards validating mainstream culture by presenting it under a pretentious veil of self importance.
The main piece of the last Culture Show focused on the popular self indulgent buffoon and performer, Russell Brand presenting his autobiography in front of students at Oxford University after being interviewed under a cross-fired dialogue of clenched eloquence. This now appears the basis the new Culture Show; elevating sub-culture, pop and world music, under the watchful puppy eyes of the ever lovable Lauren Laverne; the devil is always in disguise.
The serious have lost their last serious show, all that is left now are fast paced shows, flashy strobes and epilepsy inducing ramblings.
