Initially, I was pretty excited to be assigned it for my presentation (as well as Radio 3 which couldn't be further removed from the Star). But now, after two or three long weeks, it feels as though I'm a diabetic who is being intravenously supplied with treacle. I suppose it's not quite that bad, but my point is that I can't even see any more and I just want it all to end.
The news agenda for the Star could be summed up like this, in order of importance:
- The reality TV of the month (X factor/I'm a celeb/Big brother, back in the day)
- The royals, if they do anything interesting like get engaged
- Cheryl Cole
- Wayne Rooney
- Katie Price
- Muslims sometimes
- Murder/rape/babykillings.
Reading through an entire issue makes me feel bipolar. I begin with something serious and genuinely newsworthy on Page 2: I feel like I've learnt something. Page 3: oh look, tits, and a picture of Harry Potter peeking out at you in this one for some reason. Those first three pages are indicative of what you'll find throughout - irreverent stories about someone from the telly doing something embarrassing, soft porn, a full page advert for Lidl and, just when you least expect it, a story about how a man has tortured and murdered a 3 year old girl. Lovely.
They're clever in the way that they construct it; if it was a film it'd probably be a cheesy (but well done) horror flick full of beautiful ladies, gore and gratuitous product placement. I don't want to get suckered in emotionally by the obvious sensationalism but I can't help it, which is a shame because I thought I was better than that. I was as naïve as the supporting character that runs out into the horde just to find their stupid dog.
Radio 3 is soothing after that. I haven't been able to find much in the way of news but I'm only a couple of years from the point in my life where I can appreciate hours and hours of classical music and middle class presenters. Well, probably not.
At least its consistent.
At least its consistent.
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