Lots of lively discussion and learned debate between the smudgers among us, but what about those on the airwaves? Are any of Dubai's DJs out there? Because I have a question. When a great sheikh dies, radio output appears to move in a progression from the Quran to classical music to "easy listening" and back to pop. Is there a set timetable for this? And do you all have a special library ready for each stage? Or is it all piped from WAM?
Please enlighten us, since I am genuinely curious.
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24 comments:
Usually the station gets tipped off the night before the official announcement. In AMG's radio stations' case, the order usually then comes down from Abdullatif to go to Quran FM.
Then it's a question of seeing which way the wind's blowing, and the management shifts the music when it deems it politcally okay to do so.
Generally it depends on the level of belovedness of the sheikh / whether there are any big shopping festivals coming up that demand a return to tourist-friendly real life.
I remember listening to Dubai Eye one morning when somebody from, I think, Qatar unexpectedly snuffed it.
Eddie O'Sulivan from MEED was on that morning being his usual pontificating self. He sounded really confident about what this meant in terms of succession and who was going to be in charge. Then Richard Dean started quoting from the internet and it was clear that Eddie had no idea. He had to admit as much and shut up.
Richard Dean...the last decent radio presenter Dubai had.
Onto the question - as the first person said - it is political. The length of time the Qu'ran is played depends entirely on how important said Sheikh was and if there are any big events approaching.
I'm pretty sure that if Shk Maktoum had passed away in this country, that the announcement would have been made after DSF.
It's all to do with the 'path to heaven' - first quranic verses for the pathway, then classical music as you approach the pearly gates, next is a bit of easy listening, while they check you're on the heavenly guest list - then, bam, back to full party and dance music once the passer in admitted into the club/heaven.
Now that we're on the topic of radio, isn't some salacious gossip about our friends on the airwaves well, well overdue? What scandals are rocking Dubai's FM universe?
Anyone?
Anything?
Whatever gossip, scandal or scurrilous stories that abound, it's eclipsed by the aneurism inducing radio ads. You may as well broadcast white noise all day for all the value they add.
I'm sure Catboy and Geordie Bird are lovely people but please, will somebody take them away, preferably to the airport, today. No seriously, right now, please.
Good point. I was always curious what Chris Fisher had really done wrong that time he got suspended from 92. He kept telling people it was because his, erm, wacky presenting style meant he couldn't hit the news on time. But there were always darker rumours. Anyone enlighten us?
wasn't it to do with a trousers-round-the-ankles-offence in the manager's office in Boston Bar?
Has Geordie Bird ever had an original thought in her life? It seems to be that her job is to do time calls, agree with everything Catboy says and cackle at his jokes like some sort of hideous rejected Witch of Macbeth. It is truly embarrassing, cringeworthy radio although it does get one out of bed due to its sheer awfulness. I'm sure he loves his irritating wife very much but it was a better show when he flew solo. Does anyone really give a flying fuck that Catboy and Geordie Bird had an argument about the washing up? No, didn't think so.
Catboy should be put down. Chris Fisher is a talentless turd. Enough said.
Look, the whole point of Dubai is that no-one who has ever worked there has ever had an original thought, except for Sheikh Mo, and that is the point, except we're too dumb to realize it. Anyone who comes on here slamming their colleagues or other media types for failing to raise the creativity bar is simply repuking conventional wisdom, therefore proving that the dubai media scene is a land for left-brain english for accountant students and right-brained paint-by-numbers types. We're fucked. Just admit it. We suck. Someone drink with me at Wazy O'Connor's this weekend please. I'm bringing some Indian friends. They're taking over the earth because they are not ashamed of imitation.
Bring back the editors with Eddie O'Sullivan! He was magnificent. Sometimes he even allowed his guests to speak...
Bit of history for you.
Spoke to someone who worked at Capital in Abu Dhabi in the 90s. Those were the days when presenters turned up steaming on Christmas Day to 'present' a family show.
Allegedly.
Anyway, back in the day if someone died they had to play classical music, piano ballads a la Richard Clayderman. Until they were told not to.
If the DJs turned up to put the records (as they were then) we got paid.
If they didn't, the secretary on duty played the records. Dunno who got paid, though.
Ah, those Capital Radio days -
Drunk on Xmas day? That's nothing! Etc etc. However, we used to go to classical at the drop of a hat and let idiots loose on the decks to play the tracks - until the Halleluja Chorus was put on by a particularly unaware secretary. Of course, now all UAE Radio dj's are far more knowledgable.......
"wasn't it to do with a trousers-round-the-ankles-offence in the manager's office in Boston Bar?"
do tell....:)
"wasn't it to do with a trousers-round-the-ankles-offence in the manager's office in Boston Bar?"
do tell....:)
It was more to do with a his head up some slappers skirt in the fire exit stairwell, but failing to notice the CCTV camera in the corner that monitors the comings and goings of the staff. Used to be a nice place for the bartenders and waitresses to nip to for a quick nip or fag.
It was more to do with a his head up some slappers skirt in the fire exit stairwell, but failing to notice the CCTV camera in the corner that monitors the comings and goings of the staff. Used to be a nice place for the bartenders and waitresses to nip to for a quick nip or fag.
shocking!
Why is XPRESS not on your poll?
Mmm. AMG. Always questionable.
My favourite acronym for this particular group:
Arse-licking Management Groupies.
Despite vast improvements in recent months by their English news team on Eye I hear they're ultimately guided by a former Mumbai baker and an "ex BBC journo" who's reading and writing skills both leave a lot to be desired.
Anyone got the story?
i may have missed something here but what seriously curious about what happened to Dubai Eye newsreaders plus a couple of others...seem to me MIA, feared axed??? do tell....?
Anonymous said...
Catboy should be put down. Chris Fisher is a talentless turd. Enough said.
05 July, 2007 21:17
And you of course Mr Or Mrs Anonymous are the pillar of society, we can see your morals from the post.
Jealousy is a bad thing it will eat you up inside.
Chris Fisher is one of the kindest most genuine men I have ever met and that is apparent through his work with the schools.
Just because he is not as course as other DJ's does not give anyone (who remains anonymous, I wonder why) to berate him in this way.
I'm still facsinated by his ahem extracurricular acvtivities
Gumdrops, some of YOU are bullies. While I can't comment on Catboy, Chris Fisher doesn't have a malicious hair on his head; he's your ordinary-average bloke and, as another poster has written, he's kind. From the little I know of him, Chris Fisher would never, ever stoop to comment so wickedly about others and / or wish for their demise.
Trash the station or the topic if you really must, but not DJ's who just happen to have come under your radar by accident.
Scary is as scary gets.
But let's face it, some of Dubai's radio-output can be embarrassing and some good people have gone, sad to say. B-T-W ... WHO are those '2' in the mornings currently replacing the regular '2' on a well known station? They've GOT to have lost audiences, I have to turn off my dial. Wow.
It was more to do with a his head up some slappers skirt in the fire exit stairwell, but failing to notice the CCTV camera in the corner that monitors the comings and goings of the staff. Used to be a nice place for the bartenders and waitresses to nip to for a quick nip or fag.
wow didn't hear about that one before!!
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