Broadcasters Hugging on Television

[Tal]

BBC Breakfast presenter, Mike Bushell, interviews Marion Bartoli live on TV. He starts the interview by hugging her.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33491632

Is this what we want? Would he do it to Roger Federer? Are we watching the news to see interviewers embracing guests? Should Geoff Shreeves start leaning in when Jose Mourinho is next bemoaning his luck, after a 2-0 win?

The reaction of the studio panel suggests they disapprove, or are at least uncomfortable.

Should the BBC be above such nonsense? Or are cultural demands nowadays make it inevitable that more familiarity between the media and the stars comes?

Click to see full-size image.

"Ok, but any more than three seconds and you'll see what I can do with the lid!"

[david3103]

Mike Bushell deserved a slap. But then, he deserves that just for being on TV anyway.
I'd have mentioned him in the "irrational dislikes" thread, but I doubt anyone would accept it as being other than rational

With apologies to Tighty, your example of how things were done back in the day is just over 52 yrs old if I'm not mistaken.
Bill Foulkes holding the FA Cup in 1963. The first FA Cup Final I sat and watched

[The_nun]

She's not offended she says as she crosses her hands in a protective stance across her lady garden.

[RED-DOG]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

[Tal]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

[The_nun]

I would like to see him try and embrace this fella.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33484631

[The_nun]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Tikay does it to me though. But he always puts his mike in his pocket first.

[RED-DOG]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Lol. I understand the words, but not that they mean when presented in that order.

[Tal]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Lol. I understand the words, but not that they mean when presented in that order.

Wolstenholme > Kendall > Bushell

[RED-DOG]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Lol. I understand the words, but not that they mean when presented in that order.

Wolstenholme > Kendall > Bushell

Oh I see. Thank you.  (Ingbray the aitjacketstray)

[Redsgirl]

Can you be offended by a hug?
I mean, it's not like he slapped her on the arse or anything.
I can understand it may be a little awkward for some people but there's no harm done.

Fwiw I like Mike Bushell anyway he seems a nice down to earth bloke enjoying his job and I don't think he needs a slap david1303.
I shall remember not to enfold you in a fond embace if we ever meet

[david3103]

Can you be offended by a hug?
I mean, it's not like he slapped her on the arse or anything.
I can understand it may be a little awkward for some people but there's no harm done.

Fwiw I like Mike Bushell anyway he seems a nice down to earth bloke enjoying his job and I don't think he needs a slap david1303.
I shall remember not to enfold you in a fond embace if we ever meet

Aww now I'm upset.

He may well be down to earth, and enjoying his job, but it's a job he appears to be ill-equipped to perform.

[bobAlike]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Tikay does it to me though. But he always puts his mike in his pocket first.

[Tal]

Can you be offended by a hug?
I mean, it's not like he slapped her on the arse or anything.
I can understand it may be a little awkward for some people but there's no harm done.

Fwiw I like Mike Bushell anyway he seems a nice down to earth bloke enjoying his job and I don't think he needs a slap david1303.
I shall remember not to enfold you in a fond embace if we ever meet

Far be it from me to suggest the unsuggestible, but I fear you may have missed the point.



The issue isn't him hugging her (people hug. Think I even hugged someone once. Try anything once and all that).

The issue is doing it as part of the interview on live TV. Interviewers normally open with:

"Thank you, studio. I'm here with Tal J. Talington, who once won a £30 comp at the Broadway. Mr Talington..."

...and there then follows a question about folding jacks pre.

They don't normally even shake the interviewee's hand on TV. Kate Adie didn't hug any of the grieving folk in war-torn Eastern Europe and if anyone needed a hug, it was them. Paxman didn't even give Boris a chummy embrace while they each danced around answering how much a loaf of bread costs.

Do it before the camera's rolling, do it afterwards and no one minds. Why do it in the two minute slot during the news?

[RED-DOG]

Should the BBC be above such nonsense?

Leading the witness m'Lord.

Not offended. Just don't see the point. Wasted a question, there.

Don't see tikay doing that to Annette_15. Proper pro broadcaster.

Tal. I'm sorry if I'm being dense, but you have to explain this reply to me because I really don't understand what you mean and I'm worried that I've inadvertently upset you.


Not offended. I didn't think that you were, and I'm not even sure that you're suggesting you were, but if not you who? I was just making a joke. Offense, given or received, was the last thing on my mind.

Just don't see the point. Who doesn't see the point of what? Again, this has completely whooshed me.

Wasted a question, there. What question, and who wasted it where, and why the comma?

Someone put me out of my misery please. I feel like I've accidentally stumbled into a cryptic crosswordville.