Save BBC's Saturday Review!

Comments

#403

This is a valuable arts review programme, which has no equivalent elsewhere on the network. Why lose it ? What else is Radio 4 doing for the arts ?

(Richmond, Surrey, 2017-07-04)

#409

Culture = civilisation

(Cambridge, 2017-07-04)

#417

One of the best progs 0n radio.

(London, 2017-07-04)

#420

I think we need high quality arts programmes more than ever.

(Wallingford, 2017-07-04)

#422

I rely on programmes like Saturday Review to keep me up to date with what's going on in the arts I can't get to.

(Lewes, 2017-07-04)

#423

I love Saturday Review and cannot understand how its natural home, R4, and its audience, will be anything but impoverished if it's tajen off air.

(Clothall, 2017-07-04)

#424

This is the only regular review of the arts on Radio 4. (The daily Front Row is more of a magazine programme.) Tom Sutcliffe is an excellent host, the conversation - between increasingly diverse contributors - is wide-ranging, accessible and intelligent. It is a unique and valuable asset, both for those wanting cultural guidance and those who simply enjoy the cut-and-thust of lively discussion. Please do not axe this much-admired programme.

(London, 2017-07-04)

#425

It's bad enough that Mid-week has gone with the estimable Libby Purves. Please stop!

(Stamford, 2017-07-04)

#428

Saturday Review is the last critical forum for the arts left on Radio4 and replacing it with a weekly digest of the luvvie-fest that is Front Row is just further depressing evidence of the station's cost-cutting, celeb-obsessed dumbing down of which the feeble Artist to Artist strand is the latest example. This is not what I pay my licence fee for.

(Presteigne, 2017-07-04)

#429

The arts are important

(Swindon, 2017-07-04)

#430

If the BBC can't give listeners proper Arts coverage, there's no hope. Front Row does a good job but it's not enough, and an omnibus is no substitute for Saturday Review. Axing the latter would be an shameful act of cultural vandalism.

(London, 2017-07-04)

#437

I love this programme, please don't get rid of it! Please!!

(london, 2017-07-04)

#442

we need more culture not less

(London, 2017-07-05)

#443

It is essential to the wellbeing of the culture in this country to provide a platform for independent critical voices rather than simply offering reports, previews and interviews related to cultural events. Intelligent and informed analysis is at the heart of the BBC's coverage of news and current affairs - its coverage of the arts should be no different.

(London, 2017-07-05)

#444

Saturday Review is an unmissable element of BBC Radio4's arts programming. Please retain.

(London, 2017-07-05)

#447

I'm signing because I regard Saturday Review as vital listening, an informed, intelligent round up of the cultural scene

(London, 2017-07-05)

#448

Radio 4 are slowly killing off progs such as Sat Rev and Midweek to replace with rubbish or extending 5 day progs to 6 day

(Twyford, 2017-07-05)

#459

This programme is really important in keeping me abreast of the arts. Please do not cut it!

(Ashford, 2017-07-05)

#461

Culture and critical analysis are needed more than ever in this day and age.

(London, 2017-07-06)

#471

It's the most useful programme on Radio 4! I make plans - theatre tickets, train tickets, hotels off the back of this show. I buy gifts and stock my kindle up because of it - not just what they review but what the conversation throws in for context. It gives me new unexpected perspectives and ways of looking at things. I hear new voices and stand points I would not otherwise know about. In short, my life would be the poorer if I had to do without it.

(London, 2017-07-06)

#473

This is just about the best show on the radio, and must not be scrapped!

(London, 2017-07-06)

#474

This is one of the finest arts programmes on Radio - it's diverse, educational, entertaining and always interesting

(London, 2017-07-06)

#475

Given the hours and hours of news coverage on Radio 4, it seems unwise at best that the schedule cannot find room anymore for its last independent arts review programme, where participants can be truthful and open with their views about films, TV, books, exhibitions and stage productions. I know there are other arts programmes, but Saturday Review really is the only one that has its own opinion, the only place where civilised discussion and sometimes disagreement can exist. Tom Sutcliffe is an excellent host, and the panellists always lively. I'm going to miss Saturday Review, as will many, I suspect, and I urge Radio 4 to reconsider its decision.

(Swansea, 2017-07-06)

#480

It's essential that the BBC broadcasts arts programmes that offer critical views of current work. Too much of he rest of the BBC's arts output is promotional at some level. I have recently appeared on the programme, but that is not my reason for signing - I have been a regular listener for many years.

(London, 2017-07-07)

#482

It's a brilliant programme and should be kept!

(London, 2017-07-07)

#484

I'm upset to find out that Saturday Review is going to be cut. It's a much better format than Front Row which mainly comprises the 'artists' talking about their own projects rather than giving reasoned criticism in an objective manner to whatever is being considered.

(London, 2017-07-07)

#485

This is a programme I regulsrly enjoy in my car or on iPlayer.

(Stevenage Old Town, 2017-07-08)

#487

No more cuts to arts programming, please BBC. We do not want this.

(London, 2017-07-08)

#490

Cultural journalism is important.

(London, 2017-07-08)

#495

I love the intelligent conversation on Saturday Review, the range of arts covered and hugely admire the perspicacious insights and very lovely manner of its host, Tom Sutcliffe. I look forward to this programme each week and it would be detrimental to Radio 4 to drop it. This is the type of particular programme which gives Radio 4 its special character.

(Marlborough, 2017-07-08)

#496

I resent the wilfull eroding & dismantling of the intellect of BBC radio & TV - dumbing it down helps no one in the long run & is a great & disheartening disappointment for those who are used to our brains being stimulated & stretched in a positive & searching fashion. It's highly entertaining radio too, lest we forget!

(Enfield, 2017-07-08)

#500

We need to keep this fantastic cultural arts review alive. The BBC is doing less and less coverage of the arts. Please don't dumb down any further.

(London, 2017-07-09)

#501

It's an excellent programme and the only arts criticism programme left on the BBC (possibly any free to air medium?). Criticism is as important, interesting and entertaining as puffery and trailers- probably more so in terms of importance. Leave it alone!

(Bristol, 2017-07-09)

#504

what she and he said

(Ely, 2017-07-09)

#509

It's a unique show that is both rigorous and entertaining, brilliantly hosted by Tom Sutcliffe. It's not a magazine and is never in thrall to the artists it reviews. Replacing it is an act of cultural vandalism.

(London, 2017-07-09)

#512

BBC needs to do its job and produce programming the commercial stations never will.

(London, 2017-07-10)

#515

the BBC is cutting arts coverage, especially on radio, far too often, leaving little room for discussion, consideration and engagement.

(London, 2017-07-10)

#516

I'm signing this because we need robust critical debates on modern UK culture and art. Beyond Saturday Review this does not exist on the BBC or other mainstream channels and the cultural landscape will be poorer without it as a result.

(Glasgow, 2017-07-10)

#517

There are so few programmes which are not driven by promotion but are just pure independent-minded reviewing. The arts matter.

(London, 2017-07-10)

#523

This show allows informed debate on the arts not expressed in other programme's.

(Brighton, 2017-07-11)

#527

Saturday Review is simply a brilliant programme when too many aren't. Please keep it on.

(London, 2017-07-12)

#529

I find the show informative and entertaining. I would miss it if it was cut.

(Yeovil, 2017-07-12)

#533

I can't believe the BBC would be so foolish as to cut this excellent and very popular programme! Soon there won't be anything worth listening to!

(London, 2017-07-14)

#534

Saturday Review is an intelligent but accessible programme about the arts.

(Saffron Walden, 2017-07-15)

#536

The erosion of discussion of the arts on media is a huge mistake.

(London, 2017-07-15)

#537

Living as I do in the countryside, I cannot get to see many shows, films etc, so it is good to hear about them on the radio. This programme is essential listening for me.

(Presteigne, 2017-07-15)

#540

This is the sort of programme that Radio 4 needs to keep. I don't have a TV, I don't go to the cinema, I am interested though, and I feel Saturday Review keeps me in touch.

(Isle of Man, 2017-07-19)

#542

I love this programme! I cannot understand why the BBC would axe it - it can't costs a lot can it? I'm very sad and disappointed. It's Radio 4 at its best. Tom Sutcliffe is brilliant. It's such a shame.

(London, 2017-07-20)

#544

It is hard to imagine any reason to end the 20 year run of Saturday Review. What changed?

(London, 2017-07-20)

#547

Saturday Review brings to my attention plays, books, films, exhibitions that I may not have heard about otherwise. I value listening to a balanced, intelligent conversation about the arts, and considering the UK is a world leader in film, theatre, etc., we should be kept informed. It has enriched my cultural life: there must be space in the schedule to keep it on - why not cut one of the many repeats of existing radio programmes?

(New malden, 2017-07-26)

#548

I love Saturday Review and would be very sad to see it go. Radio 4 has done enough to mess up arts coverage already (see Midweek replaced by silly and annoying Only Artists). Just keep it as it is. Change does not equal improvement.

(Epsom, 2017-07-27)

#549

Saturday Review is wonderful!

(Buckingham, 2017-07-27)

#550

It is a great programme and should be kept.

(london, 2017-07-27)

#553

I'm a big listener to Radio 4, but this is my favourite programme. No other programme comes anywhere near in its scope, and in the intelligence of its review of the arts and the cultural scene. It's exactly what the bbc is for. Please don't destroy it.

(Bristol, 2017-07-29)

#557

essential programme for those who do not have access to London on regular basis.
essential for lots of people whose interest in the Arts is not shared by friends or colleagues
in fact, this represents to role of the BBC.

(Middlewich, 2017-08-03)

#558

This would be an act of vandalism. The Saturday morning slot has been the jewel in Radio 3's crown for decades.

(London, 2017-08-03)

#559

I love Saturday review and listen to it as a podcast. It's has been enriching and I have gone on to see or read many of the things reviewed

(Hamburg, 2017-08-09)