Auntie’s got a bloomin’ nerve
IT was an incredulous Jerry Springer who said recently: "Why should the British people be forced to pay taxes for television?"
Why indeed? Especially when much of that television is lacklustre and unimaginative. And, more importantly, when the Corporation's starstruck executives - 30 of whom earn more than our Prime Minister and almost as much as bank bosses - seem to delight in throwing our money around like confetti.
They have treated us (their paymasters) with the same kind of contempt politicians have. And they have spent our money in precisely the same way politicians did - profligately and irresponsibly.
Booze
How dare they use licence fees to buy a £100 bottle of Krug champagne for one of their big-name stars? How dare they spend £100 of our money on flowers for Jonathan Ross and £1,137 on a dinner for Terry Wogan?
All the aforementioned earn massive salaries - also paid by us - and if they need flowers, booze or food let them buy their own.
And what exactly is the point of throwing presents at people who are already loaded? Is the idea that by lavishing luxuries on the "talent" they'll be persuaded to stay at the Beeb come contract renewal time?
In which case those executives aren't just fawning, arrogant and overpaid - they're stupid as well. Talent moves for two reasons - more money or more stimulating work.
They will not be persuaded to stay at the Beeb because some obsequious executive once sent them a bunch of flowers. And how sickening is the vanity of these bosses who feel all puffed up and important because they're able (with our money) to buy presents from Tiffany and Harrods for people who don't actually need them?
In future Beeb execs should be forced to ask themselves: "Would I spend £100 of MY OWN money on a bunch of flowers for Jonathan Ross?" And if the answer is "No" they shouldn't use OUR money to do it either.
And why in God's name does Jana Bennett (director of BBC Vision) think the public should stump up £500 for the loss of her handbag? Doesn't she have insurance?
And why do countless other executives think it's OK to blow our cash on five-star hotels, private planes and posh cocktail parties?
The answer, of course, is that every year they get given £3.6 billion of our money to spend and they don't have to do a damn thing either to earn it or justify it. It's just handed to them on a plate.
For too long now BBC bosses have prided themselves that they're a cut above. They're forever boasting about their diversity, their liberalism, how politically correct they are.
Moreover their intellectual snobbery has been allowed to balloon because they've never had to be accountable either for crap programming or bad management.
Damage
If they cock up a show they're never sacked - they just raid the People's Piggy Bank and make another one.
If an executive is useless he's not sacked - he's given a non job, a pay rise and put somewhere he can't do any damage.
AND WE'RE PAYING FOR THAT!
It seems incredible that the only two places in Britain where there is no recession are the House of Commons Fees Office and the boardroom of the BBC.
Which is why it's time the Corporation stopped creeping around its so-called stars and devoted more time and effort to US - the people they're paid to serve.
And instead of upping their own grotesque salaries they need to up the salaries of the thousands of lowly-paid news journalists whose work is one of the few things the BBC can still be proud of.
This article has 8 comments
I can only say that Carole Malone would get my vote for Parliament. I totally agreed with all of her items this Sunday. Holly Willoughby. Jack Man of Straw. Jordan. Dawn French. Jamie Foxx. The dog handler. Mrs Murray. And why are we in Afganistan?
By Kenneth Myers. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:38 PM.
Along with the NHS, the BBC is one of the greatest things about Britain. Their internet, radio and television coverage is far superior to anything churned out by the private sector. Are people really getting that annoyed by the fact that the BBC gave Brucie a £100 bottle of champagne for his birthday- it seems like a fine gesture to me. Unlike the politicians, the expenses here were not for self- profit but legitimate business expenses.
By graham. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:47 AM.
Totally agree with the great Carole!
I was bemused to see the BBC send Chris Hollins (morning news sports presenter) and Mihir Bose(evening news sport editor)to the European Cup final to report on the match from outside the gound when the Beeb did not even show the match!
How much did this cost ?
I had also complained about Jonathon Ross years ago on a Comic relief programme using the ''F''word when he didn't realise children were behind him!
Nothing has changed !!
By Jim Price. Posted July 1 2009 at 6:35 PM.
Yes! The time for action is long overdue! I refer to the criminal use of all our licence fees that are being manipulated by the BBC and so forth! Let's take Carole Malone's advice,by getting off our arses and do something positive to correct the balance! The expenses scandal should be enough to kindle some action,instead of prolonging a negative reaction! Indeed;what's become of the Bulldog spirit when all our backs were against the wall?
By Fred. Posted June 28 2009 at 9:06 PM.
I like the majority,and fair-minded folk,and of whom see the folly in the BBC's manipulation and frightening devaluing of the pound stirling-taxpayers licence fees-wholeheartedly,agree with the forthright sentiments of the electorate and moreover Carole Malone! Until we all direct our objections where it hurts--in the pockets of the BBC executives-and get off our idle arses,and do something positive to redress the balance! And which includes,not whining,then sweet FA will get done!
By Fred. Posted June 28 2009 at 8:54 PM.
i totaly agree with carole malone .i have been saying this for years but what can we do about it?.all the moaning and words do nothing we need action not words
By john cox. Posted June 28 2009 at 4:30 PM.
Never mind about expenses,i pay for tv entertainment,and at the moment,i can't recall one single comedy show,that is unmissableon any channel,,as in the long gone day's of fawlty towers,fools/horses, ronnie barker,etc, nowadays it's laughter free dross,with radio four being the worst culprit,with half hour dated,unfunny shows,that commit the cardinal sin of comedy....trying too hard to make us laugh, and failing, big time!
By ALAN SIMPSON. Posted June 28 2009 at 11:01 AM.
Fully in agreement with Carole's comments about BBC executive expenses-I have written to BBC only once,some time ago when they were thinking of cancelling test match special on the radio-I received THREE seperate replies all from different managers with odd sounding titles,obviously saying "look at me I have dealt with this"
Obviously what stands in the expenses saga is Brucie's £100 bottle of champagne and Richard Bacon boasting on radio about his claim for champagne at Wimbledon,but I think the important issue relates to claiming expenses for meetings about children in need. Surely some senior manager should realise that Children In Need and other telethons need people to donate their hard earned money,claiming expenses to organise such an effort seems to be taking money away from the good causes involved and tends to make the whole effort pointless.
In conclusion I would say this issue has brought job titles of executives at the BBC to our attention,we need to ask them what they actually do,what is their job description,where was it advertised and how can we complain about them?
By ANTHONY SHELTON. Posted June 28 2009 at 10:44 AM.