New format for Jules' show - starting 20/05/06


Neuro

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Tom, it was me who commented on Westward having two shows at the weekend.

However I aggree with what Briggsy wrote;

I find it a disgrace that Jules is the only DJ that is forced to accomodate the DJ's before and after him. If they're asking Jules to change his style of music to suit those DJ's, then its clear that Radio 1 are prograaming their schedules poorly. Surely it'd make more sense to re-organise things so that the dance shows fit together better. What is the point in having a dance DJ (Judge Jules) at 7pm til 9pm - followed by Tim Westwoods crap (sorry, rap) at 9pm til 11pm, followed by another dance DJ in the form of fergie at 11pm til 1am - why doesn't Fergie follow Jules instead, and then put Tim Westwood on afterwards. Better still, why not just get rid of the irritating twat that is Tim Westwood and get someone decent?
I think this would be the best solution.
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Whilst we all don't like Westwood's musical genre, I totally respect other people's musical tastes - he needs his outlet too.

But Briggsy's right - it's the poor programming that has been at the heart of this. And if Westwood is to have two shows, surely they can arrange this better?

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well i e-mailed my thoughts and urs too as a feedback/comment type complaint to the bbc, and i got a reply. This is what i said:

>{Programme Name:} Judge Jules

>{Transmission Date:}20 - 05 - 06

>

>{Comments:}

>Hi there. Many people on various message boards do not like the new format. They do not understand why the 'saturday night mix' has been shortened. Also many listener's would prefer if Jules moved back to his friday night slot. Just thought i would let you know, as i would hate Jules to start loosing listeners because of this. After all, you are providing a service based on what the listerners want and not the producers?

> Here are some links to this topic:

>http://www.judgejulesarchive.co.uk/board/viewtopic.php?t=1498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

>http://www.judgejules.net/board/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=tune&Number=299769&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Dear Aaron

Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Judge Jules'.

I understand you feel this programme should be moved to a Friday night slot and that you do not like the new format.

Feedback and suggestions from all our viewers and listeners is important to us as it forms part of our ongoing reviews on programme policy. Please be assured that your comments and concerns have been registered and made available to radio programme makers and senior BBC management.

May I take this opportunity to thank you again for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards

John McGivern

BBC Information

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That's the best non-commital reply i've ever read, i'm gona start using phrases like when i phone in sick to work, genius.

On a more serious note i don;t think they will do anything just yet with the schedule, they had the big change round with Fergie moving to saturdays and the big shake up with Goldfinger etc. I think the only good thing to come of that was The Residency but now with Jon gone there's only one show worth catching of that (Eddie). They need to sort it out, with the new format and the ever increasing popularity of other trance shows be it on local, digital or other national stations they are gona find themselves coming up very short.

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Nice one Aaron for actually getting in touch. At least they replied... although it won't make a difference to the scheduling I've no doubt the general message will eventually be forwarded onto people who understand more about it. They definitely keep an eye on messageboards such as this as I've seen it in progress (they've been known to borrow an idea or two as well :roll: ) - so as long as this thread stays alive it should always be on their radar :D

By the way, where DID Jon O'bir disappear to off the Residency :?:

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I got a reply off the BBC too:

Dear Steve

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the programme 'Judge Jules'.

I was pleased to read of you interest in this programme and understand

that you would like to express your concerns about the current format.

I appreciate that you feel the later time slot has had a negative

impact on the music played.

We do find that listeners' opinions are an invaluable source of

feedback for BBC programme makers. Styles and policies are continually being

assessed and changed based on feedback from the general public. Your

views have been registered and form part of our daily feedback to

programme makers and BBC management. Comments such as yours help us plan

future programmes.

Once again I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact the

BBC with your comments.

Regards

James Molen

BBC Information

Surely if we all badger them, somebody would have to take note and listen. Its a bit of a bog-standard email, but it does at least suggest they read my email, which I must add was significantly longer than their's. However, I did ask them for their views on it, sadly they didn't answer that bit :(

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By the way, where DID Jon O'bir disappear to off the Residency :?:

They moved him and Nic Fancuilli off in some rotation policy ala Claudio Raniera. Bit of a joke really if anything they should be taking Crissy Cris or Kutski off, they're both awful and with Fabio & Grooverider still playing Deebee on R1 and with One Extra having umpteenth d'n'b shows surely they don't need another one?

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I too have just sent an email to the BBC, with lots of sarcastic comments..........

Hi,

I'm writing to voice my opinion on the new format of Judge Jules's weekly show each Saturday. I've been a keen listener to Judge Jules's shows since 1999, but recently, have become rather frustrated at the shows music policy being adapted more and more towards keeping listeners tuned in after Trevor Nelson, and to help ease listeners in to Tim Westwoods show.

Judge Jules is unfortunate enough to be the only dance DJ to have a show sandwiched between two urban music shows, so therefore, it would appear that he's not been able to play a huge amount of the style of music that Judge Jules is known for because it doesn't sit right between those two shows. Pete Tong and Fergie appear to be able to play their own style of music because they aren't sandwiched between urban shows.

I appreciate that Radio 1 want to keep as many listeners tuned in after each show as possible, but with the current format, its likely that Judge Jules's loyal fans may become frustrated at the lack of Trance music he now plays and instead, opt to tune into dedicated Trance shows on their local stations instead. Surely it is more important to keep Judge Jules's loyal listeners happy and to keep their listeners base rather than try to keep a small minority of listeners that may continue to stay tuned in after Trevor Nelson's show.

In my opinion, the current scheduling format of Urban-Dance-Urban-Dance doesn't work very well and Radio 1 are trying to "force" it to work by altering the style of Judge Jules's show. Dance fans aren't likely to like Urban styles, and fans of urban music aren't likely to like dance - if someone doesn't like a particular genre of music, then they aren't going to remain tuned in - regardless of how much Radio 1 change their shows to try to "tempt" us.

Why don't Radio 1 consider making a more "complimenting" schedule of swapping the times of Tim Westwood's show with that of Judge Jules so that Tim Westwood starts at 7pm until 9pm, with Jules following from 9pm until 11pm, with Fergie then continuing from 11pm - that way, the format would then change to Urban-Urban-Dance-Dance - people are more likely to stay tuned into Tim Westwood after Trevor Nelson than they are Judge Jules after Trevor Nelson. Alternatively, the old format of Pete Tong on a Friday from 6pm til 9pm, followed by Judge Jules from 9pm until 11pm was highly successful. They were two complimenting shows, and Judge Jules was allowed to play his regular style of music - Trance.

Judge Jules fans listen to him for two reasons - his Trance music, and his live club style mixes - but both of those have been reduced drastically over the last couple of years, and even more so since the latest format change on the 20/05/06. If his Friday show was re-instated, then Judge Jules would be able to play more Trance and do more live mixes - and perhaps even the live club/university sets that used to happen regularly until 2001/2002. Tim Westwood could then perhaps be moved to a 4 hour show on a Saturday rather than 2x 2 hour shows at the weekend?

Also, why have the format of the live outdoor events been changed too? All Judge Jules fans used to look forward to two hours of live mixing from events such as Homelands, Creamfields, etc - but now, Radio 1 have changed that format to studio style broadcasts with talking, etc at those events. When Jules has guests such as Armin Van Buuren and Paul Oakenfold on his show at Creamfields, we don't want to hear them talking about what tunes are big in their record box at the moment - we want to hear the tunes live on the radio instead.

The current dance schedules clearly don't work, and haven't really worked out since the "major" change a few years back when Jules lost his Friday show and Danny Rampling left, and Fergie and Seb Fontaine were introduced to the station. Why was a tried and tested schedule ripped apart just because one DJ left?

Perhaps Radio 1 could consider re-vamping their current schedules so that the listeners can hear what they want to hear rather than what Radio 1 want us to hear? The dance shows should be grouped together, the urban shows should be grouped together, and the DJ's should be able to play the kind of music that their fans are used to hearing out in clubs.

British Rail wouldn't ask a plumber to drive one of their trains, so why do Radio 1 insist on asking a Trance DJ to adapt his show to keep listeners of urban music happy...........

I look forward to your response.

Carl Briggs.

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f***ing spot on mate, some very very good points raised there, R1 are most certainly not 'doing what he the listeners' want...

it is sad to see that jules show looks set to suffer even more over the next few years unless something is done to sort it out, some very good suggestions with the times there - imagine if they put jules back on friday nights, whoop!

Lets see if anything happens ey.. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

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I doubt anything will be done to be honest - after all, we're only the important listeners, and not the Radio 1 bigwigs that are the "experts".

I'd love to see Jules's friday show return - that was awesome! The thing is, just supposing Jules was offered it, do you think he'd want it back? He made no secret of the fact that the Friday show was his favourite of his two shows, but he also made no secret of the fact that it restricted his Friday night gigs to a more London/Southern area and restricted his ability to travel to Scotland, etc more..............

It'd be interesting to see Jules's opinions of our thoughts to be honest, but obviously he's not going to be in a position to publicly speak out about Radio 1 (unless he wants the sack?!).

Do you honestly think Radio 1 would listen to us if enough of us complained? I think they'd find it easier to get rid of Jules - after all, he's now 40 - will Radio 1 look for someone "up and coming". I can't help but think that Radio 1 have put alot of focus on Eddie Halliwell over the last 2 years - perhaps grooming him as Judge Jules's replacement?

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Actually, the penny has dropped here and may explain why Jules's shows keep changing............

I remember Jules saying on his show a few weeks that the female head of dance (Heather??) was leaving the station and that would be her last day on the show. it was also quite obvious that Jules and this female head of dance got on well because she often travelled with him to gigs (as Jules as said in his online diary).

She has now left and no doubt someone has come in to replace her, and as a result, Jules's show has changed format - right? Agreed? Read on.........

Andy Parfitt left Radio 1 around the time when Seb Fontaine was introduced, and all of the dance shows were altered (including more Funky House on Jules's show). Again, someone else would have been brought in to replace Andy Parfitt.

Are you noticing a pattern here? Someone of authority leaves, a new person comes in and everything is then changed around. This isn't about providing a service that listeners want, and its not about keeping listeners tuned in from show to show. In my opinion, this is a case of someone new coming in and wanting to show who's boss by "stamping their mark on things". If they alter things to how they want them, then they cna go home knowing that they've settled in and earned their wages, whereas if they keep things as to how they were previously, then they've not really "made their mark" and done things their way. perhaps its just coincidental that these changes when someone leaves - but its a bloody big coincidence.........

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Well done to all of you. Who did you send your emails to.

I have complained to Jules on many occassions regarding changed formats, backstage interviews at some of the live festivals, missing tracklistings and so on. Understandably he has to be careful what he says as he doesn't want to end up getting the sack.

Personally l like a bit of Funky House but of late there seems to be more Funky House and less Trance.

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I have complained to Jules on many occassions regarding changed formats, backstage interviews at some of the live festivals, missing tracklistings and so on. Understandably he has to be careful what he says as he doesn't want to end up getting the sack.

This is quite possibly why Jules has been tight-lipped about this whole issue and particularly on this board, and this specific thread, which I can tell you he is highly aware of. I don't blame him one bit though, as the potential for unprofessional conduct on a public messageboard is immense.

Regarding it restricting his vicinity of gigs though, I'm not sure, as he definitely pre-recorded a lot of them or at least the half-hour mix and I don't see it should be the sole problem for rejecting his old Friday night slot... Briggsy you raise some really excellent points, by the way, in your email to the BBC and the follow-up.

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I can understand Jules being tight lipped about it to be honest. He's paid to do a job, and has to do as he's told. No doubt he's had his opinions or preferences as to how his show has been programmed over the years - but he won't have any serious say in it.

One thing we must pijnt out though, especially if Jules is aware of this thread and checking it out regularly, AT NO POINT are we criticising Jules - we are criticising the way that Radio 1 are producing his show.

The cut up boys bit, although quite entertaining and well produced, is a wasted 5 minutes - 5 minutes that could be used on airing a Trance tune somewhere in the show. The same applies to "the last dance" track - another 5 minutes of wasted time. That cuts Jules's two hours down to 1 hour and 50 minutes, and cuts out two potentially amazing Trance tunes.

Less of the gimmicks and gayness - just more tunes please Radio 1 ;)

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Your letter was spot on Briggsy, several top points raised in a coherent and concise manner, A*. Radio One must surely be aware that shows like Jules' are specialist shows, i.e. people only tune them in as dedicated listeners who want to hear that DJ playing his/her own style. Hopefully these emails (though i doubt they will change too much) will at least show R1 that a lot of people are p*ssed off with the format and are considering turning their back not on Jules (seeing him at a club is way more beneficial) but on the station itself.

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