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Home arrow All Discussions arrow Riviera Radio in poor taste?
Here is where letters sent to the paper magazine and where subjects or opinions of interest to Riviera expats may be discussed and commented upon. Your subject suggestions are welcome by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We reserve the right to delete any comment without notice or explanation. We may also edit any comment at our sole discretion for reasons such as  profanity, defamation, racism or otherwise inappropriate content.
Riviera Radio in poor taste? Print
Written by Mike Preston   

I am no admirer of Riviera Radio's Elizabeth Lewis' presentation style or idea of humour, but her comments on Wednesday morning, 28th November, plumbed new depths of bad taste and poor judgement.

I refer to a piece about twins being born from different fathers. This type of discussion, referring to intercourse and semen, has no place on a morning programme to which children are likely to be listening, particularly when accompanied by crude, inane, and infantile comments about 'pussies' and 'hussies'. This might be more appropriate for a late evening programme although personally I found the comments totally unamusing.

I am not a prude or old fogey but I do not think children should be subjected to this type of material. The “off” button is there to be used but when kids are in the car on the way to school this is not really an option. Turning off the station permanently is an option.
I hope other people have taken the trouble to express their disapproval of this and similar drivel in the station's programme content.

My email concerning this, sent to Riviera Radio in November,  did not even get the courtesy of a response, something I find irritating to say the least and which makes me wonder why they elicit input from listeners and then only respond when it is positive. Any complaint to Riviera Radio is usually ignored while I am always pleased to see that the Reporter is mature enough to acknowledge and often publish critical feedback, sometimes with an appropriate response.

On 10th January, 7 weeks after my original complaint, I emailed Morris Communications, the owners of Riviera Radio, and by an "amazing coincidence", on 14th January I had a rather defensive email from Riviera Radio's managing director in which he commented that no-one else has shared the same opinion as myself on this matter. Perhaps the whole world is out of step with me, or too apathetic to comment. 

Mike Preston, by email

Comments (40)add
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written by Derek da Costa , 11 March 2008
Further to your contact with Riviera Radio regarding some of the pathetic humour. I also wrote to them last November, in which I pointed out that although I had a broad sense of humour, I felt that a lot of their morning broadcasts were over-larding the 'schoolboy smut'.

I too, received no reply.

So much for their MD stating 'no one else shared your opinion'!

Derek da Costa
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written by James Clement , 30 March 2008
I am a regular listener to Rivera Radio. The music that is played is excellent and the News breaks are informative. However I also find Elizabeth Lewis a bore. Her presentation techniques are non-existant and her constant inane giggles at her colleagues remarks drive me mad. I suggest she sticks to voice-overs for Ads where she can read what is put in front of her. Her opinions are lacking in substance. James Clement
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written by Carla Warrent , 30 March 2008
I find the music not to my taste by my parents (who are both in their 70's) like it. No station can please everyone for music. But the presenters are terrible, especially Elizabeth and that incult Nugent who can't pronounce French properly and comes across as an arrogant twit. I'm told that in person he's even worse. The local news is rehashed NIce Matin and not at all informative enough on real issues. The traffic and weather reports are very good but if you speak French you can get just as good elsewhere, like 107,7 FM.
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written by Claire H , 31 March 2008
HOnestly, you really are getting your knickers in a twist about nothing Mike! Elizabeth Lewis' comments are not harmful to anyone and make me smile - it's nice to hear something other than flat comments throughout the morning - if you're so terrified of your children hearing a few double entendres then yes, maybe you would be better switchign the radio off but mine just sing along to the music - there's far more harmful things to children's delicate ears than a few comments about pussies from Miss Lewis!!! Keep up the good work Riviera Radio and give Elizabeth the thumbs up from me!
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written by Silly Me , 01 April 2008
I think a lot of pople compare the station with what it used to be. People who have been here a long time remember Riviera Radio as a really good community radio station with speech content of real interest to people living here. There were informative call-ins and discussion shows and daily interviews with experts on all sorts of subjects like relocation and banking and jobs and insurance etc.
Do we really want as much music as they play now? Everyone I know has a CD player or MP3 player so they can choose the kind of music they like instead of having it chosen for them. When I want music I put a CD on, not Riviera Radio.
I agree with Carla that we all have different tastes in music so the station can't get the music right for all of us no matter what they do. But we need more useful speech content and there used to be a lot more of that.
I think the station would be more popular if it was a local Radio 4 equivalent instead of Radio 3.
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written by C Planer , 01 April 2008
What is wrong with a bit of fun? I think it's great to hear presenters joking in real time -if you're not happy Mike P,go and listen to some boring recorded stuff, but don't put other people off.
Elizabeth Lewis is the only female presenter on the radio, maybe Mike P would prefer an all male line-up? Personally I think that would be terrible - I think Ms Lewis adds a very much needed feminine touch to the Breakfast show and complements the men well.
Long live freedom!
C Planer
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written by Carla Warrent , 01 April 2008
No one is objecting to fun. It's smut at hours when children are listening that Mike Preston is specifically objecting to. He has a point and has made it. He also has a choice about whether or not to listen. He seems to have made that choice too.

The big pity is that there is no competition with Riviera Radio here. The fact that there are several publications (although some don't seem to last long) means that they all have to watch themselves and compete for the better good of the "consumer".
Why isn't there a competitor to Riviera Radio? Has there ever been?
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written by Mike Preston , 01 April 2008

I'm pleased to see this has generated some discussion, although whether or not discussion will bear any results is another story as Riviera Radio management don't seem to react to suggestions for change. Paul Kavanagh did email me and asked for my input which I gave but I don't feel that there will be any result.

I have made no comment on the music, that was not the issue here. As an aside, a lot of it is to my liking, although it would not be my first choice, but the repertoire is too small and often repeated.

Regarding Claire H's comment, I'm not ?'terrified of my children hearing a few double entendres? and that is not the issue here. My son hears my bad language at home all the time, and knows what to say and when. It is all about what is appropriate and when, and smutty and innuendo laden comments about semen, intercourse, pussies, and hussies do not, in my view, have their place on a morning radio show in the context where they were made.

I fail to understand the comment by C Planer "maybe Mike P would prefer an all male line-up?" Is this is an implication of misogyny on my part? If so I can assure you I have nothing against women, as radio announcers or anywhere else, I just happen to find Elizabeth Lewis' style and attempts at humour intensely irritating. I've never met the lady and have nothing personal against her, but I have to say that she, or rather her inane comments and cackling, are the main reason I no longer listen to RR, or reach for the off button the moment the BBC news is over.

Perhaps it's me that's out of tune, but it does seem I am not in a complete minority.

...
written by Dora Bond , 02 April 2008
Surely this is a question of context as Mr Preston says, and of where each of us draws our personal limit. What might be acceptable in the context of a late night show is not for the morning. That is why UK television has a "watershed" time for films rated for 15 and over.

It is totally subjective as to whether or not lewd remarks are "smut" or merely "fun" but on the whole one would expect a community radio station which benefits from a monopoly in it's "niche" to err on the side of caution out of respect for the listeners, and especially families and young children. Talk of semen and pussies at breakfast time is certainly well beyond that limit for any "normal" person.

That being said, many of us stopped listening years ago when the station switched from being an essential presence to a boring one.
...
written by E and J , 03 April 2008
Just a quick message to say that we find Elizabeth Lewis charming, vivacious and intelligent. She has a masterly command of French and an endearing sense of humour. Surely during a period of real moral corruption, when an inane world leader has embarked on an evil war in which thousands are being slaughtered, we should not object to a bit of mild innuendo on the radio? We are living in France, after all, where sex is not regarded as a sin, and the erotic is not considered 'inappropriate'. Mike P should cultivate a bit more joie de vivre. As for Elizabeth, she should keep up the good work and continue to be a little naughty now and again.
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written by Mike Preston , 03 April 2008
E and J :

Believe it or not MikeP has plenty of 'joie de vivre', it's just deeply hidden under a miserable exterior!

I think you are missing my point, or it's simply a matter of having different standards of what is acceptable and there is no point arguing further about this, in my view what she said in that context is unacceptable and nobody will convince me otherwise.

If you find Elizabeth Lewis "charming, vivacious and intelligent with an endearing sense of humour" then you're entitled to that view, it differs totally from mine, but when you say "She has a masterly command of French" you must have your tongue very firmly in your cheek.
...
written by Carla Warrent , 03 April 2008
Most of what is said in this discussion is a matter of personal opinion about what is acceptable or not. But whether or not you like Elizabeth's radio manner or sense of humour, no one can objectively say that her French is good. It is, quite honestly, atrocious.
In all fairness to Riviera Radio, some of their presenters do have good French, but she is not one of them.
...
written by arthur.B , 04 April 2008
Bunkum !
Elizabeth speaks perfect french so I don't know what you base that statement on.
She used to work on the french language stations MCM and Kiss and they don't employ people who's french is not up to scratch.
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written by Mike Preston , 04 April 2008
My French is far from perfect but then I don't claim to be able to speak the language. I can tell whether someone's prounciation is good or not and hers, at least when she mangles, sorry reads, the news bulletins is atrocious, at least insofar as her pronounciation of names is concerned.

To her credit, when she tries to pronounce names in other languages she apologises for her accent .... but that excruciating 'funny' German accent she does sometimes is like nails scraping on a blackboard.

I would be interested to see if anyone from Riviera Radio would post a comment under their real name.
...
written by Carla Warrent , 07 April 2008
My fiancé is French and he finds Elizabeth's attempts at speaking his mother tongue painful to say the least. She makes many a mistake in translating into English and her pronunciation is lamentable.
But I suppose we shouldn't be too hard on her for that. She is presenting in English after all. But to pretend she speaks good French is just inaccurate.
...
written by Carla Warrent , 07 April 2008
"I would be interested to see if anyone from Riviera Radio would post a comment under their real name. ": Mike Preston.

You are suggesting that someone commenting here is in fact a Riviera Radio employee posing as general public. I don't know if that is the case but what makes you think that?
...
written by BaronMuchausen , 07 April 2008
Its a terrible world we live in when Radio presenters start joking on their breakfast programmes....I, for one am going to wrap my child up in a ball of cotton wool to protect her from lives evils.

who is with me?
...
written by BaronMuchausen , 07 April 2008
by the way....What did Elizabeth say? or is it too steamy to put on a website?
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written by Mike Preston , 07 April 2008
To Carla :
"You are suggesting that someone commenting here is in fact a Riviera Radio employee posing as general public. I don't know if that is the case but what makes you think that?"

I'm not suggesting that, although people may interpret it that way. I just have a suspicion, which I feel I'm entitled to express, that's all.

To BaronMuchausen :
Perhaps if you'd taken the time to read my original letter properly instead of making sarcastic remarks, you'd have picked up the gist of what my complaint was about. It's not too 'steamy' to put on a website, it's just pointless to do so. May I suggest that you read my original letter above.


...
written by Iain , 09 April 2008
Hi Mike,

I took the time to read your letter and in my opinion, you are making a drone about nothing. Everyone has a right to exercise their opinion but it seems like you are taking the moral high ground for no reason.

Who are you to class what is appropriate and inappropriate? Its down to personal perception of what you believe is acceptable. Yours are unfortunately higher than other peoples.

In short, if you don't like it, don't listen and don't assume that everyone lives in the same stratosphere as yourself.

Iain
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written by arthur.B , 09 April 2008
Hear,Hear.

The all pervading Mike Preston or Mike P as angloinfo users would know him.
What are you Mike-a wanabee D.J,failed media person or just unemployed with too much time on your hands ?
...
written by Riviera Reporter , 09 April 2008
Vigorously expressed opinions on all subjects are welcome on this site but please restrain from making gratuitous or aggressive personal insults. They debase the writer, contribute nothing to the debate and will eventually result in posts being deleted.

Rebut if you wish but please respect the rights of others to have their say without being insulted for not agreeing with your own point of view.

There are logical limits and some of you are very close to overstepping them.

Admin
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written by Mike Preston , 09 April 2008
Iain and Arthur .... you are quite entitled to your personal opinions, but please bear in my mind that they are just that, unvalidated opinions, therefore try to keep your comments impersonal and related to the issue rather than to the personality you imagine to be behind the comments.

I don't really think that what I do is germane to the topic here, nor is it any concern of yours.
...
written by Iain , 16 April 2008
Mike,

Really, the same applies to your letter. Its an unvalidated opinion of what you perceive to be deemed inappropriate.

I'm happy you agree with me.
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written by Mike Preston , 18 April 2008
Iain, it's not the same at all. Your comment, and Arthur's to a greater and more offensive degree, were snide and personal attacks on me. My original complaint related more to content, than to a person, granted of course that there is a person behind the comments.

Really though we're splitting hairs here and it's not worth further discussion. We've made our points and we'll just have to accept that we disagree.
...
written by Iain , 28 April 2008
I disagree Mike - I made no snide personal attack on yourself. I merely suggested that you have an opinion on whats acceptable and other people also have opinions on whats acceptable. Yours conflict with a vast majority of other people. It dosent make you wrong though.

You should try channeling your time on other things than worrying about a risque comment on the radio - Why don't you open a bank that stays open at lunchtime...or a shop that stays open on a Sunday.
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written by Ghost Girl , 29 April 2008
Well, call me a prude (which I ain't), but I agree with MikeP (altho not to the point where I could be bothered to contact RR and complain). I was doing the school run with kids in car when EL made the pussy/brazen hussey remarks and I thought they were pretty tasteless. Perhaps wouldn't have minded so much if they'd actually been funny but I think most of us stopped laughing at that kind of stuff when we were 8 or 9 and it probably wasn't even funny then!
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written by who has the time , 02 May 2008
i would like to object to the word pussy as one of the subjects on this website, it am sure Mike P would agree
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written by Mrs Slowcom , 02 May 2008
78% of people now listening to Riviera Radio, could it be all the promotion they get here. is it all the money they give away or is it really good station?
Please vote here
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written by HappyInFrance , 02 May 2008
78% listening? 78% of which "people"? I don't believe that for an instant. Most people I know don't listen (or very rarely) and I bet BVP stats which measure audience figures would show nothing like that figure. If they did, Riviera Radio wouldn't have to give things away to get listeners and they wouldn't have to give away advertising at cut-rate prices either.
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written by arthurB , 03 May 2008
' Riviera Radio wouldn't have to give things away to get listeners and they wouldn't have to give away advertising at cut-rate prices either.'

On what facts do you base this statement ?
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written by Iain , 04 May 2008
yeah but you forget that 64.8% of people tend to make up statistics on the spot.
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written by Mike Preston , 05 May 2008
What is the French expression? Plus ca change? Just after 0830 this morning a friend of mine rang me.

"Were you listening to Riviera Radio a few minutes ago?"

"No, I don't listen to it any more, why?"

"Well, they're back on the smutty schoolboy humour."

There's no hope really is there, they clearly don't care. The 'joke' that was told was the one that ends : "Did you prick his boil, nurse?"

It wasn't a joke 'phoned in, but one read out by one of the studio staff. I'll leave you to guess which one.

Whilst this type of humour is certainly not as offensive, other than to the intelligence of the audience, as the type that gave rise to my original complaint, it clearly shows that there is little or no hope for improvement if they continue to dredge the bottom of the barrel with comments of that nature.
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written by jenny dumont , 06 May 2008
What a sad man you are Mike.

Obsession is a dangerous thing and you are clearly obsessed(even if you don't listen).
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written by Hugh , 06 May 2008
It is not my habit to voice an opinion on forums and such but I have been following this discussion since the beginning and feel I should comment this once at least.

We all have the right to have our opinion respected. In my experience, those who do not respect the opinions of others, seldom merit to be respected themselves. They are often insecure people with chips on their shoulders. If Mr Preston's detractors can find nothing more than clumsily expressed insults to bolster their case, they can't have much of one.

It's ludicrous to call anyone "obsessed" because he is of the opinion that a community radio station would be wise to temper its language at a time of day when children are likely to be listening. That is a perfectly normal and defendable opinion which, as a father of 2 children, happens to coincide with my own (and that of a few others here).

Those who express their opinion through insults merely humiliate themselves and lessen their case..
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written by Mike Preston , 06 May 2008
Thanks, Jenny Dumont, for your meaningful comment. I'm not quite sure how you can arrive at such a conclusion without even knowing me but no doubt you have your own reasoning and I respect that.

As the subsequent poster pointed out, it might have been more helpful if you'd expressed an opinion related to the topic, but I'm sure you enjoyed letting off steam and please feel free to continue to do so.
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written by mrs slowcom , 07 May 2008
how else would you describe someone who is on about the same thing for over a year.i see his mike p comments on other websites too. does he have nothing else to do? if not obssesed what would you call it.
quiet sad?
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written by Mike Preston , 07 May 2008
Quiet?

You see my comments on other websites but you accuse me of being 'quiet'. I would say the opposite, I'm outspoken which is the opposite of quiet. At least I post consistently under the same name and not under different pseudos as do many.

Sad?
I find it strange that you can describe someone whom you do not know of being sad.

Please have it your way though, and maybe you could express an opinion about the topic rather than making rather poorly expressed jibes at the poster.

Also, could you perhaps explain what you are trying to say in your previous posting (below) as the meaning is somewhat unclear to me, but then I'm an obsessed quiet sad person so perhaps my mental capacities are diminished.

"written by Mrs Slowcom , 02 May 2008
78% of people now listening to Riviera Radio, could it be all the promotion they get here. is it all the money they give away or is it really good station?
Please vote here"








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written by arthurB , 07 May 2008
Mike-In a previous post on this subject you said 'it was not worth further discussion'
Since then you have posted several more times.

Hugh-what is this 'community based station' that you talk about.
It's my understanding that Riviera Radio is a commercial entity in the business of making money.
A community based station is one that operates under a free licence with volunteer staff.

Also-while some might find the occasional risque joke or comment offensive-maybe you would like your children to listen to one of the french stations in the morning such as Skyrock where a string of english language expletives are heard on a regular basis(you see as english is not their language it is totally meaningless and unoffensive to say words which would shock and offend the vast majority of native english speakers)
By the same token-are you going to rush into the local newsagents when your children are walking past and demand that he removes his advertisments for x rated top shelf publications from his outside display ?
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written by Mike Preston , 07 May 2008
Arthur : I did indeed say it was not worth further discussion, and I was referring to discussion as the suitability or otherwise of the comments which gave rise to the original complaint. That is down to personal standards and therefore does not merit further discussion.

I have posted subsequently in order to defend myself against personal attacks, although why I bother I don't know, and I probably should not have done so.

I also made a subsequent posting when it was drawn to my attention that RR are still disseminating childish and inappropriate (in my opinion but of course I live on another planet) 'jokes' on the morning programme.

It is probably best now if I simply rise above all the various insults which have been levelled at me by some people and I will do so. So from now on you can accuse me of being a misogynist, lacking in joie de vivre, living in another stratosphere, all-pervading, a wanabee D.J, failed media person, unemployed with too much time on my hands, obsessed, quiet, sad, and any other insults you may deem fit, and I will simply ignore them. I wish I had the time and versatility of character it takes to be all those things!

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