FINAL COPY ON THE BIG BREAKFAST AND HEALTH CHECK CRITIQUE

The shows that have been used in this research are the Big Breakfast show on KISS 100 and the Health Check on BBC. I have compared and contrasted these two shows based on various issues which are production values, programme content, world views, production values, agenda being put forth in each of the programmes, audio quality and the target audiences of the different shows.

HEALTH CHECK

Health Check is a talk show concerning health matters which affect the human race which is aired every Monday from 9.30-10.00 am on 93.9 BBC Network Africa. Its host is Claudia Hammond, a 39 years female broadcaster with the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. She is also an academic psychologist and author of the book “Emotional Rollercoaster-a journey through the science of feelings”. Claudia has been presenting this show for the past four years and from her presentation one can tell that she is very passionate about what she does. She is also well acquainted with the subject matter which is health and she is very credible as she is an academic psychologist. Claudia engages her interviewees in a debate concerning health in our world and on Monday the debate was- Which is more important in health, Staffing or Innovation. The debate was well presented and in a very professional manner.

Claudia Hammond has an authoritative, crisp and clear voice and her articulation is great. She adheres to the code of conduct of journalism as she is not biased in her discussions and she presents facts. She also allows each of her guests equal time to speak thus she doesn’t discriminate.

THE BIG BREAKFAST SHOW

The Big Breakfast is an interactive talk show that discusses current affairs in Kenya and the station brings in professionals who are interviewed concerning the specified issue of that day. This show is aired every weekday from 6.00-10.00 am on KISS 100. The hosts of this show are: Caroline Mutoko, Larry Asego and Mzee Jalango. Caroline Mutoko is a female presenter who although has a strong, clear voice and great articulation is very arrogant. She abuses politicians on air and she is never apologetic for that. Once she called our Kenyan politicians greedy thieves as she urged them to pay taxes.

Larry Asego is a male presenter who is also arrogant but has a strong voice. Together with his co presenter he abuses the politicians of Kenya and is never sorry for that.

Mzee Jalango is the comedian of the three presenters who speaks with a Luo accent and his work is to make everything a joke even if there are serious matters that are being discussed.

The Big Breakfast doesn’t have any particular topic of discussion, as the presenters just talk about what is current in Kenya and what affects Kenyans.

When I compare Health Check and Big Breakfast, which are both talk shows, there is a huge difference in terms of professionalism. As noted earlier, Health Check upholds to the Code of conduct of journalism unlike the Big Breakfast Show. The presenters of The Big Breakfast Show use offensive language on air and they have no respect of authority. A presenter like Jalango never entered a communication school and the content he gives on air is a joke. Although the presenters of Big Breakfast are arrogant, they educate Kenyans on various current issues and put politicians on their toes as they make sure that politicians fulfill their duty to the Kenyan citizens.

Certain stereotypes have been conveyed in both BBC Health Check and KISS 100 Big Breakfast. The stereotype been portrayed in Health Check is that Africa and Asia are the heart of all the medical problems. Unfortunately, I have never heard medical experts from these “unfortunate” continents been interviewed. The guest speakers are always medical experts from the West whose expertise is sought to help curb these problems. It makes me wonder if Africans and Asians themselves cannot provide the answers to their problems.

In Big Breakfast, the stereotype been conveyed is that Kenyan politicians are greedy personalities who are up to no good. The presenters generalize all politicians are greedy and thieves forgetting that there are some politicians who work to help people.

When it comes to the programme idea, I strongly agree that Health Check is an original idea as it’s the only one of its kind I have heard on radio. Its format is quite unique as the programme is segmented into three parts. The first part is a brief of world health news; the second part is an exclusive interview of an individual who has been affected by a particular disease and the third part is the big debate between medical experts who debate on various medical issues-The latest debate was whether nations should be more engaged in preventing infectious diseases (malaria, TB or HIV) or chronic illnesses (Heart Diseases or Cancers) and the guest speakers were Richard Smith and David Haymond.

On Big Breakfast on KISS 100 the programme idea is not original. The format of this talk show which discusses on issues affecting Kenyans is found in most of our local radio morning shows. When listening to the Big Breakfast, I feel as though it’s a replica of Homeboys Radio, Easy Fm, Hot 96 and Ghetto Radio morning talk shows.

When it comes to the programme source, Health Check is a BBC programme which is imported and foreign as BBC headquarters are in London. The content aired on Health Check is imported as the issues which are discussed are from all over the globe. The producer of this show is Hellen Shoppe and the presenter is Claudia Hammond. There is no content rating as anyone in any age bracket can listen to this show.

In Big Breakfast on KISS 100, the programme source is local and regional as the KISS 100 base is situated in Westlands. I am yet to find the name of the producer of the Big Breakfast Show but the show’s presenters are Caroline Mutoko, Larry Asego and Mzee Jalango. There is also no content rating on this show as anyone from any age group can listen to the show.

The production values of Health Check on a scale of 1-10, I can confidently give Health Check a 9.60.  The audio is very clear and the presenter uses the microphone excellently. Sound effects are not overused and they are well used where they are supposed to be. The music used creates the mood of the show which conveys seriousness. When a certain music or sound effect is used, you will definitely know that a certain segment of the show is been discussed. There is always a back announcement and when the show starts the presenter gives you the run down on what is prepared for each segment. However, there is never any time check on the show and that is why I give Health Check a 9.60 instead of a 10. Claudia Hammond is very interactive with her interviewees and the debate is engaging. When listening to the show, I don’t feel as though I am a part of a huge crowd that is listening to the show. I feel that Claudia interacts with me on a personal level.

On the Big Breakfast, microphone usage is great and the audio levels are perfect. In production levels, I would give the Big Breakfast a 10 on a scale of 1-10. There is perfect use of sound effects and the music used creates the mood of interactivity. There is always a back announcement and time check after every break. The presenters hold our interest by not telling us at the beginning of the show what the topic of discussion for the day is. This show is very interactive between the three presenters and they always seek the citizens’ views by letting them call in.

The possible worldviews being portrayed by the producer of Health Check, Hellen Shoppe is that good health is vital for any nation as an unhealthy nation results in a poor nation.

In the Big Breakfast show, the worldview that is being portrayed is that people in leadership should perform to the best of their abilities because if they don’t, there will be consequences, as the media is a powerful tool for radicalism.

In Health Check on BBC, the agenda that is being set is that a healthy nation leads to a healthy economy; the health of a nation is directly proportional to the country’s economy. This agenda compliments with Christian values as Christians also need to enjoy good health so that they can be stewards of God’s creation.

In the Big Breakfast, the agenda of this show is to keep our Kenyan politicians on their toes by ensuring they perform to the best of their ability. This agenda doesn’t conflict with the Christian teachings as Christians would also want to see their leaders perform as they also take part in putting them in power through their democratic right which is voting.

If I were the producer of Health Check, I would engage the listeners in debates by receiving calls and allowing them to participate in the debates. I would also have a time check during the back announcement in the show. Finally, I would bring speakers from the affected areas during my discussions. Example, if the debate is on the effect of malaria on the African economy, my guests would be speakers from that region as they are more credible and the listener can identify with them.

Given a chance to be the producer of The Big Breakfast show on KISS 100, I would ensure my presenters do not use libelous words so as to avoid lawsuits. Words like politicians are thieves and greedy can cost the station a great deal of money. I would also invite politicians to my show so that they can give their side of the story, allowing a right of reply. This will make my discussions fair and balanced.

Any good work has to be commended and for that, the Big Breakfast show team and the Health Check team do a great job every week by keeping me as a listener glued to my radio and that is the goal of every producer.

REFERENCES

http://www.claudiahammond.com/

Health Check Show

The Big Breakfast Show

MUIRURI PRISCILLA

08-0751