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Good Morning Nantwich: Adventures in Breakfast Radio
What possesses a right-minded comedian to quit the day job for life as a breakfast radio DJ? The opening DJ on the Beeb's new alternative radio channel, 6Music, Phill Jupitus was a maverick on the flat landscape of inane commercial breakfast radio. Disregarding the prescriptive chart-led schedule and showing no fear in the face of BBC management, this ex-performance poet's personal crusade against the bland, the predictable and the smug self-satisfaction ensured that he never had any trouble practising what he preached. Not one to pull punches, Phill recounts with acerbic wit, honesty and more affection than he would care to admit, his encounters with petulant band members, tedious showbusiness jargon, colossal salaries and four-letter firewalls. Inviting world-weary media cynics and radio enthusiasts to sit back and revel in a heady dose of painful banter ensuing from the absent interview technique, The Clash, the perils of idols as on-air guests, Black Umfolosi and The Coasters, Nantwich remorselessly dissects the limply beating heart of breakfast radio and reconstructs it one playlist, anecdote and transcript at a time.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 12, 2010
As someone who has presented radio shows for some years I went into this confident I'd love it, primarily because I knew Phill had a similar view to me - ie a deep dislike of playlisted radio and a general feeling that somehow an amazing platform had lost its way, with DJs reduced to being announcers rather than competent music filters for the public. In reality, whilst I enjoyed Phill's explanations of how he feels great radio should be, I just felt that on the whole the book misfired a little too much. Given the focal point is meant to be about his 5 years presenting the breakfast show on 6Music, the reality is that the entire half-decade is skated over in barely two chapters. Whilst I wasn't expecting some litany of showbiz tales, the fact that the glossy photos in the centre show Phill with some of his favourite guests suggests he might in some way refer to them. Instead what we get is, I'm sad to say, a slightly dull trip through Phill's exposure to radio and how he came to be on 6Music. For me, it just wasn't especially interesting, and felt throughout like it was quite unfocussed - as if what was needed was some decent editing.
A shame then, as I respect the man and his approach to both comedy and radio... but in this instance it just didn't hit the spot. Sorry Phill!
A shame then, as I respect the man and his approach to both comedy and radio... but in this instance it just didn't hit the spot. Sorry Phill!
June 10, 2017
Sometimes very funny, sometimes self-righteous, sometimes bitter and twisted. One man's journey towards the realisation that the British public generally like bland, dumbed down and patronising music and radio. And he really can't understand why. Phill, it's because the majority of the British public have the level of intelligence that consider soap operas to be 'drama'. It's tough having such a downer on your fellow countrymen, but you'll get over it.
Worth reading this book for the Dale Winton anecdotes if nothing else. Although if there is a second edition, I do hope the dreadful cover illustration is replaced.
Worth reading this book for the Dale Winton anecdotes if nothing else. Although if there is a second edition, I do hope the dreadful cover illustration is replaced.
January 6, 2022
Very amusing trawl through the mind and music collection of Phill Jupitus.
May 24, 2015
Entertaining and moving. This book feels like a huge bear hug and makes me wish he was still on 6 Music...
October 24, 2023
If it was possible I would give this book a rating of 3.5 stars, it was an enjoyable and informative read on how radio stations work. I really liked Phill and I thought the content had the potential to be dull but he wrote in such an engaging way that it was saved from this fate. The book is purely about Phill's love of radio and his radio career, there are a couple of pages at the beginning which cover his very early years but this is not an autobiography by any stretch, I would have liked more autobiographical content as I enjoyed the small bits that were included and Phill has had a varied and long career which I think would make for an interesting read.
It isn't amazingly well-written and there are a few clunky sentences/paragraphs which required a few re-reads before I could work out what the point being made was and there were times went it felt like a sour rant about the bureaucracy and management at the BBC and how much he hates commercial radio stations. I also have a feeling that each chapter was written individually as there is quite a lot of overlap but whilst I wasn't keen on the overlap I did enjoy this structure as it meant that each chapter was a stand-alone on different aspects of the radio industry/producing and creating a radio show. It was insightful and I enjoyed reading about Phill's time at the BBC and also GLR particularly when he described learning the trade from other presenters.
Although I was not a listener of Phill's breakfast radio show, mainly because I didn't have a DAB radio and neither did I anyone I knew at the time, I also wasn't really aware the station existed whereas nowadays DAB radio stations including 6 Music are much more well known and Phill does write about this in the book. I admired his vision for the show and how he wanted to play artists not in the mainstream but there is a fine line between being accessible and being purposefully obscure and inaccessible. Having not heard his show I don't know where Phill's show sat within this spectrum but I know from current listening that I think BBC Radio 6 is heavily dependent upon the presenter and that there is a tendency with some to be pretentious which isn't endearing.
Which leads me on to my next point about BBC Radio 6 in general - I have often thought that it is/was an attempt to recreate the successful style of John Peel's radio shows across a whole station and in particular his talent for showcasing new music. The issue is that Peel was personable, accessible and had a natural talent for being able to spot new trend/bands, he made it look so effortless when it actually wasn't and as a result many (including BBC Radio 6) have attempted to emulate him and often failed.
However back to the book, I would have liked some reflection, there were glimmers of it towards the end of his time at the station but I think it would have been nice to read his thoughts on the legacy of the show and the show that replaced his. Possibly a new chapter could be added to the book as it has now been quite a few years since this was published. Whilst overall I enjoyed the content there were points which felt like filler such as a when he did a minute by minute account of listening to a commercial breakfast radio show.
Recommended for anyone with an interest in music or radio.
It isn't amazingly well-written and there are a few clunky sentences/paragraphs which required a few re-reads before I could work out what the point being made was and there were times went it felt like a sour rant about the bureaucracy and management at the BBC and how much he hates commercial radio stations. I also have a feeling that each chapter was written individually as there is quite a lot of overlap but whilst I wasn't keen on the overlap I did enjoy this structure as it meant that each chapter was a stand-alone on different aspects of the radio industry/producing and creating a radio show. It was insightful and I enjoyed reading about Phill's time at the BBC and also GLR particularly when he described learning the trade from other presenters.
Although I was not a listener of Phill's breakfast radio show, mainly because I didn't have a DAB radio and neither did I anyone I knew at the time, I also wasn't really aware the station existed whereas nowadays DAB radio stations including 6 Music are much more well known and Phill does write about this in the book. I admired his vision for the show and how he wanted to play artists not in the mainstream but there is a fine line between being accessible and being purposefully obscure and inaccessible. Having not heard his show I don't know where Phill's show sat within this spectrum but I know from current listening that I think BBC Radio 6 is heavily dependent upon the presenter and that there is a tendency with some to be pretentious which isn't endearing.
Which leads me on to my next point about BBC Radio 6 in general - I have often thought that it is/was an attempt to recreate the successful style of John Peel's radio shows across a whole station and in particular his talent for showcasing new music. The issue is that Peel was personable, accessible and had a natural talent for being able to spot new trend/bands, he made it look so effortless when it actually wasn't and as a result many (including BBC Radio 6) have attempted to emulate him and often failed.
However back to the book, I would have liked some reflection, there were glimmers of it towards the end of his time at the station but I think it would have been nice to read his thoughts on the legacy of the show and the show that replaced his. Possibly a new chapter could be added to the book as it has now been quite a few years since this was published. Whilst overall I enjoyed the content there were points which felt like filler such as a when he did a minute by minute account of listening to a commercial breakfast radio show.
Recommended for anyone with an interest in music or radio.
November 25, 2018
The best way to approach this book is by skipping Chapter 1 entirely. In Chapter 1, Jupitus wearily recounts his c.v. and attempts to drop the reader into the middle of his career in radio. If you read this chapter, you run the risk of believing Jupitus can't write and that the book consists solely of a BBC name-dropping fest.
And then you'd miss all the fun.
Beginning with Chapter 2, we learn that Jupitus has been a devoted fan of the medium of radio since childhood, and from there, his love affair with radio spiraled gloriously and deliciously out of control. The tales of his early childhood, living above a pub with his mercurial family are both vivid and tender, and took me right back to one pre-dawn morning in my grandmother's own kitchen, where, the two of us having risen before the rest of the household, she made me tea in a proper china cup, to go with margarine-spread toast and Radio 4.
Tons of info about the history of breakfast radio. Tons of info about how the radio sausage gets made in a corporate setting. And tons of music references; each chapter ends with a themed playlist.
And while it becomes clear that the end of Jupitus' radio career turned into a maudlin, laddish bacchanal, it's also impressive how astutely he owns up to that, and to how his preconceived notions about not just radio but the human condition, have changed for the better.
The one thing that doesn't change is Jupitus' own view of what makes good radio, and a lot of it dovetails with my own views on the same. Here in our local market, one of the morning shows features a phone prank piece, which has always struck me as not so much "entertainment" as "illness". Jupitus spends a full and entertaining chapter deconstructing the traditional His n' Hers banter-style morning show, pointing out the not-remotely-hidden intersectional biases supposed to appeal to the average listener. Likewise, he's a big fan of making setlists that integrate music from several genres, and that is full-on my jam, ha ha.
It's hard for me to be objective about this book because it's very much a book for independent radio nerds, and I am totally an independent radio nerd. I suspect that if you aren't super into radio, it won't be nearly as enjoyable read.
And then you'd miss all the fun.
Beginning with Chapter 2, we learn that Jupitus has been a devoted fan of the medium of radio since childhood, and from there, his love affair with radio spiraled gloriously and deliciously out of control. The tales of his early childhood, living above a pub with his mercurial family are both vivid and tender, and took me right back to one pre-dawn morning in my grandmother's own kitchen, where, the two of us having risen before the rest of the household, she made me tea in a proper china cup, to go with margarine-spread toast and Radio 4.
Tons of info about the history of breakfast radio. Tons of info about how the radio sausage gets made in a corporate setting. And tons of music references; each chapter ends with a themed playlist.
And while it becomes clear that the end of Jupitus' radio career turned into a maudlin, laddish bacchanal, it's also impressive how astutely he owns up to that, and to how his preconceived notions about not just radio but the human condition, have changed for the better.
The one thing that doesn't change is Jupitus' own view of what makes good radio, and a lot of it dovetails with my own views on the same. Here in our local market, one of the morning shows features a phone prank piece, which has always struck me as not so much "entertainment" as "illness". Jupitus spends a full and entertaining chapter deconstructing the traditional His n' Hers banter-style morning show, pointing out the not-remotely-hidden intersectional biases supposed to appeal to the average listener. Likewise, he's a big fan of making setlists that integrate music from several genres, and that is full-on my jam, ha ha.
It's hard for me to be objective about this book because it's very much a book for independent radio nerds, and I am totally an independent radio nerd. I suspect that if you aren't super into radio, it won't be nearly as enjoyable read.
May 17, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
The 90s for my friends we’re all about the mornings - tv delivering familiar bbc breakfast for parents and Big Breakfast for the more anarchic younger generations; a move for the bbc breakfast radio show from the classic eighties smiling DJs to Chris Evans, Mark and Lard, Zoe ball and Sara Cox - the eclectic - as Jupitus puts it, too old for radio 1 at the time but too young for radio 2 - all of a sudden the late night hidden was translating across to mainstream, moulding accessibility for future translation to podcasts.
This book really focuses on the part that Jupiter played in what was at the time the newly launched 6 music, specifically on the breakfast show - lovely inclusion of some choice playlists!
The 90s for my friends we’re all about the mornings - tv delivering familiar bbc breakfast for parents and Big Breakfast for the more anarchic younger generations; a move for the bbc breakfast radio show from the classic eighties smiling DJs to Chris Evans, Mark and Lard, Zoe ball and Sara Cox - the eclectic - as Jupitus puts it, too old for radio 1 at the time but too young for radio 2 - all of a sudden the late night hidden was translating across to mainstream, moulding accessibility for future translation to podcasts.
This book really focuses on the part that Jupiter played in what was at the time the newly launched 6 music, specifically on the breakfast show - lovely inclusion of some choice playlists!
October 31, 2011
I'm not really certain what Jupitus set out to do with this book, and therein lies the problem. Pre-publicity for the book suggested that it would cover the generation of a new radio station and Jupitus' subsequent falling out with the controllers, with a handy side-order of whimsical anecdotes.
What you really get, however, is a grab-bag of assorted snippets from various potential memoirs -'my early years growing up in Essex', 'why I love radio', 'early forays into broadcasting' - welded onto a series of rants about bad broadcasting, bad music and Coldplay. There's also a vague nod to those wacky 'journey' books where the authors set themselves a task, though in this case Jupitus can't really compete with hitch-hiking round Ireland with a Fridge when all he is doing is listening to local breakfast radio. For one morning. It's entertaining enough, but you don't get any real sense of suffering.
Jupitus himself seems like a very pleasant man, and he clearly thinks he's offering up delightful whimsy, but really this is a scattershot selection of tales that don't hang together too well and are probably far more entertaining for those involved than the casual observer/listener.
What you really get, however, is a grab-bag of assorted snippets from various potential memoirs -'my early years growing up in Essex', 'why I love radio', 'early forays into broadcasting' - welded onto a series of rants about bad broadcasting, bad music and Coldplay. There's also a vague nod to those wacky 'journey' books where the authors set themselves a task, though in this case Jupitus can't really compete with hitch-hiking round Ireland with a Fridge when all he is doing is listening to local breakfast radio. For one morning. It's entertaining enough, but you don't get any real sense of suffering.
Jupitus himself seems like a very pleasant man, and he clearly thinks he's offering up delightful whimsy, but really this is a scattershot selection of tales that don't hang together too well and are probably far more entertaining for those involved than the casual observer/listener.
December 9, 2010
As a fan of Phill's show, and 6music in general, as well as being someone who works in radio, I was looking forward to reading this book. However, while it was an enjoyable read, it was lacking in the charm Phill normally exhibits while broadcasting. In places the prose was witty, but most of time felt quite pedestrian.
Too much of the book was about Phill's life in general, and his introductions to music and radio. Instead, I feel it should have focused more on the actually dramas and internal politics of 6music itself. As such, this book is difficult to recommend. General punters will not find much in terms of juicy showbiz gossip, and would be baffled by the radio-centric sections. Radio-people will find that it doesn't divulge anything they don't already know.
Having said all that, a genuine passion for radio and music does make an impression.
Too much of the book was about Phill's life in general, and his introductions to music and radio. Instead, I feel it should have focused more on the actually dramas and internal politics of 6music itself. As such, this book is difficult to recommend. General punters will not find much in terms of juicy showbiz gossip, and would be baffled by the radio-centric sections. Radio-people will find that it doesn't divulge anything they don't already know.
Having said all that, a genuine passion for radio and music does make an impression.
June 10, 2016
Wasn't wholly what I was expecting but interesting nonetheless. I had foolishly thought this would be a full autobiography of a person I thought I knew because of the stand up circuit and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. However, it was more about his musical tastes that seem more varied and at a tangent to mine. I have never listened to his music show on the radio. Therefore the references in this book passed me by and, given that it was concentrated on the period that he was on the radio show, it meant little to me. I still like Phill but now realise I'm not really a groupie and so don't know enough to interact with him (to his relief, no doubt) and I don't feel I've learned enough from this episode in his life. Maybe I'm shallow and just want simple anecdotes about the guests who have appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks
August 4, 2011
I picked this up on a whim: Phill Jupitus has always struck me as a sound kind of guy and it would give an insight into the world of radio.
Then I saw the ratings on here and my heart sank, a measly 2.5 stars, then I saw the rating was based on two reviews and my hopes were raised again.
I'm raising the average, but the book wasn't that enlightening to be honest.
It confirmed my view of Phill Jupitus as a nice guy, but it didn't reward me in the way I hoped for.
The story of 6 Music isn't that rivetting, but the anecdotes about guests and outside broadcasts were: I'd have preferred much more of that.
Phill, you should write about the guests on your radio show and Never Mind the Buzzcocks for your next foray into the world of books. ta muchly!
Then I saw the ratings on here and my heart sank, a measly 2.5 stars, then I saw the rating was based on two reviews and my hopes were raised again.
I'm raising the average, but the book wasn't that enlightening to be honest.
It confirmed my view of Phill Jupitus as a nice guy, but it didn't reward me in the way I hoped for.
The story of 6 Music isn't that rivetting, but the anecdotes about guests and outside broadcasts were: I'd have preferred much more of that.
Phill, you should write about the guests on your radio show and Never Mind the Buzzcocks for your next foray into the world of books. ta muchly!
March 20, 2012
Only four stars because I simply don't have the historical perspective or cultural knowledge to really grok the writing about the personalities and presenters discussed. It is a charming read—as informative and funny as the man himself. But it was also surprisingly touching. More than once I found myself a little choked up, not because the stories were that emotionally devastating, but because the writing so conveyed his love for the medium and his utter bewilderment and sadness at the way the public and the powers that be preferred it to be stripped down to the lowest common denominator—stations pumping noise, presenters pushing hate, and the real music lovers slapped in the face repeatedly by the mediocrity of the masses.
June 7, 2013
Phill Jupitus is a very funny bloke. He's also a former DJ, who was the 1st breakfast show presenter on BBC 6 music. This is his account of life as a breakfast show DJ, & it's hilarious.
Jupitus comes across on paper as well as he does live or on TV or radio, & this genuinely had me laughing aloud at times. The chapter where he gives a scathing minute-by-minute commentary on a local commercial radio station's breakfast show is brilliant.
This book will make you laugh. That is a good reason to read it.
Jupitus comes across on paper as well as he does live or on TV or radio, & this genuinely had me laughing aloud at times. The chapter where he gives a scathing minute-by-minute commentary on a local commercial radio station's breakfast show is brilliant.
This book will make you laugh. That is a good reason to read it.
June 15, 2015
I accidentally stumbled on an episode of never mind the buzzcocks and fell in love with the show... and having a massive crush on Noel Fielding surely helps *blush*... but then I saw Phil on QI and saw some stand up and went full-recon to find other thing he has done....
This was actually funny! Like laugh out loud without the acronym funny! I really enjoyed this book and when you get to the bit about the Belfast hotel, cross your legs before reading further because you will pee a little from laughing so hard!
This was actually funny! Like laugh out loud without the acronym funny! I really enjoyed this book and when you get to the bit about the Belfast hotel, cross your legs before reading further because you will pee a little from laughing so hard!
November 6, 2015
Yeh, really good. Quite touching in parts and very witty. Not necessarily as sensational and gossipy as a lot of this genre is but still an eye opening look at the radio industry. I think I would have really liked his show. Shame I never got the chance (along, I imagine, with many others) to listen to his show.
December 21, 2011
I like Phill Jupitus and this book was very entertaining. Occasionally it seemed to linger on certain moments in his career for longer than necessary, but generally it was a goo insight into his world.
October 30, 2011
Decent read for radio fans, especially the first half of the book. And the nicely written foreword by Lauren Laverne.
Bit of a potty mouth, I did like the quote 'hindsight is a fucker'
Bit of a potty mouth, I did like the quote 'hindsight is a fucker'
Want to read
March 22, 2012He's quite a good comedian. So his book must be alright, eh?
April 23, 2012
Perfect for any radiophile, anglophile, and especially both. Fans of John Peel will adore this.
January 13, 2015
3.5 stars actually. Interesting insight into the early days of BBC Radio 6Music, and also into Phill's character.
November 5, 2012
Funny in places but overall a bit slow
November 18, 2012
I only discovered Radio 6 a few months ago so this was a very entertaining account of the early years I didn't know about. Not too detailed about the acts appearing on the show, but still very good.
May 17, 2013
As a person who enjoys Jupitus' musical taste, sense of humour and wittiness, I found this an incredibly enjoyable read.
Read
April 21, 2014The worlds longest apology letter to Lesley Douglas. Quite interesting though (as a previous listener of his show!)
August 20, 2019
Quite an insubstantial read, he doesn't get round to breakfast radio until about halfway through, v gushy
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews