Absolute Radio Matt Berry

[24lemons]

I’ve always enjoyed Matt Berry’s voiceovers on Absolute but recently it sounds like he’s been replaced by someone doing a Matt Berry impression. There are also more voiceovers by other people than I remember before. Has hi been replaced?

[Chris77]

I've noticed this, it's mildly annoying

[48k]

24lemons said:

I’ve always enjoyed Matt Berry’s voiceovers on Absolute but recently it sounds like he’s been replaced by someone doing a Matt Berry impression. There are also more voiceovers by other people than I remember before. Has hi been replaced?

Yes he has gone.

[24lemons]

If they had decided that the Matt Berry thing has run its course and replaced him with someone completely different, I could respect that.

They clearly feel though that Matt’s style is something they value but they have just cheaped out and gone for a second rate impersonation of him!

It reminds me of when you go into B&Q and the music playing sounds familiar until you realise it’s a rights free version of Kings of Leon or whatever. It annoys me more than it should and I’m struggling to think of any examples in mainstream media where a personality has been so blatantly impersonated other than for comedic or satirical purposes.

[24lemons]

It’s not a show, it’s the little irreverent idents that are interspersed in between songs etc.. you get used to hearing them throughout the day. They remind me a lot of Toast Of London in their style.

I think it’s wrong trying to rip off someone’s style so blatantly, AI or not. Imagine if they’d sacked Murray Walker and replaced him with Rory Bremner doing a MW impression

[48k]

24lemons said:

They clearly feel though that Matt’s style is something they value but they have just cheaped out and gone for a second rate impersonation of him!

Pretty much, yep.

nuyorican said:

Not familiar with the show but always liked Matt Berry.

I'm surprised there isn't much more of this type of thing going on. Especially with AI looming around the corner. Is this what all those Hollywood people were getting so worked up about recently?

It's closer to around the corner than you think. Some of the auto generated radio output that is in development now (including AI voice overs) is amazingly sophisticated. It's taking radio automation to a whole new level.

[ChemicalChaos]

I'd thought he sounded a bit odd recently...that explains it!

Such a shame, I absolutely loved some of the puns over the years....
"Tough on music, tough on the causes of music..... Absolute Radio!"

[Billythetidd]

Sounds very much like Julian Baratt or Might Boosh fame

[24lemons]

I wondered if it was him but he has his own style which he is known for. I don’t think they’d get him in to ape another comedians shtick.

[Matty_]

Lots of people talking about this on socials, but no actual confirmation. It's definately not him....but it's an odd choice getting someone to pretend to be him.

[48k]

Matty_ said:

Lots of people talking about this on socials, but no actual confirmation. It's definately not him....but it's an odd choice getting someone to pretend to be him.

It isn't him, and the reason has already been mention on this thread.

[sixor8]

I particularly like " go on, do it, I dare you... I'd get that looked at if I were you."