James O'Brien LBC

[_Sorted_]

I'm surprised that we don't already have a thread about this bloke.

Putting up for discussion as listened to his show for ten years plus. First few years was an upbeat show and entertaining. Last few years, JOB seemed pretty angry and he was finding it difficult to get opposing view politicians and listeners to engage with him. Iain Dale of LBC said along lines of not surprising as they knew what they would get.

Thread prompted by fascination that he seems to have entered a new phase of actively insulting callers that disagree with his view, stating often that he is some kind of Cassandra and in an A C Grayling kind of way it appears that Brexit has driven him quite mad.

Be interesting to see how next few months develop for him and his show.

NB: Put on NP & E as his show is topical and based almost entirely on news, politics and economics with Brexit being his main point of discussion.

Edited by _Sorted_ on Wednesday 1st August 23:52

[Not-The-Messiah]

I've listened to him a few times on Youtube, he's one of the most arrogant condescending tits i've ever listened too, can't stand him.

I still listen to bits every now and again because I think it's important to listen and take in all sides. Same with channel 4 news but do find myself getting slightly angry every now and then when I do.

I remember on one of his shows he was on about his stag-do and his mates took him to a strip joint. He said it just wasn't for him left all his mates and met up with his soon to be wife on her hen-do. I thought yeah sounds about right.

[Ridgemont]

A man who thinks he’s the cleverest person in the room.

Which isn’t difficult when you have the average LBC listener tuning in.

The problem is that he isn’t properly challenged but that, I guess, is the format.

To be honest I like him as a presenting personality but until he’s actually pushed to look at stuff from a journalistic POV as opposed to near agitprop he’s just noise.

TLDR - until he learns to be a journalist he’s not my cup of tea.

[hairyben]

His coverage of grenfell, exploiting the tragedy as a vehicle to hang his hackneyed politic all over was why I switched off lbc, permanatly, after years of listening. He's always been a bully, unfraid to use cheap tricks to "win" an argument such as unsettling and constantly interupting the caller, misinterpreting their point until they give up or get angry and then james can call himself the victor despite going nowhere near logic or reason.

But like said since brexit/trump he, like so many, has doubled down and shouts his right-wing-demons-and-bogeymen gospel even louder rather than asks why these things are really happening.

[Eric Mc]

I think he has been talked about on the "Radio and TV" forum.

[zygalski]

Ridgemont said:

A man who thinks he’s the cleverest person in the room.

Which isn’t difficult when you have the average LBC listener tuning in.

The problem is that he isn’t properly challenged but that, I guess, is the format.

To be honest I like him as a presenting personality but until he’s actually pushed to look at stuff from a journalistic POV as opposed to near agitprop he’s just noise.

TLDR - until he learns to be a journalist he’s not my cup of tea.

Why not call in & set him straight?

[hairyben]

zygalski said:

Why not call in & set him straight?

because James will use and abuse his advantage as host and authority to misrepresent what he says, harass and interupt him when he tries to explain himself, use cheap shots, demonize and liken him to right wing extremes etc until he gives up, and james' listeners and supporters will be hoodwinked into thinking james "won" the point because they align with james, and they can't see it as bullying when its one of their own side because then its okay.

Problem with the left today, you're not allowed to go off the scripted and set values and opinions, and they won't tolerate anyone who does. Including lots and lots of lefties.

[wiggy001]

I do try to listen to him as I would prefer to get alternate views to my own, but I find him so frustrating and arrogant I usually switch off.

His podcast is a much easier listen.

I know he is naturally close to my POV, but I find Iain Dale much more rational and balanced when talking to callers.

[rscott]

hairyben said:

zygalski said:

Why not call in & set him straight?

because James will use and abuse his advantage as host and authority to misrepresent what he says, harass and interupt him when he tries to explain himself, use cheap shots, demonize and liken him to right wing extremes etc until he gives up, and james' listeners and supporters will be hoodwinked into thinking james "won" the point because they align with james, and they can't see it as bullying when its one of their own side because then its okay.

Problem with the left today, you're not allowed to go off the scripted and set values and opinions, and they won't tolerate anyone who does. Including lots and lots of lefties.

Much as Farage does on his LBC show. The pair of them balance each other out.

[hairyben]

rscott said:

Much as Farage does on his LBC show. The pair of them balance each other out.

I've not listened to farage so can't comment, but to say this kind of "whataboutism" is exactly the kind of logical fallacy we see too much of. fk Nigel farage, he's got nothing to do with this thread, which is more the pity - and Nigel and james co host that'd be interesting.

[Smiljan]

This book pretty much sums up every episode of his phone in chat shows.



His mind has developed and become so closed that he now can't comprehend that someone with different views to him may actually be correct. I really don't know why anyone calls in anymore as there is little genuine debate.

Shame as he used to be a half decent presenter.

[chrispmartha]

rscott said:

hairyben said:

zygalski said:

Why not call in & set him straight?

because James will use and abuse his advantage as host and authority to misrepresent what he says, harass and interupt him when he tries to explain himself, use cheap shots, demonize and liken him to right wing extremes etc until he gives up, and james' listeners and supporters will be hoodwinked into thinking james "won" the point because they align with james, and they can't see it as bullying when its one of their own side because then its okay.

Problem with the left today, you're not allowed to go off the scripted and set values and opinions, and they won't tolerate anyone who does. Including lots and lots of lefties.

Much as Farage does on his LBC show. The pair of them balance each other out.

Didn’t Farage get ‘owned’ (to use the parlance of our times) by JOB when he interviewed him.

Also funiest clip ive seen of Farage was recently when a Vet phoned in with actual knowledge on a subject and totally embarrassed him so much he cut her off, ill try find the clip.

I like JOB but im sure its more conformation bias on my part, but some of the callers remind me of some folk on here

[JohneeBoy]

I think of him as the lefts answer to Piers Morgan. Quite entertaining, especially when agreeing with him, but otherwise a bit of a cock.

[HoHoHo]

Interesting however he’s done a 180 degree turn on Brexit He’s now shouting from the rooftops that we may in fact be in the st.

Seems he can change his POV.

[StevieBee]

The issue is less James O'Brien and more LBC.

The station has (successfully) positioned itself as a confrontational, disruptive media. It wants people to take to forums and argue about its presenters and their views as this drives more people to listen so they can end up charging more for advertising.

I can't think of any other broadcast media that allows its presenters to air their political views as robustly.

[Zigster]

hairyben said:

because James will use and abuse his advantage as host and authority to misrepresent what he says, harass and interupt him when he tries to explain himself, use cheap shots, demonize and liken him to right wing extremes etc until he gives up, and james' listeners and supporters will be hoodwinked into thinking james "won" the point because they align with james, and they can't see it as bullying when its one of their own side because then its okay.

Problem with the left today, you're not allowed to go off the scripted and set values and opinions, and they won't tolerate anyone who does. Including lots and lots of lefties.

Conversely, I have on occasion made the mistake of tuning in to LBC on the drive home from work when Nigel Farage is presenting. Everything you say about J O’B applies just as well to NF, the only difference is which end of the political spectrum you are listening from.

[JohneeBoy]

StevieBee said:

The issue is less James O'Brien and more LBC.

The station has (successfully) positioned itself as a confrontational, disruptive media. It wants people to take to forums and argue about its presenters and their views as this drives more people to listen so they can end up charging more for advertising.

I can't think of any other broadcast media that allows its presenters to air their political views as robustly.

It is, after all, the radio station that gave a show to Katie Hopkins for a time.

It is no different to TalkSport really, or any other talk radio show. At least with the current LBC presenters there's a notable political balance. The problem is that some will just listen to whichever presenter reflects their opinion.

[hairyben]

Smiljan said:

His mind has developed and become so closed that he now can't comprehend that someone with different views to him may actually be correct. I really don't know why anyone calls in anymore as there is little genuine debate.

Shame as he used to be a half decent presenter.

the problem is, he doesn't even need to accept the caller may be right and him wrong. He just needs to accept the caller not being in agreement doesn't make the caller a vile person. The caller might be wrong, but might have got there through good intentions, not through nastiness or stupidity.

[Tankrizzo]

He used to be good until he adopted the "Paxman" approach to interviewing. He also now strikes me as the sort of person who only reads media with which he agrees (not uncommon sadly these days), which is why he gets so exasperated with callers whose world view differs from his own.

[rscott]

hairyben said:

rscott said:

Much as Farage does on his LBC show. The pair of them balance each other out.

I've not listened to farage so can't comment, but to say this kind of "whataboutism" is exactly the kind of logical fallacy we see too much of. fk Nigel farage, he's got nothing to do with this thread, which is more the pity - and Nigel and james co host that'd be interesting.

But the station having NF as a counter-balance to JO'B is exactly why both are allowed to go off on their rants and state their own political leanings so clearly.