Hogmanay hogwash

Published on Sunday 4 January 2009 21:04

The BBC's Hogmanay Live show, totally dominated by two mediocre pop singers, was an insult to Scotland's vibrant, thriving cultural renaissance. "Hogmanay Dead" would have been a more appropriate title. Leon Jackson delivered what must be the most spineless, spiritless, embarrassing version of Auld Lang Syne ever broadcast.

Meanwhile, the superb duo of Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, renowned the world o'er and much loved across the Scottish nation, made only one fleeting appearance for a set of sparkling reels.

The BBC seems obsessed with the idea of capturing the young audience. Actually, on Hogmanay the young audience is out there partying and not stuck, as many older folk are, in front of a TV set. (As it happens, the young audience is not averse to a good blast of Scottish music on Hogmanay.)

Homecoming 2009? Who in their right mind would want to come home to a country where the national television channel hasn't the foggiest idea what's going on?

ALASTAIR CLARK

Linn Mill

South Queensferry, West Lothian

Robert Burns must be spinning in his grave after hearing the BBC's Hogmanay presenter, Jackie Bird, introducing "Auld Lang Zyne".

The anglified band that then performed the anthem managed to continuously accentuate the "z" and introduce an extraneous "for sake of". Whatever happened to the sibilant "s"?

JAMES D BROWN

Burnside Road

Elgin