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Susan Calman and her travels.

(102 Posts)
Allsorts Mon 19-Feb-24 18:05:49

Gone off her now, find her hysterical, her forced jollity and raucous laugh extremely irritating.

Curtaintwitcher Tue 20-Feb-24 06:46:03

Personally, I would much prefer for travel programmes to just have commentary. For me, there is too much focus on the 'celeb' and not enough on the places featured. The person's ego spoils things.
I like Bettany Hughes but she hogs the camera. It would be much better if she stayed in the background and just described what the viewer is seeing.

V3ra Tue 20-Feb-24 07:43:30

My Dad really enjoys all Susan Calman's programmes.
He was telling me yesterday about her swimming in the sea in Antarctica.

He also really enjoys Michael Portillo's railway journeys.

I highlight any programmes like these in the TV magazine so he knows they're on.

Sparklefizz Tue 20-Feb-24 08:25:10

Curtaintwitcher

Personally, I would much prefer for travel programmes to just have commentary. For me, there is too much focus on the 'celeb' and not enough on the places featured. The person's ego spoils things.
I like Bettany Hughes but she hogs the camera. It would be much better if she stayed in the background and just described what the viewer is seeing.

Totally agree Curtaintwitcher. There are TV programmes about places I'd love to see but Susan Calman and Jane Macdonald put me off, and I got fed up with keep seeing Bettany Hughes' cleavage every few minutes.

Marydoll Tue 20-Feb-24 08:38:05

I find Susan Calman's programmes easy to watch.
I admit, she can be a bit over gushing. However, as a fellow Weegie , (Glaswegian ) I can probably tolerate her more than most here.

The best one we have watched recently was the one with Ainsley Harriet in Malta. We loved revisiting our favourite places in Malta and Gozo and learning new recipes.
Previously, I had found him irritating.

Gingster Tue 20-Feb-24 08:45:36

I can’t watch her. Love Jane Macdonalds travels though.

dogsmother Tue 20-Feb-24 09:14:52

How unpleasant some people can be about others. Completely unnecessary.

aggie Tue 20-Feb-24 09:18:18

I love Susan’s travel programmes , she is so cheerful and tries out all the tasks even if she is nervous

Freya5 Tue 20-Feb-24 09:19:04

Marydoll

I find Susan Calman's programmes easy to watch.
I admit, she can be a bit over gushing. However, as a fellow Weegie , (Glaswegian ) I can probably tolerate her more than most here.

The best one we have watched recently was the one with Ainsley Harriet in Malta. We loved revisiting our favourite places in Malta and Gozo and learning new recipes.
Previously, I had found him irritating.

Have yet to watch this series, but love Malta and Gozo, where I lived for a while, also like Ainsley another cheery chap to brighten these gloomy days. So tonight I'll start to catch up.

LOUISA1523 Tue 20-Feb-24 09:55:36

MissInterpreted

I don't particularly like her, but I'd take her over Jane Macdonald any day of the week - cannot stand watching anything she's in!

I love Jane...she's doesn't take herself too seriously ....and she's very entertaining....and I love her travel programmes

Parsley3 Tue 20-Feb-24 10:20:09

I like Susan's Great Days Out programmes around the UK but I haven't watched her going further afield. Unfortunately, you can have too much of a good thing and celebs sometimes don't know when to stop. Bradley Walsh for example, shamelessly promoting his son in travel programmes and some games show too, I think. I avoid those.

Callistemon21 Tue 20-Feb-24 10:29:57

When she came to an area I know, the routes she took went nowhere near what the title suggested it might be. It missed some of the most interesting, scenic parts.

I know she probably didn't work out the route herself, it was the producers, but do they take us for daft?

Sarnia Tue 20-Feb-24 14:14:57

When Susan Calman's first travel programmes were televised, I enjoyed them but I feel they have been done to death now. Time to stop.

pascal30 Sat 24-Feb-24 11:52:31

the only travel guide I enjoy is Simon Reeve. He is unobtrusive and non-judgemental and allows the countryside to speak for itself

topsy7 Sat 24-Feb-24 12:02:37

Not everyone likes everyone could we not comment on who we like rather than a negative post. There is always the remote control have a lovely sunny day

Callistemon21 Sat 24-Feb-24 12:04:56

I've recorded Sue Perkins in Alaska. We enjoyed (if that's the word!) her trip down the Ganges.

grannybuy Sat 24-Feb-24 12:09:37

Glaikit ( a good Scottish word ) describes her. It means someone who displays a lot of over excitement, raucous laughter and general exuberance, roughly speaking.

Chardy Sat 24-Feb-24 12:12:54

If you don't like someone, don't watch them. Why bother telling the rest of us?

Quizzer Sat 24-Feb-24 12:13:23

I was on a quiz show with her. Delightful person and as funny off screen as on. I think the travel shows have gone on too long.

GrauntyHelen Sat 24-Feb-24 12:54:44

I love Susan

Amalegra Sat 24-Feb-24 12:59:30

I must be stupid then because I find her programmes quite enjoyable when I watch them, which isn’t often, I admit. She seems very ordinary and down to earth and a bit daft (bit like me!). Love her Scots accent too (my favourite). I do prefer Michael Portillo’s train journeys and travel programmes though!

paddyann54 Sat 24-Feb-24 13:17:26

Glaikit ,in my neck of the woods means someone with a vacant expression who is a bit slow ...like Sam in emmerdale ,he's a prime example of a glaikit teenage friend of my sons .Because he acted daft he got away with murder .(not literally0

LizzieDrip Sat 24-Feb-24 13:25:43

the fact that she comes across as not terribly bright (she is an intelligent woman who practised law) just annoyed me

Me too LucyD. Unfortunately TV at the moment is awash with female ‘presenters’ who are probably quite intelligent but appear silly and vacuous e.g. Claudia Winkleman (can’t stand her) is Oxbridge educated yet plays the airhead role. Is this the way for women to make it in TV - surely we’re better than that in 2024!

PamQS Sat 24-Feb-24 13:28:34

Through complete inertia (ie, not turning the telly off) I started watching an episode of Wilderness with Simon Reeve, and found it fascinating. He’s an excellent presenter, and clearly value the opportunity to learn about the way people live in different habitats.

I’ve always found Susan Calman funny, but I didn’t fancy watching her on Great British Menu, as it’s not a comedy programme! Andi Oliver is just right as the presenter IMO. And I like her style, as well. Lots of ideas about how to dress smartly for plus-size viewers, like me!

Frogs Sat 24-Feb-24 13:32:58

Sago

It’s TV for the stupid.

Yep that’s definitely me - I quite enjoy Susan Calman, as people have said at least she’s cheerful.

MayBee70 Sat 24-Feb-24 13:33:19

pascal30

the only travel guide I enjoy is Simon Reeve. He is unobtrusive and non-judgemental and allows the countryside to speak for itself

I binge watched a lot of his programmes recently and thought how great it was to be able to travel the world from the comfort of my sofa. It takes me back in a way to watching Michael Palins travel programmes.