Didn’t you know, everything is better if it originates outside of the US, or so that seems the common belief of those in the common creative class.

There actually IS another voice on the local classical station with an East Coast accent. I think his name is Ed Goldberg.

yep- spot on good buddy

I heard the same announcer earlier this week as I was listening to the radio while doing some yard work. He may be genuinely British, but I was struck by how genuinely affected his accent sounded.

Seymour Glass:

There actually IS another voice on the local classical station with an East Coast accent. I think his name is Ed Goldberg.

Me:

Yup, and it's a Bronx accent I believe.

As Stone, I believe his program is piped
in from L.A.

Bob T.
NE Portland

Yes, All Classical's Edmund Stone is British. He used to work for the BBC...and Ed Goldberg is a native of NYC. FYI: both are local. Nothing is "piped in" from L.A.

Something is piped in from L.A., and Bob T is smoking it. And, by the way, what's with all the xenophobia?

Allan L.: I don't think Bob T. is being xenophobic. Real British announcers are fine -- by me at least. OPB has a very good local British newscaster for example. But what really bugs me is all the advertising on radio, and to a lesser extent TV, that will use British voices (real or fake who knows) to hype some product or service in an apparent attempt to convey that it has superior quality based on the voice. I've often wondred if the British use American voices on their ads to convey the same??

And Jack sure raises an interesting point about how newscasting always uses some kind of "pure" American voice. It is deliberate, you can read articles on it if interested. I can see it I guess for national announcers. But at the local level, you'd think once in a while in a market like Portland that gets new TV talent all the time we'd get a Wisconnsiner, Bahstoner, Bronxer, SouthernDrawler, etc. That leaves me wonderin if they use those voices in their own market areas or even there go for the "pure American?"

I have noticed that the West Coast accent is like the standard American accent for TV and radio.

Anything else becomes part of that person's "schtick." The British sophisticate. The Country Fried Southern Gent. The tough and streetwise Brooklyner. The Valley Girl.

If you want accents try watching reality TV. It's all about indulging in your stereotype, so includes a lot of heavily reinforced accents for that touch of authenticity. I can't watch. I'm thinking of shows like Swamp People, Jersey Anything, that sort of schlock.

Bill:

Yes, All Classical's Edmund Stone is British. He used to work for the BBC...and Ed Goldberg is a native of NYC. FYI: both are local. Nothing is "piped in" from L.A.

Me:

I read on their website last year that Stone "moved to LA" from the UK, and it doesn't mention that he later relocated to Portland (like it says for Ed G.). Also mentioned that Stone's program is syndicated. My assumption was that he records slightly different comments for the program, mentioning different city names, making it appear to some in each city that plays his program that he's local. Check the website. No smoking of anything is needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TheAirNeedsNoAirs:

I don't think Bob T. is being xenophobic.

Me:

Looks to me like Allan's add-on comment, "And, by the way, what's with all the xenophobia?", was directed at other posts. If you can read my own complete reply, shown here:

Yup, and it's a Bronx accent I believe.

As [for] Stone, I believe his program is piped in from L.A.

...and not be 100 percent sure that no xenophobia can be seen there, then you need to take reading comprehension classes.

Bob Tiernan
NE Portland