Comments on: Stephen Ryan composted

By: Mary Goldstiver

Mary Goldstiver — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:39:26 +0000

I don’t even own a garden but have watched GA for many years because the ‘front man’ and presenters were interesting, knowledgeable, made the program enjoyable to watch and I learned a heck of a lot. I will give the new show a go, but couldn’t come to grips with Costa’s style on SBS, so don’t think I’ll enjoy the new format. I haven’t seen a justification for sacking Stephen Ryan. From the blogs here it doesn’t seem audience numbers were falling and I don’t imagine die-hard GA viewers and gardeners will be enticed by showmanship rather than substance. We’ll see. All the best Stephen, I’m sure we’ll all see you again.

By: KEITH MUNDY

KEITH MUNDY — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:53:24 +0000

What a shame a plantsman like Stephen Ryan no longer fronts GA. As a nurseryman I have great admiration for him as he showed the gardening fraternity that there are still some interesting plants out there after all. He was a great advertisement for the small nurseryman that is out there with a passion in what they sell.

By: Marion

Marion — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:04:20 +0000

Like so many other GA followers I’m horrified by the decision of ABC to replace Stephen Ryan as presenter, and apparently without reason. From his first appearance on TV Stephen looked and sounded like a seasoned presenter, and the segments featuring his own garden were fantastic. What is the matter with “Auntie”? First Deb Cameron on ABC 702, contract not renewed and now Stephen. I will continue to watch and wait – for the opportunity to tune in to both Deb and Stephen on a more discerning broadcaster. May their careers flourish elsewhere.

By: Louise mather

Louise mather — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:58:19 +0000

It is extremely disappointing to learn that Stephen Ryan was actually sacked from his position as lead presenter of Gardening Australia! His knowledge, experience and obvious passion for plants are going to be missed. I have seen Costa on SBS and have to say I probably won’t be watching Gardening Australia from now on. Stephen went a long way to fill the incredible gap that Peter Cundall left and the ABC’s treatment of him is appalling.

By: john westwood

john westwood — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 02:26:06 +0000

To replace Stephen Ryan with the irritating pop-eyed fizz of Costa whatsisname is a grave mistake. If the ABC had in mind some replacements (not by any means a bad idea in itself) Stephen Ryan ought to have been the last to go. There are a couple of old gonzos who should be pasturised – no names, no pack drill), but to dismiss Stephen Ryan will haunt GA’s producer for ever – it is to be hoped. Come on commercial TV, snap him up!

By: Bob GORDON

Bob GORDON — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:56:08 +0000

I am disgusted and therefore my protest will be to stop watching GA after more than 20 years. I do not watch GA to be entertained Jennifer Collins. I get my entertainment from politics. I will find inspiration elsewhere. Vale GA.

By: Florian

Florian — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:11:31 +0000

This is extremely sad, as Stephen presented Gardening Australia in a very informative, at the same time entertaining and definitely not shallow way. The new incumbent in my view neither has style, nor substance, and will most probably turn this once fabulous gardening show into a big ballyhoe. “Composting” Stephen is the most stupid thing ABC could have done, but very much in line with the load of stupidity its owner displayed in recent weeks. The way they did it is apalling – apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from it’s tree, and there are no coincidences in life.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:01:34 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with Penny Woodward’s comments. I was really pleased when I heard that Stephen Ryan would be presenting GA as I thought his knowledge would lift it into a proper gardener’s programme with some interesting pieces on how to grow some of the rarer types of plants. But, sadly, the ABC wishes us to grow nothing more exotic than petunias. Another lifestyle programme will seriously drive me nuts!!!

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:21:25 +0000

Meg
Big Mistake! Huge error on ABC’s Gardening Australia’s part – Jennifer Collins, head of factual at the ABC, said: “Costa will bring an informed and entertaining spirit to the series.” ABC could not have had a more informed, entertaining and knowledgeable person in Steven Ryan. But they had to try and mould him and hence stifling his natural style into their ‘kind of person,’ which was not Stephan at all. No other gardener could be more charismatic than Stephan in person or on Radio; if only he was allowed to bring that spirit and charisma to the TV show, as Costa is apparently going to be permitted to do.
I am one of Stephan’s unknown fans, who has met him on a couple of occasions in person and listened to him on 3CR in the past. I will have to go back to listening to him on 3CR.
To crown it all, on top of that you are also axing Stephan from the ABC Gardening Magazine. Stephan is one of the best horticultural writers in Australia. So to cut him off the magazine is a shame. I for one will not be purchasing the magazine for it will surely be sliding backwards if you think that Stephan is not up to your mark. Who is?? Or is it one way to make sure you could silence Stephan Ryan.
I will give your new show a look in but having occasionally watched Costa on SBS and finding his style and him a bit too much to watch on a continuous basis, think the ABC has made a huge error of judgment and maybe the person or persons who made the decision should be sacked, for you will be losing your TV Gardening audience in droves.
If any of the commercial channels are quick enough they would grab Stephan and let him be his knowledgeable and charismatic self. In the process taking the ABC Gardening followers over. (From one who is almost exclusively an ABC and SBS listener.) For Jennifer Collins or the Gardening producers have just ‘discarded’ a gem from the horticultural world.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:38:00 +0000

I agree Stephen was treated very shabbily. The producer probably thought the change was oh so clever. No just dumb and nasty. You might be the producer, but we own the show not you. Go and produce Better Homes and Gardens if you want to dumb gardeners down. I want a hands on gardening show, not fluff or ideology like Costa’s Gardening Odyssey. Dumb move.