Before Tom Fisher had to return to the US his friend took him to York to enjoy high tea at Betty’s famous tearoom, and we get to tag along. The premise is that simple, yet the results are utterly charming. From the writing to the production, it’s just good radio. The brief history of high tea is interesting, but it’s the many pleasing little humorous details—like the incomprehensible sound of voices over the train PA on the train ride there, the bizarre names of the tea time confections-- that makes this more than merely educational. It actually leaves you feeling happily in the mood for tea. This could be dropped into programming about food or travel.
An enjoyable piece. Definitely very English but that's the point. I've never had high tea explained so brilliantly or deliciously. Makes you quite hungry especially if you listen to it in the afternoon as I did. I don't know why Savvy didn't run it. I love the narrator and her accent. The only thing I was confused by was that it's described as an American at Betty's yet we hear the female narrator and then the male interviewer asking questions in the middler. But that can be explained with a proper host intro. This part essay, part food lesson would work well on magazine shows or as a drop-in during weekend programming.
Comments for An American at Betty's
Produced by Chris Butterfield
Other pieces by Chris Frear
Rating Summary
2 comments
Jonathan Goldstein
Posted on October 31, 2004 at 01:45 PM | Permalink
Review of An American at Betty's
Before Tom Fisher had to return to the US his friend took him to York to enjoy high tea at Betty’s famous tearoom, and we get to tag along. The premise is that simple, yet the results are utterly charming. From the writing to the production, it’s just good radio. The brief history of high tea is interesting, but it’s the many pleasing little humorous details—like the incomprehensible sound of voices over the train PA on the train ride there, the bizarre names of the tea time confections-- that makes this more than merely educational. It actually leaves you feeling happily in the mood for tea. This could be dropped into programming about food or travel.
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on October 01, 2004 at 08:56 AM | Permalink
Review of An American at Betty's
An enjoyable piece. Definitely very English but that's the point. I've never had high tea explained so brilliantly or deliciously. Makes you quite hungry especially if you listen to it in the afternoon as I did. I don't know why Savvy didn't run it. I love the narrator and her accent. The only thing I was confused by was that it's described as an American at Betty's yet we hear the female narrator and then the male interviewer asking questions in the middler. But that can be explained with a proper host intro. This part essay, part food lesson would work well on magazine shows or as a drop-in during weekend programming.