Only Boys Allowed: A Critical Analysis of Today in Focus
Today in Focus is a weekday podcast show that takes a closer look at journalism in The Guardian Newspaper. Through first-hand storytelling and data analysis Today in Focus aims to transport the listener behind the headlines for a deeper comprehension of the news. In focus I will be critically analysing the episode entitled “Should men-only private member’s club still exist?”
Mode, audience and genre
The Guardian as an entity is multimodal and Today in Focus is a by-product of the newspaper therefore the nature of which this podcast is distributed is multimodal however the series itself doesn’t hold any independent space operating away from the brand as a representative.
In my opinion, Today in focus should be considered as a cross-media piece as each episode is accompanied by a synopsis of what to expect in the day’s show. Characters and themes are presented in this punchy piece of text giving the potential listener the autonomy to decide whether this is a topic they wish to find out further information. The brief description can be found on The Guardian app or website alongside an embedded podcast player. Social media participates in the podcasts modal presence as episodes are shared onto The Guardian’s twitter account but it has come to my attention that social media engagement, despite over ten thousand followers, through the twitter account is somewhat sterile leading me to think how are the guardian establishing their audience or facilitating a space where the audience can create itself.
Today in Focus takes form in a podcast that sits on a plethora of podcasting platforms, maximising their reach this telling me that The Guardian hasn’t constructed a strict basis of what their audience is but perhaps with each new episode brings forth a new audience. The series aims to take a deeper look at headline stories and dissect them for greater understanding, topics range from international politics to health. With a wide variety of stories explored it could be argued that so long as you’re interested in headlining news, there’s an episode for anyone to listen to.
It should be noted that The Guardian readership has been considered to reside generally on the mainstream left of the British political spectrum therefore somewhat of an audience has been established through its more traditional ways of reporting the news.
To critique my earlier point about there being an episode for everyone that may only apply to those who identify with social liberal and left-wing views, though not exclusive.
Considering how fluid the podcast series is more than one audience can be considered for each episode. This episode explored the controversial arrangement of gentlemen clubs potentially drawing in a more progressive audience as the premise of the show wasn’t entirely in favour of maintaining the current statures that uphold these 19th century clubs but, discussed the controversy surrounding them and lack of inclusivity. Men-only private members clubs are a notable British thing therefore the producers for this episode assumes that their audience will mostly be British or acquainted with London city living as areas and potent British figures are mentioned throughout the episode.
Narrator and actors
The narrator for this episode is the interviewer, Mythili Rao. The editorial decision was to have Roa be an actor in this story as she comes to this discussion with a level of comprehension but allows the other actors to recite the story and that’s facilitated through her line of relaxed questioning. The listener can almost identify with Mythili and form a greater understanding about this prestigious, exclusive club. I agree with the editorial decision to have narration as the flow of context was held together for the listeners sake. An alternative episode could have been to have the actors tell the story but that version wouldn’t guarantee a balanced view as many clubs refused to respond therefore having Mythili present as the narrator she was able to relay at times from a private club perspective to offer up a level of balance in the dialogue.
Emily Bendell is the reason the episode is here. A businesswoman who was searching for a private members club to expand her business ventures is suing one of London’s last men-only private members club. In this version of the story Emily is our protagonist, taking on a dated sexist section of British society as she argues it’s the principle of these clubs denying services to people based on their gender.
Amy Milne-Smith is our expert on Victorian history and an author of London Clubland: A Cultural History of gender and class in late-Victorian Britain. There is a level of irony in the editorial decision to have a female historian contribute about a time that excluded woman from many things, I believe this is a conscious decision that also challenges the private men exclusive establishment. An alternative, and predictable, choice could have been to invite an old male historian as that subject area is saturated with many it would’ve been easy to locate somebody willing to speak on the matter.
The consistent involvement from women throughout this episode holds a mirror to the silencing nature of the gentlemen clubs, to me this episode held space for women to discuss a place that only offers them a seat at the table as a guest and not a member.
The Garrick Club is introduced as a character itself as well as a setting, I argue this case as the elusive langue used to describe the sentiment personifies this infamous club. Notable men are mentioned throughout the episode as being known members to the club, I wouldn’t consider them actors having an active role but more so extras that contribute to the makeup of the story. The men mentioned span from the arts, politics and finance setting a pretence of how notorious this building is and because of its exclusivity to powerful men the setting that is presented to listeners is one of superiority and generational wealth.
Setting and movement
The setting of this episode moves through time, in a sense we time travel throughout the piece. The beginning of the episode sets a clear image for the listener as a ticking clock is the first sound, we hear followed with classical piano riffs and low gentlemen chatter, this signifies to me that we’ve been transported back to a period. The setting is further established by our narrator who challenges the imagination to place itself in 19th century Central London.
Setting is constructed a second time as the classical piano is speeded up with a clicking of a clock heard again, moving the listener through time. I interpret the fast-moving clock and distorted piano as a signifier to the progress that has been achieved regarding gender equality. After the progressive section the series’ introduction song commences, indicating to me that we’re back in the present and will be discussing these old institutions through a contemporary lens.
Sequence of events
After opening introductions, we hear from Emily Bendell, a central character to the story creating the setting of how the private clubs’ legacy and current position in the public and legal domain will be discussed via the familiar sound of a zoom call. The editorial decision to include the zoom interview and not the usual face-to-face is telling of the current global health climate the world is still facing, including this speaks to the way interviews are currently being conducted and adds a reference to where society is in regards to technological advancements, potentially another indirect indication of how far society has come in the subject matter.
We move back in time with Amy Milne-Smith, who frames the context of men-only clubs through anecdotal accounts of men using these spaces as an escape to be around likeminded folk, rarely having to be confronted. Mythili chimes in throughout this exchange to provide context on the cultural significance of these hidden prestigious spots.
The outro of the episode brings in the classical piano instrumental signalling two things to me. The music represents how men-only private clubs are a thing of the past, like the music played and has no mould to fit into in 21st century life. The duality is, it’s dated and something that firmly belongs in the past.
What’s the point?
Emily Bendell has taken legal action against The Garrick Club and consequently has until the 5th October of this year to respond; it’ll be interesting to see the club’s response and how this case plays out in court.
The subject matter of gentlemen private clubs having any contemporary relevance comes at a momentous time where the country is interrogating infamous architecture and statuses that arguably glorify and commemorate Britain’s imperial past.
More information about The Garrick Club can be found here : https://www.garrickclub.co.uk/member_area/
