I typed all this the other day and for some reason, my PC freaked as I submitted it - so I couldn't be bothered to retype it, but the venom and vitriol being expended on this poor wee programme is out of all proportion to either its merits and demerits or the amount of time it occupied.

First off:
It wasn't a "folk" program. It was a Hogmanay celebration - sit made an effort to bring in other musical genres (pop and country). So criticise it for not being that great in that way, but there is no point in ranting about it being poor folk music programming when it never set out to be that.

Roseanne Cash is not a favourite of mine, however she appeared with Aly Bain on the Transatlantic Sessions 2 series, so presumably he was happy enough to work with her again.

Phil Cunningham has been (I think) the MD for this particular bunfight for a couple of years, and the big musical numbers involving not only trad/folkie musicians, but also "Big Band" have certainly appeared a couple of times in the last few years, and I for one think they are an effort to meld different strands - that works fairly well - reminiscent of La Bottine Souriante, I thought.

I agree that Kate Rusby did seem rather uninspired, however for those who suggested that it was her first outing on national TV - ehh nope - she was on the Hogmanay show last year ( I think - might have been the year before) and has been on Jools Holland's show at least once.

The selection of artists for a show like this has to cover a lot of areas - it's *not* a folk music show - and compromises have to be made, but hey - Phil and Ally, Blazin Fiddles, Kate Rusby (with Mr McCusker), capercaillie - who may not be to everyone's taste in this forum - but they did win a Scottish Traditional Music award last year - and they are very popular - yeah - I know they're not very trad.

I do agree about the presenters though. Jackie Bird should stick to reading the news and wee daft hamish should get back to Glenbogle.

Now having said all of that - I watched the show - sort of. And I have taped it and might watch it later - but at the time I was welcoming in the New Year with friends, singin and eating black bun, and firstfooting, and I saw most of it, and it was a fair effort.

But remember, guys, it was LIVE TV - they don't get the chance to go back and do it again (Liberty X excepted I think they may have mimed). They did a no' bad job considerin they thought they'd have the Embra Hoolie to fill in, and then it was cancelled - leaving them with big gaps to work around. So guess what? It was Ok.

But I was astounded that it was even broadcast in England. Never mind - moan enough and loudly enough and it won't be, next year.