LET’S here it for the boys. No, not the girls. Not this time. This week the BBC announced that the search is on for a British answer to Joe Rogan. Rogan, in case you don’t know, is an American podcaster who has a signed a reported $100m contract with streaming service Spotify. And if that sounds an awful lot of money for blethering into a microphone, it should be pointed out the ex-martial arts fighter/comedian/TV host is being paid silly money because his monthly download figures are beyond stratospherically silly. Rogan has an incredible 190m regulars.

It’s not hard to appreciate therefore that a British broadcaster would attempt to replicate this success. But what is astonishing is that Auntie has declared herself, finally, to be on the hunt for a man. In recent years, the BBC’s Diversity and Inclusion policy led me to think it was almost inconceivable for the corporation to search specifically for male talent.

Jeremy Clarkson declared that when the Question Time job became vacant men would have been wasting their petrol money going down for interview.

He was right. And while Fiona Bruce has performed well, the Women Only strategy employed in the replacement of the likes of Radio 2’s big hitters Chris Evans and Simon Mayo has been less successful.

What’s now changed? Well, Auntie wants to survive. It’s that simple. The BBC’s television units have performed miracles in recent times, producing the likes of Fleabag, Killing Eve and Normal People, but the threat of losing younger viewers to Netflix and Amazon looms large.

BBC radio is suffering an even more acute crisis, with all main platforms failing to attract young people, in part, I believe, to it creating a recruitment platform on which talent hasn’t been the first priority.

Meantime, young men are in crisis. In 2018, (latest figures) 784 suicides were registered in Scotland; 581 males and 203 females.

Men make up over 75 per cent of suicides in Europe, with over 43 000 European men killing themselves every year.

Men are also significantly less likely to utilise mental health services compared to women. And one in three Scottish men have experienced suicidal thoughts. Only three countries – Australia, Brazil and Ireland – have introduced national men’s health policies.

Now, at least the Beeb’s determination to find vibrant male talent is at least symbolically vital.

Yet while the strategy should be applauded, what of the content for this new podcast?

The BBC’s audience research has revealed that “Modern Mainstream” men like to “have a laugh,” and “believes in the importance of loyalty to friends and family.” (Who would have thought it?)

These “Mainstream Men” (working class) identify with loud and opinionated personalities such as the actor Ross Kemp and presenter Stacey Dooley. And mental health is one of their biggest concerns.

We’ve all seen the success of lads podcasts by the likes of Peter Crouch being spun into TV gold but that’s football based; but can Joe Rogan possibly be replicated?

Rogan isn’t Stacey Dooley. He swims in dangerous waters; politics, drugs, race relations . . . The 52-year-old loves to allow his guests the opportunity to vent their thoughts and feelings.

But his guests often have extreme views, such as whistle blower Edward Snowden, madcap inventor Elon Musk (he and Rogan smoked dope together) or Candace Owen, the black, pro-Trump activist.

Would Auntie give any of them house room? The BBC’s Newsnight had to man the turrets recently after Emily Maitlis broke with policy and personalised her Newsnight editorial, having suggested, rightly, that Dominic Cummings’ main residence to be in Liarville.

Will the BBC be able to capture the wild, comedic entertainment sensibility of a Rogan, and bring it in house – but without views?

Well, at least, there is an acknowledgement that young men need to be catered for. And young women, too, as this revised recruitment strategy in a bid to conquer audio space will also feature the search for a female podcaster.

That’s exactly as it should be. Find the best talent for the job, give anyone of any sex the chance to shine.

But let’s see if the gender balance is respected, and, just as importantly, the bid to recruit working class voices in a world where the Oxbridge influence still permeates?

That seems unlikely. But at least we get to watch Auntie try.

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