It's only been three days since his new show started, but already Oliver Curran (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) relies on cheap gimmicks to attract viewers. “Today we have a great program for you, especially for those who are interested in boobs,” he announced on Wednesday, promising a special emphasis on “full boobs.” But concerns that the hosts would act like brash postcards were quickly dispelled. He just flags a very sensible item about how breasts affect a woman's posture. Now that Karan has his own talk show, those hoping to show off his huge tits will have to wait at least a little longer.
Best known as a comic impressionist, Curran embarks on his first week as a permanent presenter of Ryan Tubridy's old morning slot, indulging in a bit of funny work. Instead, Mr. Curran is sticking to the general interest formula honed by his predecessors. He even uses the dreaded phrase “funny chit-chat” without any obvious irony. In fact, he seems more cautious about rocking the boat than he did when he was at the helm of the Nine O'Clock Show, as it was briefly named during the post-Tabridi interregnum.
Sure, there is a mandatory quota for guests to share inspiring stories and admirable messages. Ger O'Dea from the National Ambulance Service tells the story of lives saved by local emergency workers, and chef Nicky Foley tells the story of how he turned his Dingle restaurant into a Michelin-recommended restaurant. I'll tell you. And Curran, who “moved the schoolyard skitters out of the way” with her first salvo of boob humor, carefully interacts with physiotherapist Siobhan O'Donovan. He emphasizes the importance of the correct bra size if women want to break out of the “lowering headlights.” ” to “Full Beam”. “That's a nice image,” the host joked, sounding uncharacteristically bewildered.
That's admirable, but Curran is clearly at ease when talking to fellow comedian Ayn Gallagher, doing his signature impersonation of President Michael D. Higgins. Although he doesn't seem entirely comfortable with the lifestyle-oriented conversations that have traditionally filled this slot, he is clearly trying to connect with his guests.
Similarly, his monologues are frankly topical, surveying the news in a gently witty way rather than skewering it. There are glimpses of ironic humor – he observes that political dealings in North Korea involve “orange and green flavored fudge” – but likewise Tyrone-born Rihanna Liverpool's young soccer player Connor Bradley is also attracting more attention than expected.
If Curran's opening week lacks fireworks, it's also because he sticks to a template that favors agility and brevity over subversion and gravitas. But he has plenty of time to take the case in more imaginative directions. He's at his liveliest on Thursday, when he interviews young Irish fashion student Oran O'Reilly (who, in Curran's words, is “full of youthful energy”). He detailed how various celebrities came to wear their unique and quirky designs. (“The Man Knitting on the Bus”) and how living with diabetes has influenced his latest collection.
If Curran wanted to push the envelope on the morning, he might have asked if his guest's work was well-received by the drag community, but quibbles aside, this bodes well in a cautious opening week. As an imitator, Curran rarely holds back, but for now he's finding his feet rather than jumping into the studs first.
[ Ryan Tubridy’s London dilemma: what to do with the Irishness? ]
[ European airfares will rise this summer, says Michael O’Leary ]
There were no such restraints on Ryanair's group chief executive Michael O'Leary's appearance on the show. together today Claire Byrne (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays). The airline boss has unabashedly defended his company's bulk purchase of Dublin homes for employees to rent, and dismissed the airline's claims that the aviation tax is necessary as “rubbish”. Typically has a belligerent attitude. But Mr O'Leary came into his own when discussing limits on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, slamming “idiots on the left” and repeatedly accusing Transport Secretary Eamon Ryan of incompetence.
It's too much for the master. “Michael, stop talking,” she said sternly, but even as she urged guests to stop “personally insulting” her, she said she was having a hard time getting her opinion heard. Masu. Given O'Leary's hilariously rude public personality, this seems like a hopeless hope. Moreover, it would deprive the audience of such a fun difficult encounter. Byrne, who was chided in this column just last week for losing her cool more often, showed that she can be furious with the best of her opponents. (My analysis ends here.) It is true that O'Leary's unyielding attitude does not allow for calm discussion of issues, but he is not obtuse.
We focus on stories with a human touch, lunch time live (Newstalk, weekdays) can bring out overlooked aspects of hot topics, especially immigration. On Monday, following newspaper reports that truck drivers were being offered money by people smugglers, Andrea Gilligan, a trucking worker who had withdrawn from her job on the continent due to migrants' constant attempts to gain access to her trucks, said: We spoke to business owners. “We are hearing stories of drivers being threatened,” added Gar Hyland of the Irish Road Haulage Association. Gilligan allows her guests to speak, but she rarely coerces them (none of her speakers have experienced such intimidation firsthand), but this is a sign that Europe's migrant crisis is already a labor crisis. This is a valuable snapshot of the impact this is having on the logistics industry, which is in trouble due to labor shortages and soaring labor costs. fuel price.
Gilligan put immigration in a different light on Wednesday when she spoke to Emma, a Donegal woman whose South African husband, Lawson, has been refused permission to join her in Ireland. She recalls that Emma met Lawson while she was in South Africa for the treatment of her eldest daughter, who suffers from a severe debilitating illness. They later married there and also had a child. Gilligan is at her turn sympathetic and curious, but Emma explains that she cannot sponsor Lawson to come here because she receives carer's allowance from the state. “It's time for us to get back together,” Emma says tearfully, but her Justice Department's terse statement isn't much encouragement. But this once again highlights how personal conversations are a way to bring big issues to light. Talk shows don't have to be light or safe.
- Apply push alert Get the best news, analysis and commentary delivered straight to your phone
- search Irish Times on WhatsApp Stay up to date
- The In The News podcast is published daily – find the latest episode here
