The highs and lows of 2009
Saturday December 26 2009
ll Before its demise, RTE1's Questions and Answers came up with a moment that will linger in the memory -- the furiously eloquent impromptu tirade by audience member Michael O'Brien, who had been beaten and raped when a boy by the Rosminians in Clonmel. Minister Noel Dempsey, whose "mealy-mouthed words" had occasioned the man's rage, looked suitably chastened.
ll Two outbursts marked the early weeks of Question and Answers' successor, The Frontline. Trade unionist Jack O'Connor's sneer at Pat Kenny's "trophy house" was followed by a fast apology when the presenter angrily declared he didn't want "this kind of crap coming at me." A week later, the same host astutely opted for silence when audience member Alan O'Brien delivered a fuming rant about his considerable salary.
ll In Gary and Danielle's Northern Exposure, the BBC set aside its usual commercial strictures by allowing former footballer Gary Lineker to puff every amusement park and Chinese takeaway he came across in Northern Ireland.
ll If Lynch Had Invaded (RTE1) pondered what might have happened if the former Taoiseach had ordered troops to cross the Border in August 1969, which, of course, he didn't. What next from RTE? If Haughey Had Joined Fine Gael? If John Charles McQuaid Had Been a Protestant?If Bertie Had Played for Man U?
ll In January, Charlie Bird travelled to the Arctic on "a journey that will push me to the very edge of my endurance." The viewer felt much the same.
ll On No Frontiers, Kathryn Thomas visited Rome and revealed to us that it had "heaps of history" and "any amount of wonderful Italian food." Useful to get that learnt.
ll Displaying a rare glimpse of humility, Simon Cowell admitted that Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle had been "good" for him. In his sneering attitude to her when she appeared on stage for that famous first audition, he had seen "someone I didn't like." Then he went on to make millions out of her success. That's showbiz.
ll Meanwhile, Podge and Rodge invited their studio guests to sing along to a ditty that described Susan Boyle as being "ugly as sin" and as having a face that was "scary because it's so hairy." Daithi O Se, Amanda Brunker, Gerald Kean and Lisa Murphy merrily complied. They should be ashamed of themselves.
ll Brian O'Driscoll, who's the greatest Irish rugby player of my lifetime -- indeed, one of the greatest players in the world game -- accepted his RTE Sports Person of the Year award the other night with the grace and modesty that are characteristic of the man. Last spring, he and his Leinster and Irish teammates had provided the most thrilling sports moments of the year.
Irish Independent
