I really wanted to enjoy ‘This Is Nightlive‘ on RTE2 this evening. Ireland desperately needs a decent outlet for satire, and an Irish take on the Today Show and Stephen Colbert looked like an ideal vehicle.
Sadly, RTÉ continues it’s flawless record of producing bad comedy.
And I don’t mean ‘so bad it’s good’. Just bad.
The problems start with John Ryan, who has a delivery so wooden he means Pat Kenny look animated.
The script managed if anything to be even more leaden, so much so that after less than five minutes, I switched back to Dermot Gavin and the origins of the Irish on RTE1.
Maybe it got funnier after I left. If so, I’ll consider tuning in next week.
But first, RTÉ should consider filming in front of a live audience. The lack of laughter should be a clue to the writers that they aren’t as hilarious as they think.
Dermot Gavin’s ‘Blood of the Irish‘, on the other hand, was a riot, though not intentionally, as he mangled history, myth, and genetics, aided and abetted by a budget that allowed for trips to Spain and Kenya, all the while mulling over the origin of the Celts.
I missed Gavin but saw Nightlive – I have to wonder whether RTE should be allowed use its legally-enforced licence fee to have a pop at the main commercial alternative over the course of 6 half-hour episodes in a popular viewing slot.
Maybe they need to bring back Hall’s Pictoral Weekly?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall%27s_Pictorial_Weekly
Where’s Cha and Miah when ye need them?