Kieran Allen. Michael Clifford. Karl Deeter. John Drennan. Diarmuid Ferriter. Fergus Finlay. Maureen Gaffney. Constantin Gurgdiev. Eoghan Harris. Eddie Hobbs. Gemma Hussey. Pat Leahy. Tina Leonard. Diarmaid McDermott. Sean McDonagh. Michael McDowell. Harry McGee. Tom McGurk. Joseph O’Connor. Mary-Louise O’Donnell. Niall O’Dowd. Emer O’Kelly. Olivia O’Leary. Michael O’Regan. Mary O’Rourke. Fintan O’Toole. Jim Power. Terry… Continue reading Roll call
Tag: comedy
Your country, your comedy gold
More than once, I’ve bemoaned the lack of decent satire on Irish television. What I had in mind was something like the Daily Show – the US version with Jon Stewart, not the Irish afternoon armchairs and gossip programme. Last week, in the wake of the News International phone hacking scandal, I found out one… Continue reading Your country, your comedy gold
The welcoming committee
You know how it goes. A bunch of guys (and they probably were guys, not gals) sits down to make some plans. For the most part, the meeting is businesslike, focused on the task at hand. But inevitably, because we are social animals, someone will crack a joke at some point. And just occasionally, someone… Continue reading The welcoming committee
Making the Cut
When is a complaint not a complaint? When RTÉ broadcast a lighthearted complaint in March about a portrait of Brian Cowen hung in that national gallery, they received nine calls complaining the item was in poor taste. It’s not clear if the nine includes a call from Eoghan Ó Neachtain, who rang RTÉ director general… Continue reading Making the Cut
The Final Word
Remember #picturegate? As described in a complaint to the broadcasting complaints commission, RTÉ showed two portraits of the taoiseach, one ‘in a pregnant situation’. RTÉ News later apologised ‘for any personal offence caused to Mr Cowen or his family or for any disrespect shown to the office of taoiseach.’ But in response to a complaint… Continue reading The Final Word
Muddying the Waters: John Waters and Wikipedia
John Waters complained on RTÉ today that he was libelled on Wikipedia, and told by a lawyer there was no point suing on the interwebs. The trouble with Wikipedia, of course, is its revision history. Even after an entry is deleted or updated, it’s possible to see what once was written. On 30 September 2007,… Continue reading Muddying the Waters: John Waters and Wikipedia
Wacko Jacko Heart Attacko
The toxicity of our celebrity obsession was reflected back at us by Jackson’s spectral and ruined face. The physical slicing, tucking and restructuring he endured was for what? For us. For our pound of flesh. We must live with that shame. Like slavering beasts, our appetites insatiable, we gorged at the trough of his fame.… Continue reading Wacko Jacko Heart Attacko
Eyes Only
Gardai question artist under caution: The Irish Times. Police quiz man over naked images of Irish PM in national gallery: The Belfast Telegraph. Cowen artist ‘could be charged’: BBC News. Artist Conor Casby faces jail after Brian Cowen made unwitting model for toilet humour: Times Online (Entertainment section). Irish PM bogged down by nude painting… Continue reading Eyes Only
Bare Faced Cheek
‘The visit by a Garda detective today to the offices of Today FM radio station, demanding that staff from the Ray Darcy Show hand over information they might have had about the artist of these pieces was astounding,’ Labour party Senator Alan Kelly said. ‘Does this investigation really represent the best use of scarce Garda… Continue reading Bare Faced Cheek
The Emperor’s New Clothes
FG Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan criticised the decision by Gardaí to demand emails relating to the artist who painted nude portraits of Brian Cowen hung in two Dublin galleries. ‘At a time when the majority of gangland murders remain unsolved, to have Gardaí spending their time investigating what amounted to a practical joke that offended… Continue reading The Emperor’s New Clothes