The Ian Dempsey Show... time for a reboot?

squonk · 27-04-2011 5:21pm #1

I was unlucky enough to be off sick yesterday and, after I woke up I switched on Today FM only to hear them doing their Jokes Monday thing, you know, the bit where people send in awful jokes and the Gift Grub characters read them out. It made me feel even sicker!

I haven't been listening for a few months as I've changed job and don't have to be up as early in the mornings and don't have as far to go but I'd started to drift away before that anyway as it was nothng but the same old ding-dong over and over again each week. Half the time he's plugging something and the other half he's talking to Mario about either crap jokes or crap TV. Occasionaly there's a good Gift Grub sketch but you can hear them on the website anyway.

I'm not slagging Ian Dempsey. He's a great presenter and I've always been a fan but the show is becoming a bit jaded now I think. I'd love them to shake it up a bit to add a bit of life to it. I'm kind of amazed so many people are still listening but, in fairness, there isn't a lot of competition out there that time of the morning. Just my 2 cents and I'm wondering am I the only one who thinks the show is gone a bit past it's Best Before Date?

rossa morbeg · 27-04-2011 6:00pm

Dempsey is finished, Yesterdays news, His show is 5 years past its sell by date. Hector is going to trash him in the ratings.

bbability · 28-04-2011 12:14am

rossa morbeg wrote: »

Hector is going to trash him in the ratings.

Lol ... Funniest thing I've read in a long time:D

He only needs 100k listeners to drop off to achieve that.

jor el · 28-04-2011 9:02am

squonk wrote: »

I woke up I switched on Today FM only to hear them doing their Jokes Monday thing

Those jokes are never funny, and they have never been since they starting doing that bit a few years ago. I don't know who sends them in, or why they insist on reading out unfunny jokes, but I wish they wouldn't. Particularly unfunny are always the Ben Dunne ones.

I like Ian Dempsey, and the Breakfast Show, but I deliberately miss that bit of it.

anoh77 · 28-04-2011 10:16am

I can see where you're coming from. I would have been a daily listener to the Ian Dempsey show for the past 4-5 years during my morning commute. In the past 2-3 months I've found myself channel hopping which I'd never really have bothered doing before, mainly because as the OP said things have gone a bit stale and repetetive. Find myself listening too Hector or Newstalk a lot more than Iano as the weeks go by. Still like Dempsey, but think its time too shake things up a bit.
Gift Grub still has its moments, maybe not as often, but fully agree on the Monday jokes thing, time to drop it

Cheese Princess · 28-04-2011 10:31am

Yeah I used to love that show but it has definitely gone downhill and it is definitely gone very commercial with pushing products etc.

I've been channel hopping a lot in the mornings now as well. I'd listen mostly to Jim Jim on FM104 now.

Desire. · 28-04-2011 10:38am

vampire of kilmainham wrote: »

dont listen to radio crap just listen to music on CDs or i pod

I hope you're having a good time in the Radio forum.

prettygurrly · 28-04-2011 10:39am

i dunno, i'm finding it hard to agree with you all. I still listen to the dempsey show although it is only 2 or 3 times per week when i'm in the gym and yes the format hasn't changed and they could do with some new ideas but i think the general drive of the show has never really changed. i dont think he promotes things any more than he did before. I can't stand any presenters who are really bright and breezy in the morning and i'm not a fan of Hector on the radio though I like him on TV. I think Iano has the right tone (for me anyway) and Mario is still brilliant. Some of the sketches he did lately had me in stitches and he's still the best impersonator in the business...

I wish they'd bring back some things they used to do like the poems on wedding days by michael d etc.

EIREHotspur · 28-04-2011 10:41am

rossa morbeg wrote: »

Dempsey is finished, Yesterdays news, His show is 5 years past its sell by date. Hector is going to trash him in the ratings.

If you think that then maybe you should have your own Radio Show.

Hilarious!

Badabing · 28-04-2011 10:46am

Ruth and Rick, Marty, Jim Jim and Colm all failled to beat Iano. He could do with a shake up i agree but nothing to radical.

Uncle Mclovin · 28-04-2011 10:49am

His main competition is that fool Hector so I can't see him having any trouble with the ratings any time soon.

Plazaman · 28-04-2011 10:50am

I think Dempsey is the most condescending fúcker I've ever heard. His "banter" with the AA roadwatch girls is cringeworthy at times and he regularly make little remarks about them just as they know they're gone off air so can't answer back. The same with callers, he says something under his breath that he thinks is funny about a caller, their job, where they live and more often than not, the caller doesn't get the dig on the phone line and when the ask "What?" he says something else.

The irony of one of the Radio Roy sketches where he trashed every caller was probably and insider dig at him. The Monday Jokes thing (which can be quite funny at times) is a wee bit jaded but would listen to it everyday of the week if Dempseys chair was empty. Move him to the 2am - 6am slot I say.

_feedback_ · 28-04-2011 11:34am

If he was putting out the worst radio in Ireland for two hours every day I'd still find it hard to say anything about him. He's just such a damn nice guy!

Agree that aspects of the show could do with a bit of freshness and the jokes item is a bit of a dud.

Plazaman wrote: »

I think Dempsey is the most condescending fúcker I've ever heard. His "banter" with the AA roadwatch girls is cringeworthy at times and he regularly make little remarks about them just as they know they're gone off air so can't answer back.

Just on the AA point, for the last number of weeks, the AA reports come from Louise Duffy, who is sitting in front of him in studio, so anything he says he is saying straight to her face.

squonk · 28-04-2011 12:10pm

prettygurrly wrote: »

I wish they'd bring back some things they used to do like the poems on wedding days by michael d etc.

NO!!! That was always one of the worst features. It was a 15 minute slot aimed at one particular person. I'm sure it was great if you were involved in the wedding or knew the person but for the other 99.9% of the listenership it was like ending up at the wrong wedding and not being able to get out. I thought it was total tripe.

100% agree with another poster who said Ian was such a nice guy. I met him back in his 2FM days in the 80's and he was as sound as a pound then and you couldn't fault him at all.

It's just one of those things that the show is getting on my nerves now!

Clanket · 29-04-2011 9:01am

Was anyone just listening to his show?

What was the clip he played right at the end. just came back into a room and heard the very tail end.

Was some fella getting a bit flustered about the state of the country.

Anyone know what and who it was?

_feedback_ · 29-04-2011 9:07am

Clanket wrote: »

Was anyone just listening to his show?

What was the clip he played right at the end. just came back into a room and heard the very tail end.

Was some fella getting a bit flustered about the state of the country.

Anyone know what and who it was?

It was a clip from the BBC, a caller got a bit worked up about all the coverage the royal wedding is getting. Quite funny.

Audio here

Btr · 29-04-2011 2:10pm

rossa morbeg wrote: »

Dempsey is finished, Yesterdays news, His show is 5 years past its sell by date. Hector is going to trash him in the ratings.

You must be related to Hector- only his family could believe it. You did put a smile on my face - funniest thing I've read on forum in years

bbability · 29-04-2011 11:07pm

Plazaman wrote: »

I think Dempsey is the most condescending fúcker I've ever heard. His "banter" with the AA roadwatch girls is cringeworthy at times and he regularly make little remarks about them just as they know they're gone off air so can't answer back. The same with callers, he says something under his breath that he thinks is funny about a caller, their job, where they live and more often than not, the caller doesn't get the dig on the phone line and when the ask "What?" he says something else.

The irony of one of the Radio Roy sketches where he trashed every caller was probably and insider dig at him. The Monday Jokes thing (which can be quite funny at times) is a wee bit jaded but would listen to it everyday of the week if Dempseys chair was empty.

The funny thing here is that you are quite familiar with his show content so you obviously listen to the show? Would I be correct?

The thing is I never liked Ian Dempsey's Radio Show but I dont listen to him to find out what I hate or dislike. I always felt Mark Byrne was never given the chance to grow into that slot. Don't forget Mario was already there doing his thing before Iano made the switch.

mrsdewinter · 01-05-2011 1:12pm

elviscostello wrote: »

It was a clip from the BBC, a caller got a bit worked up about all the coverage the royal wedding is getting. Quite funny.

Audio here

That clip is hilarious. I thought the wedding was great - largely because I didn't have to do anything more taxing than get in to work a little early and make sure I could see the office telly. Not sure how I'd feel if my taxes were going towards supporting a pampered elite who will never be called to account for their actions.
Oh wait...

Itssoeasy · 05-05-2011 9:14am

Jesus Christ he played an interview from jedward at the eurovision talking about the country of Russia. It was.........different.

Dub Ste · 05-05-2011 10:12am

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Jesus Christ he played an interview from jedward at the eurovision talking about the country of Russia. It was.........different.

Different is one way of putting it,embarrassing is another way.They've had their five minutes in the spotlight,now just go away,their schtick isn't funny,it's just as I said,embarrassing.

ste88m · 24-05-2011 7:32pm

It seems someone in Today FM has noticed that things are going a bit stale.

Got an email today from the Today FM Panel inviting me to do a survey on the Breakfast Show.

Questions included...

How satisfied am I with:
Sport,
Paul Collins,
Weather,
Ian Dempsey,
News,
Traffic & Travel,
The Show Overall,
Music,
Competitions,
Gift Grub,

Along with asking me did I think that Ian sounded too laid back or does he play too much David Bowie, did I like the movie review slot, the showbiz slot etc..

There were also questions on things such as the news not going out on time, is it too busy etc...

Overall a very comprehensive survey which would lead me to think that there's gonna be some pretty big changes soon on the Today FM breakfast show...

Also note how Sport & Paul Collins were the first two questions... A sign of shorter, more to the point sports bulletins maybe? :rolleyes:

Poochie05 · 24-05-2011 8:11pm

ste88m wrote: »

Also note how Sport & Paul Collins were the first two questions... A sign of shorter, more to the point sports bulletins maybe? :rolleyes:

We can only hope :rolleyes:
He is the one thing that annoys me on Iano's show,
oh and the useless travel reports

OK so 2 things

Liam Byrne · 26-05-2011 2:07am

Used to listen regularly.

Now listen to GO'C on 4fm

Switch back to Today to check if Antonio Savage is filling in for Ray.

Gift needs to realise that funny accents don't cut it.....when they've a good script they're great, but they're far too hit & miss and even hearing them via the promos or the repeats on Saturdays wouldn't encourage you to consider them worth tuning in to.

squonk · 26-05-2011 10:37am

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Used to listen regularly.

Now listen to GO'C on 4fm

Switch back to Today to check if Antonio Savage is filling in for Ray.

Gift needs to realise that funny accents don't cut it.....when they've a good script they're great, but they're far too hit & miss and even hearing them via the promos or the repeats on Saturdays wouldn't encourage you to consider them worth tuning in to.

I'd moved on to GO'C myself. 100% agree on Gift Grub. In my view when the effort is put in and he's gone to the trouble of writing and recording a segment, I'll listen and give him plenty of credit, even if the sketch that particular day isn't all that great but at least the guy is getting off his ass and doing something. What I particularly hate is the lazy arse, pointless stuff like Daniel talking about Fair City or Big Brother... who the hell cares? Similarly going on about soccer. I couldn't give a hoot about soccer and I don't care if he's there in the studio voicing Stan talking to Iano about last night's latest match between whoever it was. It's just ****e and and not good radio.

Frankly they need to shut the hell up about Soaps, Soccer and David Bowie. I know Soaps and Soccer are popular and I'm not the demographic but for the rest of us, please just give it a bloody rest!

louise5754 · 26-05-2011 11:13am

I listen to Ian every morning and I enjoy his show. My sister however switched ages ago and when I asked why she said he always seemed to be braodcasting from somewhere foreign and it used to piss her off!! I thought about it and he does get a lot of holidays on the show!

squonk · 26-05-2011 5:26pm

louise5754 wrote: »

I listen to Ian every morning and I enjoy his show. My sister however switched ages ago and when I asked why she said he always seemed to be braodcasting from somewhere foreign and it used to piss her off!! I thought about it and he does get a lot of holidays on the show!

Oh you're right about that. I'd actually forgotten. That's spot on and whats worse, talking to John & Mary on their honeymoon in some far off clime makes for crap radio. Having Mario as Michael D interviewing and then writing a poem for John & Mary makes for even crappier radio. Playing clips from 'the craic in the bar the night before' makes for total crap radio. That Ski trip thing should be shelved. It's a complete junket and it's there to advertise whatever Ski company sponsors it, plus it's a complete pile of crap because punters queue up to buy the ski holidays for that week and Ian & co. get a free gig out of it.

I do remember once they did a National Council for the Blind ski trip I think which, while being fairly nauseating all the same, was actually a good thing to do but the rest of the junkets since then have been cack.

Gophur · 27-05-2011 12:20pm

ID Breakfast Show has had it's day.

Mario isn't funny any more.

Paul Collins is one annoying clown. Is it supposed to be "cool", or what, to insert random (or not) word, like "bainnistoir" into every buletin?

Too many annoying give-away competitions. Fun for whoever wins but not stuff one should have to endure/listen to each morning.

Mental Mickey · 27-05-2011 2:09pm

Gophur wrote: »

ID Breakfast Show has had it's day.

Mario isn't funny any more.

Paul Collins is one annoying clown. Is it supposed to be "cool", or what, to insert random (or not) word, like "bainnistoir" into every buletin?

Too many annoying give-away competitions. Fun for whoever wins but not stuff one should have to endure/listen to each morning.

:eek: Gerroutofit.

On the subject of Gift Grub, can anyone supply a link to the sketch that was played on "The Last Word" by Matt Cooper yesterday afternoon, I think it was? I caught the end of the sketch, but want to hear it again. Ta.

onway · 30-05-2011 6:55pm

I'm usually a big Ian Dempsey fan and listen to his Breakfast Show every morning but I was really fed-up with it this morning. He was broadcasting from Google HQ and it was just so un-interesting and completely irrelevant to probably most of the listeners....well, unless you were interested in getting a job in Google or just wanted to get jealous over their free food and chill-out areas and massage facilities etc etc.Sometimes they seem to forget on outside broadcasts that it is radio.....

Fran1985 · 30-05-2011 7:50pm

squonk wrote: »

it's there to advertise whatever Ski company sponsors it, plus it's a complete pile of crap because punters queue up to buy the ski holidays for that week and Ian & co. get a free gig out of it.

kinda how it works alright. The company probably pay through the nose for it, and while i'm not a fan of Dempsey's show at all (does he use a different mic, cos it always sounds duller than the rest of the programs), he has huge listenership and the company get to reach a huge amount of people for the duration of the promotion. Advertising is the only thing to keep the station going so if a company shows up with 10-20-30-40k in their pocket and says lets go skiing, then you'll be dam sure the bosses aren't gona turn around and say "look actually it makes for **** radio so here's the phone number for 2FM, give them a call, they do **** radio all the time and will glady take your money". Unfortunately radio is all about the €€€ at the end of the day, much like any business

The Ian Dempsey Show... time for a reboot?

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