The Pointless Nature of the Ronan Collins "Hour".

RoundyMooney · 07-02-2012 2:46pm #1

Okay.

I'll preface by saying that I actually like Ronan, he has a rapport with his grey headed audience, keeping them well provided with nostalgia, birthdays, and death notices.

But what in the blue blazes, is the point of having him on for a mere hour, and using that hour as a waste receptacle for everything else they have to get through?

Today for example (sorry, it's a quiet day):

1200-1206: Benny Bells, news, and intro-before he even gets to start the show.

(plays two songs)

1211-1216: A four minute promo for some gig, and a minute of ads.

(plays three songs)

1228-1233: Nuacht, agus aimsir as Gaeilge, followed by another ad or two.

(three songs again)

1242-1246: Almost four minutes of Joe Duff, telling us what won't be on our Lahvlahn today.

(gets the last complete song in, the ninth of the show-comprising twenty five minutes of music so far since midday)

From 1250, another ad, then Ronan scrambles to get through the last of the birthdays, today spending another minute or two on the promo-leaving him, every shagging time-with a spare minute before he breaks at 1257 for the final ad break. And instead of talking, he thinks we should get thirty seconds of a song instead!

Pointless. Stick PK or whoever is replacing him on at nine instead, dump John Murray and have Ronan take over from either eleven, or half past until the News At One.

Or else let him retire to rest his voice-he's been battling gamely with a sore throat for months.

SEPT 23 1989 · 07-02-2012 2:54pm

Cant believe he gets a couple of hundred grand for 5 hours work a week

may not be true

trad · 07-02-2012 3:00pm

To my mind Ronan is only passing his time there.

Listen to the number of apologies for being late with a request or missing a date. It rings or total lack of preparation.

Don't get me wrong, I like his programme but a bit more professionalism would be nice.

For an authority on Irish showbands he rarely if ever plays trad.

heybaby · 07-02-2012 3:27pm

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Okay.

I'll preface by saying that I actually like Ronan, he has a rapport with his grey headed audience, keeping them well provided with nostalgia, birthdays, and death notices.

But what in the blue blazes, is the point of having him on for a mere hour, and using that hour as a waste receptacle for everything else they have to get through?

Today for example (sorry, it's a quiet day):

1200-1206: Benny Bells, news, and intro-before he even gets to start the show.

(plays two songs)

1211-1216: A four minute promo for some gig, and a minute of ads.

(plays three songs)

1228-1233: Nuacht, agus aimsir as Gaeilge, followed by another ad or two.

(three songs again)

1242-1246: Almost four minutes of Joe Duff, telling us what won't be on our Lahvlahn today.

(gets the last complete song in, the ninth of the show-comprising twenty five minutes of music so far since midday)

From 1250, another ad, then Ronan scrambles to get through the last of the birthdays, today spending another minute or two on the promo-leaving him, every shagging time-with a spare minute before he breaks at 1257 for the final ad break. And instead of talking, he thinks we should get thirty seconds of a song instead!

Pointless. Stick PK or whoever is replacing him on at nine instead, dump John Murray and have Ronan take over from either eleven, or half past until the News At One.

Or else let him retire to rest his voice-he's been battling gamely with a sore throat for months.

Excellent post, consider your quiet day well spent. You have in forensic detail highlighted the utter waste and stupidity of rte management. I too like Ronan but he should be on lyric or put out to pasture, i keep saying there are plenty of younger jocks with young families who would jump at a fraction of ronan collins' wages, jaysis id work an 40 hour week for a quarter of his wages

dvcireland · 07-02-2012 4:04pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

may not be true

whatabout all the "research" he has do in preparation for the show?

he does have a very handy number

deanswift · 07-02-2012 4:05pm

heybaby wrote: »

Excellent post, consider your quiet day well spent. You have in forensic detail highlighted the utter waste and stupidity of rte management. I too like Ronan but he should be on lyric or put out to pasture, i keep saying there are plenty of younger jocks with young families who would jump at a fraction of ronan collins' wages, jaysis id work an 40 hour week for a quarter of his wages

RTE management obviously want rid of him.

europa11 · 07-02-2012 4:33pm

tbh I think he's pissed off at the timeslot that he's been given. His show as well illustrated by Roundys OP, is truncated and full of interruptions the like no other presenter has to put up with (I'm sure that even the dreadful John Murrays' Hour is devoid of promos, news breaks, bells or a shameless Duffyesque spiel from Pat Kenny).

In the absence of any major overhaul to the RTE 1 morning/afternoon schedule, it's actually pointless having a music show at all for this hour, certainly not before 3pm. I do like Ronan Collins, and if I had my way would drop Mooney and give him a 3 - 5 timeslot, after Christmas RC gets an additional hour or so and seems far more relaxed and indeed, professional. The godawful Mary Wilson hardly needs an additional half-hour to hone her natural rudeness and inane questioning so Drivetime can wait til 5.

While I can appreciate that a "light" programme is usually ideal between Pat Kenny and The News at One, maybe a revamped "Rattlebag" type arts/review show could fill in the time more suitably than this now often confusing musical/promo hour offering does.

mike65 · 07-02-2012 4:38pm

That 12-1 pm slot has been a bane for the station even though someone will probably tell me the ratings are just grand. I reckon Newstalk are very happy to see it continue to limp along.

Being me I'd have junked it years ago and used that slot to showcase programmes of comedy, drama and panel games.

RoundyMooney · 07-02-2012 6:18pm

europa11 wrote: »

In the absence of any major overhaul to the RTE 1 morning/afternoon schedule, it's actually pointless having a music show at all for this hour, certainly not before 3pm. I do like Ronan Collins, and if I had my way would drop Mooney and give him a 3 - 5 timeslot, after Christmas RC gets an additional hour or so and seems far more relaxed and indeed, professional. The godawful Mary Wilson hardly needs an additional half-hour to hone her natural rudeness and inane questioning so Drivetime can wait til 5.

I'd love to see the back of Mooney-and this would be an excellent way to do it. I'd definitely tune in.

aujopimur · 07-02-2012 7:36pm

He's getting old, he needs lots of wee wee breaks.

Derryleigh · 07-02-2012 8:16pm

RoundyMooney wrote: »

I'd love to see the back of Mooney-and this would be an excellent way to do it. I'd definitely tune in.

You really havent a clue have you. Have you seen the listenership figures for both Mooney and Collins. Come back with a post that makes sense once you know what you are talking about.

kraggy · 08-02-2012 1:58am

Derryleigh wrote: »

You really havent a clue have you. Have you seen the listenership figures for both Mooney and Collins. Come back with a post that makes sense once you know what you are talking about.

Are you related to Mooney or something? No need to be confrontational. It's just a discussion going on here. Nothing more.

I would point out that a lot of the listenership that Mooney has can be attributed to the fact that one of the country's most-listened to shows is on immediately before him.

If they played the Angelus on continuous loop after Liveline, there'd still be a few listeners.

RoundyMooney · 08-02-2012 1:59am

Don't worry about it Kraggy. Derryleigh is that most futile of individuals, complaining endlessly about those he sees as complaining.

Criticism is a foreign concept to him.

Welsh Megaman · 08-02-2012 12:16pm

europa11 wrote: »

tbh I think he's pissed off at the timeslot that he's been given. His show as well illustrated by Roundys OP, is truncated and full of interruptions the like no other presenter has to put up with (I'm sure that even the dreadful John Murrays' Hour is devoid of promos, news breaks, bells or a shameless Duffyesque spiel from Pat Kenny).

In the absence of any major overhaul to the RTE 1 morning/afternoon schedule, it's actually pointless having a music show at all for this hour, certainly not before 3pm. I do like Ronan Collins, and if I had my way would drop Mooney and give him a 3 - 5 timeslot, after Christmas RC gets an additional hour or so and seems far more relaxed and indeed, professional. The godawful Mary Wilson hardly needs an additional half-hour to hone her natural rudeness and inane questioning so Drivetime can wait til 5.

While I can appreciate that a "light" programme is usually ideal between Pat Kenny and The News at One, maybe a revamped "Rattlebag" type arts/review show could fill in the time more suitably than this now often confusing musical/promo hour offering does.

A few years ago, John Creedon used to be on 3.30 till 5 playing 'stacks' of music. RTE will argue that with 'Arena' on in the evenings, there's no need to bring 'Rattlebag' back.

donaghs · 08-02-2012 1:45pm

Derryleigh wrote: »

You really havent a clue have you. Have you seen the listenership figures for both Mooney and Collins. Come back with a post that makes sense once you know what you are talking about.

Back again defending RTE's "public service"? Just because Mooney and Collins have high listenership figures relative to other DJs, does that mean they can't do better?

Also, what's the point of having popular DJs and show, and getting income from BOTH advertising and the licence fee, if RTE still can make staggering losses.
e.g. in 2011: http://www.independent.ie/business/media/rte-to-cut-staff-as-losses-hit-25m-2575535.html

Not to mention the annual "subvention" which the RTe get from the government (us).

The problems with RTE all go back the fact that they can extract half their income from the general public, with the threat of court/fines/jail, via the unfair licence fee. If they had to live within their own means for a few years, it might make for an interesting shake-up.

Bard · 08-02-2012 2:32pm

RoundyMooney and donaghs: your good intentions are appreciated, however please keep the discussion here on topic - i.e.: talk about the radio show in question and refrain from having a go at other posters here. Thanks.

RubyRoss · 08-02-2012 9:03pm

I don't have an particular problem with Ronan Collins but the slot makes no sense after Pat Kenny and before the News at One. I think Rattlebag worked much better at this slot while Arena - complete with the awful promo music - is on at time when people are watching the films or reading the books so what's the point.

It probably very awkward to serve the multiple demographics that listen to Radio One but I'd imagine that the Ronan Collins hour results in many people switching over to NewsTalk..and often forgetting to switch back for the news at one

goose2005 · 09-02-2012 12:19pm

mike65 wrote: »

That 12-1 pm slot has been a bane for the station even though someone will probably tell me the ratings are just grand. I reckon Newstalk are very happy to see it continue to limp along.

Being me I'd have junked it years ago and used that slot to showcase programmes of comedy, drama and panel games.

But that would mean having to script and plan a show out, rather than just winging it with the minimum of effort.

bureau2009 · 09-02-2012 1:14pm

The problem with the Ronan Collins show is.......Ronan Collins!!!

The two best music presenters on Radio 1 are Shay Byrne and John Creedon. If I were Controller of Radio 1 I'd slot either of them on at 12 midday - they deserve a high profile slot.

And if I were the Controller of Radio 1 then Ronan Collins would be.................!!!????!???

JonathanAnon · 09-02-2012 2:48pm

"Hello to Aunty Mary and Gang-gang who's 136 years old.... "

Awful stuff.. The show is carried by the shows either side of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmavF8PH1M8

As soon as I hear the first trumpet on the above, it's bang... radio on to Newstalk..

irishh_bob · 09-02-2012 2:51pm

only time i listen to the ronan collins show is when that young mild mannered DJ stands in for him , he,s got great taste in tunes

JonathanAnon · 09-02-2012 2:54pm

irishh_bob wrote: »

only time i listen to the ronan collins show is when that young mild mannered DJ stands in for him , he,s got great taste in tunes

Oh yeah I've mentioned him before.. Cathal Murray.. he's got a real nice voice and a real nice way about him..

Technocentral · 09-02-2012 5:47pm

A show aimed at old folks should be on later at night or at weekends, to hear the stuff he plays you would swear punk never happened, I'm nearly 50 but listen to stuff like Arcade Fire and M83 not Daniel O'Donnell as does everyone else I know, straight after Kenny I switch to BBC 6 or BBC4 and back for News at One.

The Black Oil · 10-02-2012 12:18pm

Was painting an empty an apartment once. I took along a radio for some company, always turned if off once the PK show was over.

bob50 · 12-02-2012 12:51am

Ronan Collins used to present the afternoon show on rte in the early to mid ninetes used to be on just after liveline and went on till near five

He used to come with this guff every friday " the minister has declared the weekend has started" he obivously tought he was funny He was also a dj on RTE radio 2 in its earlier years before moving to radio1 Looks like hes marking time now

Lapin · 12-02-2012 1:23am

Collins should be shipped off to Lyric FM and the midday slot on Radio 1 should be devoted to a daily hour long discussion about the non existant (but desirable) lesbian relationship between Kathryn Thomas and the Seoige sisters.

mike65 · 12-02-2012 12:04pm

goose2005 wrote: »

But that would mean having to script and plan a show out, rather than just winging it with the minimum of effort.

Oh I know, the Wooly Jumper format is dirt cheap (RC would probably turn up for work even if he wasn't being paid!) investing in writing and production is the last thing RTE want to do, they didn't lift a finger during their advertising boom period so they sure won't do it now.

Fulton Crown · 13-02-2012 1:50am

This guy is a "painting by numbers" presenter.

Does the show on Auto PIloy bland /bland.

Take this goon offff

bureau2009 · 13-02-2012 10:57am

Fulton Crown wrote: »

This guy is a "painting by numbers" presenter.

Does the show on Auto PIloy bland /bland.

Take this goon offff

Thank you so much Fulton Crown! You've put into words EXACTLY what I feel.

With loads of much more talented presenters available RTE is doing a huge dis-service to their listeners.

Note to RTE Radio Management - try and become a LISTENER CENTRED station, not a so called "personality" station.

Dirigent · 13-02-2012 12:36pm

Lapin wrote: »

Collins should be shipped off to Lyric FM

Lyric already has it's quota of geriatrics spinning lollipops.

goose2005 · 13-02-2012 10:06pm

Lapin wrote: »

Collins should be shipped off to Lyric FM

I thought Lyric FM was a station for people who liked classical music, not some sort of scheme for otherwise unemployable DJs?

JonasADF · 13-02-2012 11:21pm

Ah, Ronan's alright. His listeners are on that level.

bureau2009 · 14-02-2012 10:31am

JonasADF wrote: »

Ah, Ronan's alright. His listeners are on that level.

Which is why I am NOT a listener, along with thousands of others who are turned off by him.

RTE Management, are you reading this?

RoundyMooney · 11-06-2012 1:11pm

He's taking the piss in a big way of late. Invariably he'll cue a song at 12:56 or so, in the certain knowledge that there isn't time for one verse, not to mind a tasteful fade out. Without fail. Every bloody day.

And in the next breath he'll tell us all how sorry he is for not getting around to all the dedications, but there just wasn't enough time.

Lazy radio is no exaggeration!

Going Forward · 13-06-2012 10:59pm

Its the only place you can hear this anymore:) AND I LIKE IT!

Welsh Megaman · 14-06-2012 1:07pm

Something happened on Ronan's show last week that has been puzzling me.

He played 'Melting Pot' by Blue Mink, a song that has lyrics containing slang terms for different races which would be racist and unacceptable in 2012 (the song was recorded in 1969).

Shouldn't there be laws about playing records like this?

mike65 · 14-06-2012 1:10pm

**** that! Lets not call the Thought Police about some badly rhyming lyrics in a "positive vibe" song eh?

Welsh Megaman · 14-06-2012 7:04pm

mike65 wrote: »

**** that! Lets not call the Thought Police about some badly rhyming lyrics in a "positive vibe" song eh?

I like the song, I'm just curious as to whether songs like this can be played on daytime radio nowadays.

The Muppet · 14-06-2012 9:46pm

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

Something happened on Ronan's show last week that has been puzzling me.

He played 'Melting Pot' by Blue Mink, a song that has lyrics containing slang terms for different races which would be racist and unacceptable in 2012 (the song was recorded in 1969).

Shouldn't there be laws about playing records like this?

No

Welsh Megaman · 15-06-2012 8:33am

The Muppet wrote: »

No

Bad choice of words, I didn't mean laws.

squonk · 15-06-2012 10:53am

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

Something happened on Ronan's show last week that has been puzzling me.

He played 'Melting Pot' by Blue Mink, a song that has lyrics containing slang terms for different races which would be racist and unacceptable in 2012 (the song was recorded in 1969).

Shouldn't there be laws about playing records like this?

Ah chill out! The song isn't inciting hatred, rather more of a 'let's all be one big happy family' vibe. Even Boyzone covered this back in 1996, you'd hardly call them purveyors of hate filled lyrics so chill out.

Skid · 15-06-2012 5:01pm

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

He played 'Melting Pot' by Blue Mink, a song that has lyrics containing slang terms for different races which would be racist and unacceptable in 2012

I'm with Michael on this one, it's all good.

Yakuza · 18-06-2012 12:52pm

Ronan, a few things:

1) Nice one on playing Bohemian Rhapsody, always a pleasure to hear it.
2) Please never again add your voice in over the closing phrases of said song. It just sounded creepy.
3) Don't be using such trendy words like "epic" in reference to said song. The vast majority of your listenership will be scratching their heads wondering what you could possibly have meant.

Regards,

Yakuza

RoundyMooney · 28-03-2013 1:31pm

Bumping this because I'm off on leave again, and have been suffering through Ronan's efforts for the last week or two.

He still has the annoying habit of playing thirty seconds of a track at the close of his show-pointless.

He took the biscuit today though, playing a Michael Bublé track (almost to the end), Ronan did a fat finger on it, stopping the Canadian crooner in full voice, and restarting the track.

And what did he do? Mumble an excuse, and left the whole bloody thing play through for a second time.

Ray Foley might have coined the phrase "lazy radio", but Ronan epitomises it.

mike65 · 02-05-2013 12:59pm

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Bumping this because I'm off on leave again, and have been suffering through Ronan's efforts for the last week or two.

He still has the annoying habit of playing thirty seconds of a track at the close of his show-pointless.

He took the biscuit today though, playing a Michael Bublé track (almost to the end), Ronan did a fat finger on it, stopping the Canadian crooner in full voice, and restarting the track.

And what did he do? Mumble an excuse, and left the whole bloody thing play through for a second time.

Ray Foley might have coined the phrase "lazy radio", but Ronan epitomises it.

And again, no fan of "I want to know what love is" by Foreigner but two minutes is taking the piss, he was just into the meat of the song and "byeeeeeeee"

Trick of the Tail · 02-05-2013 1:18pm

Heard that, I've always liked the first verse but never cared to hear the chorus after it!

europa11 · 03-05-2013 12:22pm

For someone who complains so much about not having enough time to play music, Ronan then devotes six or seven minutes to Amateur Theatre reviews and will do so every day next week :eek: :rolleyes:.

Surely something like that belongs on Mooney, or the even more unlistenable John Murray Show.

virino · 03-05-2013 12:27pm

Well, I just love Ronan Collins, and I always have, and who can explain love! I wouldn't care what he says, he always sounds happy and I feel the same way listening to him.

Oafley Jones · 04-05-2013 9:22pm

virino wrote: »

Well, I just love Ronan Collins, and I always have, and who can explain love! I wouldn't care what he says, he always sounds happy and I feel the same way listening to him.

I think he usually comes across as being in bad form and that the hour is an imposition on him.

Losty Dublin · 05-05-2013 1:08pm

europa11 wrote: »

For someone who complains so much about not having enough time to play music, Ronan then devotes six or seven minutes to Amateur Theatre reviews and will do so every day next week :eek: :rolleyes:.

Surely something like that belongs on Mooney, or the even more unlistenable John Murray Show.

That's sounds like the annual Am-Dram thing RTE 1 does with Kevin Hough. It's always been dumped into Ronan's show over the years and . Maybe it was justifiable to place it there when his was the only light entertainment show daytime; these days there are other apt outlets for it such as Lyric FM or the Arts shows in the evenings.

redtelephone · 05-05-2013 1:45pm

virino wrote: »

Well, I just love Ronan Collins, and I always have, and who can explain love! I wouldn't care what he says, he always sounds happy and I feel the same way listening to him.

Ronan, is that you?

The Pointless Nature of the Ronan Collins "Hour".

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