The Whine Line Mentality

Red_Marauder

I have been listening to the radio a lot lately. Radio 1 is pretty good current affairs and general interest listening until you get to about 2pm each day.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, all intelligent thought goes out the window and an inane festival of whingeing and despair descends upon the national broadcaster, hosted by Talk to Joe.

Why do we devote an hour of prime time listening to people grumbling about the cold, the wet, taxis, Brian Lenishan's personal VHI cover, the panto they missed, the fact that banks make you place your small change in bags - some of the pettiest things that any able minded adult should be able to cope with without having to talk to a dull, perpetually commiserating, radio host for sympathy?

I have a lot of friends who work in customer service where complaints about relatively trivial matters regularly descends into "I'm going to ring Joe Duffy over this". Why do so many people feel like they have to resort to the maternal bosom of a complaints show to address their personal gripes instead of doing something about it themselves?

Obviously there are some cases where serious topics are treated appropriately, but a lot of this show seems to be concerned with petty problems that people have made little or no attempt to rectify themselves, but resort immediately to calling up liveline. Is it just me or does the popularity of this show confound anybody else?

ytareh

No,I love it although rarely get the chance to listen.In fact it usually makes me ANGRY at whatever more often than not GENUINE reason to whine the caller is on about ...

Overheal

Call Joe Duffy, or, Start a thread bashing on Americans to forget what you were mad at.

RiverWilde

Many people ring the likes of Joe Duffy to air a grievance that they feel would not otherwise be dealt with in a fairly or quicktly through the usual channels. Unfortunately there are numerous instances where the utilisation of public opinion is the only avenue left to someone in such a situation.

Riv

OutlawPete

Red_Marauder wrote: »

Why do we devote an hour of prime time listening to people grumbling about the cold, the wet, taxis, Brian Lenishan's personal VHI cover,?

Live Line is about the only show that politicians fear.

Someone gets on that show and it can snowball to them getting a lot of pressure.

Not that it changes much but I do like it when real issues are brought to air on then show.

There is feck all other places where the public get to have a voice.

Overheal

OutlawPete wrote: »

Live Line is about the only show that politicians fear.

You mean he hasnt been bought off yet

Red_Marauder

OutlawPete wrote: »

Live Line is about the only show that politicians fear.

Someone gets on that show and it can snowball to them getting a lot of pressure.

Not that it changes much but I do like it when real issues are brought to air on then show.

There is feck all other places where the public get to have a voice.

I would say politicians pay far more attention to shows like Prime Time, which deals with systemic failures and inaptitude in a more impartial, less reactionary, manner, and still manages to fire public opinion.
But you are right about the snowballing effect. People seem to get angry about things on that show that a few hours previously, they may have had no opinion about. I firmly believe that negatvity is contagious and this explains a lot of the popularity behind the show.

OutlawPete

Red_Marauder wrote: »

I would say politicians pay far more attention to shows like Prime Time.

I see your point but I think your wrong

Here's why.

Politicians are well prepared for Prime Time and the like. They can go on there and waffle.

Shows like Liveline are something they can't control.

If someone goes on there and says that their daughter is dying on a trolly or that their son had an xray and got the all clear and four weeks later he died - it has a massive impact.

Suddenly you have a dozen families all on embarrassing the government.

When that young twit rang Liveline from his cell - within days the government were falling over themselves to say they were bringing in new laws etc.

Not that they cared or anything but they will do anything rather than lose face.

The media are the only ones with power and Liveline seems to be able to strike them into action more than any other show I can think off.

The Late Late used to be like that but now it has a monkey at the helm unfortunately.

Kevin Bacon

Listened to it once after Joe said "ahh Jasyus that's terrible..." for the 15th time I switched it over.

Absolute tripe of the highest order. People like it I'd say because they can engage in the national pastime of moaning about everything.

Red_Marauder

OutlawPete wrote: »

Politicians are well prepared for Prime Time and the like. They can go on there and waffle.

Shows like Liveline are something they can't control.

I'm thinking in particular of Prime Time Investigates. Things like the Lea's Cross scandal, the isse of child mental health services and the junior minister Tim O'Malley losing his seat, planning and corruption issues, are just some of the things that caused huge public reactions and government action.
The thing is, they don't resort to cheap tabloid tactics that is a constant feature of Joe Duffy's candidly populist radio programme.

Tchaikovsky

This show is symptomatic of the "somebody else is always to blame" culture.
WHEN DID PEOPLE BECOME SO IMPORTANT, EH!?

OutlawPete

Red_Marauder wrote: »

I'm thinking in particular of Prime Time Investigates. Things like the Lea's Cross scandal, the isse of child mental health services and the junior minister Tim O'Malley losing his seat, planning and corruption issues, are just some of the things that caused huge public reactions and government action.
The thing is, they don't resort to cheap tabloid tactics that is a constant feature of Joe Duffy's candidly populist radio programme.

I'm not saying I am fan of the show or that Joe Duffy is anything but a pompous prat but the show does have a very high listenership and it has the power to effect change.

There is a very high level of moaning on the show.

It would be so much better if they chose what stories were covered with a little more skill.

Aidric

JONJO THE MISER

I love Liveline, ive actually been on it myself once, talking about price increases in Tesco last year.

jif

the irony of this thread :pac:

Mahatma coat

I remember listening to Live Line when it was Marianne Finnucane Presenting it, that was some hard hitting Interview with real clout and integrity, I did hear an episode with Joe the last time I was home, and remember thinkin 'Ya know That Gerry Ryan really isnt the most useless Cnut on radio!':EEK:

jd007

Red_Marauder wrote: »

Why do we devote an hour of prime time listening to people grumbling about the cold, the wet, taxis, Brian Lenishan's personal VHI cover, the panto they missed, the fact that banks make you place your small change in bags - some of the pettiest things that any able minded adult should be able to cope with without having to talk to a dull, perpetually commiserating, radio host for sympathy?

Is it just me or does that just sound like a normal day on After Hours?

marcsignal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pGcE7IvCTs

Nodin

OutlawPete wrote: »

Live Line is about the only show that politicians fear.

Someone gets on that show and it can snowball to them getting a lot of pressure.

Yes, it helps lead to knee-jerk reactions and legislation over crap, because some whinger got the other whingers in a whinging frenzy. Now in fairness, its more civillised than 'rule by angry mob with pitchforks', but thats about it.

OutlawPete

Nodin wrote: »

some whinger got the other whingers in a whinging frenzy..

Where else is there for people to air their views to the nation but the Liveline show?

Seems to me, if people keep their mouth's shut, we have a load of posters saying "typical Ireland, people afraid to complain" and yet when they do complain they are then labeled "whingers" and "whiners"

The real problem with this country is that we have a nation full of f**king begrudgers who just want to criticize people 24/7.

FlutterinBantam

I read that post a few times and still can't make any fcuking sense of it

OutlawPete

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

I read that post a few times and still can't make any fcuking sense of it

My post?

FlutterinBantam

The very one.

OutlawPete

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

The very one.

Edited.

FlutterinBantam

OutlawPete wrote: »

Where else is there for people to air their views to the nation but the Liveline show?

Boards.ie !! Yes you are correct there

OutlawPete wrote: »

Seems to me, if people keep their mouth's shut, we have a load of posters saying "typical Ireland, people afraid to complain" and yet when they do complain they are then labeled "whingers" and "whiners"

The real problem with this country is that we have a nation full of f**king begrudgers who just want to criticize people 24/7.

I see your point now, we are just begrudgers who just criticise and do nothing
ourselves.

You have something there sure enough.

Tks for that sir.

OutlawPete

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Tks for that sir.

Not at all, you're quite welcome.

Nodin

OutlawPete wrote: »

Where else is there for people to air their views to the nation but the Liveline show?

Seems to me, if people keep their mouth's shut, we have a load of posters saying "typical Ireland, people afraid to complain" and yet when they do complain they are then labeled "whingers" and "whiners"

Like the woman from Galway, who was talking about drunken students, and how this never happened in her time..... Did anyone pipe up to say 'Now hang on...' or 'This isn't new...'...no, not a bit of it.

Theres frequently no balance, just unadulterated, endless whining, by old biddies and gobshites, with 'Joeeeeee' there condascending over it all.

OutlawPete

Nodin wrote: »

Did anyone pipe up to say 'Now hang on...' or 'This isn't new...'...no, not a bit of it.

Did you phone in?

I'm not saying the show is perfect or even close to it.

But it is there and I think that is a good thing.

Latchy

OutlawPete wrote: »

Where else is there for people to air their views to the nation but the Liveline show?

Seems to me, if people keep their mouth's shut, we have a load of posters saying "typical Ireland, people afraid to complain" and yet when they do complain they are then labeled "whingers" and "whiners"

The real problem with this country is that we have a nation full of f**king begrudgers who just want to criticize people 24/7.

Very good point with a helluva lot of truth to it .

OutlawPete

Latchy wrote: »

Very good point with a helluva lot of truth to it .

It was the caffeine.

Tis my truth serum

edvedfan

I don't think Joe Duffy handles some of his calls well though, so I can't understand why it's the first place think of going. Sometimes he can be very dismissive of his callers. Like if a mother rang in about a son who needed a life changing operation, he'd be like is it a son or a daughter you said you have? a few minutes later, it doesn't seem like he listens.

It's just the biggest depression session ever! If you listened to it everyday, you must start to feel like the world hates ya.

OutlawPete

edvedfan wrote: »

I don't think Joe Duffy handles some of his calls well though,

He doesn't handle ANY well.

edvedfan wrote: »

so I can't understand why it's the first place think of going.

Same reason that the first port of call for celebs when they come to Ireland is The Late Late. It is simple all there is.

RTE Radio 1 still gets a massive amount of listeners and so when people feel they have something that they want the nation to hear they immediately think 'Joe Duffy'.

Is used to be Uncle Gaybo and now it's Joe.


Sometimes he can be very dismissive of his callers. Like if a mother rang in about a son who needed a life changing operation, he'd be like is it a son or a daughter you said you have? a few minutes later, it doesn't seem like he listens.

It's just the biggest depression session ever! If you listened to it everyday, you must start to feel like the world hates ya.[/quote]

Dj Stiggie

I'm not a fan of his, but as its been said, he does put on the pressure and get results.

He really highlighted the need for better facilities for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland. Kept it on his show every day for about 3 weeks, even went on the Late Late about it! It did work though, and the unit is being built.

And this isn't the only instance where he's got things done

syklops

OP you obviously don't get liveline.

If enough callers rang liveline, saying "Joe the shows gone to sh1t, get off the air", by the power of liveline, liveline would end.

I wish that was the case with every other show RTE produces.

geeky

Dj Stiggie wrote: »

I'm not a fan of his, but as its been said, he does put on the pressure and get results.

He really highlighted the need for better facilities for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland. Kept it on his show every day for about 3 weeks, even went on the Late Late about it! It did work though, and the unit is being built.

And this isn't the only instance where he's got things done

Good point, but it's more often a storm in a teacup that blows over the next day when Joe's faithful listeners find something else to be outraged about.

If they chose less stories - the best/least petty ones - and hammered them like they did the CF thing, it'd be fantastic. As it is, it's a forum for (sometimes choreographed) mob grumbling, that very occasionally translates itself into results. For every CF story, there's some total nonsense, like the Enda Kenny/Airport fabrication that a load of callers got worked up about, but RTE had to apologise for.

The 'I'm calling Joe Duffy' rather than 'I'm reporting you to the Consumers Association/Ombudsman/whatever the appropriate body' mentality just creates so much hot air, and sod all change.

Latchy

OutlawPete wrote: »

It was the caffeine.

Tis my truth serum

As Jack Nicholson said '' the truth , you cant handle the truth ''

I sometimes depending on the mood, listen to liveline either on the rte website or on channel 917 (Virgin media tv ) and I suppose if I was asked to describe it would say it's an agony aunt phone in were people have a chance to air and share their expierences , grievances , problems, a shoulder to cry upon so to speak covering all ongoing topics and views from all sections of the Irish population , from all walks of life .

The presenter Joe Duffy does cut across his callers a lot and allows some people to air their views and opinions more than others .But it does sometimes open up a can of worms , telling people the 'truth' and exposing the wrongs of what's going on out there in the country ,which no doubt doesn't bode well with those who think that free speech is only for the select few and not the populace as a whole .The recent church scandal allowed listeners to hear victims of abuse talk about their expierences were as previously for many years they would have being afraid to do so for fear of being ridiculed or called liars .So from that point of view I guess it serves its purpose as a live phone in programme ok .

L_Mn

It's the same **** everyday though. Jow Joooow, its disgraceful Joow. Everything is either a disgrace,something that 'its about time we stood up to these <insert you're pick here>' or a disgrace. Do these people know any other words!???

On another note..I heard a guy the other the day giving out about the fact that the new Criminal Court was in fact called the CRIMINAL Court. Apparently this dope thought that it was unfair because it deems the people up in court criminals before they are even proven guilty.....its only a name you fool!! What do you want to call it, the Ok Well Lets Hear Your Story and Then We'll See Are You A Criminal Court?

One of the many reasons I hate that programme....

syklops

L_Mn wrote: »

It's the same **** everyday though. Jow Joooow, its disgraceful Joow. Everything is either a disgrace,something that 'its about time we stood up to these <insert you're pick here>' or a disgrace. Do these people know any other words!???

On another note..I heard a guy the other the day giving out about the fact that the new Criminal Court was in fact called the CRIMINAL Court. Apparently this dope thought that it was unfair because it deems the people up in court criminals before they are even proven guilty.....its only a name you fool!! What do you want to call it, the Ok Well Lets Hear Your Story and Then We'll See Are You A Criminal Court?

One of the many reasons I hate that programme....

He had a point though.

JONJO THE MISER

I remember one day last year this caller was giving out about something on the Dail report show that does be on late at night. Joe went mad at him saying you know i dont have time to be up all hours of the night watching tv shows:D, twas very funny.

Agricola

Cant bear it. Anytime Ive turned it on, I immediately switch over. They seem to maximise the moaning time too as Joe doesnt even introduce the show like a normal presenter does, explaining what topics are relevant before going to the phones. Its just "Welcome to liveline, we've got Pat on the line who wants to complain about the colour of the signposts in Coolock, what do you want to say Pat" >>>>> Queue tedious moanfest.

Of course it seems to be a useful outlet for people who have genuine grievances, like the fabled hospital trolley problem. And it does cause politicians or whoever to sit up and take notice. I wouldnt listen to it though. I couldnt stomach doing Joe Duffys job for any length. But I suppose the 300 odd thousand hes getting keeps him stable!

Xluna

Red_Marauder wrote: »

I have been listening to the radio a lot lately. Radio 1 is pretty good current affairs and general interest listening until you get to about 2pm each day.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, all intelligent thought goes out the window and an inane festival of whingeing and despair descends upon the national broadcaster, hosted by Talk to Joe.

Why do we devote an hour of prime time listening to people grumbling about the cold, the wet, taxis, Brian Lenishan's personal VHI cover, the panto they missed, the fact that banks make you place your small change in bags - some of the pettiest things that any able minded adult should be able to cope with without having to talk to a dull, perpetually commiserating, radio host for sympathy?

I have a lot of friends who work in customer service where complaints about relatively trivial matters regularly descends into "I'm going to ring Joe Duffy over this". Why do so many people feel like they have to resort to the maternal bosom of a complaints show to address their personal gripes instead of doing something about it themselves?

Obviously there are some cases where serious topics are treated appropriately, but a lot of this show seems to be concerned with petty problems that people have made little or no attempt to rectify themselves, but resort immediately to calling up liveline. Is it just me or does the popularity of this show confound anybody else?

Because we're turning into a nation of whinny,spoilt,narcissitic brats whose only recourse to adverse circumstance is get pissed, stoned,bitch and blame "da Brits."

hidinginthebush

I've only listened to it once, and my, I wanted to throw the radio out the window. They were giving out about people drinking on Good Friday. It's a bigger troll-fest than the Adrian Kenny phone show on FM104 at night, and that's saying something.

hooradiation

I'm waiting for the day Joe finally snaps and roars at someone to shut their fucking whore mouth and stop bitching so much.

it will be glorious.

ChemOC

It's a place where people complain because they don't know that there are organisations out there that will deal with complaints about all sorts of things. eg. MEAS for drink related complaints.

BraziliaNZ

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

I love Liveline, ive actually been on it myself once, talking about price increases in Tesco last year.

You should call him and tell him the misery and hardship of your time in Australia and how awful the bread down there when you get home!

The show is sensationalist, and can make Ireland even more of a Nanny State at times. This show could have/has had an effect on laws relating to the sale of alcohol and opening hours, legal highs etc., all it takes is for one parent to call in with a sob story about their son going nuts on alcohol purchased after midnight or taking too much herbal coke and Joe has politicians in a scramble to draft new legislation before he has anymore time to whinge on the air.

Nodin

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

You should call him and tell him the misery and hardship of your time in Australia and how awful the bread down there when you get home!

The show is sensationalist, and can make Ireland even more of a Nanny State at times. This show could have/has had an effect on laws relating to the sale of alcohol and opening hours, legal highs etc., all it takes is for one parent to call in with a sob story about their son going nuts on alcohol purchased after midnight or taking too much herbal coke and Joe has politicians in a scramble to draft new legislation before he has anymore time to whinge on the air.

QFT

FlutterinBantam

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

You should call him and tell him the misery and hardship of your time in Australia and how awful the bread down there when you get home!

The show is sensationalist, and can make Ireland even more of a Nanny State at times. This show could have/has had an effect on laws relating to the sale of alcohol and opening hours, legal highs etc., all it takes is for one parent to call in with a sob story about their son going nuts on alcohol purchased after midnight or taking too much herbal coke and Joe has politicians in a scramble to draft new legislation before he has anymore time to whinge on the air.

When,God forbid, YOU have a son strung out on that headshop shít, you might change your tune pal.

L_Mn

syklops wrote: »

He had a point though.

OK he had a point but probably the most petty argument of all time..one that does not deserve the national airwaves!

BraziliaNZ

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

When,God forbid, YOU have a son strung out on that headshop shít, you might change your tune pal.

so Joe Duffy should decide what we can/can't do when it comes to recreational substances like alcohol etc?

OutlawPete

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

When,God forbid, YOU have a son strung out on that headshop shít, you might change your tune pal.

Well said..

Here's a Liveline podcast of a family member discussing their dead brother.

Podcast

Here is the same guy with friends on TV3..

TV3 Link

BraziliaNZ

OutlawPete wrote: »

Well said..

Here's a Liveline podcast of a family member discussing their dead brother.

Podcast

Here is the same guy with friends on TV3..

TV3 Link

sh*t!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!
we better get onto Joe and campaign to ban everything so. I'll miss the odd pint down the local though