Gay Byrne inadvertently calls a woman after her daughter died

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJO6ckm-o-k

whirlpool

I remember that. And it was so awkward that I can't watch it again!


Edit: I watched it after all. It wasn't so awkward, actually. It was touching.


P.S. Did anybody else's heart stop for a second when the nun said "I don't believe in accidents?" My face: :eek: But then, my face:

yenom

What did she win? Don't tell me it's a car

yenom

yenom wrote: »

What did she win? Don't tell me it's a car

Yup, it was a car. Such an amazing clip though, only Gay Byrne could have handled it so well.

mlumley

My F**KING GOD. Why the hell do you bring this up again after soooooo0 many years? Gay said he was sorry at the time, why are you bringing it up now????? Do you think he did it for fun. How in GODs name was he to know that the person had died? Ibsee in the title it is under COOL PICS AND VIDEOS, can I ask you what is so cool about it? Unless youi are a sick twat. And I do not say sorry for whay I have wrote. Just think how the poor woman feels abvout this being draged up again after so many years.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

ThePower11

If only Peter was home

whiskeyman

I remember that too. Thanks for link.
Imagine if Tubs had to deal with that!!

mlumley

mlumley wrote: »

My F**KING GOD. Why the hell do you bring this up again after soooooo0 many years? Gay said he was sorry at the time, why are you bringing it up now????? Do you think he did it for fun. How in GODs name was he to know that the person had died? Ibsee in the title it is under COOL PICS AND VIDEOS, can I ask you what is so cool about it? Unless youi are a sick twat. And I do not say sorry for whay I have wrote. Just think how the poor woman feels abvout this being draged up again after so many years.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

It reminds us how good a TV show host Gay Byrne was, that he was a consumate professional regardless of what happens. Nobody ever said that he did it on purpose, it just happened to be the luck of the draw. The woman was treated with the utmost respect by Gay, the guests and the audience.

ibarelycare

Oh god... that's actually really sad

Son Of A Vidic

Could you imagine if it was the muppet Kenny that had rang that woman.

Captain Darling

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Could you imagine if it was the muppet Kenny that had rang that woman.

Or that other string bean, Tubridy? I dont know how he'd jazz hands his way out of that one.

ThePower11

mlumley wrote: »

My F**KING GOD. Why the hell do you bring this up again after soooooo0 many years? Gay said he was sorry at the time, why are you bringing it up now????? Do you think he did it for fun. How in GODs name was he to know that the person had died? Ibsee in the title it is under COOL PICS AND VIDEOS, can I ask you what is so cool about it? Unless youi are a sick twat. And I do not say sorry for whay I have wrote. Just think how the poor woman feels abvout this being draged up again after so many years.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Calm the fuck down will you, I'm sure the OP didn't post it as a skit!

Is there a follow up story to the OP?

cursai

At 6.55 when the two dreadlockies wouldnt even clap with the audience. Dunno just got to me

Sauve

Captain Darling wrote: »

Or that other string bean, Tubridy? I dont know how he'd jazz hands his way out of that one.

As much as I hated Gaybo at the time, he really was a gent who took his profession very seriously.

whirlpool

Sauvignon82 wrote: »

As much as I hated Gaybo at the time, he really was a gent who took his profession very seriously.

Why did you hate him?

ThePower11

Gay "why did she die"

Woman "are you trying to be funny"

Cringe!

Captain Darling

cursai wrote: »

At 6.55 when the two dreadlockies wouldnt even clap with the audience. Dunno just got to me

Yeah, i'd say they felt it inappropriate to clap. It had a lot of people squirming in their seats.

The poor woman on the phone was very dignified on the phone and Gay reacted as he probably would have in real life as well, not just on television.

ThePower11

whirlpool wrote: »

Why did you hate him?

He's a very arrogant man in fairness, I never liked him.

Andrew76

ThePower11 wrote: »

Gay "why did she die"

Woman "are you trying to be funny"

Cringe!

Yeah very awkward. I assume he meant "how" did she die. Very sad clip that.

cofy

I often tought of that woman and her family and wondered how they are? But it just goes to show that you just don't know what people are going through. A smile and salute may make the world of a difference to some one, it costs nothing.

ThePower11

cofy wrote: »

I often tought of that woman and her family and wondered how they are? But it just goes to show that you just don't know what people are going through. A smile and salute may make the world of a difference to some one, it costs nothing.

It was very poignant that it was her daughter that sent the card in, she was very dignified the the phone.

Sauve

whirlpool wrote: »

Why did you hate him?

Cos I was just a kid and he was a 'boring old man'.

Samich

That's awful sad

Skid

I remember watching that, It was unbelievable.

The Nun was very clumsy "I don't believe in accidents ... that you happened to be picked tonight"

Firstly making it sound like God planned the Car accident.

And then that God arranged for her to win the car. By having her card picked out second. And having Peter stay late at the Tennis Club.

mlumley

ThePower11 wrote: »

Calm the fuck down will you, I'm sure the OP didn't post it as a skit!

Is there a follow up story to the OP?

Is there any reason that after all these years OP, that it needs to be brought up again?I dont think so. Just try to imagion how you would feel if it was one of your family. Would you like to be reminded of it? Gay treated it with the utmost respect, but dose that mean that it should be brought up again for no rerason? No I dont think so. And for you, the power, DONT belittle my views, and I wont belittle yours.

whirlpool

mlumley wrote: »

Is there any reason that after all these years OP, that it needs to be brought up again?I dont think so. Just try to imagion how you would feel if it was one of your family. Would you like to be reminded of it? Gay treated it with the utmost respect, but dose that mean that it should be brought up again for no rerason? No I dont think so. And for you, the power, DONT belittle my views, and I wont belittle yours.

Yeah, I've heard that that woman, who is most likely at LEAST aged 67 at this stage, frequents After Hours actually. :rolleyes:

ThePower11

mlumley wrote: »

Is there any reason that after all these years OP, that it needs to be brought up again?I dont think so. Just try to imagion how you would feel if it was one of your family. Would you like to be reminded of it? Gay treated it with the utmost respect, but dose that mean that it should be brought up again for no rerason? No I dont think so. And for you, the power, DONT belittle my views, and I wont belittle yours.

If you don't like the thread why are you even here?

xzanti

God that was very sad, I don't remember it tbh..

I wonder did it the event have some small part to play in Gaybo adorning the roll of Chairman of the Road Safety Authority?

How's the head mlumley?

Socialist_Pig

was only talking about this the the other day.I work in a call centre offering tech support and a colleague rang to se if the fault had been fixed and the person who had logged the fault had since died.Awkward doesnt come near it.He didnt handle it as well gaybo did though

Socialist_Pig

mlumley wrote: »

My F**KING GOD. Why the hell do you bring this up again after soooooo0 many years? Gay said he was sorry at the time, why are you bringing it up now????? Do you think he did it for fun. How in GODs name was he to know that the person had died? Ibsee in the title it is under COOL PICS AND VIDEOS, can I ask you what is so cool about it? Unless youi are a sick twat. And I do not say sorry for whay I have wrote. Just think how the poor woman feels abvout this being draged up again after so many years.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

lol:D get over yourself!!

Clareman

yenom wrote: »

What did she win? Don't tell me it's a car

Poor woman lost her daughter and won a Rover 214, that's bad karma

Kasabian

Amazing how life can throw up such moments.

arybvtcw0eolkf

cofy wrote: »

I often tought of that woman and her family and wondered how they are? But it just goes to show that you just don't know what people are going through. A smile and salute may make the world of a difference to some one, it costs nothing.

Plus one.

I never heard of this one, and now I'm left thinking of the poor girl who was killed, her mother and the rest of her family and frends.

God love them all.

donvito99

On Friday, I watched Jason Byrne attack an uncomfortable, wooden Ryan Tubridy on the now demising Late Late Show.

Utter tripe. Gay Byrne dealt with that on live tv in a way that no one else could, with humility and reverance. Fair play to him.

On a side note, would this have had anthing to do with Gay's stint a few years ago as head of the National Safety Council/RSA?

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tbh I thought Gaybo made a bollox of that.

Had he any co-op he'd have picked up the damned phone and had a chat to her instead of playing to an audience.

I doubt he gave a toss.

looksee

whirlpool wrote: »

Yeah, I've heard that that woman, who is most likely at LEAST aged 67 at this stage, frequents After Hours actually. :rolleyes:

Look sonny, if you have a look around Boards you will find a good few people in her age group, just because you can't imagine being a half century older doesn't mean it won't happen.

Peyton Manning

I thought he handled it terribly too, the amount of detail he requested from her re: the death on live television was bloody excrutiating. Im sure he meant well, but "Was she killed instantly?"....really Gay!?

TheZohanS

RIP Gaybo. Still can't believe he's gone.

Hank_Jones

whirlpool

looksee wrote: »

Look sonny, if you have a look around Boards you will find a good few people in her age group, just because you can't imagine being a half century older doesn't mean it won't happen.

I was simply pointing out that it would be a massive coincidence if this lady so happened to be one of the over 67s in this country who browses Boards.ie AND browses After Hours AND saw this thread. But you personally think that those three things occurring is very likely, do you?

Secondly, I happen to teach computers and social media to a class of over 65s, so congratulations on making a completely incorrect assumption about me.

And calling me "sonny" isn't in the least bit patronising, whatsoever. Congratulations on that one.

I truly hope you're not in the over-65s range yourself because I'm afraid your life wisdom hasn't served you particularly well in this case.

whirlpool

Connor Gifted Weeknight wrote: »

Tbh I thought Gaybo made a bollox of that.

Had he any co-op he'd have picked up the damned phone and had a chat to her instead of playing to an audience.

I doubt he gave a toss.

The woman went from feeling defensive ("are you being funny?") to feeling grateful ("thank you," etc) to even crying on the phone while a poem was read for her, to saying thank you after being told she had the support and prayers of the country, and feeling like she was doing something for her daughter by continuing with the phone call to win the car "for her." I'd say he handled it pretty damn well.

pebbles21

Im sure Peter was at the "Tennis Club" at that hour of the night ;)

looksee

whirlpool wrote: »

I was simply pointing out that it would be a massive coincidence if this lady so happened to be one of the over 67s in this country who browses Boards.ie AND browses After Hours AND saw this thread. But you personally think that those three things occurring is very likely, do you?

I took the roll-eyes to mean that you considered it staggeringly unlikely that anyone over sixty-whatever would be reading boards, whatever about the woman in question.

Secondly, I happen to teach computers and social media to a class of over 65s, so congratulations on making a completely incorrect assumption about me.

And I also teach computer subjects - to 20 year olds! Tho' I am not sure what assumptions I am supposed to have made or why that is relevant.

And calling me "sonny" isn't in the least bit patronising, whatsoever. Congratulations on that one.

The sonny was supposed to be a joke/dig at myself rather than you, as I am one of those you quote and might be expected to use that term. Yes I suppose it was a bit convoluted, I've been told I have a strange sense of humour.

I truly hope you're not in the over-65s range yourself because I'm afraid your life wisdom hasn't served you particularly well in this case.

Ooooh, *sharp intake of breath* I think you win!

seanybiker

I thought he handled it brutally in my opinion. Ask her does she want to carry on but asking about the details of the accident was stupid.

Yahew

Connor Gifted Weeknight wrote: »

Tbh I thought Gaybo made a bollox of that.

Had he any co-op he'd have picked up the damned phone and had a chat to her instead of playing to an audience.

I doubt he gave a toss.

It was clear he needed to put the call on speaker phone to allow the studio to hear. He could hardly have a private conversation on live TV.

seanybiker wrote: »

I thought he handled it brutally in my opinion. Ask her does she want to carry on but asking about the details of the accident was stupid.

The other option was to hang up. He got it right.

WindSock

The woman said she wanted to carry on, her daughter had sent in the card and she even said lots of little things like that had been happening since her death so it was obviously of some comfort to her.

Gay came across as genuine and handled the whole thing very professionally instead of shutting down altogether and running away. I can't imagine how Pat would have reacted.

It may come as a surprise but not everyone who is grieving wants to be quarantined in the 'don't even talk to them or ask' section. Had the woman not wanted to talk, she wouldn't have even come to the phone.

ThePower11

WindSock wrote: »

The woman said she wanted to carry on, her daughter had sent in the card and she even said lots of little things like that had been happening since her death so it was obviously of some comfort to her.

Gay came across as genuine and handled the whole thing very professionally instead of shutting down altogether and running away. I can't imagine how Pat would have reacted.

It may come as a surprise but not everyone who is grieving wants to be quarantined in the 'don't even talk to them or ask' section. Had the woman not wanted to talk, she wouldn't have even come to the phone.

The nature of Gaybo's questioning was a bit insensitive in fairness, "was she killed instantly?", that's some question to ask.

DeVore

looksee wrote: »

Look sonny, if you have a look around Boards you will find a good few people in her age group, just because you can't imagine being a half century older doesn't mean it won't happen.

And has never been on the Oulwans and Aulfellas forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1480

There are plenty if people 50+ on Boards. Our average age is in the 30s and we actually have a spike of users after 60!

DeV.

cofy

ThePower11 wrote: »

The nature of Gaybo's questioning was a bit insensitive in fairness, "was she killed instantly?", that's some question to ask.

When someone dies suddenly even family members, first want to know if the person suffered, and hope and pray that they have not. It's the first question most people ask when told that someone has died in an accident.

I think that Gay was probably the first person to speak to her in such a matter of a fact way (what had just happened was matter of fact). It just felt like to me that she appreciated this, as has been mentioned previously in the thread - most people just want to run away and not talk about it.

When a person in this situation gets the chance to speak out loud, it sometimes helps to make sense of a senseless situation.

Loomis

whirlpool wrote: »

I remember that. And it was so awkward that I can't watch it again!


Edit: I watched it after all. It wasn't so awkward, actually. It was touching.


P.S. Did anybody else's heart stop for a second when the nun said "I don't believe in accidents?" My face: :eek: But then, my face:

lol big time. And I think Gaybo's did too.
But she'll pray for her, so that's ok. God killed her daughter but he made her win a competition so a nun would pray for her. And she gets to enjoy a car she can't drive in the meantime.
/cynic

Gaybo was brilliant. Can you imagine Pat Kenny in that position? :eek:

ringadingding

I have a feeling when he read the question, maybe he asked an easier question.

There was no way he was going to ask a question if there was even the slightest chance she was going to get it wrong.

I think, in hindsight he will have a couple of cringeworthy moments, but on the whole, being caught on the hop like that, I think he done really well.