RTE: Late Date

Trebor176

On last night's and tonight's Late Date, there were hints that Alf McCarthy is leaving the show at the end of the year/beginning of January. He mentioned about having thirty odd shows left until the end of the year, and that would be it. Responding to a texter, he said he'd never hang up the headphones, but time is running out.

I just got the impression from some things said that he's going. I hope he's not, as I enjoy listening to him. I've also enjoyed Lilian Smith filling in for Alf and Fiachna for the last few weeks, so I'm wondering if she might be getting the weeknight gig again.

HeidiHeidi

Oh I really hope so!

No harm to Alf , but the inane patter he goes on with, plus reading out requests that he never ever plays, just says"hiya, x" in that really annoying sing-song voice..... I can't listen when he's hosting half the time.

Bring back Lilian and Carol Moran. Please!

Orange Pants

Dave Fanning will be taking over Late Date in 2016.

Red Fred

Orange Pants wrote: »

Dave Fanning will be taking over Late Date in 2016.

That's the end of my late night radio listening so. :-(

Losty Dublin

Orange Pants wrote: »

Dave Fanning will be taking over Late Date in 2016.

I presume that you can back this one up as it's rather bizarre as things go.

heybaby

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I presume that you can back this one up as it's rather bizarre as things go.

I'd like to see either Lilian or Cathal Murray get it. Fanning at that time of the night would give radio 1 listeners a migraine.

deise man

Would love to see Carol moran get the job. Heard her filling in for Alf a couple of nights last week and really enjoyed the show. I'm not the biggest fan of lilians music choices.

Odyssey 2005

Orange Pants wrote: »

Dave Fanning will be taking over Late Date in 2016.

I REALLY hope this is a wind up.!!!

coylemj

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

I REALLY hope this is a wind up.!!!

+1 When Dave Fanning stood in for Ronan Collins a few weeks ago on the 12-1 daytime slot, he couldn't even be bothered reading a few requests so clearly the format (and playlist) what what he decided, not what the producer or listeners wanted. A big ego is definitely not what is needed in that night slot.

HeidiHeidi

coylemj wrote: »

+1 When Dave Fanning stood in for Ronan Collins a few weeks ago on the 12-1 daytime slot, he couldn't even be bothered reading a few requests so clearly the format (and playlist) what what he decided, not what the producer or listeners wanted. A big ego is definitely not what is needed in that night slot.

All the presenters seem to pick their own music - the style and mood of the programme differs greatly between them all - the few times I've heard Carol Moran on RTE I've loved her taste and playlists, similarly for Lilian Smyth.

Dave Fanning is just too manic for a late night slot - as someone said earlier he'd just give you a headache. I heard him the other day filling in for someone in a daytime slot and honestly he sounded like he was on speed or something, I couldn't understand a word out of him!

Anyone else pine for the days of Val Joyce?

ford fiesta

Maybe Alf is coming up to RTE retirement time?

John Creedon would be a good replacement.

Though retired and wouldn't return to RTE, John Clarke would be also a good replacement.

Plenty of experienced radio talent out there in the commercial sector.

coylemj

ford fiesta wrote: »

Maybe Alf is coming up to RTE retirement time?

Try telling that to Larry Gogan.

HeidiHeidi

ford fiesta wrote: »

Maybe Alf is coming up to RTE retirement time?

John Creedon would be a good replacement.

Though retired and wouldn't return to RTE, John Clarke would be also a good replacement.

Plenty of experienced radio talent out there in the commercial sector.

John Creedon did that slot for years, and the early morning one. I'd say wild horses wouldn't drag him from his nice civilised 8-10pm slot now!

ETA. ... might have to correct myself here! Just checked wiki and there's no mention of Late Date. ... I was sure he had presented it at some stage!

Anyway, the rest of my post still stands!!

robo

Oh Lilian is great in that slot - love her mix of music. Its just a good mix of chat & music

denishurley

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

John Creedon did that slot for years, and the early morning one. I'd say wild horses wouldn't drag him from his nice civilised 8-10pm slot now!

ETA. ... might have to correct myself here! Just checked wiki and there's no mention of Late Date. ... I was sure he had presented it at some stage!

Anyway, the rest of my post still stands!!

Yeah he was moved there around 2006ish, having had the midday slot before that

Trebor176

Alf was back on the air on Thursday and Friday, but Lilian seems to be filling in for him again tonight. At least that's what I thought she said last night. Yes, she is great in that slot, and I would like to see her back in it full-time, rather than Dave Fanning, if he is being considered for it.

danjo-xx

I hope Mary Wilson gets it.:)

Brendan Bendar

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

All the presenters seem to pick their own music - the style and mood of the programme differs greatly between them all - the few times I've heard Carol Moran on RTE I've loved her taste and playlists, similarly for Lilian Smyth.

Dave Fanning is just too manic for a late night slot - as someone said earlier he'd just give you a headache. I heard him the other day filling in for someone in a daytime slot and honestly he sounded like he was on speed or something, I couldn't understand a word out of him!

Anyone else pine for the days of Val Joyce?

Eh......no:rolleyes:

Orange Pants

heybaby wrote: »

I'd like to see either Lilian or Cathal Murray get it. Fanning at that time of the night would give radio 1 listeners a migraine.

RTE Radio 1s audience has gotten a lot younger in recent years

heybaby

Orange Pants wrote: »

RTE Radio 1s audience has gotten a lot younger in recent years

Not true. Rte 1 market share in the 35+ has increased and share in 15-34 caregory has decreased. Radio 1 listeners are ageing with the station, younger listeners are absolutely not served by Radio 1 and nor should they be.

Wouldn't shock me if Rick O Shea got Late Date, having heard his previous stints on Lyric and now he's deemed surplus to requirements on the main 2fm schedule.

Brendan Bendar

Alfie was a good guy, bit unctious for my taste, but had his moments.

Brian Scan

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Alfie was a good guy, bit unctious for my taste, but had his moments.

Hiya Brendan:pac:

Brendan Bendar

Brian Scan wrote: »

Hiya Brendan:pac:

Got me there B.

Euphoria Intensifies

Brian Scan is referring to the usual way Alf always responds to people's texts/emails.

Good shout re Rick O'Shea heybaby. I think he would be really good on Late Date.

Losty Dublin

Back in 2013 RTE decided that Late Date was to be franchised out to a independent production. In effect this meant that the gig was taken off staffers and given to whomever made a good bid.

By the sounds it Alf has lost the gig which now begs the question; who's taking it on in 2016? It's very unlikely that Rick O'Shea will take up the show given that he is a staffer.

P. Breathnach

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Back in 2013 RTE decided that Late Date was to be franchised out to a independent production. In effect this meant that the gig was taken off staffers and given to whomever made a good bid.

By the sounds it Alf has lost the gig which now begs the question; who's taking it on in 2016? It's very unlikely that Rick O'Shea will take up the show given that he is a staffer.

I had the impression that Alf was an RTÉ staffer: was I mistaken?

Alf said on air a couple of nights ago that he had to leave because he was reaching the retirement age of 65. RTÉ doesn't care about the age of contractors (think Donnchadha Ó Dualaing, Gaybo, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh) but it does have age limits for staff.

Losty Dublin

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I had the impression that Alf was an RTÉ staffer: was I mistaken?

Alf said on air a couple of nights ago that he had to leave because he was reaching the retirement age of 65. RTÉ doesn't care about the age of contractors (think Donnchadha Ó Dualaing, Gaybo, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh) but it does have age limits for staff.

I always thought he was as well. Then again Brendan Balfe was on air for RTE for 40 years and he was only a staffer for 10. Make what you want of that.

ford fiesta

Was Larry Gogan ever RTE Staff or has he been on contracts from the start?

Back to topic, when is Alf's final show and who is getting the slot?

Trebor176

ford fiesta wrote: »

Was Larry Gogan ever RTE Staff or has he been on contracts from the start?

Back to topic, when is Alf's final show and who is getting the slot?

It looks like his last show will be on the 30th of December. There's still no word on who will get the slot, but I'm sure that will be announced closer to the final show.

Oops69

Short and to the point : I'm glad he's going , he was painful to listen to and never played the requests he was asked .

Garryneal

Please God not Fanning .When he stood in for Ronan Collins he played the most awful ****e and babbled like a baboon. In fact a baboon would have more taste in music. Definitely not late night material, on this planet anyway.

Tim Reilly

What about John Kelly as the new host of Late Date ?

Brendan Bendar

Tim Reilly wrote: »

What about John Kelly as the new host of Late Date ?

No. No. No

Tim Reilly

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

No. No. No

The mystery train was very popular

Brendan Bendar

Tim Reilly wrote: »

The mystery train was very popular

That was at an earlier time was it?

Could t take Kelly at that hour, Lillian is the woman for that slot, perfectly suited.

HeidiHeidi

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

That was at an earlier time was it?

Could t take Kelly at that hour, Lillian is the woman for that slot, perfectly suited.

Kelly certainly has the voice for it. But he'd need to go a bit mainstream if he was to get that slot I think.

Carol Moran for me. She's been doing early mornings recently and the music was brilliant.

Brendan Bendar

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Kelly certainly has the voice for it. But he'd need to go a bit mainstream if he was to get that slot I think.

Carol Moran for me. She's been doing early mornings recently and the music was brilliant.

That auld Northern accent would annoy people at that hour, I would suggest.

People need to be relaxed before going to sleep.

padd b1975

Ronan Collins to the Late Date slot, and Cathal Murray to take over at midday.

HeidiHeidi

padd b1975 wrote: »

Ronan Collins to the Late Date slot, and Cathal Murray to take over at midday.

Are you stating that, or suggesting it?

Don't think you'd get Ronan staying up that late these days (dates)!

Cathal Murray is another class presenter, if he was willing to do the nighttime slot.

padd b1975

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Are you stating that, or suggesting it?

Don't think you'd get Ronan staying up that late these days (dates)!

Cathal Murray is another class presenter, if he was willing to do the nighttime slot.

Just a suggestion, I think Ronan would love the extra 90 minutes of airtime.

jimceart

I think it's good to rest presenters from time to time as even the best can become stale over time with the exception of Larry Gogan.

Trebor176

I've thought about Marian Farrell, formerly of RTE and 4fm, being a good contender. I found her very pleasant to listen to on Smooth & Easy on 4fm, and the music played was great. I don't think she's involved in radio anymore, though.

Tim Reilly

Trebor176 wrote: »

I've thought about Marian Farrell, formerly of RTE and 4fm, being a good contender. I found her very pleasant to listen to on Smooth & Easy on 4fm, and the music played was great. I don't think she's involved in radio anymore, though.

She is probably pension age too

ford fiesta

Will the new presenter of late date weeknights be based in Cork studios when Alf leaves?

HeidiHeidi

ford fiesta wrote: »

Will the new presenter of late date weeknights be based in Cork studios when Alf leaves?

I'd say that depends on who gets the gig.

ford fiesta

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I'd say that depends on who gets the gig.

I thought RTE Radio's policy was that a certain quota of daily radio shows must come from regional studios, or was that gotten rid of when they reviewed their regional studio policy for cost cutting and moved most of them into Institute of Technology campus's?

Tim Reilly

ford fiesta wrote: »

I thought RTE Radio's policy was that a certain quota of daily radio shows must come from regional studios, or was that gotten rid of when they reviewed their regional studio policy for cost cutting and moved most of them into Institute of Technology campus's?

Late date on weeknights came from Dublin for years with Val Joyce, it only moved to Cork when Creedon got the gig against his will in 2006. As for regional studios, sure Lyric have an expensive hq in Limerick but about 50% + of their presenters are broadcasting from Mountrose.

Losty Dublin

Tim Reilly wrote: »

Late date on weeknights came from Dublin for years with Val Joyce, it only moved to Cork when Creedon got the gig against his will in 2006. As for regional studios, sure Lyric have an expensive hq in Limerick but about 50% + of their presenters are broadcasting from Mountrose.

Lillian Smith was presenting weekend and fill in editions of Late Date from Cork studio before Val was dropped from the schedule.

AwaitYourReply

Tim Reilly wrote: »

Late date on weeknights came from Dublin for years with Val Joyce, it only moved to Cork when Creedon got the gig against his will in 2006. As for regional studios, sure Lyric have an expensive hq in Limerick but about 50% + of their presenters are broadcasting from Mountrose.

I would be surprised if Late Date came directly from Cork if certain presenters are on the roster such as: Aonghus McAnally or Fiachna Ó Braonáin as I don't believe that they are based out of Cork most of the time.

However; it has tended to come from the South when Cork based presenters like Alf McCarthy, Lillian Smith or John Creedon are in hot seat.

Of course much of the increased presence of RTÉ Cork came about after the demise of RTÉ Radio Cork (aka RTÉ Cork Local Radio, Cork 89FM) when RTÉ chose to expand the old FM3 Classical Music Service as an opt-out to RTÉ Radio One schedule to make way for a whole new channel called RTÉ lyric fm 96-99FM which would not have gone down very well in Cork at the time as it meant the sacrifice of RTÉ Cork Local Radio after many years of broadcasting to a very high standard. RTÉ promised to deliver other projects to their RTÉ Cork offices and so many radio & tv programmes are now coming directly from Leeside as a result.

Mr Sea Wolf

McCarthy has only been presenting late date since autumn 2009 so it's not really a big deal like when val Joyce was leaving.

Mr Sea Wolf

I always found McCarthy too loud and brash for that gig