US (Washington Correspondent) RTE

Brendan Bendar

Oooookay….. now that O’Donovan has done his stint in the States, this job is now open for application.

Who is going to get it, will there be much interest, will it be an insider or an outsider?

Good few ‘names ‘ put forward….. Robert Shortt, Perry again, Libreri, couple of dudes from Newstalk, and more.

Who do you think will be the chosen one?

It could be interesting.

JJKC

George Lee

Brendan Bendar

Nah…. Doubt if he would be ‘savvy’ enough for the job. Be a bit set in his ways, I would think.

Itssoeasy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118305752#Comment_118305752

I never though I’d say this but that’s a good idea. Let the Americans suffer from George lee and give us a rest.

StevenToast

I reckon someone young enough like will goodbody will get it...

Mad_maxx

Anyone would be an improvement on o Donovan

Itssoeasy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306129#Comment_118306129

Ah he wasn’t that bad. I mean Charlie bird was surely worse.

Mad_maxx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306173#Comment_118306173

Everyone knows CB is very eccentric so we tolerate him

Even by RTE standards, o Donovan was an insufferable democratic party groupie

Itssoeasy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306185#Comment_118306185

is that the royal we you are using ?

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306129#Comment_118306129

Have to agree, dreadfully painful to listen too, talks like he's working off Android OS, robotic and utterly dull. I saw someone say they could listen to his articulations all day long, personally I'd prefer Kraftwerk 😁

As to who'd replace him, I predict it will be a first, or second cousin twice removed from someone already employed at RTE, alternatively a son or daughter will suffice, Nepotism and all that 🤔

But seriously that rather annoying bearded Chap on Prime time looking like a spare tool since he was pushed aside with the arrival of the excellent Sarah McInerney might be sent across to Washington, not because of Talent mind you , surplus to requirements so to speak.

Some pretty Dreadful presenters & correspondents on RTE to choose from in fairness.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306119#Comment_118306119

Would an Editor be considered 🤔

StevenToast

Actually after further consideration, why the fcuk do RTE need a "Washington Correspondent"....

Why dont they just cover the news events from the US there like they do with other countries e.g Australia or Japan.....

Maybe send someone over for the Presidential Election for a couple of months......

but ya...when you think about it...in the current age of internet etc, having the likes of Brian O'Donovan faffing about over there is an absolute waste of money...

But that would be standard from RTE.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118331100#Comment_118331100

Because there is a lot of interest from the Irish public in the US and the politics over there. It's very little surprise that a large portion of the public would be able to name the person holding the title at any time.

The cost for RTE to have a Washington Correspondent is miniscule in the grand scheme of things.

HBC08

Brian o Donovan seemed like a sound guy and a good correspondent.I enjoyed his segments and he always seemed enthusiastic.

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333336#Comment_118333336

I call bollex....not that many care about the politics over there...apart from the circus that is the Presidential election...

And those that do care have way more access to vastly better sources than some overpaid RTE staffer on a 4 year all expenses jolly....

They are also probably better informed and more balanced than the heavily biased O'Donovan....

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333406#Comment_118333406

You can call bollocks all you want but I know plenty of people who have a passing interest in it than those who don't and I highly doubt I'm alone in that.

Don't know how you can say O'Donovan is biased. Reporting on whenever Trump has done something idiotic and the Republicans trying everything they can to suppress those who don't vote for them isn't biased.

Don't know where the 'all expenses jolly' comes from either. Anything that has to be paid for to allow someone to do their job is expensed like any company worth its salt should be doing.

Like I said, miniscule costs compared to the bigger picture within RTE.

StevenToast

My point is this....those that are interested in US politics are not getting their information from Brian O'Donovan.....

Any news worthy event that occurs in the US can simply be covered by RTE like that awfully tragic story with the bouncy castle in Tasmania today....

No need for someone from RTE to be at that scene....

Time for RTE to cut its coat to match its cloth....

Atlantic Dawn

+If they are going to the expense of having a correspondant they should be impartial and not basically another reporting branch of CNN as it is currently.

elperello

The historical, cultural and business links between the US and Ireland are very strong and more than justify a correspondent based there to cover events and news of interest to an Irish audience.

According to the census bureau 31.5m Americans identify as Irish.

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/happy-saint-patricks-day-to-one-of-ten-americans-who-claim-irish-ancestry.html8

FDI is vital to the Irish economy and 800 US companies provide 180,000 jobs in Ireland.

https://www.amcham.ie/facts-figures/

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333719#Comment_118333719

Examples of when Brian O'Donovan was impartial, please.

I don't want generic 'sure he always is', give me clear, precise examples.

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333803#Comment_118333803

There are very few examples of Brian O'Donovan being impartial....

Plenty of examples of him being biased alright...

The general fawning over Joe Biden is particularly nauseating......

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333766#Comment_118333766

Similar argument could be said for Australia....alot of Irish over there...not 3rd or 4th generation Irish......

Is it a token thing having him over there......ticking a box because of FDI?

The more I think about it the more I cant believe RTE pay for someone to be based there.....

But then again, it is an organisation that believes Ryan Tubridy is worth 500k a year!

touts

I say go for Dáithí Ó Sé. Guaranteed front row seat and first question at all US Presidential press conferences.

archfi

They'll probably go for that CNN hack from Cork who was inexplicably treated like a celebrity for a bit over here.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118334010#Comment_118334010

Yes there is a large Irish population in Australia. I think proportionately more than the US but the numbers are lower of course.

FDI is a very important link with US, as they say, business is business.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118333855#Comment_118333855

You know I mistyped but you decided to play the smart hole.

What fawning over Joe Biden?

All you've done is make generic statements with nothing to back it up.

HBC08

Leaning towards the dems isn't an rte policy as such,particularly when the Conservatives of the past in the US were a bit more normal.I have very little time for their woke leaning nonsense in general but pointing out/intimating that Trump and his version of the GOP are nutters is not a biased view,it's a general world view.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118334740#Comment_118334740

Exactly, pointing out what he said and the reaction to it is not biased. If Trump said something stupid it’s going to be highlighted.

Biden’s big speech about the Afghanistan withdrawal was very much scrutinised in the tone he delivered it in, as it should have been.

Brendan Bendar

Hmmmm……. Sean Whelan has gotten the gig it seems.

seems to be ‘rattling around’ RTE for a while, has been in Brussels and more lately London.

Lad must be ‘flexible ‘ to be available for all those changes.

Good choice I would say, safe pair of hands

Dempo1

Sean Whelan 😳 Don't get this decision at all , his time in London was hardly inspiring, rarely prepared, unkempt, somewhat scruffy. He appeared to fumble through reports, especially live reports. Actually, he seemed quite bored, as why I to be honest

Ballycommon Mast

He'll be there so for the Trump 24 campaign

Gen.Zhukov

Sean Whelan will be good enough I'd say (although the position shouldn't exist at all)

So, Brian O'Donovan comes back to Ireland and what seems to happen then is :- Brian quits his staffer job and hands in his notice to RTE. He then signs up with a talent management agency. RTE then contract him in to co-anchor the 6.1 news at extortionate fees. I think that's how it works anyway. All the best to him.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523284#Comment_118523284

Ssssssssh, don't be letting out secrets 😁

Pussyhands

I liked Brian O'Donovan. He had an iconic presenting style.

I like Sean Whelan in London. Not sure it'll translate well to the US.

I think there's potential for one of the political reporters to take the London job. Tommy Meskill has been taking some political coverage segments in the last few months at non peak times. Wouldn't surprise me to see either Mary Regan or Micheal Leehane or Paul Cunningham take the London role. Not sure on either of their family situations but neither may want to go anyways. I do feel like they are overloaded in the political reporter area right now. You also have Aisling Kenny and Dayane Connor involved there too, neither able for such an important role. Tony Conneely probably wouldn't want the London role, he's been in Brussels since 2011 and has a son named Mateo which makes me think he married foreign.

Meskill probably isn't ready for London himself.

GSF

Unpopular opinion : in Tony Connolly and Sean Whealan RTE had 2 great reporters covering Brexit. Far better than most of what the uk channels had.

Brendan Bendar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530015#Comment_118530015

“Iconic’ sweet divine, that’s a bit strong dude.

Geezer is coming back to the mothership on a new titled job.

Place is overcrowded with ‘correspondents’ ‘editors’ ‘reporters’ and the such.

Jeez man……..

Declan A Walsh

I am reading this thread with interest. The only point I want to make is I think this might be better in the Television forum, as this job would largely be seen on the tv. Maybe it could be moved, if that still happens in the current version of Boards. Only a small point, as I said!

Brendan Bendar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531427#Comment_118531427

Good observation!

Perfectly correct.

Pussyhands

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531201#Comment_118531201

Iconic is the word for sure.

His nodding the head in confirmation while the newsreader is introducing the story....his theatrical voice tone as if he's doing his best to sound like what a reporter should sound like. And then the way he finishes with the long stare into the camera to finish.

Brendan Bendar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118531515#Comment_118531515

Good points Pussy, good points, I’d be a kind of Charles Mitchel lad mesel.

News delivered with the animation and enthusiasm of a three day corpse and a dead pan face that would make Myra Hindley look happy.

I bow to your argument, pal.

Iconic……hmm.. does it not imply kind of world wide recognition.

KieferFan69

A lot of these Irish correspondents would not make it in US press due to poor appearance

Bellbottoms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118334219#Comment_118334219

No, he would never take it. He is on more money with CNN.

Bellbottoms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118306185#Comment_118306185

I don't mean to punch down. But he was always useless. And it should never of been tolerated.

Some very competent journalist in RTE. David McCullough and Sarah McInerney for example. And some very poor ones, Claire Byrne and a certain former Washington correspondent

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865511#Comment_118865511

Have to agree, no shortage of talent in RTE, it's a mystery why some of the chosen few are selected for stardom when they're outclassed by the average staffer!