Marian Finucane RIP Mod warning #46

Jonny one · 05-01-2020 08:57PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

how come it had a very big listnership...especially for a week end talk show ?

It's the sort of show that anybody over the age of 30, with any remote interest in current affairs would put on for a bit of background listening. Whoever replaces her will be doing the same format and have the same listenership.

Nevin Parsnipp · 05-01-2020 09:01PM

Higgins5473 wrote: »

Time slot and traditional listenership. Click back into this particular post when the next batch of latest figures come out. I can guarantee you they will not differ much, as would be the case if she had not been offered a new contract or retired. Listeners did not just tune in for Finucane, like Duffy she’s off most of the time but the same amount of listeners tune in. Only difference being Marian Finucane actually had some talent as opposed to Joe Duffy.

That dosn't really answer the question you were asked pal....how can you say a show is "well past it's sell by date" if it continually attracts a big listnership and consequent lucrative advt revenue.?

You have no idea what you are talking about ..have you ?

Breezer · 05-01-2020 09:01PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I was in a group of mostly 20/30-somethings who were asked who listened to RTE Radio 1. Just myself and one other 50-something raised our hands.

I’m 33, so not a teenager who can’t use the radio, but I’m not exactly an old fart either. I loved Marian on the weekends as did several of my friends of the same age. We’d slag ourselves off calling it our over thirties hobby.

I’m too young to remember her pioneering earlier work. I remember her voice on Liveline when I was kid, though not the content. Some here have said that her quality had deteriorated in recent years, and maybe so, but she was still a million times better than a lot of the other rubbish being churned out on Irish radio (George Hook and Ivan Yates, I’m looking at you). Poor auld Brendan does his best when he stands in, but the show was never nearly as engaging with him on it. Marian just knew how to get the best out of her guests and keep the listeners engaged.

RIP

Nevin Parsnipp · 05-01-2020 09:03PM

Jonny one wrote: »

It's the sort of show that anybody over the age of 30, with any remote interest in current affairs would put on for a bit of background listening. Whoever replaces her will be doing the same format and have the same listenership.

That was not the question I asked pal....you edited my post to suit the answer you gave ....which remains to be proved.

As I was saying... · 05-01-2020 09:17PM

Higgins5473 wrote: »

Time slot and traditional listenership. Click back into this particular post when the next batch of latest figures come out. I can guarantee you they will not differ much, as would be the case if she had not been offered a new contract or retired. Listeners did not just tune in for Finucane, like Duffy she’s off most of the time but the same amount of listeners tune in. Only difference being Marian Finucane actually had some talent as opposed to Joe Duffy.

We saw the same when Sean O'Rourke replaced Pat Kenny, and Ryan Tubridy's listenership has tripled since he moved over from 2FM.

Breezer wrote: »

But she was still a million times better than a lot of the other rubbish being churned out on Irish radio (George Hook and Ivan Yates, I’m looking at you).

I don't agree with this. Radio 1 has some excellent programmes. The Morning Ireland team, Sean O'Rourke, Aine Lawlor, Mary Wilson and Cormac O'hEadhra are all excellent presenters. Even Miriam O'Callaghan in her Saturday interview slot has redeeming qualities.

Breezer · 05-01-2020 09:28PM

As I was saying... wrote: »

I don't agree with this. Radio 1 has some excellent programmes. The Morning Ireland team, Sean O'Rourke, Aine Lawlor, Mary Wilson and Cormac O'hEadhra are all excellent presenters. Even Miriam O'Callaghan in her Saturday interview slot has redeeming qualities.

Well I wasn’t saying everything else on the radio is rubbish. RTE has some very good people and gets too much flack thrown at it. I agree with all of your examples, as it happens. O’Callaghan can be a bit melodramatic but that’s fine for the show she’s doing, and Ó hEadhra’s abrasive style annoys me a bit but he has his homework done and lets no one away with anything. None of that takes away from my view that Marian was a damn good presenter though, and while Brendan O’Connor doesn’t do anything particularly wrong, I just don’t think he’s anywhere near as good as she was. Hopefully whoever takes over, although it probably will be Brendan, will step up and fill her big shoes.

I’d actually love to see Sarah McInerney given a shot at it. Young, sharp, female, enthusiastic, and was treated very unfairly by Newstalk.

Nevin Parsnipp · 05-01-2020 09:38PM

Breezer wrote: »

Well I wasn’t saying everything else on the radio is rubbish. RTE has some very good people and gets too much flak thrown at it. I agree with all of your examples, as it happens. O’Callaghan can be a bit melodramatic but that’s fine for the show she’s doing, and Ó hEadhra’s abrasive style annoys me a bit but he has his homework done and lets no one away with anything. None of that takes away from my view that Marian was a damn good presenter though, and while Brendan O’Connor doesn’t do anything particularly wrong, I just don’t think he’s anywhere near as good as she was. Hopefully whoever takes over, although it probably will be Brendan, will step up and fill her big shoes.

I’d actually love to see Sarah McInerney given a shot at it. Young, sharp, female, enthusiastic, and was treated very unfairly by Newstalk.

Mc Inerney much too lightweight...O'Connor should be the initial choice in this posters opinion....but not at the previous presenters salary or anywhere near it.

Breezer · 05-01-2020 09:46PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

Mc Inerney much too lightweight...O'Connor should be the initial choice in this posters opinion....but not at the previous presenters salary or anywhere near it.

Did you happen to see her filling in for Yates on The Tonight Show about a year ago? She was excellent, I thought, and the Twitter Machine seemed to broadly agree. I agree about the salary, and I don’t think there’s any fear of it being that high, given the current financial situation (I hope not anyway).

Anyway talk of successors is for another thread I guess.

Higgins5473 · 05-01-2020 10:00PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

That dosn't really answer the question you were asked pal....how can you say a show is "well past it's sell by date" if it continually attracts a big listnership and consequent lucrative advt revenue.?

You have no idea what you are talking about ..have you ?

I have no idea what I’m talking about what?

Nevin Parsnipp · 05-01-2020 10:06PM

Higgins5473 wrote: »

I have no idea what I’m talking about what?

That was meant for another poster..apologies H...I don't know WHO I am talking to ha ha ..

Aidric · 05-01-2020 10:58PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

Mc Inerney much too lightweight...O'Connor should be the initial choice in this posters opinion....but not at the previous presenters salary or anywhere near it.

O Connor was once a spiky and erudite lead writer at the Sindo. That same writer bears no resemblance to the soft cock alter ego that stands in for Marian. He would be the safe but wrong choice for RTE.

Rachel English would be the smart choice.

'McInerney', seriously? She is hot air with a chip on her shoulders. More than enough of them on the airwaves already.

generalgerry · 05-01-2020 11:04PM

They should just leave Brendan in the job, he is doing fine as it is. But I am concerned that they will poach Ciara Kelly and put her in the slot to fit quotas.

Higgins5473 · 05-01-2020 11:05PM

Breezer wrote: »

I’d actually love to see Sarah McInerney given a shot at it. Young, sharp, female, enthusiastic, and was treated very unfairly by Newstalk.

Treated unfairly how? Nobody liked her and she was outside of the safe sanctuary that is RTE where listeners actually judge so she got the boot and tried to come back cap in hand. RTE is a safe haven for the likes of McInerney, none of them get the boot once in. She's muck and was found out. Wouldn't it be great if Tubridy and Duffy gave the private sector a shot. It would be the very last you would hear of them.

As I was saying... · 06-01-2020 12:00AM

Breezer wrote: »

None of that takes away from my view that Marian was a damn good presenter...

When I listed R1’s able presenters it was in response to what I thought was your point that Finucane was comparatively better than a lot of dross of the radio, but now you seem to be saying that she was exceptional. Whatever about when she was younger, I just don’t know how anyone could claim that in recent years.

Breezer · 06-01-2020 12:46AM

As I was saying... wrote: »

When I listed R1’s able presenters it was in response to what I thought was your point that Finucane was comparatively better than a lot of dross of the radio, but now you seem to be saying that she was exceptional. Whatever about when she was younger, I just don’t know how anyone could claim that in recent years.

But I don’t consider any of the presenters you named to be dross. It’s an RIP thread for Marian, of course I’m going to say that I liked and will miss her, because I did and will. It doesn’t mean I think everyone else is rubbish. From that list, I’d personally consider her better than Ó hEadhra, O’Callaghan and Wilson, although all are good presenters. I’d also consider her better than, to give examples off the top of my head, O’Connor, Hook and Yates (as mentioned), in fact anyone on Newstalk to be honest, including the insufferable Pat Kenny, Matt Cooper (currently - he is capable of far better but his show has gone drastically downhill of late), Dunphy anytime he still pops up (can talk a lot of sense but can also talk rubbish and my god his delivery is awful), D’Arcy...

I do think McInerney is good. I liked the drivetime show herself and Chris Donoghue presented. Yes it was a bit lightweight but I also think she’s good on the The Late Debate and was good on The Tonight Show when she featured. She was removed when Yates decided he was done sorting his financial problems out and wanted back on the radio. I’ve no idea what listenership figures were, I’d imagine he brings in more and obviously that’s what matters, but I find him immensely arrogant and all he wants to do is talk over his guests.

Anyway this is my opinion. If we all agreed on who we liked on the radio there’d be no need for more than one station.

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 01:03AM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

What is an "Old school broadcaster " ?

In Ireland's case an old school broadcaster would have been those who joined the profession and how they initially trained in their roles. People like Eamonn Andrews, Gay Byrne, Terry Wogan, Mike Murphy, Larry Gogan, Andy O'Mahony, Brendan Balfe, Pat Kenny etc; most if not all probably started their broadcasting career at Radio Éireann studios (later RTÉ Radio) based at the GPO in Henry Street, Dublin.

Larry Gogan recently retired from digital station, RTÉ Gold and although he had been a DJ on 2FM (RTÉ Radio 2) for almost 40 years, Larry had been playing records on Radio Éireann/RTÉ Radio for many years before Radio 2FM first started in May 1979. They were all fine speakers and would have had elocution lessons back in the day which is probably regarded as one of the key traits of broadcasters who had started in the profession all those years ago.

Dan Jaman · 06-01-2020 03:06AM

Anyway, now that Marian's gone and the programme can no longer be called after her, what will be the new title?
Weekend Witterings?
Wooly Wanderings?
D4 Preoccupations?
The Right Thing?
Do What We Say?
A Dose of Blather?
The Golden Circle?
Innofensive Influencers?
The Grand RTE Circle-Jerk?

Odyssey 2005 · 06-01-2020 05:37AM

Dan Jaman wrote: »

Anyway, now that Marian's gone and the programme can no longer be called after her, what will be the new title?
Weekend Witterings?
Wooly Wanderings?
D4 Preoccupations?
The Right Thing?
Do What We Say?
A Dose of Blather?
The Golden Circle?
Innofensive Influencers?
The Grand RTE Circle-Jerk?

I'd go for your last suggestion

Nevin Parsnipp · 06-01-2020 10:19AM

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

In Ireland's case an old school broadcaster would have been those who joined the profession and how they initially trained in their roles. People like Eamonn Andrews, Gay Byrne, Terry Wogan, Mike Murphy, Larry Gogan, Andy O'Mahony, Brendan Balfe, Pat Kenny etc; most if not all probably started their broadcasting career at Radio Éireann studios (later RTÉ Radio) based at the GPO in Henry Street, Dublin.

Larry Gogan recently retired from digital station, RTÉ Gold and although he had been a DJ on 2FM (RTÉ Radio 2) for almost 40 years, Larry had been playing records on Radio Éireann/RTÉ Radio for many years before Radio 2FM first started in May 1979. They were all fine speakers and would have had elocution lessons back in the day which is probably regarded as one of the key traits of broadcasters who had started in the profession all those years ago.

Excellent response ...thank you.

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 12:29PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

Excellent response ...thank you.

You are welcome.

I was trying to think of another example of old school broadcasting this morning and what came to mind was how weather forecasters used present back in the day. On RTÉ, BBC, ITV and elsewhere they stood there with their pointer stick (like an orchestra conductor's baton) to emphasise the various events on weather charts on a wall. In the early decades of TV only qualified meteorologists from the Met Office used present reports almost in a more scientific sounding method whereas in recent years this is not necessarily the case. The radio broadcasts used take much longer back in the day especially the Sea-Area Forecast on RTÉ Radio which would be similar to the Shipping Forecast broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Met Éireann is actually not that old at all although there was an Irish meteorology service around prior to Met Éireann and they probably always worked closely with nearby jurisdictions such as the UK Met Office.

Jonny one · 06-01-2020 02:06PM

Dan Jaman wrote: »

Anyway, now that Marian's gone and the programme can no longer be called after her, what will be the new title?
Weekend Witterings?
Wooly Wanderings?
D4 Preoccupations?
The Right Thing?
Do What We Say?
A Dose of Blather?
The Golden Circle?
Innofensive Influencers?
The Grand RTE Circle-Jerk?

That'll probably call it something uncreative like "The weekend show" or "Weekend Live"

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 05:32PM

I gather that Marian Finucane's funeral takes place tomorrow Tuesday 7th January.

I did not hear if there are any plans for the funeral to be broadcast on radio or television as was done for the late Gay Byrne in November.

serfboard · 06-01-2020 06:07PM

Nevin Parsnipp wrote: »

If it was "well past it's sell by date" how come it had a very big listnership

Higgins5473 wrote: »

Time slot and traditional listenership.

Time and again this has been trotted out, and time and again shown to be false.

Gerry Ryan's slot never recovered on 2FM after he died, John Murray severely depleted Derek Mooney's slot on Radio 1, only to have it recovered again by Ryan Tubridy, and, despite many people on boards saying how great Anton Savage was, Ray D'Arcy's slot never recovered on Today FM after he left.

All of the evidence shows that "Time slot and traditional listenership" is a bogus argument. A bad broadcaster will make people turn off/over in droves.

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 06:27PM

serfboard wrote: »

Time and again this has been trotted out, and time and again shown to be false.

Gerry Ryan's slot never recovered on 2FM after he died, John Murray severely depleted Derek Mooney's slot on Radio 1, only to have it recovered again by Ryan Tubridy, and, despite many people on boards saying how great Anton Savage was, Ray D'Arcy's slot never recovered on Today FM after he left.

All of the evidence shows that "Time slot and traditional listenership" is a bogus argument. A bad broadcaster will make people turn off/over in droves.

If I recall John Murray held the 09:00-10:00am slot Monday-Friday on RTÉ Radio 1 at one stage.

I never recall John Murray in his own afternoon show slot.

After Derek Mooney signalled his intention to vacate his former 3:00-4:30pm afternoon slot, it was Ray D'Arcy who came in on a permanent basis although; there was a few weeks where Marty Morrissey held the fort until Ray commenced along with his team direct from Todayfm.

The Marian Finucane Show was in this weekday morning slot after The Gay Byrne Show ended and Today with Pat Kenny continued from 10:00am-12noon. When Marian later transferred her show to Saturday/Sunday 11am-1pm, it was either John Murray/Ryan Tubridy who held the weekday morning slot between 09:00-10:00am. Tubridy moved a lot between 2FM>Radio 1 and later 2FM>Radio 1 - Gerry Ryan's untimely death was probably the main reason that Tubridy had returned to 2FM for a second period before eventually returning to Radio 1 once again.

06-01-2020 06:39PM

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

I gather that Marian Finucane's funeral takes place tomorrow Tuesday 7th January.

I did not hear if there are any plans for the funeral to be broadcast on radio or television as was done for the late Gay Byrne in November.

That would be a crazy waste of expensive resources - a live broadcast? I think most churches have a webcam now if you're really interested.

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

After Derek Mooney signalled his intention to vacate his former 3:00-4:30pm afternoon slot, it was Ray D'Arcy who came in on a permanent basis although; there was a few weeks where Marty Morrissey held the fort until Ray commenced along with his team direct from Todayfm.

Did Mooney jump or was he pushed? I thought he was pushed to accommodate poaching Darcy (and his missus) from TodayFM.

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

The Marian Finucane Show was in this weekday morning slot after The Gay Byrne Show ended and Today with Pat Kenny continued from 10:00am-12noon. When Marian later transferred her show to Saturday/Sunday 11am-1pm

Finucane moved from the morning slot to the Liveline slot first, making Liveline the first real phone-in show on RTE.

Then she handed over Liveline to Duffy when she stepped back to the weekend-only slot.

serfboard · 06-01-2020 06:55PM

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

If I recall John Murray held the 09:00-10:00am slot Monday-Friday on RTÉ Radio 1 at one stage.

I never recall John Murray in his own afternoon show slot.

After Derek Mooney signalled his intention to vacate his former 3:00-4:30pm afternoon slot, it was Ray D'Arcy who came in on a permanent basis although; there was a few weeks where Marty Morrissey held the fort until Ray commenced along with his team direct from Todayfm.

The Marian Finucane Show was in this weekday morning slot after The Gay Byrne Show ended and Today with Pat Kenny continued from 10:00am-12noon. When Marian later transferred her show to Saturday/Sunday 11am-1pm, it was either John Murray/Ryan Tubridy who held the weekday morning slot between 09:00-10:00am. Tubridy moved a lot between 2FM>Radio 1 and later 2FM>Radio 1 - Gerry Ryan's untimely death was probably the main reason that Tubridy had returned to 2FM for a second period before eventually returning to Radio 1 once again.

You're right, I had forgotten who John Murray had taken over from.

John Murray had been on Morning Ireland, and was then moved to the Saturday business programme, where, IMO, he was doing a great job until a slot had to be found for George Lee after his disastrous dalliance with politics.

John Murray was moved to the Monday to Friday 9AM slot, but I don't know who he took over from. He never really made a go of it though, and he kept losing listeners in the JNLRs.

In the meantime, Tubridy took over from Gerry Ryan, and wasn't a patch on him in terms of listeners (can't/couldn't stand either of them, myself). So, it was decided to boot poor John Murray off onto sports (an area that he had never, and still doesn't IMO, show any interest in) and to move Tubridy to that slot, where, to be fair to him, he made great gains in listener numbers.

And D'Arcy's move to the 3->4:30 slot resulted in great improvements in listeners, who had obviously grown fed up of Mooney's constant talking about X Factor and Eurovision rubbish.

My point still stands though. Bad broadcasters can turn listeners off a slot, and good broadcasters can attract them to it. The idea that time slots are indifferent to the presenter is nonsense.

MrMusician18 · 06-01-2020 07:28PM

serfboard wrote: »

You're right, I had forgotten who John Murray had taken over from.

John Murray had been on Morning Ireland, and was then moved to the Saturday business programme, where, IMO, he was doing a great job until a slot had to be found for George Lee after his disastrous dalliance with politics.

John Murray was moved to the Monday to Friday 9AM slot, but I don't know who he took over from. He never really made a go of it though, and he kept losing listeners in the JNLRs.

In the meantime, Tubridy took over from Gerry Ryan, and wasn't a patch on him in terms of listeners (can't/couldn't stand either of them, myself). So, it was decided to boot poor John Murray off onto sports (an area that he had never, and still doesn't IMO, show any interest in) and to move Tubridy to that slot, where, to be fair to him, he made great gains in listener numbers.

And D'Arcy's move to the 3->4:30 slot resulted in great improvements in listeners, who had obviously grown fed up of Mooney's constant talking about X Factor and Eurovision rubbish.

My point still stands though. Bad broadcasters can turn listeners off a slot, and good broadcasters can attract them to it. The idea that time slots are indifferent to the presenter is nonsense.

I don't think anyone really argues that point but it's not the point that is specifically made when it comes to RTEs stars. It's not that people tune in to hear good broadcasters deliver good content it's that people tune in to specifically hear Tubridy, Duffy, Finucane et. al deliver content. I don't personally think people are that attached to the "stars" that it can only be these people and that most stars could be replaced by other competent broadcasters.

In fact, it says a lot about RTE and talent development in that they have failed largely to develop a wide variety of broadcasters, continually relying on a select few. As there is no internal competition, their price gets completely distorted.

RTE should be a talent conveyor. And if people want to leave the secure job in RTE for big bucks in the private sector. RTE shouldn't be offering both security and mega bucks. Who would leave that?!

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 07:39PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

That would be a crazy waste of expensive resources - a live broadcast? I think most churches have a webcam now if you're really interested.

Did Mooney jump or was he pushed? I thought he was pushed to accommodate poaching Darcy (and his missus) from TodayFM.

Finucane moved from the morning slot to the Liveline slot first, making Liveline the first real phone-in show on RTE.

Then she handed over Liveline to Duffy when she stepped back to the weekend-only slot.

Marian started Liveline in 1985 and she was there until end of 1999. Before that she had a women's programme on RTÉ Radio 1 at 2pm for a couple of years. From what I recall, Marian did not have her own morning show until she succeeded from Gay Byrne. She went from the morning show straight to weekend shows. Joe Duffy took over on Liveline while Marian started doing her morning show on weekdays @ 09:00am.

AwaitYourReply · 06-01-2020 07:52PM

serfboard wrote: »

You're right, I had forgotten who John Murray had taken over from.

John Murray had been on Morning Ireland, and was then moved to the Saturday business programme, where, IMO, he was doing a great job until a slot had to be found for George Lee after his disastrous dalliance with politics.

John Murray was moved to the Monday to Friday 9AM slot, but I don't know who he took over from. He never really made a go of it though, and he kept losing listeners in the JNLRs.

In the meantime, Tubridy took over from Gerry Ryan, and wasn't a patch on him in terms of listeners (can't/couldn't stand either of them, myself). So, it was decided to boot poor John Murray off onto sports (an area that he had never, and still doesn't IMO, show any interest in) and to move Tubridy to that slot, where, to be fair to him, he made great gains in listener numbers.

And D'Arcy's move to the 3->4:30 slot resulted in great improvements in listeners, who had obviously grown fed up of Mooney's constant talking about X Factor and Eurovision rubbish.

My point still stands though. Bad broadcasters can turn listeners off a slot, and good broadcasters can attract them to it. The idea that time slots are indifferent to the presenter is nonsense.

As John was off for prolonged periods for health reasons whilst doing The John Murray Show and I think it would be inappropriate for me to reference the specifics here on a public forum. That said, I thought he was great on The Business desk on Morning Ireland and when he presented The Business on Saturday Mornings back in the day. It's hard to know if he prefers doing sports coverage on Radio 1 nowadays and I thought he was best on Business related programmes.

Aside from all this, I think Derek Mooney wanted to be able to focus on nature & wildlife programming which was his forté but as soon as he vacated The Mooney Show it became apparent that there was little or no budget for the work he had hoped to do on wildlife programming and I think he regretted the decision some time afterwards.

I do not recall The Mooney Show's figures being a cause for alarm at the time and the programme team which included Derek, Brenda & Catriona McFadden and the nature crew on Friday afternoons had built up a sizeable audience but like Ray, it can get repetitive after a while listening to some presenters banging on about their pet projects/passion but others can do likewise on similar type shows if they are there long enough. I'd say a lot of work goes into these shows day in, day out behind the scenes but you would not always think it.

ShamNNspace · 06-01-2020 09:02PM

Does anyone remember a programme about the arts in the afternoon .rem when it was culled along with John Kelly's brilliant (to my mind anyway) music programme. Would the arts programme (can't recall the name now) have been in the now ronan Collins slot?

Marian Finucane RIP Mod warning #46

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