The Weekend On One With Brendan O'Connor

yosser hughes · 28-03-2021 08:20PM

https://magill.ie/archive/making-living-being-boor

He married fellow journalist Sarah Caden – daughter of John Caden, an independent television producer and political and personal associate of Eoghan Harris for over 30 years.

In early 2004 he also provoked anger among some of his colleagues for strongly supporting management during an industrial relations crisis over forced redundancy.

I remember BOC around UCC. He was insufferable even then. He used to go around with a clever, crazy, good-looking blond – we couldn't make out what she was doing with him.

He was thick then and uncouth. Should have known he would end up writing for the Sunday Independent.

Like any good bully, he can instinctively sense where vulnerability and power lie, and skillfully employs the tools of stereotyping and cynicism to mock the weak.

following the march of 100,000 people against the Iraq war on 15 February 2003, O'Connor repeatedly attacked the anti-war movement. Rather than attacking the movement itself, which was obviously popular, he portrayed the mass of marchers as having been "cowed into submission by a bunch of ill-informed but highly vocal anarchists and left-wing public intellectuals"

SEPT 23 1989 · 28-03-2021 08:33PM

I would have thought the death of Katie French would have made him grow up fairly quick

28-03-2021 10:34PM

recipio wrote: »

Ditto ! And then I logged on here.! Brendan O' Connor must be the most overrated interviewer ever to present a prime spot on RTE. Parochial musings, serial interruptions and verbal logorrhoea for whatever factoid enters his head are his shtick in trade. Bring back John Bowman !

John Bowman is wasted in that retirement paddock. He had some great archive material this morning – the long-range flying boat in Foynes; Douglas Gegeby and trout fishing; the 1939 IRA bombing of Coventry.

It's a pity he seems to have mostly abandoned political broadcasting. I wonder was that by choice.

Joe_ Public · 28-03-2021 10:54PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

John Bowman is wasted in that retirement paddock. He had some great archive material this morning – the long-range flying boat in Foynes; Douglas Gegeby and trout fishing; the 1939 IRA bombing of Coventry.

It's a pity he seems to have mostly abandoned political broadcasting. I wonder was that by choice.

John is pushing 80 in fairness so i think it's a good slot for him all told, but unquestionably one of rtes great broadcasters in my mind. They had some good ones back in the day - Brian O'Farrell, Andy O'Mahony. I used to love this show when it was presented by O'Mahony. With each passing generation, it's pretty clear to me how much the whole thing is being dumbed down. Attention spans arent what they were, i suppose.

28-03-2021 11:10PM

Joe_ Public wrote: »

John is pushing 80 in fairness so i think it's a good slot for him all told, but unquestionably one of rtes great broadcasters in my mind. They had some good ones back in the day - Brian O'Farrell, Andy O'Mahony. I used to love this show when it was presented by O'Mahony. With each passing generation, it's pretty clear to me how much the whole thing is being dumbed down. Attention spans arent what they were, i suppose.

Brian farrell was another one. Imagine RTE attracting a Harvard graduate these days. And why not? They're not short on cash for 'heavy hitters', but prefer to throw it at commercially attractive chat-show hosts who spend an inordinate amount of time talking to other RTE staff about their own organisation. The whole point of a public broadcaster is to do culturally and politically valuable work, and leave the rest to the commercial stations.

generalgerry · 28-03-2021 11:34PM

I think there was a very important contribution today.

First contributor: "I don't think you need to be a consultant to be allowed on the radio to talk and I think public health specialists can come on the radio..... " *Interrupted*
Professor Cliona Ní Cheallaigh: "Sorry, they have to be cleared by the HSE, so they are not allowed to talk independently."

So any contributor that you hear on a radio station has to be cleared by the HSE to make sure that they are on message, even though RTE will present them as if they are giving their own independent opinions. They are just PR for the HSE. It sort of reminds me of the "independent economic experts" that RTE gave us pre-2008.

Joe_ Public · 28-03-2021 11:54PM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Brian farrell was another one. Imagine RTE attracting a Harvard graduate these days. And why not? They're not short on cash for 'heavy hitters', but prefer to throw it at commercially attractive chat-show hosts who spend an inordinate amount of time talking to other RTE staff about their own organisation. The whole point of a public broadcaster is to do culturally and politically valuable work, and leave the rest to the commercial stations.

Yes, exactly. For me the difference with broadcasters like Andy O'Mahony is they were naturally highbrow by intellect but wore it lightly and could punch down when required, whereas those they promote now are continually trying to punch up but being repeatedly exposed as out of their depth. Olivia O'Leary is another i always wondered why more isnt heard of, though think she had a spell with the bbc which may explain it.

hamburgham · 29-03-2021 12:07AM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

John Bowman is wasted in that retirement paddock. He had some great archive material this morning – the long-range flying boat in Foynes; Douglas Gegeby and trout fishing; the 1939 IRA bombing of Coventry.

It's a pity he seems to have mostly abandoned political broadcasting. I wonder was that by choice.

I find that John Bowman programme the most unbearably boring programme on radio EVER. It must be his droney voice, a good presenter can make anything interesting. The presenters of the history and science programs on Newstalk make the subjects interesting, even though I’m not generally drawn to those subjects, I always end up listening.

If that John Bowman programme comes on and I’m still in bed, it’s like a rocket under me, I shoot out of bed to turn it off asp.

ButtersSuki · 29-03-2021 12:20AM

generalgerry wrote: »

I think there was a very important contribution today.

First contributor: "I don't think you need to be a consultant to be allowed on the radio to talk and I think public health specialists can come on the radio..... " *Interrupted*
Professor Cliona Ní Cheallaigh: "Sorry, they have to be cleared by the HSE, so they are not allowed to talk independently."

So any contributor that you hear on a radio station has to be cleared by the HSE to make sure that they are on message, even though RTE will present them as if they are giving their own independent opinions. They are just PR for the HSE. It sort of reminds me of the "independent economic experts" that RTE gave us pre-2008.

Only the medical consultants on public contracts would be subject to that. Those who operate solely in the private domain would not be.

ShamNNspace · 29-03-2021 12:31AM

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Yes, exactly. For me the difference with broadcasters like Andy O'Mahony is they were naturally highbrow by intellect but wore it lightly and could punch down when required, whereas those they promote now are continually trying to punch up but being repeatedly exposed as out of their depth. Olivia O'Leary is another i always wondered why more isnt heard of, though think she had a spell with the bbc which may explain it.

I hear quite enough of Olivia o'Leary's musings as it is thank you

recipio · 29-03-2021 03:11PM

Did the current crop of RTE presenters ( Claire Byrne excepted ) go to the school of serial interruptions. ? It seems to me that BOC and Co think their own voice is God's gift to mankind and allow everybody about five secs to answer before interjecting some irrelevant factoid. They should be forced to watch a box set of Gay on the late late to learn from the master.:rolleyes:

generalgerry · 29-03-2021 03:12PM

recipio wrote: »

Did the current crop of RTE presenters ( Claire Byrne excepted ) go to the school of serial interruptions. ? It seems to me that BOC and Co think their own voice is God's gift to mankind

Brendan is particularly bad when it's a phone line that you know is bad with a long delay. He still keeps interrupting and causing confusion.

riclad · 29-03-2021 04:11PM

There's 2 weeks in a row of long interviews with a dj from the
80s about their medical problems . Well even djs grow old and
are as likely to have health problems over a certain age like anyone. After talk of covid I don't really want to hear a list of medical issues and diagnosis procedures even from a famous dj. But I don't think Brendan chooses a guest or the subject to talk about every week so he does his best.
At this point kid Jensen from bbc is probably an oap.
I have never noticed him interrupting anyone unless it's to move
away from going into detail about topics that could be legally dodgy or defamatory
At some point the presenter has to end the topic
being discussed

Infoanon · 29-03-2021 04:51PM

generalgerry wrote: »

So any contributor that you hear on a radio station has to be cleared by the HSE to make sure that they are on message, even though RTE will present them as if they are giving their own independent opinions. They are just PR for the HSE. It sort of reminds me of the "independent economic experts" that RTE gave us pre-2008.

Bog standard clause in most people's contracts that you need to get permission from the entity first before writing / talking etc - certainly not exclusive to the HSE - mountain out of a molehill comes to mind.

BOC interrupts a lot ,especially when a contributor is disagreeing with his/ BOCs view of the world.

Aidric · 29-03-2021 08:06PM

He has definitely gravitated to a moral guardian role on the radio. His edgy posits in the Sindo don't carry as much weight as they used to as a result.

29-03-2021 08:53PM

Infoanon wrote: »

Bog standard clause in most people's contracts that you need to get permission from the entity first before writing / talking etc - certainly not exclusive to the HSE - mountain out of a molehill comes to mind.

BOC interrupts a lot ,especially when a contributor is disagreeing with his/ BOCs view of the world.

Agreed with a lot of this. When it comes to public health communications, which have already been dire, the last thing the country needs tight now — during an actual emergency — is more chaos. That's what would happen if public health medics went on strike, or began a PR campaign against the Department of Health via the media.

They have rights as whistleblowers to highlight any sincerely held concerns over operational matters.

I feel very sorry for the public-health doctors, and I think they should be given proper pathways to consultant positions, but much of the blame there lies with their specialist organisations for not standardizing training. They deserve better working-conditions and supports, but the country needs a coherent Public Health system, speaking with one voice.

There will be investigations and inquiries when this emergency is over, and that will be the time to fundamentally review Public Health, as we did with our financial & economic systems post 2009. Right now, we should remind NPHET to "hold firm".

curioser · 29-03-2021 08:56PM

recipio wrote: »

Did the current crop of RTE presenters ( Claire Byrne excepted ) go to the school of serial interruptions. ? It seems to me that BOC and Co think their own voice is God's gift to mankind and allow everybody about five secs to answer before interjecting some irrelevant factoid. They should be forced to watch a box set of Gay on the late late to learn from the master.:rolleyes:

Don't agree re Claire Byrne. Her interview with the HSE man this morning was a classic example of the current trend of serial interrupting by RTE presenters.

recipio · 29-03-2021 09:17PM

curioser wrote: »

Don't agree re Claire Byrne. Her interview with the HSE man this morning was a classic example of the current trend of serial interrupting by RTE presenters.

Didn't hear it - I usually have Pat Kenny on. She is normally a reasonable interviewer although her put down of Joe Brolly on TV last week was just pandering to political correctness.

ButtersSuki · 29-03-2021 09:21PM

recipio wrote: »

Didn't hear it - I usually have Pat Kenny on. She is normally a reasonable interviewer although her put down of Joe Brolly on TV last week was just pandering to political correctness.

Missed that, what did she say?

Infoanon · 29-03-2021 09:22PM

recipio wrote: »

Didn't hear it - I usually have Pat Kenny on. She is normally a reasonable interviewer although her put down of Joe Brolly on TV last week was just pandering to political correctness.

Basically kept interruptting with questions from an article by an Irish Times journalist - it was awful ,fairly clear to this listener that she had done very of her own prep.

Back to BOC - last few weeks in particular he's being very cautious around anything controversial

recipio · 29-03-2021 09:32PM

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Missed that, what did she say?

Joe Brolly started to have a go at the DUP and she cut him off because they 'were not present to defend themselves' Come on !!

ButtersSuki · 29-03-2021 09:34PM

recipio wrote: »

Joe Brolly started to have a go at the DUP and she cut him off because they 'were not present to defend themselves' Come on !!

:pac:

Ah, the sketch on Callan's Kicks last Friday makes a lot more sense now.

Thanks!

elperello · 29-03-2021 09:42PM

recipio wrote: »

Joe Brolly started to have a go at the DUP and she cut him off because they 'were not present to defend themselves' Come on !!

Not quite.

He made personal accusations against a named individual who was not present.

29-03-2021 09:42PM

recipio wrote: »

Didn't hear it - I usually have Pat Kenny on. She is normally a reasonable interviewer although her put down of Joe Brolly on TV last week was just pandering to political correctness.

Wait, so it's too PC to defend the DUP from allegations of racism and homophobia..?

Others would probably say Joe Brolly was being PC. But it's such a meaningless expression, anyway, that we can probably just accuse everyone of being PC-gone-mad at this stage.

Brendan Bendar · 30-03-2021 07:35AM

curioser wrote: »

Don't agree re Claire Byrne. Her interview with the HSE man this morning was a classic example of the current trend of serial interrupting by RTE presenters.

It’s what I call the ‘flash bang’ system.

The question is asked and after about 5 or 6 seconds into the answer an interruption is rattled in very quickly which confuses the interviewee and ruins their train of thought.

McInerney is the main proponent of this tactic.

Cole · 03-04-2021 11:40AM

This professor of psychology is not doing herself or UL any favours here..."win hearts and minds" of the 18-25 year olds who are (still) breaking the restrictions and getting fined. No 18-25 year olds involved in the decision making/on NPHET...

At least Damien is challenging her...unlike Audrey Carville on Morning Ireland during the week when she made the ridiculous remark about "bald men telling us not to get our hair cut"

pc7 · 03-04-2021 11:47AM

Really enjoyed the first interview with the authors son, not sure I know the author but was a lovely listen.

recipio · 03-04-2021 11:50AM

pc7 wrote: »

Really enjoyed the first interview with the authors son, not sure I know the author but was a lovely listen.

David John Moore Cornwell AKA John Le Carre. This story was well documented in the papers at the time.

Cole · 03-04-2021 11:52AM

pc7 wrote: »

Really enjoyed the first interview with the authors son, not sure I know the author but was a lovely listen.

I think Damien's good at those kind of interviews.

yosser hughes · 03-04-2021 11:54AM

pc7 wrote: »

Really enjoyed the first interview with the authors son, not sure I know the author but was a lovely listen.

It was John le Carrés son. John wrote many spy novels one of which was Smiley's People, George Smiley was the Smiley in question. Damien referred to him of course as George Miley

I thought it was terrible interview, another RTE presenter who couldn't be arsed preparing properly and getting so many other things wrong about John le Carré and repeating these even when he was corrected. I was cringing all the way through it. The focus on the Irish flag, the whole parochial approach which is endemic now with RTE.

The Weekend On One With Brendan O'Connor

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