The Ryan Tubridy Show **Mod: Read OP**

So many have told me they completely boycott Easons since they “recruited” the Toyman.

Another common complaint is Easons have drastically reduced their stock range over the years.

Glorified stationary shop was a phrase said to me.

The last time I was in one they seemed to going more into gift business, themed mugs, tea pot sets, tea towels etc... a little fancier than O'Carrolls gift shops.

In news that will have delighted noted cinephile Ryan Tubridy (I’m joking on the noted cinephile part - obviously) I read this morning that Barry Keoghan is set to have a role in the upcoming Beatles biopic. Now it would likely have to star Trump and Musk for Tubridy to say a bad word about it given the subject matter, but now that there’s an Irish connection Tubridy will be in his usual full-on OTT gushing mode as (and we all know this), every Irish movie or any movie with even the most tedious Irish connection is just the most amazing, totes amazeballs, beautiful, gorgeous, delicious, and best movie ever made!

He will doubtless rue the fact there’ll be no private or preview screenings this time around for him given his exile into virtual anonymity in the UK, but will find a way to insert himself into the local media about it, perhaps in the London Diary….. “I remember saying to Barry when he first met me that he’d make a great Beatle” or “Great to see my former Late Late Show guest and all round good egg Barry Keoghan doing so well for himself and landing a role in the upcoming Beatles movie. I’d like to think it’s a subtle nod to The Toyman as Barry knows how much he loves the band.” or something like that.

Speaking of the London Diary, has last weekend’s surfaced yet or has there been any explanation for the absence of same?

I'm going with Option B

The branch of Easons I've been going into since I was a kid is a shadow of its former self and is half the size. I tried to buy a birthday card for my aunt recently and walked out again with nothing because the selection was woeful. It's hard to know who would even bother boycotting the regional branches because you'd struggle to buy anything in them regularly. The best thing about them these days is the selection of magazines they still carry. The book-selling part of the business has really fallen away and the experience is closer to that of an airport bookshop. You'd almost expect to be asked for your boarding pass at the checkout.

London Diary/Famous people who met me this week is back, and it’s peppered with more celebs this week than a full season of The Late Late Show. If you’re stuck for a new drinking game this Christmas, you could read this latest entry aloud and take a shot every time Tubs drops a name.

He even praises the Disney+ series “Say Nothing”, a show that has been hugely criticised by the family of the deceased protagonist as being “horrendous, hurtful, and cruel” - that’s not very kind is it?

It'd be nice to be able to read it in a different way. That NKM no longer holds the same sway in RTE and that it makes no difference who a presenter's agent is.

I think 2025 will be interesting,but not better for radio....

interesting line in the article about Conclave saying there “are some benefits …. to being in London”. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the idea of being there

I noticed that line too…doesn't read like he loves life over there.

has he been taking writing lessons from that tool Barry Egan with the Independent?

I’m no fan of Egan’s (is anyone?), but his writing is bordering on Shakespearian when compared to Tubridy’s primary school “What I did over my summer holidays” style prose.

I do find it amusing he compiled a list of his Top 50 books of the year; as to compile such a list implies he had read more than 50……from January - mid/late November. I’d assume I’m not alone in believing I doubt he read a fraction of that. A Top 10 would at least hold up to some scrutiny and bluffing, but > 50? Even 10 might be pushing it, but the brand machine has to be fed.

Has that supplement been published? Does anyone have a copy of same, or a link to it?

Apologies, I had taken it from another poster there were 50 in his list.

Regardless of the number, he’s not seriously claiming to have read a book about GAA players, is he?

Playing the Russell Crowe interview again now. Called it bonkers. Listening on Q102 and it's still coming back from the ads half way through a song. Complete mess of a show.