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

I wouldnt go that far this time... there is a lot of Irish content in UK media this weekend eg BBC and Sky Arts showing documentaries and music programmes.

Apologies, so. In Great Britain.

Did Ryan stand in on Time Radio ? I see he has an interview up about trump from Time Radio.

it’s already live:

It wasn’t something I was familiar with, seems like a podcast than is also on YouTube more than a radio station/broadcast per se.

The interview is with Scott Lucas who you may know from Brendan O’Connor’s show. Lucas is a visiting professor into Ireland. His politics are pretty much exactly what you’d expect from a US academic who wants to visit/work in Ireland. I’d best describe the interview as lightweight, even more so than the level of discourse you get on O’Connor’s Sunday morning panels. Ryan’s role is more that of a facilitator to allow Lucas to talk rather than question him deeply or challenge him. This is not Frost Nixon, but then again, I don’t blame Ryan for this as that’s not his strength.

George Michael and REM there now to ad to the Irish playlist…..🤷‍♂️ I’ve no issue with this btw why say it’s an all Irish playlist like he did earlier? I know he likely has zero input into the playlist but at least talk to the team and everyone be on the same page. He could just as easily have said something like “we’ll have more Irish music today than usual given the day that’s in it” or something like that. It’s a small criticism of an otherwise enjoyable show but points again to the nervous energy I mentioned earlier.

His good friend Ragnar just messaged from Iceland to tell Ryan he is listening today. Lots of well wishing and congratulatory messages coming in from Ireland as well as other far flung places.

But how could he indelibly imprint himself into British consciousness if he just concentrates on a foreign audience?

You have to give him a chance. Adapting to a slower speech pattern to build a British profile takes years.

I hadn’t really noticed this before as I was listening at work but when listening at home today and fully concentrating I realise there’s actually very little of “Ryan” when you take out the music, ads, and news. Indeed the pre and post news ad breaks and news section seems to last an eternity. I haven’t see the timer but I’d imagine there was more Ryan in the hour on Radio 1 than in the 3 hours here on Virgin.

I’m enjoying the show overall since I decided to give it a fresh listen, but I think less music and more Ryan would be a better mix and use of his talents. I know that’s not the Virgin Radio formula though so maybe there’ll be a move within the group or to pastures anew? It might be to his benefit in the long run.

More Ryan time is a must, especially conversing with his British audience as he needs that type of exposure to help him adapt his patter to their ear.

I mentioned that a few weeks ago. He was only on air for one minute during a twenty five minute span. I think that Nonetheless said that they've reduced his number of links. Seems like a crazy thing to do when you have someone like Ryan broadcasting. Would be interesting to hear him host a political podcast. Some very good takes on Trump and Micheal Martin.

I wouldn’t be a fan of that myself tbh, a little disappointed to see Ryan using it and calling Irish people “Paddies”.

Like Brandon Flowers from The Killers says “I’m Mr. Brightside”. I decided to give Ryan a proper chance and listen solely to his show from a light entertainment perspective, and I have to admit I was wrong - he really is a master of the genre. The show itself is really enjoyable with a heady mix of popular music from the 1980s (it seems) to present day and that alone reminds me of my youth and younger adult years, great guests, some great anecdotes and tales from the host himself. It’s not Pat Kenny for sure but it’s not trying to be. I think historically I just expected more of him, but he’s perfectly suited to this light-hearted mid-morning genre. One thing that has helped is the show rarely goes into weightier subjects and avoids the misery segments that were features of both his radio and tv shows in Ireland. It’s funny how the absence of talk of death and terminal illnesses make a morning show better….stating the obvious for sure but they were a feature of his former radio show and this one is much better for their lack of it.

My only criticisms of the show in its current format would be that there’s too much music/ads/news breaks and not enough Ryan - as mentioned previously. I think there’s a sweet spot there that’s not being exploited by Virgin if he went to a more talk, less music format. That said, 3 hours would be tough to fill that way from a guest perspective. There must be a happy medium here of say a 60-90minute chat show type thing - but I know Virgin is a music station rather than a chat one. I do like the show but can’t help get the feeling there’s a square peg round hole element to it at times, but as a mid-morning background listen it’s rather good.

My conversion is based solely on his on air persona. As I mentioned last week I still have some concern over his historical financial affairs, but I’m going to separate the art from the artist here. I also think whole some of your criticism is fair, some isn’t. Perhaps you too should give him a chance and listen without prejudice (with apologies to George Michael)?

I’m not by any means saying he or the show are perfect but I am entitled to change my opinion. If there are things or aspects of the show or his performance that are worthy of criticism or negative commentary I will offer my opinion - for example I thought he was nervous today and overly-enthusiastic at times but I still enjoyed the show. Equally I have some discomfort over the whole show being an ad for The Devonshire but I guess that’s a matter for Virgin/Q102 and any lost revenue re. same. If it were RTÉ as a licence fee payer I’d be curious if any fees were paid here but as I’m not funding this I’m not particularly bothered.

I hope that’s a satisfactory response even though it’s likely not what you want to hear?

The new Peter Dragon has made me think that maybe I need to give Tubsy another listen, maybe I missed something all these years.

A clip shared to the Virgin Radio UK highlighted some snippets from the festive morning, with the first clip seeing Ryan welcome Angela to the show.

‘Happy St Patrick’s Day to you, Angela,’ the presenter started, with Angela returning the well wishes. ‘And thank you for taking the time out on this extraordinary day to come and see us,’ he added, with Angela retorting: ‘Sure, where else would I be?’

Without missing a beat, Ryan hit back: ‘At home with your children,’ with the crowd chuckling as Angela nodded and noted: ‘Well, that’s true.’

‘I’m very spiky today!’ Ryan said with a grin.

https://extra.ie/2025/03/17/entertainment/celebrity/ryan-tubridy-patricks-day

He definitely seems to have a new lease of life since leaving RTE. He never would have cracked a joke like that years ago. Something has obviously just clicked for him and allowed him to free up. Seems like the bold boy In school. The comments on the video are hilarious.

Yeah I caught that alright but I’d blame the production team and not Ryan for that. I think you’re being too harsh on him. Though not without the occasional hiccup today was a lovely show on the whole. ☘️

For the day that’s in it….

Cead caoga mile failte