Newstalk Megathread 22/08/16 to date

DeadHand · 12-09-2016 7:28pm

Nigel Farage was excellent on Moncrief today.

In fairness to Sean (a diehard Leftist) was able to temper his programming and give the man an even hearing. As a result, Farage was allowed to talk a whole lot of reason and logic.

Well done all round!

Of course, Sean couldn't fully betray his dogma- after informing us the majority of texts agreed with Farage (believable: he is fundamentally right) he proceeded to read out 4-5 (mostly ignorant and/or smug) texts condemning the man and maybe 1 in support.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 7:40pm

DeadHand wrote: »

Nigel Farage was excellent on Moncrief today.

In fairness to Sean (a diehard Leftist) was able to temper his programming and give the man an even hearing. As a result, Farage was allowed to talk a whole lot of reason and logic.

Well done all round!

Of course, Sean couldn't fully betray his dogma- after informing us the majority of texts agreed with Farage (believable: he is fundamentally right) he proceeded to read out 4-5 (mostly ignorant and/or smug) texts condemning the man and maybe 1 in support.

Forgot to post about this earlier. The Irish media try to portray him as a bit of a buffoon but he talked the most sense I have heard on Newstalk in a long time. Probably the most convincing Brexiteer I have heard.

I was disappointed Sean didn't ask him about his endorsement of Trump at a rally a couple of weeks ago.

Sean responded to a text which said Farage was charming (which he is) with "I'm not so sure about that". Made me think they had issues off air. He mentioned Farage cancelled the interview 3 or 4 times.

He also had a small bit of knowledge of Irish politics which seems to be non existent in British politicians.

DeadHand · 12-09-2016 7:47pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

but you seem to be very closed to new cultures and ideas.

I am utterly closed to the ideas of the persecution of women, the death penalty for homosexuals and apostates and the curtailment of personal liberties.

I'm also entirely closed to cultures of violent misogyny and homophobia, sectarian hatred, backwardness, pedophilia and religious supremacism.

And, make no mistake, these are just some of the ideas and cultures being delivered to us by gallant European navies as we exchange.

DeadHand · 12-09-2016 7:53pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

He also had a small bit of knowledge of Irish politics which seems to be non existent in British politicians.

And in British people in general.

It frustrates our Howling Gaels that the bulk of Brits (ruling or common) who they insist on portraying as our eager oppressors, know very little about us and care a lot less.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 7:58pm

DeadHand wrote: »

Rambling Rake wrote: »

He also had a small bit of knowledge of Irish politics which seems to be non existent in British politicians.

And in British people in general.

It frustrates our Howling Gaels that the bulk of Brits (ruling or common) who they insist on portraying as our eager oppressors, know very little about us and care a lot less.

Correct. Try explaining the difference between the North and the Republic to the average Brit.. it's comic how much we know about them and how little they know or care about us.

It even sounded like the Brexit minister wasn't aware of the EU/UK border when he took over.. that's how much we matter.

Richard Hillman · 12-09-2016 8:14pm

Didnt think drive time was that bad but they set their stall out with the refugee malarkey. It was very contrived and a left wing programme will not work during the commute hours.

There are 2 times when people are at their most right wing. When they are going to work and when they have just finished. People are more concerned about their own woes.

SEPT 23 1989 · 12-09-2016 8:19pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

He also had a small bit of knowledge of Irish politics which seems to be non existent in British politicians.

His ex wife is Irish

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 8:31pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

His ex wife is Irish

Forgot that. Seem to recall reading that on his wiki page. She was an Irish urse.

DubTony · 12-09-2016 8:50pm

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Didnt think drive time was that bad but they set their stall out with the refugee malarkey. It was very contrived and a left wing programme will not work during the commute hours.

There are 2 times when people are at their most right wing. When they are going to work and when they have just finished. People are more concerned about their own woes.

Contrived is right. Even down to Donoghue saying Good Morning to somebody and then quickly apologising for it being a bad habit.

Sarah McInerney got put in her place so expertly by the Yank that she could only laugh. Despite her best efforts she couldn't get the man riled.

So as it's going to be standard left-wing fare from here on out, I tuned Today FM into the car stereo and listened to Matt Cooper for the first time in 10 years. He's still crap but he's less crap than Donoghue and McInenrney.

05eaftqbrs9jlh · 12-09-2016 8:59pm

DubTony wrote:

So as it's going to be standard left-wing fare from here on out, I tuned Today FM into the car stereo and listened to Matt Cooper for the first time in 10 years. He's still crap but he's less crap than Donoghue and McInenrney.

What on earth do you mean by "Left-wing fare"? It's the most right-wing rubbish. Between the likes of George Hook and Pat Kenny, Sean Moncrieff has had his time cut, and he had the only stimulating daytime show.

When is Tom Dunne on now?

sheep? · 12-09-2016 9:04pm

DeadHand wrote: »

Nigel Farage was excellent on Moncrief today.

In fairness to Sean (a diehard Leftist) was able to temper his programming and give the man an even hearing. As a result, Farage was allowed to talk a whole lot of reason and logic.

That's what happens now when he doesn't have to rally the unwashed with demagoguery anymore. He did more in that interview to convince me that Brexit might have been a decent idea than he did at any point leading up to June 23rd.

Any reasonable and logical argument over Brexit (and there were examples of this on both sides) gets lost in a maze of media fanaticism.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 9:06pm

Aya Greasy Cable wrote: »

DubTony wrote:

So as it's going to be standard left-wing fare from here on out, I tuned Today FM into the car stereo and listened to Matt Cooper for the first time in 10 years. He's still crap but he's less crap than Donoghue and McInenrney.

It's the most right-wing rubbish.
?

Christ.

I'd love to know what you consider left wing?

PeterTheNinth · 12-09-2016 9:12pm

DubTony wrote: »

Sarah McInerney got put in her place so expertly by the Yank that she could only laugh. Despite her best efforts she couldn't get the man riled..

I thought McInerney was good. With her soft voice she would probably be more suited to the mornings. Ideally in the leaba beside me.

But I see they are continuing the anti-Trump diatribe. When they were playing back the audio of Trump's "get well soon" message to Hilary, they followed with snide remarks. And what I find most objectionable about NT is that even the newsreader made a smart remark about Trump's message to Hilary. The news readers on NT even have the same bias, and this I find particularly nefarious (and should be pulled up by the BAI).

But the funniest bit of it for me. After they have all smug and happy with their snide, facetious little remarks about Trump it goes to the ad break and what do I hear... "Come to the luxurious Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg".. The hypocrites are on Trump's payroll!!

foxtrot101 · 12-09-2016 9:12pm

DubTony wrote: »

So as it's going to be standard left-wing fare from here on out,

So everyone who thinks Donald Trump is loon is left-wing? I am certain that if there was a poll conducted in Ireland on who people wanted to win the next US election, Clinton come out on top by a huge margin. So it's hardly surprising if presenters on a Irish radio station reflect this.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 9:16pm

foxtrot101 wrote: »

DubTony wrote: »

So as it's going to be standard left-wing fare from here on out,

So everyone who thinks Donald Trump is loon is left-wing? I am certain that if there was a poll conducted in Ireland on who people wanted to win the next US election, Clinton come out on top by a huge margin. So it's hardly surprising if presenters on a Irish radio station reflect this.

PeterTheNinth wrote: »

DubTony wrote: »

Sarah McInerney got put in her place so expertly by the Yank that she could only laugh. Despite her best efforts she couldn't get the man riled..

I thought McInerney was good. With her soft voice she would probably be more suited to the mornings. Ideally in the leaba beside me.

But I see they are continuing the anti-Trump diatribe. When they were playing back the audio of Trump's "get well soon" message to Hilary, they followed with snide remarks. And what I find most objectionable about NT is that even the newsreader made a smart remark about Trump's message to Hilary. The news readers on NT even have the same bias, and this I find particularly nefarious (and should be pulled up by the BAI).

But the funniest bit of it for me. After they have all smug and happy with their snide, facetious little remarks about Trump it goes to the ad break and what do I hear... "Come to the luxurious Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg".. The hypocrites are on Trump's payroll!!

Careful now. Did you hear the sexism segment with George today? Could do a stretch for that if the pc police get their way

kneemos · 12-09-2016 9:18pm

PeterTheNinth wrote: »

I thought McInerney was good. With her soft voice she would probably be more suited to the mornings. Ideally in the leaba beside me.

But I see they are continuing the anti-Trump diatribe. When they were playing back the audio of Trump's "get well soon" message to Hilary, they followed with snide remarks. And what I find most objectionable about NT is that even the newsreader made a smart remark about Trump's message to Hilary. The news readers on NT even have the same bias, and this I find particularly nefarious (and should be pulled up by the BAI).

But the funniest bit of it for me. After they have all smug and happy with their snide, facetious little remarks about Trump it goes to the ad break and what do I hear... "Come to the luxurious Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg".. The hypocrites are on Trump's payroll!!

Trump says crazy shoite=everyone thinks he's crazy.

foxtrot101 · 12-09-2016 9:19pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

Careful now. Did you hear the sexism segment with George today? Could do a stretch for that if the pc police get their way

What?

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 9:22pm

foxtrot101 wrote: »

Rambling Rake wrote: »

Careful now. Did you hear the sexism segment with George today? Could do a stretch for that if the pc police get their way

What?

Quoted you by mistake. Phone! Was referring to Peter's message only.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 9:24pm

kneemos wrote: »

PeterTheNinth wrote: »

I thought McInerney was good. With her soft voice she would probably be more suited to the mornings. Ideally in the leaba beside me.

But I see they are continuing the anti-Trump diatribe. When they were playing back the audio of Trump's "get well soon" message to Hilary, they followed with snide remarks. And what I find most objectionable about NT is that even the newsreader made a smart remark about Trump's message to Hilary. The news readers on NT even have the same bias, and this I find particularly nefarious (and should be pulled up by the BAI).

But the funniest bit of it for me. After they have all smug and happy with their snide, facetious little remarks about Trump it goes to the ad break and what do I hear... "Come to the luxurious Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg".. The hypocrites are on Trump's payroll!!

Trump says crazy shoite=everyone thinks he's crazy.

But there is no balance to the reporting? Hillary gets a free pass. The Clinton Foundation makes Paul Kelly look like a saint. Earning hundreds of millions in public office is obscene in any country.

Muff Richardson · 12-09-2016 9:35pm

Aya Greasy Cable wrote: »

When is Tom Dunne on now?

in some state of oblivion on iTunes with that parachute tune hopefully

kneemos · 12-09-2016 9:36pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

But there is no balance to the reporting? Hillary gets a free pass. The Clinton Foundation makes Paul Kelly look like a saint. Earning hundreds of millions in public office is obscene in any country.

it doesn't have to be balanced,it's not an Irish election.Plus Trump is a gift that just keeps giving.All of Hilary's stuff is complicated,boring and been done to death.

Rambling Rake · 12-09-2016 11:02pm

kneemos wrote: »

Rambling Rake wrote: »

But there is no balance to the reporting? Hillary gets a free pass. The Clinton Foundation makes Paul Kelly look like a saint. Earning hundreds of millions in public office is obscene in any country.

it doesn't have to be balanced,it's not an Irish election.Plus Trump is a gift that just keeps giving.All of Hilary's stuff is complicated,boring and been done to death.

So journalists only have to be balanced if it relates to local politics? Sorry but I find that ridiculous

I am 50/50 on the election. If I was American I'd probably vote Trump but Hillary is probably a safer pair of hands for the rest of the world.

It is sad that such a great country has offered the electorate such a poor choice of candidates.

Faugheen · 12-09-2016 11:50pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

So journalists only have to be balanced if it relates to local politics? Sorry but I find that ridiculous

I am 50/50 on the election. If I was American I'd probably vote Trump but Hillary is probably a safer pair of hands for the rest of the world.

It is sad that such a great country has offered the electorate such a poor choice of candidates.

Why on Earth would you vote for Trump?

ThisRegard · 13-09-2016 12:02am

Rambling Rake wrote: »

So journalists only have to be balanced if it relates to local politics? Sorry but I find that ridiculous

I am 50/50 on the election. If I was American I'd probably vote Trump but Hillary is probably a safer pair of hands for the rest of the world.

It is sad that such a great country has offered the electorate such a poor choice of candidates.

When it comes to the BAI, yes.

More Music · 13-09-2016 12:21am

Faugheen wrote: »

Why on Earth would you vote for Trump?

Politicians the world over spout on about crap that have no intention of doing/cannot do when they get elected. Why should Trump be any different.

Do we seriuosly believe everything they say? It's called pandering.

Faugheen · 13-09-2016 10:13am

More Music wrote: »

Politicians the world over spout on about crap that have no intention of doing/cannot do when they get elected. Why should Trump be any different.

Do we seriuosly believe everything they say? It's called pandering.

So people should vote for someone who's misogynistic, homophobic and racist because 'sure he's only pandering'?

I know full well he wont get many of his policies passed nor will he even attempt them, but it doesn't excuse the man he is.

Saying Mexicans are bringing in drugs and raping their women isn't 'pandering', it's outright racist.

Even still, what qualities are there to Trump that make him a good President? I know Hillary's not a saint, but it really is choosing the lesser of two evils in this instance.

sheep? · 13-09-2016 1:45pm

More Music wrote: »

Politicians the world over spout on about crap that have no intention of doing/cannot do when they get elected. Why should Trump be any different.

Do we seriuosly believe everything they say? It's called pandering.

Sure you might as well flip a coin in that case.

ballsymchugh · 13-09-2016 5:51pm

this moncrieff finishing early is a pain in the hole. there's 30 mins where i have to listen to Chris Donoghue before i can switch back to Today fm.
it's either that, fergal d'arcy, or ray d'arcy.

will probably just work in silence for those 30 mins now.

Ol' Donie · 13-09-2016 6:04pm

ballsymchugh wrote: »

this moncrieff finishing early is a pain in the hole. there's 30 mins where i have to listen to Chris Donoghue before i can switch back to Today fm.
it's either that, fergal d'arcy, or ray d'arcy.

will probably just work in silence for those 30 mins now.

Wait, what?

I thought Moncrieff startedhalf an hour later.

Has it lost a bit at 4 o'clock too??

ballsymchugh · 13-09-2016 6:06pm

Ol' Donie wrote: »

Wait, what?

I thought Moncrieff startedhalf an hour later.

Has it lost a bit at 4 o'clock too??

yep. only 2 to 4 now.
things to do this evening now on at 3.50!

Ol' Donie · 13-09-2016 6:10pm

ballsymchugh wrote: »

yep. only 2 to 4 now.
things to do this evening now on at 3.50!

I swear to jesus.

If they touch movies & booze...

This is stupid. Stupid.The drive time shows (all of which are already super uninteresting) go on for long enough.

God, I cannot honestly believe anyone, anywhere thinks Chris Donoghue is better at any radio broadcasting than Sean.

Loafing Oaf · 13-09-2016 6:14pm

Ol' Donie wrote: »

This is stupid. Stupid.The drive time shows (all of which are already super uninteresting) go on for long enough.

God, I cannot honestly believe anyone, anywhere thinks Chris Donoghue is better at any radio broadcasting than Sean.

Presumably the idea is to steal a march on the other evening drivetime shows, catching primary teachers and others who finish work a bit early. Like it or not, for a station like Newstalk, breakfast/lunch/tea drivetime shows are where the listeners and money are...

Say Your Number · 13-09-2016 6:38pm

So it seems this OTB joining them after 6.30 is only for 10 seconds at the end, what was the point of even mentioning it in the press release?

For f*cksake they made it seem like a bigger deal than it was.

Rambling Rake · 13-09-2016 6:44pm

Perhaps working an hour less a day suits him?

3 hours felt too long some days but this drive show is even worse than I anticipated.

I never thought I'd want to hear more Chris Donoghue but his co host seems to lead about 70% of the show and she is dire.

Has a really droll delivery that would more suited to Drivetime on Radio One.

Is it her first time as a broadcaster? She needs to lighten up a bit.

Muff Richardson · 13-09-2016 7:00pm

The desperation to impress in their presentation is both pathetic and pitiful....chris signs off with a "thank you, thank you so much to all our listeners and our production team for all their hard work"....would ye f**k off with yourself, have some dignity and take some pride in your work, uncle tom like to his listenership.

DubTony · 13-09-2016 7:01pm

Aya Greasy Cable wrote: »

What on earth do you mean by "Left-wing fare"? It's the most right-wing rubbish. Between the likes of George Hook and Pat Kenny, Sean Moncrieff has had his time cut, and he had the only stimulating daytime show.

When is Tom Dunne on now?

I was talking about the Drive show. I think that was clear.

Hook is only right-wing in so far as he likes to be a bit controversial. After that he's middle of the road. Pat Kenny is dead centre all day long, especially if he has to have an opinion, unless he wants to justifiably attack some non-sensical action or opinion.

McInerney and Donoghue set out their stall yesterday with an attempted hatchet job on a Trump supporter. Same old crap. If it doesn't fit in with the approved worldview, attack it.

ThisRegard · 13-09-2016 7:53pm

Muff Richardson wrote: »

The desperation to impress in their presentation is both pathetic and pitiful....chris signs off with a "thank you, thank you so much to all our listeners and our production team for all their hard work"....would ye f**k off with yourself, have some dignity and take some pride in your work, uncle tom like to his listenership.

Most, if not all, news shows do this. I don't see the problem.

Say Your Number · 13-09-2016 7:58pm

Rambling Rake wrote: »

Perhaps working an hour less a day suits him?

3 hours felt too long some days but this drive show is even worse than I anticipated.

Now it's entirely plausible that Sean requested it, but if having an hour cut to make way for G Hook talking sh1te and a fairly bland (so far) Drivetime show was forced on him, it doesn't say a whole lot about the decision making process at the station and that's before we get to the mindf*ck that is the new Breakfast show.

kneemos · 13-09-2016 8:09pm

Drivetime is a mess.It needs an old hand to take control.

buckfasterer · 14-09-2016 8:18am

Drive was a mess yesterday. The politician section just won't work cause the two of them don't have the balls or guts to stand up to the politicians and they are just shown disrespect. They need someone like Ivan or even Pat Kenny who will call them on their waffle and bull.

Tell me how · 14-09-2016 8:42am

This new schedule is 2 days old. 2 days.
I know they'd have done off air shows over the last few weeks but going live is different.

I'm listening to breakfast show now and think it's fine.

Can't understand the venomous negativity on some posts here.

Ol' Donie · 14-09-2016 12:26pm

So, High Noon is literally just The Right Hook during the day?

Hmm. Yeah, I'm okay with that.

heybaby · 14-09-2016 1:14pm

Tell me how wrote: »

This new schedule is 2 days old. 2 days.
I know they'd have done off air shows over the last few weeks but going live is different.

I'm listening to breakfast show now and think it's fine.

Can't understand the venomous negativity on some posts here.

The new show may be only 3 days old but Newstalk aren't broadcasting in a vacuum, listeners have other options and will vote with their ears in minutes . How many weeks is it since Ivan went off the air and we had a conveyor belt of a dozen breakfast presenters filling the void all across the summer? Irish listeners more than anything are habitual, especially in the morning. Familiarity is the watchword here, as is credibility, Rte are the state broadcaster, regardless of their many flaws they have credibility and familiarity in spades, 400k listeners for Morning Ireland doesn't lie.

Communicorp were up against it trying to compete with Montrose's heavy hitters but garnered decent success with Chris and Ivan, at 150k? listeners, but given the enormous investment by Newstalk, this would have been the least they'd have hoped for. While Chris came across as lightweight and juvenile at times and Ivan cringingly trying to be his boorish elder sidekick, for the most part it worked, not least because of Ivans background in business and politics.

However not to adopt a new breakfast format immediately was delusional. To then eventually replace Chris and Ivan in September with essentially a committee of presenters is daft, it reminds me of the American morning TV shows with a multitude of presenters all sitting around talking over each other.

As for the personnel, Paul Williams is a hack and has shown little interest in anything other than gangland crime, for him to cut his radio teeth on a national radio station, on its anchor show is utter folly. Alan Quinlan is a similar proposition, who should never have be let near a microphone. He may be a former rugby Pro but as an analyst he is awful. Compare is delivery, enthusiasm, tone and his analytical incite with that of Shaggy and you'll see just how dull and depressing his input is. The fact that he's delivering the sports news when you have experienced sports journalists is crazy and will no doubt be one of the rocks on which this new format will perish.

If you're going to tackle Morning Ireland you need stability, consistency, credibility and authority, the current format and personnel should have hit the ground running, they didn't and the format suggests they will lose the station even more listeners that have been lost since Ivans departure.

Matt Cooper should have been given the breakfast show in my opinion, if he didn't want it, he should have been given enough money to change his mind.

Ol' Donie · 14-09-2016 1:27pm

Just heard an ad for the afternoon show.

Movie review, Henry McKean and all the sport with Off The Ball.

So, bits of other shows, hosted by Chris Donoghue.

As said above, it's unfair not to give it a chance to find it's feet.

But as a non radio show designer this makes no sense to me at all!!

Clutterfree88 · 14-09-2016 2:30pm

I am a Newstalk listener throughout the day from breakfast through to Off the Ball, I'm disappointed with the new schedule (so far) even though the schedule has been everywhere and back since Ivan left.

I was a big Ivan Yates fan however he has left (for the moment) and they must move on, I've always been interested in radio from a listeners point of view but who in the world thought Paul Williams was a breakfast show presenter, he was awful on Monday and God help us he's back tomorrow, he should have been thrown overboard during their test shows whilst Sarah McInerney was a good panellist she's not a presenter either. I always rated Shane Coleman as a presenter and easily listened to at whatever time he'd turn up however could they have not have left Chris and himself on breakfast along with Colette Fitzpatrick? George Hook's High Noon is awful and I was a Right Hook fan along with the added insult of curbing Moncrieff who is the best thing on Newstalk. I'm not sure who the PD is but hope that they will tweak the changes required following feedback from the loyal listeners.

delaad · 14-09-2016 2:31pm

Say Your Number wrote: »

Now it's entirely plausible that Sean requested it, but if having an hour cut to make way for G Hook talking sh1te and a fairly bland (so far) Drivetime show was forced on him, it doesn't say a whole lot about the decision making process at the station and that's before we get to the mindf*ck that is the new Breakfast show.

Where's Sean today? Two days into the "new" schedule, and Tom Dunne is standing in!

Say Your Number · 14-09-2016 2:43pm

delaad wrote: »

Where's Sean today?

Don't ask me, I haven't been talking to him!

Ol' Donie · 14-09-2016 2:51pm

delaad wrote: »

Where's Sean today? Two days into the "new" schedule, and Tom Dunne is standing in!

I figured all the shuffling around over the past few months was so they could all get the holidays in so they'd be ready for the new schedule?

Might be sick, I sppose.

SEPT 23 1989 · 14-09-2016 2:52pm

delaad wrote: »

Where's Sean today? Two days into the "new" schedule, and Tom Dunne is standing in!

mutiny

Turtle_ · 14-09-2016 2:59pm

Did I miss parenting or is farming on ahead of it now?

Newstalk Megathread 22/08/16 to date

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