RTE: Drivetime with Sarah McInerney & Cormac O hEadhra

SpacialNeeds · 07-01-2021 12:35pm

I think she's an absolute hero. Just listened to her castigating Norma Fooley there. She's a brilliant interviewer.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 12:43pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

It didn’t Francie, and it didn’t get any better.

Very arrogant and hectoring interviewing style about her.

Seems to be her ambition to beat down and humiliate the interviewee rather than elicit real information for the listener.

Just my opinion Francie, an auld grunt with no authority:cool:

That's her job as a journalist Brendi, it isn't to make you or me or the guest feel all cuddly and warm.
I'm sure I am not the only one who has noticed that your radio criticism clapometer only goes into the red zone when government ministers get the jab.
Not an issue when others get it though...it's usually 'them getting torn a new one, huzzah huzzah!'.

Just my observation.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 12:46pm

SpacialNeeds wrote: »

I think she's an absolute hero. Just listened to her castigating Norma Fooley there. She's a brilliant interviewer.

She is very good, reminds me of a young Marion Finucane who was similarly fearless.
I think the duo are settling in very well in the slot. When party faithful fear you/demean you, it is always a good sign.
We need robust journalism in this country.

Cole · 07-01-2021 12:48pm

SpacialNeeds wrote: »

I think she's an absolute hero.

Of course she is.

Heard the trailer for the show earlier...pretty heroic to churn out that kind of drivel and present is as being a news and current affairs show.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 1:23pm

If there is a better example of proper interrogative journalism in Irish radio archives I would like to hear it.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/21890779

Cole · 07-01-2021 1:35pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

If there is a better example of proper interrogative journalism in Irish radio archives I would like to hear it.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/21890779

Ah c'mon...let's not loose the run of ourselves. I think Sarah Mc is pretty good (although I don't listen to the awful new version of Drivetime), but if I bothered to trawl through the archives I'm very confident I could find many "better examples of interrogative journalism" from Pat Kenny, Brian Farrell, Sean O'Rourke, Gerald Barry etc. etc.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 1:39pm

Cole wrote: »

Ah c'mon...let's not loose the run of ourselves. I think Sarah Mc is pretty good (although I don't listen to the awful new version of Drivetime), but if I bothered to trawl through the archives I'm very confident I could find many "better examples of interrogative journalism" from Pat Kenny, Brian Farrell, Sean O'Rourke, Gerald Barry etc. etc.

Similar maybe, but I would, as I said, be interested if you have one that is 'better'.

There is no 'shrill' 'hectoring' going on here, just probing questions not being left to the mercy of spin and evasion.
Genuinely think she is potentially in the same league as Kenny at his best and O'Rourke etc.

Del.Monte · 07-01-2021 1:48pm

She's excellent and a babe too.

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 1:49pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

That's her job as a journalist Brendi, it isn't to make you or me or the guest feel all cuddly and warm.
I'm sure I am not the only one who has noticed that your radio criticism clapometer only goes into the red zone when government ministers get the jab.
Not an issue when others get it though...it's usually 'them getting torn a new one, huzzah huzzah!'.

Just my observation.

Doubt if anyone could make you cuddly and warm, Francie, but that’s an aside.

Her job as a journalist as I see it is to get information for the public, not to try to browbeat an interviewee and crow over it surreptitiously, as a kind of a throwaway remark.

The person to role model on is Audrey Carville, gets far more info with far less hectoring than McInerney.

The Vincent Browne tactics will only get you so far, real skill is the way to go.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 2:01pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Doubt if anyone could make you cuddly and warm, Francie, but that’s an aside.

Her job as a journalist as I see it is to get information for the public, not to try to browbeat an interviewee and crow over it surreptitiously, as a kind of a throwaway remark.

The person to role model on is Audrey Carville, gets far more info with far less hectoring than McInerney.

The Vincent Browne tactics will only get you so far, real skill is the way to go.

It isn't a 'pick one' scenario Brendi.

Quite possible Audrey is similar or even better. I'm not familiar with much of her output. Is there a thread on her programmes?

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 2:13pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

It isn't a 'pick one' scenario Brendi.

Quite possible Audrey is similar or even better. I'm not familiar with much of her output. Is there a thread on her programmes?

She is on MI, but hasn’t been around much recently.

Doubt if she has a thread of her own, not enough airtime or ‘notice’ to warrant that.

Does her job calmly,so really, only those of us with good insight into the finer techniques of broadcasting might be aware of her.

Monaghan lass, x BBC...... but hasn’t got the kind of ‘baked in’ sourness they say Monaghan folk are born with.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 2:18pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

She is on MI, but hasn’t been around much recently.

Doubt if she has a thread of her own, not enough airtime or ‘notice’ to warrant that.

Does her job calmly,so really, only those of us with good insight into the finer techniques of broadcasting might be aware of her.

Monaghan lass, x BBC...... but hasn’t got the kind of ‘baked in’ sourness they say Monaghan folk are born with.

As I said, it isn't an either or scenario. If Carville is as good as you say then we'll hear more of her too, hopefully.

07-01-2021 2:25pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Doubt if anyone could make you cuddly and warm, Francie, but that’s an aside.

Her job as a journalist as I see it is to get information for the public, not to try to browbeat an interviewee and crow over it surreptitiously, as a kind of a throwaway remark.

The person to role model on is Audrey Carville, gets far more info with far less hectoring than McInerney.

The Vincent Browne tactics will only get you so far, real skill is the way to go.

Mod - cut out the unnecessary digs please

07-01-2021 5:41pm

True Believer Trump supporter being interviewed by Cormac. A whole lot of whataboutery indeed. What Biden is gonna do..

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:14pm

Heh heh .....appro about nothing

At 1650 there was a ‘promo’ telling us there would be an interview with ROG after 1700

Brenner, says i to myself, I wonder who will get that gig.... will it be Cormac or Sarah

Hmmm I said..... I’d put my wedge on Sarah

I wasn’t wrong.......

A trend perhaps............hmmm

bookman2 · 07-01-2021 6:16pm

Just listening for first time in a long while and Ms mcinerney seems to have stopped her badgering style of interviewing. Is this the normal now for her?

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:17pm

bookman2 wrote: »

Just listening for first time in a long while and Ms mcinerney seems to have stopped her badgering style of interviewing. Is this the normal now for her?

Just reeling him in.............in my opinion.

bookman2 · 07-01-2021 6:19pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Just reeling him in.............in my opinion.

To be fair she seems to be leaving him answer and not jumping in like she used to.

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:21pm

“Question you don’t seem to understand” said in a snarky arrogant tone.

bookman2 · 07-01-2021 6:21pm

who is this chap she is interviewing --he doesn't seem the most competent chap!

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:22pm

bookman2 wrote: »

To be fair she seems to be leaving him answer and not jumping in like she used to.

Saving that for the big fish........

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:22pm

bookman2 wrote: »

who is this chap she is interviewing --he doesn't seem the most competent chap!

Roderick O’ Gorman....... sorry Rod........ not a good performer.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 6:24pm

bookman2 wrote: »

To be fair she seems to be leaving him answer and not jumping in like she used to.

She only 'interrupts' when someone is evading or stalling...as she is doing now. Roderick seems a bit out of his depth and not on top of his brief TBH.

bookman2 · 07-01-2021 6:27pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Roderick O’ Gorman....... sorry Rod........ not a good performer.

he deffo doesn't come across as NOT the greatest performer he must have went to the same school as stephen donnelly! Once he can do his job is the main thing tho.

Infoanon · 07-01-2021 6:28pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

“Question you don’t seem to understand” said in a snarky arrogant tone.

More like 'that is not the question I asked so I will ask you again ' tone.

Roderick O Gorman came across as incompetent in that interview

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:29pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

She only 'interrupts' when someone is evading or stalling...as she is doing now. Roderick seems a bit out of his depth and not on top of his brief TBH.

Yep, Poor Rodders out of his depth.

Not ministerial material, what ever way you can dress it up.

Nice lad ......but......sorry.

bookman2 · 07-01-2021 6:29pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

She only 'interrupts' when someone is evading or stalling...as she is doing now. Roderick seems a bit out of his depth and not on top of his brief TBH.

aah stop will ya- the nonsense when she was on the claire byrne show was ridiculous - the gotcha type of interview was ridiculous.

FrancieBrady · 07-01-2021 6:43pm

bookman2 wrote: »

aah stop will ya- the nonsense when she was on the claire byrne show was ridiculous - the gotcha type of interview was ridiculous.

Only happened in the instance I mentioned. Heard many interviews by her where it wasn't neccessary.

By the way, just to be sure we are on the same page: I require my journalists to interrupt and even hector(if need be) if they are been given a classic bum shift by an interviewee. Too many of our politicians luxuriate in that type of interview.

Brendan Bendar · 07-01-2021 6:56pm

47 next on the list.

Will the boot go in..............

Brendan Bendar · 08-01-2021 6:28pm

Heh heh heh

“I don’t want to alarm anybody” says O’hEadhra.

After giving us wall to wall news of rampant COVID 19 infection over the last hour.

All delivered in tones which for me anyway, suggest they are enjoying putting the wind up the populace.

Maybe it’s just me.

Brendan Bendar · 11-01-2021 6:32pm

Fair play Josepha Madigan, I won’t say she tore McInerney out a new one, but she certainly put her in her box.

I noted the ‘hostile’ tone McInerney adopts when interviewing Govt. people, the quickening of the speech, the rapid fire questions and the interruptions when the answers are not to her agenda.

None of which are apparent when interviewing the opposition drones where it’s like a coffee table chat.

Lads it’s there , Josepha had all the answers and McInerney couldn’t put a glove on her.

The question is why does she not adopt the same technique for all interviews.

Valid question lads.

Infoanon · 11-01-2021 6:40pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Fair play Josepha Madigan, I won’t say she tore McInerney out a new one, but she certainly put her in her box.
.

You must have being listening to a different interview - Josepha 'the schools aren't closed they are taking a longer holiday ' Madigan gave an average interview and Sarah gave her a fairly easy time.

Josepha laying a seed that Covid is seasonal is not putting the interviewer in her 'box '

The government are on the back foot at the moment - most of it their own doing - so you can't keep blaming the interviewers 'hostile ' tone.

FrancieBrady · 11-01-2021 6:57pm

Infoanon wrote: »

You must have being listening to a different interview - Josepha 'the schools aren't closed they are taking a longer holiday ' Madigan gave an average interview and Sarah gave her a fairly easy time.

Josepha laying a seed that Covid is seasonal is not putting the interviewer in her 'box '

The government are on the back foot at the moment - most of it their own doing - so you can't keep blaming the interviewers 'hostile ' tone.

I might have known.

Brendan Bendar · 11-01-2021 7:10pm

FrancieBrady wrote: »

I might have known.

All there in black and white Francie, not political, just a critique of very poor interviewing standards.

All the ‘back up’ that you rely so desperately on is there..... if you want to try to find it.

If an interview series like that was conducted in a Civil Service promotion competition with that imbalance Liberty Hall would be jawing for up to six or seven months.

You need to wake up and open your eyes Francie.

The auld duffel coat student politics duddnt butter any parsnips with the Brenner.

Gen.Zhukov · 11-01-2021 10:37pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Fair play Josepha Madigan, I won’t say she tore McInerney out a new one, but she certainly put her in her box.

I noted the ‘hostile’ tone McInerney adopts when interviewing Govt. people, the quickening of the speech, the rapid fire questions and the interruptions when the answers are not to her agenda.

None of which are apparent when interviewing the opposition drones where it’s like a coffee table chat.

Lads it’s there , Josepha had all the answers and McInerney couldn’t put a glove on her.

The question is why does she not adopt the same technique for all interviews.

Valid question lads.

Jank1 · 12-01-2021 1:21pm

Does anyone agree that drivetime now sounds like a 2fm show rather than a Raidio Eireann program ?

12-01-2021 1:25pm

I would'nt of thought many Radio 1 listeners listen to 2FM tbf

Brendan Bendar · 12-01-2021 2:03pm

Jank1 wrote: »

Does anyone agree that drivetime now sounds like a 2fm show rather than a Raidio Eireann program ?

Getting like it

sligojoek · 12-01-2021 2:07pm

Ya. Talk of blockbuster movies and Spotify lists have no place on a "serious" news show.

Hamsterchops · 12-01-2021 2:10pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Heh heh heh

“I don’t want to alarm anybody” says O’hEadhra.

After giving us wall to wall news of rampant COVID 19 infection over the last hour.

All delivered in tones which for me anyway, suggest they are enjoying putting the wind up the populace.

Maybe it’s just me.

No, it's not just you, they're all at it, they just can't get enough of this Corona-Covid virus feeding frenzy, it's all over the airwaves like a virus in itself.

Don't know what they'll all do when the virus has been surpresed & Trump is gone.

Cole · 12-01-2021 2:23pm

Jank1 wrote: »

Does anyone agree that drivetime now sounds like a 2fm show rather than a Raidio Eireann program ?

Let's bring back the 'eye in the sky' Electric Eddie for the traffic reports, Barry Lang as political reporter and Simon Young for the voxpops.

FrancieBrady · 12-01-2021 4:12pm

Jank1 wrote: »

Does anyone agree that drivetime now sounds like a 2fm show rather than a Raidio Eireann program ?

The demographic sitting in their cars that RTE are after in a 'Drivetime' show would be that demographic who first tuned into 2FM. So probably no accident that the style has been adjusted.

Robert McGrath · 12-01-2021 7:04pm

The exchange just now between Cormac and the A&E doctor in Cork typified why I don’t like the approach of the new presenters. Cormac was disappointed that the doc didn’t bite at his leading question asking that surely the doc can’t take any more if we haven’t reached the peak. And then cut the doc off when he was trying to make a plea to the public to go to local respiratory hubs rather than acute hospitals. Communicating clear information to the public at the moment is too important to be at the mercy of the tabloid egos of some journalists

FrancieBrady · 12-01-2021 7:35pm

Have to knock a point ot two off Sarah's clapometer today. She let Archbishop Martin completely off the hook several times.

Brendan Bendar · 13-01-2021 6:30pm

Hmmm ... lovely little coffee table interview with Alan Kelly just now, on first name terms, friendly attitude, you’re a great guy, yeh, you’re a great lady....... hmmmmm.

Little bit different when dealing with those in charge.....

And of course the ...we asked the govt to provide a spokesperson but none available.

This from a crowd who couldn’t provide a spokesperson on their own premises for days.

Hey.....what’s going on here...it’s like scrotes throwing bottles at firefighters fighting a fire.

C’mon.

Brendan Bendar · 14-01-2021 5:50pm

JAysus........ there’s that tosser O hEadhra asking Josepha can she give “a cast iron guarantee” about special schools opening next week.

Grow the **** up , nobody can give cast iron guarantees on anything to do with COVID.

O’ hEadhra interrupting on everything ,obviously trying to match McInerney in abrasive attitude, obviously feeling he has to become more aggressive.

Fair play to Josepha, handled him with consummate ease.

Cormac struggling badly, got a new one ripped out for him.

Well done Josepha..... put that tosser in his place.

ninebeanrows · 14-01-2021 6:57pm

gosh Jeffrey Donaldson sounding very level headed here so far

FrancieBrady · 14-01-2021 7:01pm

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

gosh Jeffrey Donaldson sounding very level headed here so far

She gave him enough rope to hang himself. Blaming everything and anything but themselves.

Mad_maxx · 14-01-2021 11:26pm

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

JAysus........ there’s that tosser O hEadhra asking Josepha can she give “a cast iron guarantee” about special schools opening next week.

Grow the **** up , nobody can give cast iron guarantees on anything to do with COVID.

O’ hEadhra interrupting on everything ,obviously trying to match McInerney in abrasive attitude, obviously feeling he has to become more aggressive.

Fair play to Josepha, handled him with consummate ease.

Cormac struggling badly, got a new one ripped out for him.

Well done Josepha..... put that tosser in his place.

o hEadhra is the Jonathan Healy of RTE

Brendan Bendar · 18-01-2021 7:31pm

O’hEadhra seems to like the affirmative mode of questioning.

eg.... the Hse should have done something about that, isn’t that right?

Strange way of putting things , I would have thought.

RTE: Drivetime with Sarah McInerney & Cormac O hEadhra

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