The Frontline | |
---|---|
Directed by | David Donaghy [1] |
Presented by | Pat Kenny |
Country of origin | Ireland |
Original language(s) | English, Irish |
No. of seasons | 4 |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Dave Nally [2] |
Production location(s) | Studio 4, [3] RTÉ Television Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Release | |
Original network | RTÉ One |
Original release | 21 September 2009 [4] – 28 January 2013 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Questions and Answers |
Followed by | Prime Time Monday night edition. |
External links | |
Website |
The Frontlineis a topical debate television series in Ireland, which aired for 60 minutes every Monday night on RTÉ One at 22:30. It debuted on Monday, 21 September 2009. [5] The Frontline replaced a similar political analysis show Questions and Answers . [6] The programme features around an invited audience and featured guests. [7]
Debate is a process that involves formal discussion on a particular topic. In a debate, opposing arguments are put forward to argue for opposing viewpoints. Debate occurs in public meetings, academic institutions, and legislative assemblies. It is a formal type of discussion, often with a moderator and an audience, in addition to the debate participants.
Television (TV), sometimes shortened to tele or telly, is a telecommunication medium used for transmitting moving images in monochrome, or in colour, and in two or three dimensions and sound. The term can refer to a television set, a television program, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, entertainment and news.
Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country in north-western Europe occupying 26 of 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, which is located on the eastern part of the island, and whose metropolitan area is home to around a third of the country's over 4.8 million inhabitants. The sovereign state shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. It is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, Saint George's Channel to the south-east, and the Irish Sea to the east. It is a unitary, parliamentary republic. The legislature, the Oireachtas, consists of a lower house, Dáil Éireann, an upper house, Seanad Éireann, and an elected President who serves as the largely ceremonial head of state, but with some important powers and duties. The head of government is the Taoiseach, who is elected by the Dáil and appointed by the President; the Taoiseach in turn appoints other government ministers.
Many public figures politicians have appeared on the series. [4] [8] Some incidents on the programme have attracted a large amount of media coverage. [9] [10] The programme has generally received positive reviews. [11] [12] The programme is broadcast from Studio 4 in RTÉ. [3] The first programme received an audience share of 43.4%, with a viewing audience of 464,000. [13] Later into the series 100,000 fewer people watched it, watching The Apprentice instead. [14] It won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards in February 2010. [15]
The Apprentice is an Irish reality television series, in which a group of aspiring young businessmen and women compete for the chance to win a job as "apprentice" to Bill Cullen, an Irish businessman.
The show returned in September 2012. However, RTÉ announced in October 2012 that the show would be revamped in early 2013. In November 2012, media reports indicated that this revamp would involve The Frontline being axed and replaced with Prime Time: Debate, and that the new show would be similar to The Frontline but under the Prime Time branding. [16] [17] The Frontline aired for the final time on 28 January 2013. [18]
The Frontline was hosted by former The Late Late Show presenter and RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Pat Kenny. [19] The programme runs for 60 minutes on Monday nights on RTÉ One. [6] It was directed by David Donaghy [1] and produced by Dave Nally. [2] Studio 4 in the RTÉ Television Centre was the venue of the programme. [3] That was also used for The Late Late Show. [20]
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926. The station is a rare modern example of a mixed radio channel, offering a wide spectrum of programming which is mainly speech-based but also includes a fair amount of music.
Patrick Kenny is a veteran Irish broadcaster, who currently hosts the daily radio show The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk and the current affairs show Pat Kenny Tonight on TV3.
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ 1 upon the launch of RTÉ 2 in 1978. RTÉ is funded partly by the licence fee; the remainder of the funding is provided by commercial advertising. Because RTÉ is funded partly by the licence fee it shows considerably fewer advertisements than most other channels available in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The show differed from its predecessor Questions and Answers in that the show does not entirely focus on a panel. The show regularly featured one-on-one interviews with key political and social figures, such as the Minister for Finance [21] and the Leader of the Labour Party, [8] as well as specially themed shows. [22] Other formats include a panel from various social and political backgrounds discussing political issues affecting Ireland and the wider world. [4] [22] [23] The programme debates "the most important news stories of the week". [19] The programme also features debate on "major political, economic and social issues". [7] The programme also features some satire. [24]
The Minister for Finance is the senior minister at the Department of Finance in the Government of Ireland. The minister is responsible for all financial and monetary matters of the state, and is considered the second most important member of the Government of Ireland, after the Taoiseach.
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Larkin, James Connolly, and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trades Union Congress, it describes itself as a "democratic socialist party" in its constitution. Labour continues to be the political arm of the Irish trade union and labour movement and seeks to represent workers interests in the Dáil and on a local level.
Steve Carson, head of programming in RTÉ Television, said the programme wouldn't be a replica of the old format. [25] An audience also features as part of the discussion similar to Questions and Answers. [23]
Steve Carson is an Irish director and producer of television. He is the Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning at BBC Scotland.
RTÉ Television is a department of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), the Republic of Ireland's national broadcaster. Its first channel was Telefís Éireann, which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961. Since the 1960s, RTÉ Television has added channels and digital television service.
For the beginning of the programme, Kenny "zips around the studio, microphone in hand". [21]
Steve Carson, head of programming in RTÉ Television. [25]
The first indication that Pat Kenny would present another television programme, was on the night he announced his departure from presenting The Late Late Show . [26] By the time of presenting his last programme, it was announced a new current affairs programme would begin in autumn 2009. [27] It was later announced that it would be 21 September 2009. [5]
There was a high demand for tickets, which RTÉ described as phenomenal. 4,000 applications were received for a capacity of 120 seats (originally 60 for Questions and Answers, which was subsequently doubled). [4] A public invitation for comments and ideas on topics was issued by the makers of the show. [4]
The first programme had guests such as Eamon Dunphy, Fintan O'Toole, Pat Farrell, Tom Parlon and Brian Lenihan, Minister for Finance. Audience members included small business people and mortgage holders. [21] Lenihan talked about the proposed National Asset Management Agency and the purchase of €28 billion in loans from Anglo Irish Bank. [28]
As a result of cutbacks, RTÉ could only afford to spend €2 on sandwiches per audience member. [29]
The programme won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards on 20 February 2010. Kenny accepted the award. [15]
A special programme about the aftermath of sudden recession aired in May 2010. [30]
The programme returned to RTÉ One on 20 September 2010. [31]
For the first two programmes, viewing figures were above the programme's predecessor Questions and Answers . The first programme had an initial audience of 464,000 viewers. Overall, the second programme reached an audience of 653,000. [13] In November 2009, the viewership was reduced to 333,000, less than the 493,000 received by The Apprentice on TV3 [14] When George Lee appeared on the programme explaining his resignation from politics on 8 February 2010, the viewing figures were at 627,000. [31]
The Frontline gained nearly 70,000 viewers when TV3 temporarily replaced its rival Tonight with Vincent Browne with UK celebrity torture show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in November 2011. [32]
On 2 November 2009, Jack O'Connor of SIPTU suggested that in the 2010 budget, "a reasonable level of tax" should be placed on "Trophy Houses". Kenny responded by asking what is a trophy house. To this O'Connor responded with "A house like yours, probably." [10] After some hesitation, Kenny quoted:
I built my house in 1988. Like, why is that a trophy house? I don’t want this kind of crap coming at me. [33]
O'Connor then apologised instantly. [10]
The following week (9 November 2009), during an interview with Mary Hanafin, Alan O'Brien (who has a conviction from 2006 for incitement to hatred [34] ), a member of the audience, spent three minutes accusing Kenny of "pontificating and moralising" people on social welfare, despite being in receipt of a €600,000 salary. [35] Then referring to a previous court case involving Kenny, he concluded by saying, "Now I am going to sue an old woman for a field because I feel I might make a million or more." After being removed by security, the programme continued. [9]
Days before the 2011 presidential election, a debate was held between the candidates on The Frontline. [36] A tweet was read out by Pat Kenny which caused Seán Gallagher, ahead on opinion polling, to falter on live television. Michael D. Higgins subsequently won the election. A member of Gallagher's campaign team described it as an "earth shattering" moment for Seán Gallagher. [37] Gallagher later took RTÉ to court over its role in the sabotage of his election campaign. [38]
During the debate held on 21 May 2012 concerning the Irish European Fiscal Compact referendum, Pat Kenny got down on his hands and knees and shouted at a farmer in the audience to shut up. [39] [40] He also promised a debate on the CAP "in January"—scheduling of which would have occurred two months after it was announced that The Frontline had been axed. [41]
The programme generally received a "big thumbs up". [11] Patrick Freyne of the Sunday Tribune described the programme, in his television review column, as "the People versus A Bunch of Bastards". He also called it "slick, pacy and well-researched". [42] Hilary Fannin writing in The Irish Times , predicted that the programme, in relation to the economy, "will [not] be allowed to debate much else in the months to come". [43] She also rated it as one of the best current affairs programmes in 2009. [44] The two reviewers said that, compared to The Late Late Show , Kenny was more "in his comfort zone". [42] [43] Sarah Carey, also in The Irish Times , was disappointed by the tone of the programme even though Kenny was "thoroughly enjoying himself". She said it was a televised version of Liveline . [45]
Future President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, then a Labour Party TD, said in February 2010 that The Frontline "degrade[d] politics" and called it a "really bad programme". [46]
The Late Late Show, with its title often shortened to The Late Late, is an Irish chat show. It is the world's second longest-running late-night talk show, after the American The Tonight Show. Perceived as the official flagship television programme of Ireland's public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), it is regarded as an Irish television institution and is broadcast live across two hours plus in front of a studio audience on Friday nights between September and May at 21.30.
Ryan Tubridy, nicknamed "Tubs", is an Irish broadcaster, a presenter of live shows on radio and television in Ireland. Tubridy is the highest-earning presenter on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). He is the current host of long-running TV chat programme The Late Late Show and a weekday morning radio show called The Ryan Tubridy Show.
Prime Time is an Irish current affairs television programme airing on RTÉ One on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Gerard Ryan was an Irish presenter of radio and television employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). He presented The Gerry Ryan Show on radio station RTÉ 2fm each weekday morning from 1988 until hours before his sudden death. He was presented with a Jacob's Award for this show in 1990.
Questions and Answers is a topical debate television programme broadcast in Ireland for 23 years between 1986 and 2009.
Tubridy Tonight is a talk show hosted by Ryan Tubridy that aired on RTÉ One for five seasons between 2004 and 2009. The programme featured guest interviews, audience participation and live music from both a guest music group and the house band. Tubridy Tonight aired every Saturday night, except during the summer months, directly after the main evening news. The show's house musical act was Clint Velour and the Camembert Quartet.
Miriam O'Callaghan is an Irish television current affairs presenter with RTÉ. She has presented Prime Time since 1996, and her own summer Talk show, Saturday Night with Miriam, since 2005. In the summer of 2009, she began a radio show, Miriam Meets..., since replaced by live show Sunday with Miriam.
Charles "Charlie" Bird is an Irish journalist and broadcaster. He was Chief News Correspondent with RTÉ News and Current Affairs until January 2009. He took up the role of Washington Correspondent, but prematurely returned to his earlier post in Ireland in June 2010. He retired from RTÉ in August 2012.
The Late Late Toy Show is an annual, special edition of the Irish late-night chat show The Late Late Show. Airing annually on RTÉ One near the end of November or early December to coincide with the Holiday shopping season, the Toy Show showcasess the popular toys of the year, as presented by the host and demonstrated by various children on-stage, along with appearances by celebrity guests.
Today with Pat Kenny was a current affairs magazine broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Pat Kenny. The programme was broadcast on weekdays, at 10:00 and ended at 12:00. In 2008, the average audience for the show was 291,000.
The 47th season of The Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat show, began on 5 September 2008 and concluded on 29 May 2009. It aired on RTÉ One each Friday evening from 21:30.
The Saturday Night Show is a talk show hosted by Brendan O'Connor broadcast on RTÉ One between 2010 and 2015. The show features guest interviews, audience participation and live music. The Saturday Night Show is broadcast every Saturday night during the autumn-spring season directly after RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock, the main evening news bulletin.
The 48th season of The Late Late Show, an Irish television chat show, began on 4 September 2009 and concluded on 28 May 2010. It aired on RTÉ One each Friday evening from 21:30. It was the first series to be hosted by Ryan Tubridy, the show's fourth permanent host following the resignation of Pat Kenny live on air the previous season.
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 2009.
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 2010.
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 2012.
The 50th season of The Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat show, began on 2 September 2011 and concluded on 1 June 2012. Ryan Tubridy's third season as host, it aired on RTÉ One each Friday evening from 21:30.
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 2013.
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 2015.
“They'll take it from the farmers! They're going to rob the farmers! James, I promise you we will do a programme on the Cap in January,” Kenny shouted. As Reynolds persisted, Kenny told him to “get a life”.