London calling, Inishbofin answering

RADIO REVIEW:THE NEWS THAT Ryan Tubridy was in talks with the BBC had barely emerged when, by early last week, he was already on the move, forsaking Montrose for fresher climes.

This time, however, RTÉ was probably au fait with the presenter’s plans, as he took his show (Tubridy, 2FM, weekdays) out on the road. Still, it was an exercise that will have given cold comfort to his current employers: Tuesday’s programme was a reminder of how good a broadcaster Tubridy can be and of what RTÉ stands to lose.

Tubridy was in ebullient form as he opened proceedings on the island of Inishbofin. He described the view from his studio for the day – a house belonging to Mary, a woman who had invited him in for tea when he was holidaying there last year – as one of glimmering sun and sea. “To many of us,” he said, “this is paradise.”

The joyful mood was infectious. As Tubridy bantered with his guests, the show took on the air of an impromptu gathering, by turns intimate and joshing. Archaeologist Gerry MacCloskey talked Tubridy through Inishbofin’s landmarks to recreate the history of the island and its people in a way that was casual yet informative. Comedian Des Bishop, meanwhile, was wryly observant about island life and open about the recent death of his father, about whom he had written a show, without being heavy-handed. “For him that was the ultimate finish,” Bishop said of his late father, “that he went out famous in Ireland.”

Throughout it all, Tubridy had a palpably relaxed demeanour, zinging off Bishop, eliciting historical nuggets from MacCloskey and warmly encouraging others to contribute. The only vaguely off note came during an interview with Mad Men actor (and recent Inishbofin visitor) John Slattery, when the presenter largely retreated into softball showbiz mode. Tellingly, it was a recorded segment, done on the phone from New York.

Back in Dublin on Wednesday, the good mood was still evident, with a generous and spontaneous atmosphere prevailing on air. An item about weak tea with a caller named Kate was transformed into a thumbnail sketch of modern Ireland when Tubridy asked about his guest’s life as an unemployed single mother in a manner that was curious but not prurient. Tubridy may see his future in London, but as long as he is here, he just needs to go west.

On The Ray D’Arcy Show (Today FM, weekdays), comedian Tommy Tiernan was being welcomed home, having recently returned from what his host called the “Antipodeans”. D’Arcy had started Monday’s show with a promise not to be too risque, given that children were on mid-term break. But if Tiernan’s nose for controversy had slipped D’Arcy’s memory, he was soon reminded.

Initially, Tiernan displayed his gift for off-beam comic language, describing Canberra, Australia’s purpose-built capital, as “the only uninhabited city in the world with people in it”. But later, when D’Arcy asked his opinion on the Dalai Lama, the comedian’s shtick took an unedifying turn. “I’d say he’s only a line of cheap speed away from being an arsehole,” said Tiernan. “You can’t say that,” replied D’Arcy, though it was unclear whether he was worried about offending the Tibetan spiritual leader or those minors listening in.

As the conversation wore on, however, D’Arcy was providing his guest ample opportunity for naughtiness, asking questions such as, “What do you do to entertain yourself when you’re away on your own?” The stand-up spluttered at the nudge-nudge connotations of the question, but still couldn’t help himself, claiming the title of his next CD would involve certain bodily fluids. Nice.

Such wilful attempts to shock came across as forced. Australia seems a natural destination for Tiernan, as his comic talent is in danger of going south.

After receiving the critical cold shoulder for his documentary on Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, Charlie Bird might be forgiven for thinking the South Pole a warmer environment than Ireland. But help was at hand, in the form of Joe Duffy, who on Monday’s Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) issued a challenge to Bird’s tormentors in the criterati. Naming five critics – including Bernice Harrison of The Irish Times – Duffy invited them to appear on the show and put their objections to the veteran news reporter himself. When he got no joy, the presenter sought Bird’s side of the story: “Which review upset you the most over the weekend?” Bird was phlegmatic about the matter. Though he felt his programme was good, citing large viewership figures in his defence, he said reviewers were entitled to their opinion. Duffy sounded more outraged than his guest, taking calls from Antarctic adventurers who felt Bird’s film caught the spirit of the place, no matter what “armchair critics” thought.

When Bird agreed with one caller that his complaints about the cold contrasted with the stoical Crean, Duffy was similarly bullish. “Maybe he [Crean] should have moaned,” said the presenter. If he had done so, Duffy mused, perhaps the “snobbish” Captain Scott would have taken him on the final push for the South Pole. “He should have stood up.” In the end, Duffy’s act of solidarity left a sour impression. Perhaps he needs to visit Inishbofin.

Radio moment of the week 

“We have this culture of not being judgmental, of not laying responsibility for anything in this society.” So said journalist Kevin Myers to Damien Kiberd on Tuesday’s Lunchtime (Newstalk, weekdays). Luckily for society, Myers is willing to take up the challenge. In an on-air jeremiad against childhood obesity, he did not shirk from apportioning blame: “You have to conclude that the mothers of Ireland are responsible for the fatness of their children.” Surely fathers had to take some of the blame? No, “because men are not genetically programmed to be homemakers and meal makers.” Whatever else, Myers didn’t fudge the issue.

radioreview@irishtimes.com