TV & Radio Reviews | The Irish Times

Despite Ivan Yates’s retirement it’s business as usual, as the Newstalk presenter grills his guests with his usual gruff impatience during his last week on air. Photograph: Newstalk

Pat Kenny looks in as Ivan Yates bows out

Mick Heaney
July 25, 2020, 06:00

Newstalk’s morning host’s unguarded admission underlines his good mood, while his opinionated colleague retires with honesty

Ivan Yates. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

Ivan Yates – embodiment of Newstalk’s iconoclastic self-image – hangs up his mic

Mick Heaney
July 23, 2020, 06:00

At home on radio, Yates was provocative without tipping into gratuitous offence

Gavan Reilly: The presenter lifts the Newstalk show beyond its limitations Photograph: Newstalk

Gavan Reilly’s solid Newstalk show is just not infectious enough

Mick Heaney
July 17, 2020, 10:00

Radio review: The Sunday morning programme needs more zip to compete with rivals

Matt Cooper: the Today FM host displays his fighting instincts in low-key but unmistakable fashion

Mild-mannered he may be, but Matt Cooper will go 10 rounds with anyone

Mick Heaney
July 10, 2020, 11:00

Radio review: Last Word presenter goes toe to toe to get facts straight with Peter Tatchell

Cormac Ó hEadhra: the RTÉ Radio 1 presenter is not a natural diplomat

Ah, will you not dump on your new Taoiseach for us? It’s the least you could do

Mick Heaney
July 3, 2020, 06:00

Radio review: Combative hosts struggle to make TDs rise to their Government-formation bait

Ray D’Arcy manages to conjure up a united Ireland over Zoom

Ray D’Arcy, almost overcome by calamity, presents his most memorable show in ages

Mick Heaney
June 26, 2020, 06:00

Radio review: Glitches pile up as the host hears pandemic stories from all 32 counties

Ryan Tubridy despairs of the ‘contagion of misinformation’ in the online world. Photograph: RTÉ

Judging by Ryan Tubridy’s show, we have Covid-19 on the run

Mick Heaney
June 19, 2020, 06:00

Radio review: The chipper presenter barely referred to the pandemic this week

On Tuesday on RTÉ Radio 1, Sarah McInerney peppers her guests with pertinent questions, but maintains a relatively low-key presence

The ‘pack them tight’ landlord is a gift for Sarah McInerney

Mick Heaney
June 12, 2020, 06:00

“You look delighted with yourself,” the RTÉ host curtly tells her cartoonish guest

On Liveline, Jow Duffy spoke to a publican who has decided to reopen his pub before the government’s proposed date in August.

‘Get the eff out of this country’: Irish racism, as heard on Liveline

Mick Heaney
June 5, 2020, 06:00

Radio review: Joe Duffy sounds at a loss; Newstalk has snapshots from a US in turmoil

Brendan O’Connor: The pandemic flattens O’Connor’s usual spiky energy. Photograph: RTÉ

The strain is starting to tell on Brendan O’Connor

Mick Heaney
May 29, 2020, 06:00

Radio review: The coronavirus crisis has dulled his once-sparky morning programme

Atlantic Podcast A three-part series exploring the mystery of Peter Bergmann - the man who came to Sligo to disappear

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