Last Saturday was Holocaust Memorial Day and also the day An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar declared (on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, curiously) that he would campaign to liberalise Ireland’s abortion laws. To mark the former, Nationwide (RTÉ 1) last Friday evening broadcast a moving programme featuring the Island of Ireland Peace Choir on a visit…
I spent more hours than was healthy watching Oireachtas TV coverage of the Dáil debates on the Report of the Committee on the Eighth Amendment. It was not encouraging. First off the overwhelming majority of contributors were strongly pro-choice and seemed completely oblivious to the existence of a baby in a pregnancy situation. Clare Daly TD…
The various TV companies often launch new drama series at this time of year and so far this year’s crop is a mixed bag. The best I’ve seen so far is Next of Kin (ITV/TV3, Monday nights, with ITV a week ahead) – it’s a rollercoaster of emotion and conflict, with more emphasis so far…
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has a ‘Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs’. One quote is of particular interest – “a presenter and/or a reporter on a current affairs programme shall not express his or her own views on matters that are either of public controversy or the subject…
Over the Christmas period you expect lots of feel-good movies and carol services, which is all very good, but every year I look out for something new, something different, a programme that engages in a creative and contemporary way with the Christmas story of the Gospels. Happily I found a few such programmes this year.…
Looking back on the media landscape in 2017 it’s good to report quite a few excellent programmes, including some very positive to religious faith, though there are disappointments as well. One of the programmes that stands out most for me is last June’s BBC drama series Broken, starring Sean Bean as a troubled priest in…
Nacho Libre TG 4, Saturday, December 23, 10.55 pm (2006) Starring Jack Black. Directed by Jared Hess. Berated all his life by those around him, a monk follows his dream and dons a mask to moonlight as a Luchador (Mexican wrestler). Warm, funny, and some would say tasteless in spots. Sacred Music at Christmas BBC…
Sometimes a pro-gramme gives you an unexpected but emotional punch. The impact of last week’s Prime Time – Carers in Crisis (RTÉ 1, Tuesday) was immediate and heart rending, but it will have to go way beyond a passing discomfort for the viewer. At least one of the carers said she didn’t want pity or…
The low key arrival of Advent tends to impact mainly on religious programmes. Some of last week’s discussions on The Leap of Faith (RTÉ Radio 1) were particularly topical. Presenter Michael Comyn started with a beautiful Christmas piece by Mendelsohn, and then got into an exploration of attitudes to Advent and Christmas. Fr Desmond O’Donnell…
Sometimes one series of a TV drama is enough, as quality can deteriorate, but I was delighted to see The A-Word back for a second series on BBC 1, Tuesday nights. This is the story of an autistic boy, Joe, and the struggles of his parents and wider family to cope with the situation. It’s…
Brendan O’Regan