Anonymous (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Anonymous is an Irish
television series
broadcast on RTÉ Two
. Its concept is to disguise well-known personalities, with the use of prosthetic
mask
s, bestow upon them a fake identity and set them up in what are intended to be humorous situations for the sake of entertainment. Anonymous is presented by Jason Byrne
, who also uses a hidden microphone to communicate mischievous ideas via whispering to the disguised personality. It has run for three series. The last series was broadcast in 2009. Jason Byrne was offered funding for a fifth season, but turned it down, stating that it was too hard to find people who didn't know of the show and therefore saw through the ruses (its sister program, Naked Camera
did not help matters). He wanted the show to be remembered as being good while it lasted, and not being cancelled when it became desperate. Byrne was the celebrity who went anonymous in the final episode (Hector O hEochagain
, the second ever guest behind Samantha Mumba
presented the show).
leader David Ervine
in a humorous light in an episode filmed before his death in January 2007. Ervine was one of three political representatives from Northern Ireland
who agreed to partake in the programme; the others were Paul Maskey
of Sinn Féin
and John Dallat
of the SDLP
.
They were interviewed by Belfast
comedian Patrick Kielty
, who was in the guise of New York
TV reporter, "Betty Silverman". Ervine's family consented for the episode to be broadcast in the aftermath of his death.
In the opening episode of the third series, Westlife
member Nicky Byrne
, was dressed up as Mick Byrne, "an evangelistic Garda
from Kiltimagh
on a mission to clean up the mean streets of Swords."
For the role he had to put on a Longford
accent and, as Garda Byrne, he took the names of foreign national
s, asking them for their licence to be in Ireland; asked locals for cigarette
s, and chastised people for walking too fast and speaking too loudly in the betting shop. He then drove around the local shopping centre
in a motorised trolley making his own siren sound and asking people where they were going.
He called to his own parents' house to ask for Westlife autograph
s and tickets for Croke Park
and makes a fool of his friends, former Leeds United
footballer Gary Kelly and rugby
international
Brian O'Driscoll
.
Also featuring in the series were model Glenda Gilson
as a tree-hugging
eco-warrior
, and TV presenter Craig Doyle
as Argentine
sports reporter "Rodrigo Depassa".
British channel ITV started broadcasting its own hour long version of the show on Saturday July the 18th, 2009, allotting it a prime time spot at 6.30pm.
In ITV's first episode X Factor judge Louis Walsh and former English rugby captain Matt Dawson went 'Anonymous'.
Germany, Romania, Spain (La Sexta), UK (ITV)
, Glenda Gilson
and Craig Doyle
amongst others.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
broadcast on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
. Its concept is to disguise well-known personalities, with the use of prosthetic
Prosthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
mask
Mask
A mask is an article normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes...
s, bestow upon them a fake identity and set them up in what are intended to be humorous situations for the sake of entertainment. Anonymous is presented by Jason Byrne
Jason Byrne (comedian)
Jason Byrne is an Irish comedian born in Ballinteer, Dublin, Ireland. In August 2008, he made his twelfth Edinburgh Fringe Festival appearance and is a regular at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs comedy festival....
, who also uses a hidden microphone to communicate mischievous ideas via whispering to the disguised personality. It has run for three series. The last series was broadcast in 2009. Jason Byrne was offered funding for a fifth season, but turned it down, stating that it was too hard to find people who didn't know of the show and therefore saw through the ruses (its sister program, Naked Camera
Naked Camera
Naked Camera is an Irish hidden camera comedy television show which began airing on RTÉ Two in 2005. It is set and filmed in the Republic of Ireland, mostly in Dublin. Its concept is similar to that of the UK show Trigger Happy TV but can be seen as a descendent of the candid camera elements in...
did not help matters). He wanted the show to be remembered as being good while it lasted, and not being cancelled when it became desperate. Byrne was the celebrity who went anonymous in the final episode (Hector O hEochagain
Hector Ó hEochagáin
Hector Ó hEochagáin is an Irish television and radio presenter from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. He currently presents Breakfast with Hector weekday mornings on RTÉ 2fm.-Career:...
, the second ever guest behind Samantha Mumba
Samantha Mumba
Samantha Tamania Anne Cecilia Mumba is an Irish singer and actress.Her first album was released in 2000. Her most notable role was Mara in the 2002 film The Time Machine. She has also appeared in a number of Irish independent films.-Early life, education and early career:Mumba was born in Dublin,...
presented the show).
Participants
The series is known for showing the then Progressive Unionist PartyProgressive Unionist Party
The Progressive Unionist Party is a small unionist political party in Northern Ireland. It was formed from the Independent Unionist Group operating in the Shankill area of Belfast, becoming the PUP in 1979...
leader David Ervine
David Ervine
David Ervine was a Northern Irish politician and the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party .-Biography:...
in a humorous light in an episode filmed before his death in January 2007. Ervine was one of three political representatives from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
who agreed to partake in the programme; the others were Paul Maskey
Paul Maskey
Paul John Maskey is an Irish republican politician in Northern Ireland who is a member of Sinn Féin. He has been a Sinn Féin member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast West since 2007, and was elected in June 2011 as Member of Parliament for the Westminster constituency of Belfast West,...
of Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
and John Dallat
John Dallat
John Dallat is an Irish politician.He attended Coleraine College of Further Education, the North West College of Further and Higher Education, the University of Ulster and University College, Galway before becoming a teacher of business studies.Dallat joined the Social Democratic and Labour Party...
of the SDLP
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
.
They were interviewed by Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
comedian Patrick Kielty
Patrick Kielty
Patrick Kielty is an Irish comedian and television personality from Dundrum, Northern Ireland.-Background:He was affected by The Troubles in Northern Ireland. On 25 January 1988 his father, businessman Jack Kielty, was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association /"Ulster Freedom Fighters" , a...
, who was in the guise of New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
TV reporter, "Betty Silverman". Ervine's family consented for the episode to be broadcast in the aftermath of his death.
In the opening episode of the third series, Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
member Nicky Byrne
Nicky Byrne
Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne, Jr is a singer-songwriter, radio presenter and former footballer. From 1998 until 2012 he was the oldest member of Irish pop band, Westlife....
, was dressed up as Mick Byrne, "an evangelistic Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
from Kiltimagh
Kiltimagh
' is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It was referred to in the popular Irish song 'Horse it into ya Cynthia' by Conal Gallen.-Transport:The rail link is closed, but is pending re-opening as part of the Western Railway Corridor. Kiltimagh railway station opened on 1 October 1895 and finally closed...
on a mission to clean up the mean streets of Swords."
For the role he had to put on a Longford
Longford
Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
accent and, as Garda Byrne, he took the names of foreign national
Foreign national
Foreign national is a term used to describe a person who is not a citizen of the host country in which he or she is residing or temporarily sojourning. In Canada, a foreign national is defined as someone who is not a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident of Canada...
s, asking them for their licence to be in Ireland; asked locals for cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
s, and chastised people for walking too fast and speaking too loudly in the betting shop. He then drove around the local shopping centre
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in a motorised trolley making his own siren sound and asking people where they were going.
He called to his own parents' house to ask for Westlife autograph
Autograph
An autograph is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.Autograph also refers to a person's artistic signature...
s and tickets for Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
and makes a fool of his friends, former Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
footballer Gary Kelly and rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland Rugby team and captained Leinster Rugby until the start of 2008 season. He also captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand...
.
Also featuring in the series were model Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson is an Irish model and television presenter.-Career:In August 2006, Gilson embarked on a presenting career, appearing as the face of Irish music channel Bubble Hits hosting the news and entertainment show Glenda's Showbiz Gossip...
as a tree-hugging
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
eco-warrior
Eco-warrior
The term eco-warrior is a self-description for an environmental activist that adopts a 'hands-on' effort to save or salvage a plot of land, or to advance some ecological ideology...
, and TV presenter Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV...
as Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
sports reporter "Rodrigo Depassa".
British channel ITV started broadcasting its own hour long version of the show on Saturday July the 18th, 2009, allotting it a prime time spot at 6.30pm.
In ITV's first episode X Factor judge Louis Walsh and former English rugby captain Matt Dawson went 'Anonymous'.
International Versions
Anonymous has several different versions around the world, with the format being produced in countries including;Germany, Romania, Spain (La Sexta), UK (ITV)
Series 1 (2006)
| # | Pretender | Character |
| 1 | Samantha Mumba Samantha Mumba Samantha Tamania Anne Cecilia Mumba is an Irish singer and actress.Her first album was released in 2000. Her most notable role was Mara in the 2002 film The Time Machine. She has also appeared in a number of Irish independent films.-Early life, education and early career:Mumba was born in Dublin,... |
"Sister Felicitus" |
| 2 | Hector Ó hEochagáin Hector Ó hEochagáin Hector Ó hEochagáin is an Irish television and radio presenter from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. He currently presents Breakfast with Hector weekday mornings on RTÉ 2fm.-Career:... |
"Paul Tuomey" |
| 3 | Brian McFadden Brian McFadden Brian Nicholas McFadden , is an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the Irish boyband Westlife... |
|
| 4 | Keith Duffy Keith Duffy Keith Peter Thomas Francis John Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, actor, drummer, dancer and television presenter. He began his career as part of Boyzone in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he achieved critical acclaim for his acting roles, particularly in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair... |
|
| 5 | Des Bishop Des Bishop Des Bishop is an Irish comedian and was brought up in New York. He is now primarily based in Ireland, after moving to County Wexford in 1990 at the age of 14.-Approach to Comedy:... |
|
| 6 | Kathryn Thomas Kathryn Thomas Kathryn Thomas is an Irish television presenter from Carlow. She does be doing the holiday programme on RTÉ. Now she does a Winning Streak every week with Marty Whelan... |
"Thomas Kay" |
Series 2 (2007)
| # | Pretender | Character |
| 1 | Ronan Keating Ronan Keating Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and... |
"Mick the Cabbie" |
| 2 | Ken Doherty Ken Doherty Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion... |
"Father Priest A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities... Sean" |
| 3 | Patrick Kielty Patrick Kielty Patrick Kielty is an Irish comedian and television personality from Dundrum, Northern Ireland.-Background:He was affected by The Troubles in Northern Ireland. On 25 January 1988 his father, businessman Jack Kielty, was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association /"Ulster Freedom Fighters" , a... |
"Betty Silverman" |
| 4 | Pamela Flood Pamela Flood Pamela Ann Mary Flood is an Irish television presenter and former model from Tallaght, South Dublin. She received the Miss Ireland crown in 1993.... |
"Doreen Prendergast" |
| 5 | Keith Barry Keith Barry Keith Patrick Barry is an Irish illusionist, mentalist, and close-up magician.-Early and personal life:Born in County Waterford, Ireland on 2 October 1976, Barry's interest in magic began at the age of fourteen when he purchased a book entitled Magic for the Complete Klutz.Barry's grandfather, 82,... |
"Kavi Shergill" |
| 6 | Lucy Kennedy Lucy Kennedy Lucy Kennedy is an award-winning Irish presenter of radio and television. Along with Bazil Ashmawy she currently co-presents the radio show Weekend Breakfast with Baz & Lucy on RTÉ 2fm. She has been described as "one of Ireland's most familiar faces".... |
"John Fitzgerald" |
Series 3 (2008)
The third series featured Nicky ByrneNicky Byrne
Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne, Jr is a singer-songwriter, radio presenter and former footballer. From 1998 until 2012 he was the oldest member of Irish pop band, Westlife....
, Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson
Glenda Gilson is an Irish model and television presenter.-Career:In August 2006, Gilson embarked on a presenting career, appearing as the face of Irish music channel Bubble Hits hosting the news and entertainment show Glenda's Showbiz Gossip...
and Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV...
amongst others.
Series 4 (2009)
| # | Pretender | Character | Date of broadcast |
| 1 | Amanda Byram Amanda Byram Amanda Byram is an Irish television presenter, originally from Castleknock in Dublin, Ireland.-Early life:Formerly a model, Byram started her career on television in 1999 presenting the TV3 morning show Ireland AM with Mark Cagney, during which time she met her then boyfriend comedian Patrick... |
"Nanna" | 2 March 2009 |
| 2 | Jason McAteer Jason McAteer Jason Wynne McAteer is a retired Irish footballer, who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level. He announced his retirement from professional football on 12 June 2007,... |
"Peter Campbell" | 9 March 2009 |
| 3 | Baz Ashmawy | "Karl DeButler" | 16 March 2009 |
| 4 | Aidan Power Aidan Power Aidan Power is an Irish television presenter. He appears from time to time on Raidió Teilifís Éireann .-Career:Power was educated at St. Mac Dara's community college and then Ballyfermot Senior College where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in broadcasting and journalism in 1998... |
Happy Harrison | 23 March 2009 |
| 5 | Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll Brendan O'Carroll is an Irish comedian, writer, actor and director. Best known for portraying the foul-mouthed Irish matriarch Mrs. Brown, O'Carroll has been a popular comedian in Ireland since the early 1990s.-Early life:... |
30 March 2009 | |
| 6 | Jason Byrne Jason Byrne (comedian) Jason Byrne is an Irish comedian born in Ballinteer, Dublin, Ireland. In August 2008, he made his twelfth Edinburgh Fringe Festival appearance and is a regular at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs comedy festival.... |
Jim Keegan | 6 April 2009 |
Series 5 (2011)
| # | Pretender/s | Character/s | Date of broadcast |
| 1 | Amanda Brunker Amanda Brunker Amanda Brunker is a novelist, journalist/columnist with the Irish Sunday World newspaper, and former Miss Ireland.... |
"Nuala Ni Buachailli " | 7 March 2011 |
| 2 | Grainne Seoige Gráinne Seoige Gráinne Seoige is an Irish television presenter, Gaeilgeoir, and "fashion icon",Gráinne Seoige is one of the few television presenters who has worked for all terrestrial channels in the Republic of Ireland at some point. She has worked as a news anchor on TG4, TV3 and Sky News Ireland... |
"Gillian Cullen" | 14 March 2011 |
| 3 | Jedward Jedward John Paul Henry Daniel Richard Grimes and Edward Peter Anthony Kevin Patrick Grimes are an Irish hip pop duo. They are identical twins and perform under the name Jedward... |
"Seanie and Edwina" | 21 March 2011 |
| 4 | Rosanna Davison Rosanna Davison Rosanna Diane Davison was the winner of the Miss World 2003 title. She is the daughter of musician Chris de Burgh. The song "For Rosanna" was written by her father in her honour for his 1986 album, Into The Light.-Education:Her primary education was at Aravon School, in Co... |
28 March 2011 | |
| 5 | Michelle Heaton Michelle Heaton Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:... |
Brian Spencer Moore | 4 April 2011 |
| 6 | Jason Byrne Jason Byrne Jason Byrne may refer to:*Jason Byrne *Jason Byrne *Jason Byrne Irish footballer... |
Sister Sinead Murphy | 11 April 2011 |