The Frontline (Irish TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Frontline is a topical debate
television
series in the Republic of Ireland
. The show airs for 60 minutes every Monday night on RTÉ One
at 22:30. It debuted on Monday, September 21, 2009. The Frontline replaced a similar political analysis show Questions and Answers. The programme features around an invited audience and featured guests.
Many public figures politicians have appeared on the series. Some incidents on the programme have attracted a large amount of media coverage. The programme has generally received positive reviews. The programme is broadcast from Studio 4 in RTÉ. The first programme received an audience share of 43.4%, with a viewing audience of 464,000. Later into the series 100,000 fewer people watched it, watching The Apprentice
instead. It won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards
in February 2010.
presenter and RTÉ Radio 1
presenter Pat Kenny
. The programme runs for 60 minutes on Monday nights on RTÉ One
. It is directed by David Donaghy and produced by Dave Nally. Studio 4 in the RTÉ Television Centre is the venue of the programme. It is also used for The Late Late Show.
The show differs from its predecessor Questions and Answers in that the show does not entirely focus on a panel. The show regularly features one-on-one interviews with key political and social figures, such as the Minister for Finance
and the Leader of the Labour Party
, as well as specially themed shows. Other formats include a panel from various social and political backgrounds discussing political issues affecting Ireland and the wider world. The programme debates "the most important news stories of the week". The programme also features debate on "major political, economic and social issues". The programme also features some satire
.
Steve Carson
, head of programming in RTÉ Television
, said the programme wouldn't be a replica of the old format. An audience also features as part of the discussion similar to Questions and Answers.
For the beginning of the programme, Kenny “zips around the studio, microphone in hand”.
. By the time of presenting his last programme, it was announced a new current affairs programme would begin in autumn 2009. It was later announced that it would be September 21, 2009.
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). A public invitation for comments and ideas on topics was issued by the makers of the show.
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. Lenihan talked about the proposed National Asset Management Agency and the purchase of €28 billion in loans from Anglo Irish Bank
.
As a result of cutbacks, RTÉ
could only afford to spend €
2 on sandwiches per audience member.
The programme won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards
on 20 February 2010. Kenny accepted the award.
A special programme about the aftermath of sudden recession aired in May 2010.
The programme returned to RTÉ One on 20 September 2010.
on TV3 When George Lee
appeared on the programme explaining his resignation from politics on 8 February 2010, the viewing figures were at 627,000.
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.
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.” After some hesitation, Kenny quoted:
O'Connor then apologised instantly.
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
), 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. 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.
During the debate held between candidates days before the 2011 presidential election 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.
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”. 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”. She also rated it as one of the best current affairs programmes in 2009. The two reviewers said that, compared to The Late Late Show
, Kenny was more “in his comfort zone”. 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
.
Michael D. Higgins
, future President of Ireland
then a Labour Party
TD, said in February 2010, that the programme “degrade politics”. He said that The Frontline is a "really bad programme".
Debate
Debate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series in the Republic of Ireland
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,...
. The show airs for 60 minutes every Monday night on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , 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 Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
at 22:30. It debuted on Monday, September 21, 2009. The Frontline replaced a similar political analysis show Questions and Answers. The programme features around an invited audience and featured guests.
Many public figures politicians have appeared on the series. Some incidents on the programme have attracted a large amount of media coverage. The programme has generally received positive reviews. The programme is broadcast from Studio 4 in RTÉ. The first programme received an audience share of 43.4%, with a viewing audience of 464,000. Later into the series 100,000 fewer people watched it, watching The Apprentice
The Apprentice (Irish TV series)
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 business magnate Bill Cullen....
instead. It won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards
7th Irish Film and Television Awards
The 7th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 20 February 2010 in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.It was hosted by Victoria Smurfit.-Awards in film:Best Film* The Eclipse ** Ondine** The Secret of Kells** Zonad...
in February 2010.
Format
The Frontline is hosted by former The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
presenter and RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
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...
presenter Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
. The programme runs for 60 minutes on Monday nights on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , 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 Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
. It is directed by David Donaghy and produced by Dave Nally. Studio 4 in the RTÉ Television Centre is the venue of the programme. It is also used for The Late Late Show.
The show differs from its predecessor Questions and Answers in that the show does not entirely focus on a panel. The show regularly features one-on-one interviews with key political and social figures, such as the Minister for Finance
Minister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
and the Leader of the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
, as well as specially themed shows. Other formats include a panel from various social and political backgrounds discussing political issues affecting Ireland and the wider world. The programme debates "the most important news stories of the week". The programme also features debate on "major political, economic and social issues". The programme also features some satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
.
Steve Carson
Steve Carson
Steve Carson is an Irish director and producer of television. He is the editor of current affairs at Raidió Teilifís Éireann as of November 2011 and was appointed Director of Television in January 2009....
, head of programming in RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television is a department of Ireland's state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann.The first channel to broadcast was Telefís Éireann which began broadcasting on 31 December 1961...
, said the programme wouldn't be a replica of the old format. An audience also features as part of the discussion similar to Questions and Answers.
For the beginning of the programme, Kenny “zips around the studio, microphone in hand”.
History
The first indication that Pat Kenny would present another television programme, was on the night he announced his departure from presenting The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
. By the time of presenting his last programme, it was announced a new current affairs programme would begin in autumn 2009. It was later announced that it would be September 21, 2009.
There was a high demand for tickets, which RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
described as phenomenal. 4,000 applications were received for a capacity of 120 seats (originally 60 for Questions and Answers, which was subsequently doubled). A public invitation for comments and ideas on topics was issued by the makers of the show.
The first programme had guests such as Eamon Dunphy
Eamon Dunphy
Eamon Martin Dunphy is an Irish media personality, radio and television presenter, author, sports pundit, as well as a former professional football player. He is best known as a soccer analyst on Raidió Teilifís Éireann 's coverage of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. He was paid...
, Fintan O'Toole
Fintan O'Toole
Fintan O'Toole is a columnist, assistant editor and drama critic for The Irish Times. He has written for The Irish Times since 1988 and was drama critic for the New York Daily News from 1997 to 2001. He is a literary critic, historical writer and political commentator, with generally left-wing views...
, Pat Farrell, Tom Parlon
Tom Parlon
Tom Parlon is a former Irish Progressive Democrats politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Laois–Offaly constituency from 2002 to 2007 and was also the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works...
and Brian Lenihan
Brian Lenihan, Jnr
Brian Joseph Lenihan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and barrister who served in the government of Ireland as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2008 and as Minister for Finance from 2008 to 2011...
, Minister for Finance
Minister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
. Audience members included small business people and mortgage holders. Lenihan talked about the proposed National Asset Management Agency and the purchase of €28 billion in loans from Anglo Irish Bank
Anglo Irish Bank
Anglo Irish Bank was a bank based in Ireland with its headquarters in Dublin from 1964 to 2011. It went into wind-down mode after nationalisation in 2009....
.
As a result of cutbacks, RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
could only afford to spend €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2 on sandwiches per audience member.
The programme won "Best Current Affairs programme" at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards
7th Irish Film and Television Awards
The 7th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 20 February 2010 in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.It was hosted by Victoria Smurfit.-Awards in film:Best Film* The Eclipse ** Ondine** The Secret of Kells** Zonad...
on 20 February 2010. Kenny accepted the award.
A special programme about the aftermath of sudden recession aired in May 2010.
The programme returned to RTÉ One on 20 September 2010.
Ratings
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. In November 2009, the viewership was reduced to 333,000, less than the 493,000 received by The ApprenticeThe Apprentice (Irish TV series)
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 business magnate Bill Cullen....
on TV3 When George Lee
George Lee (journalist)
George Lee is an Irish economist, journalist, television and radio presenter, and former Fine Gael politician. He worked for RTÉ from 1992 to 2009. He was appointed Economics Editor in 1996. During his time in RTÉ News and Current Affairs he was named Irish Journalist of the Year for uncovering a...
appeared on the programme explaining his resignation from politics on 8 February 2010, the viewing figures were at 627,000.
The Frontline gained nearly 70,000 viewers when TV3 temporarily replaced its rival Tonight with Vincent Browne
Tonight with Vincent Browne
Tonight with Vincent Browne, formerly Nightly News with Vincent Browne, is an Irish news analysis, current affairs and politics programme. It is broadcast on TV3 on Monday to Thursday nights 23:05 to 23:55. It is presented by the journalist Vincent Browne, noted for his rather acerbic style of...
with UK celebrity torture show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in November 2011.
Incidents
On 2 November 2009, Jack O'ConnorJack O'Connor (trade unionist)
Jack O'Connor is an Irish trade union leader.Born in northern County Dublin, O'Connor worked in various fields before taking full-time employment with the Federated Workers' Union of Ireland in 1980...
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.” After some hesitation, Kenny quoted:
O'Connor then apologised instantly.
The following week (9 November 2009), during an interview with Mary Hanafin
Mary Hanafin
Mary Hanafin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire from 1997 to 2011. She served as Government Chief Whip , Minister for Education and Science , Minister for Social and Family Affairs , Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister for Enterprise,...
, Alan O'Brien (who has a conviction from 2006 for incitement to hatred
Hate speech
Hate speech is, outside the law, any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic....
), 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. 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.
During the debate held between candidates days before the 2011 presidential election a tweet was read out by Pat Kenny which caused Seán Gallagher
Seán Gallagher
Seán Gallagher , is an Irish entrepreneur, businessman and politician from County Cavan, Ireland. He is the founder of the company Smarthomes and has featured as a panellist on RTÉ's Dragons' Den. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2011 Irish presidential election.-Biography:Gallagher grew up...
, ahead on opinion polling, to falter on live television. Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
subsequently won the election. A member of Gallagher's campaign team described it as an “earth shattering” moment for Seán Gallagher.
Reception
The programme generally received a "big thumbs up". Patrick Freyne of the Sunday TribuneSunday Tribune
The Sunday Tribune was an Irish Sunday broadsheet newspaper published by Tribune Newspapers plc. It was edited in its final years by Nóirín Hegarty, who changed both the tone and the physical format of the newspaper from broadsheet to tabloid. Former editors include Conor Brady, Vincent Browne,...
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”. Hilary Fannin writing in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, predicted that the programme, in relation to the economy
Economy of the Republic of Ireland
The economy of Ireland has transformed in recent years from an agricultural focus to a modern knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment. In terms of GDP per capita, Ireland is ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the...
, “will [not] be allowed to debate much else in the months to come”. She also rated it as one of the best current affairs programmes in 2009. The two reviewers said that, compared to The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
, Kenny was more “in his comfort zone”. Sarah Carey
Sarah Carey
Sarah Carey is a former Esat Telecom employee and former columnist for The Sunday Times and The Irish Times. She is currently a radio presenter on Newstalk and has presented for TV3...
, also in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, was disappointed by the tone of the programme even though Kenny was “thoroughly enjoying himself”. She said it was a televised version of Liveline
LiveLine
Liveline is an Irish radio interview and phone-in chat show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday afternoon between 13.45 and 15.00. The programme, which is currently presented by Joe Duffy and known for its slogan "Talk to Joe", seeks the public's opinion on various questions, normally one or more...
.
Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
, future President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
then a Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
TD, said in February 2010, that the programme “degrade politics”. He said that The Frontline is a "really bad programme".
External links
- The Frontline Blog from RTÉ.ieRte.ieRTÉ.ie is the brand name and home of RTÉ's online activities, located at the URL http://rte.ie. The site began publishing on 26 May 1996. According to RTÉ, it operates on an entirely commercial basis, receiving none of the licence fee which funds much of RTÉ's activity. The site, it says, is funded...