Monday, 28 November 2011
RTÉ Television today unveiled a big festive line up of programming with something for everyone during the Christmas season.
With a schedule packed with home-produced factual, entertainment, lifestyle, drama, young people’s and sports programming, as well as special seasonal versions of viewer favourites and the best international movies, RTÉ Television brings you a bumper Christmas schedule.
Big entertainment this Christmas comes courtesy of some of Ireland’s top television and comedy talent. Louder and naughtier than ever before, misbehaving matriarch Agnes Brown comes exploding back onto RTÉ One this December with a Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special, in which Agnes tries to put together the perfect Christmas for her family. And this Christmas season also sees the start of the new series of Mrs Brown’s Boys. The new series of Sgt Mattie sees the newly-promoted Garda Sergeant Mattie Dwyer (Pat Shortt) on his triumphant return to his former station in the small village of Kilcommon where he immediately gets himself caught up in all manner of comic misadventures.
On the eve of their 50th anniversary The Dubliners join Gay Byrne For One Night Only to celebrate the 50 years of the Dubliners, with guest performances from some of the cream of the Irish music scene including Declan O’Rourke, Sharon Shannon, Shane MacGowan, Mary Coughlan and Liam Ó’Maonlai. Des Bishop brings us Des Bishop’s Best Bits with a compilation of his favourite bits from three of his DVD releases, Live At Vicar St, Fitting In and Tongues. Derek Mooney celebrates the Christmas season with Mooney Tunes, a unique collaboration between RTÉ Radio 1’s Mooney radio show, the RTÉ concert orchestra and the entire RTÉ radio audience, which comes to television for the first time from the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin. Featuring special guests and a wonderful range of music chosen by the listeners, the programme will capture the atmosphere as Derek Mooney hosts this unique event, introducing each performance with the letters from those listeners explaining why the featured songs and tunes mean so much to them.
New Year’s Eve Show Live will be a unique live show, featuring some of the best of Irish talent. Packed full of music and chat the show will look back on the year that was and highlight some of the many events for the year head celebrating RTÉ TV50. Join Miriam O’Callaghan and a host of guests for the party of the year.
Other Voices NYC, “A Grand Gathering at Le Poisson Rouge” charts the journey of Other Voices from its home on the Dingle Peninsula across the Atlantic Ocean to the heart of the East Village in New York City featuring Gabriel Byrne, Glen Hansard, Roddy Doyle, Aaron & Bryce Dessner from The National, Damien Rice, Laurie Anderson, Paul Muldoon, Joseph O’Connor, Martha Wainwright, Martin Hayes and Iarla O’Lionaird amongst many others. Everyone’s favourite Fun Lovin’ Aliens, Zig and Zag, are back on your tellybox to host an irreverent, fun-filled hour of outrageous, embarrassing and, above all, hilarious clips! Chock-full of TV bloopers, home video shockers, celebrity guests and brand-new hidden-camera stunts, Zig & Zag’s Superbloopers is guaranteed to have the whole family laughing off the sofa. Winning Streak will provide lots of Christmas cheer with two programmes over the festive period.
The Savage Eye dishes up a Christmas episode called ‘Why do the Irish Love Christmas?’, featuring the cast of regular characters, The President for Life, The Ministers and The Bull Mick with his very own ghost of Christmas Past. Republic of Telly celebrate its 50th episode over the festive season and invites you to join them as they celebrate and do Christmas as only the Republic of Telly can: 24 hours on Dublin’s busiest shopping/party street, a massive Christmas video and Dermot, Jen and Bernard are joined in studio by all their mates including Handy Sandie, Damo and Ivor, Martin Muff and Jen’s arch-enemy Georgia Salpa. And Katherine Lynch celebrates the Christmas season in her own inimitable style in a Wagon’s Den Christmas Special. Other Entertainment programmes to be unwrapped over the Christmas season include a seasonal edition of The Saturday Night Show on the 17th December with special guests from the X Factor and The Only Way Is Essex, while Ryan Tubridy presents a festive Christmas edition of The Late Late Show.
RTÉ Television will also deliver a range of documentaries and factual programming throughout the Christmas season. Daniel at 50 marks a milestone birthday this December for Daniel O’Donnell, Ireland’s foremost country and easy listening artist, with contributions from friends and relatives and an intimate interview with Daniel and his wife Majella in their home in Tenerife. The Queen’s Speech is an hour-long documentary telling the inside story behind the planning of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in May. Presented by Tommie Gorman the documentary features candid interviews with some of those who were at the centre of some of the most historic moments. Now That’s What You Called News is a fascinating and revealing Top 20 countdown of some of the biggest, most interesting, colourful and bizarre news stories we explored online over the past twelve months. Presented by Craig Doyle, it features an entertaining and interesting mix of both the serious and the less so, as it explores the big internet stories of the year, from celebrity to politics, sport to economics and entertainment to natural disasters. With contributions from such well known web-savvy newshounds and commentators as Bryan Dobson, Mary O’Rourke, Ivan Yates, Matt Cooper, Evelyn Cusack, Mark Little, David McWilliams and Jacqui Hurley, it’s a sharp, witty, intelligent, fun-filled look back at 2011. The Zoo: A Christmas Special sees the popular series return for a one-off special with all the drama, excitement and adventure fans have come to know and love as well as plenty of Christmas fun, featuring all our favourite keepers and animals and a whole lot more.
For lovers of food and lifestyle programming the festive line up is sure to appeal with Christmas specials from many of RTÉ Television’s favourite food series. Donal Skehan is back with a Kitchen Hero Christmas Special. Filmed in Sweden, Donal visits a Christmas Market in Stockholm and the original Ice Hotel in Kiruna, north of the Arctic Circle and makes a range of Swedish Christmas delicacies. Free yourself from the cooker this Christmas with Rachel Allen’s guide to stress-free festive food in Rachel Allen’s Easy Meals. Rustle up Smoked Salmon Fishcakes, Pan Fried Duck with Redcurrant Jelly Sauce or an indulgent Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse. Rachel also takes us to meet her favourite local smokery and her fiercely foodie friends try out one of her recipes! This Christmas The Restaurant dishes up two helpings of its hugely popular Christmas Cook-Off. Two more pairs of chefs return to the kitchen at the Wineport Lodge in Athlone and go head-to-head to decide who wins this year’s ultimate culinary accolade. Four Live has Christmas covered with advice on last minute gift ideas that don’t break the bank and everything you need for the perfect stress-free Christmas day menu, plus a timely reminder on the fire hazards that Christmas decorations can pose. The Daily Show will bring Nelson Aspen live from Los Angeles with how the stars will be celebrating Christmas and lots of festive cheer with Claire and Daithi. Plus Claire, Daithi and Maura join together in Daytime Christmas Cracker for an hour of post-Christmas entertainment and news.
The drama continues in Fair City as Ireland’s most popular soap ramps up the drama for the festive season, including an hour-long Christmas Day edition. Leo and Dean welcome the Carrigstown community into their household and make it a Christmas to remember for everyone – with lots of kissing, singing and eating! But will Bob’s plans for romance with Rebecca materialise? Christmas Day is fraught for Judith, Tommy and Jo as each seeks to hide the truth from Dermot. And a fugitive returns to Carrigstown – but will he get caught out?
Younger viewers will also be well catered for by RTÉ Young People’s as they deliver plenty of lively, entertaining and popular programmes this Christmas season. Jedward will make dreams come true for children from all over Ireland on their first ever Irish television series OMG! Jedward’s Dream Factory. Follow each child on their journey as Jedward help them fulfill their dreams which include everything from becoming a ballerina and attending a top London movie premiere, to training with the Irish football team and presenting the Late Late Show! This Christmas RTÉ will screen the feature-length version of the popular Young People’s drama The Importance of Being Whatever. Originally broadcast in 3 minute episodes this autumn, the drama based on The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde sees super-conscientious Leaving Cert student Tobi Okocha inventing a cool alter ego to impress the girl of his dreams. Join Emma and Óige in Hubble as they get excited about Christmas. Santa arrives from The North Pole and Óige becomes his best Elf! They sing Christmas Songs and tell the 12 Days of Christmas Story. On RTÉjr, the mayhem steps up a gear as Reuben and Bó prepare for Christmas. The fun continues throughout the Christmas season with the RTÉjr gang Emma, Ógie, Reuben and Bo with lots of fun adventures. Two Tube bring you the Two Tube Awards 2011 – The Best of Everything from the year. Paul will have his usual contributors in studio and the best movies, music and fashion trends and much more will win the honour of being Two Tube’s favourite from the year. They will round up the Christmas movies and look to the new releases in the New Year. On Elev8 Santa arrives into studio to talk to Ivan, Sean and Diana about their Christmas Wishes. All week the presenters will be spreading their Christmas cheer with exclusive backstage access, music, fun and unusual Christmas festivities. In Juice Sinead, Katie and Stephen are so excited about Christmas. Festive cheer is at its best in studio as their special guests tell them their stories of Christmas past and their plans to celebrate this year.
The best international movies will be premiered on RTÉ Television this Christmas including the Bond blockbuster Quantum of Solace, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, romantic comedy The Proposal, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, 2012, Bruno, Michael Jackson: This is It, Bolt, animated classic Monsters and Aliens and Waveriders.
After an action-packed year for Irish sport, RTÉ Television will deliver a range of new programmes and documentaries this Christmas celebrating Irish sporting achievements and stars. Frank O’Farrell: The Shadow Of Busby is the never before told story of the only ever Irishman to manage the most famous soccer team in the world, Manchester United, and his power struggle with father figure of the club – Sir Matt Busby. The RTÉ Sports Awards in association with The Irish Sports Council will see a host of Irish sporting stars in attendance for one of the best sport events of the year. Michael Lyster, Darragh Maloney, Clare MacNamara and Des Cahill will present the awards ceremony which will include a review of the sporting year and look back on the dramatic and memorable sporting moments of 2011. Awards presented on the night will be RTÉ Sports Person of the Year, RTÉ Sports Team of the Year, the RTÉ/Irish Sports Council’s Hall of Fame Award and new award, the RTÉ Sports Manager of the Year. In the Sports Review Of The Year Darren Frehill presents a look back at Irish sporting success in 2011 featuring our great triumphs in a range of sports including soccer, GAA and rugby. The programme features both team and individual Irish victories at home and abroad in what has been an amazing year for Irish sport. Dublin v Kerry – The Myth And The Magic looks back at the epic Dublin v Kerry All Ireland Final and the GAA’s most storied rivalry. A Dublin team with youth on their side versus a Kerry team littered with All Ireland medals. It was 26 years since these two footballing dynasties had battled on the biggest stage and the nostalgia flowed with memories of the epic finals of the past. And fans weren’t to be disappointed as the teams gave us one of the most dramatic finals in years, with a final 10 minutes that was mesmerizing, unpredictable and utterly absorbing. Last September Kilkenny met Tipperary for the third year running in hurling’s showpiece event, The All Ireland hurling final. Kilkenny v Tipperary – The Trilogy talks to some of the key players from both counties as they give us their thoughts on three compelling matches that gripped the nation. Ireland’s Road to Euro 2012: it’s been 24 years since the Republic of Ireland last qualified or the finals of the European Championship but the current crop of players have given us all a summer to look forward to. The journey was a long one, but ultimately the Boys in Green prevailed on a dramatic road to Poland and Ukraine. In addition, quality sports action and analysis on offer over the Christmas season includes coverage of all four days racing from the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown, live action from the RaboDirect PRO12 as the Irish provinces of Ulster, Leinster and Munster clash, and highlights of top-flight action in Premier Soccer Saturday.
RTÉ News has a range of programmes over the festive season. Anne Cassin has some seasonal stories from Dublin in Capital D Christmas Special, and finds out the places which remind Samantha Mumba of her childhood Christmases. In the RTÉ News Review of the Year Bryan Dobson looks back at an extraordinary year which began with the collapse of the Government and a General Election, followed by the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama, and a dramatic presidential campaign. From the crisis in the Eurozone to the Arab Spring, RTÉ News also brought first hand reports of the international stories of the year. In Behind Closed Doors – 1981, David McCullagh uncovers the secrets from Government documents from 1981, now released under the 30 year rule. The year of the hunger strikes, economic crisis, and the first of the epic electoral battles between Charlie Haughey and Garret FitzGerald. On news2day Review of the Year presenters Aidan Kelly and Carla O’Brien look back at the past year, with plenty of contributions from talented young people.
RTÉ Television’s Christmas schedule also includes a range of Irish language documentaries and programmes. In Hó! Hó! Hó! Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh asks special guests what they love and hate about Christmas and talks all things turkey, Willy Wonka and Fairytale of New York. In the closing days of the year, Scannal – Na Bliana 2011 looks back at some of those scandals that shocked, outraged and entertained the Irish public throughout 2011. Cloch le Carn looks back on the life of the late Brian Lenihan, former Minister for Finance & Justice and the only Fianna Fáil TD in the Dublin Area to be re-elected in this year’s general election.
Highlights from this year’s Christmas religious programmes include Carols From The Castle as Mary Kennedy presents a spectacular Christmas celebration from Dublin Castle with Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Byrne, The Coronas, Dervish, Dublin Gospel Choir, All Ireland Talent Show winner, Daniel Furlong, People of the Year winner Joan Freeman and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy. Midnight Mass is celebrated in the parish church of Rathmines, Co. Dublin, with music by Cantairí Óga Atha Cliath, led by Brian Ó Dubhghaill, cantor Joanna Campbell Griffin and organist John Hughes. Mass on Christmas Day is celebrated by Fr Paul Taylor from the parish of St Brigid, Straffan, Co. Kildare. Service on Christmas Day is lead by the Rev. Brian Anderson with members of Seymour Street Methodist Church, Lisburn, in a celebration of the birth of Christ. Music is led by Paul Good. Pope Benedict XVI offers his traditional message to the world from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome in Urbi Et Orbi, , with commentary by Fr Thomas McCarthy, O.P.. The Archbishops’ Christmas Message comes from Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Alan Harper, the Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland, as they offer a Christmas message of hope and inspiration.
Glen Killane, Managing Director, RTÉ Television said; “ I’m proud to unveil such a strong and varied Christmas schedule full of quality home-produced programming in such challenging economic times. RTÉ Television continues to keep Irish viewers at the heart of what we do in a highly competitive environment where viewers have more choice than ever. That broad appeal looks set to continue over Christmas and into the New Year, as we deliver a schedule filled with distinctive home-produced content and seasonal favourites to suit all ages and tastes, alongside the best in international movies”.
Contact: Karen Fitzpatrick, Senior Press Officer, RTÉ Television, T: (01) 208 2667/M: 086 814 9290, karen.fitzpatrick@rte.ie