| The Frontline | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Format | Debate, current affairs |
| Directed by | David Donaghy [1] |
| Presented by | Pat Kenny |
| Country of origin |  Ireland |
| Language(s) | English, Irish |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Dave Nally [2] |
| Location(s) | Studio 4,[3
] RTÉ Television Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | RTÉ One |
| Original run | 21 September 2009 [4] – Present |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Questions and Answers |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
The Frontline is a topical debate television programme 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.[5] The Frontline replaced a similar political analysis show Questions and Answers. [6] The programme features around an invited audience and featured guests.[7 ]
Many public figures politicians have appeared on the programme. [4][8] Some incidents on the programme have attracted large amount of media coverage. [9] [10] The programme has generally received good reviews.[11][12] The programme is broadcast from Studio 4 in RTÉ.[3 ] The first programme received an audience share of 43.4%, with a viewing audience of 464,000.[13 ] Later into the series more 100,000 less people watched it, watching The Apprentice instead. [14]
Contents |
The Frontline is hosted by former The Late Late Show presenter and RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Pat Kenny.[15] The programme runs for 60 minutes on Monday nights on RTÉ One. [6] It is directed by David Donaghy [1] and produced by Dave Nally. [2] Studio 4 in the RTÉ Television Centre is the venue of the programme.[3 ] It is also used for The Late Late Show.[16]
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[17 ] and the Leader of the Labour Party,[8] as well as specially themed shows. [18] Other formats include a panel from various social and political backgrounds discussing political issues affecting Ireland and the wider world. [4] [18][19] The programme debates "the most important news stories of the week".[15] The programme also features debate on "major political, economic and social issues".[7 ] The programme also features some satire. [20]
Steve Carson, head of programming in RTÉ Television, said the programme wouldn't be a replica of the old format.[21 ] An audience also features as part of the discussion similar to Questions and Answers.[19]
For the beginning of the programme, Kenny “zips around the studio, microphone in hand”.[17 ]
|
“The core of it will remain that audiences get a chance to ask
politicians questions, but the format will be a lot more
varied.”
|
The first indication that Pat Kenny would present another television programme, was on the night he announced his departure from presenting The Late Late Show.[22 ] By the time of presenting his last programme, it was announced a new current affairs programme would begin in autumn 2009. [23] It was late announced it would be September 21, 2009.[5]
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). [4] A public invitation for comments and ideas on topics was issued by the makers of the show. [4]
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.[17 ] Lenihan talked about the proposed National Asset Management Agency and the purchase of €28 billion in loans from Anglo Irish Bank.[24]
As a result of cutbacks, RTÉ could only afford to spend €2 on sandwiches per person. [25]
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.[13 ] In November 2009, the viewership was reduced to 333,000, less than the 493,000 received by The Apprentice on TV3 [14]
On 2 November 2009, Jack O'Connor 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.” [10] After some hesitation, Kenny quoted:
| “ | I built my house in 1988. Like, why is that a trophy house? I don’t want this kind of crap coming at me.[26] | ” |
O'Connor then apologised instantly. [10]
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[27]), 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.[28] 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. [9]
The programme generally received a "big thumbs up".[11] Patrick Freyne of the Sunday Tribune 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”. [29] 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”. [30] She also rated it as one of the best current affairs programmes in 2009.[31] The two reviewers said that, compared to The Late Late Show, Kenny was more “in his comfort zone”. [29] [30] Sarah Carey, also in The Irish Times, was disappointed by the tone of the programme because Kenny was “thoroughly enjoying himself”. She said it was a televised version of Liveline.[32]
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