claire byrne I've had enough!!

ntlbell

I have to say I'm a big newstalk fan, I listen to the majority of shows bar moncrief as his voice grates on me.

I gave Ivan and Claire a chance and to be fair Ivan has been pretty solid and pretty much carry's Claire's lack of talent but today was just down right laziness and I've had enough.

So their discussing news of the worlds hacking of mobile phone's in the uk.

claire says "why are these people not being prosecuted"
Caller: "They're in prison Claire"

WTF!!!!

It's time for her to go she is completely ruining the show and adds nothing but the odd dead end question after Ivan's finished with the prey

surely the breakfast shows ratings must be in the gutter at this stage

newstalk get some balls and get rid of this clueless amatuer

Dub13

I gave up on her a long long time ago.

mike65

Excuse me quoteing myself but it seems appropriate

Claire if you are reading then take on board some of our views - less personal opinion less
"the big I am" and more background reading for the topics you'll be covering the following day. The rest of the shows failings are the fault of production and managment.

Mossy Monk

I stopped listening to her a long time ago. She is terrible.

K4t

Yes, we've long established that she's an awful presenter but why hasn't anybody at Newstalk noticed it? She's as dry as an old scab.

Aidric

This point demands constant addressing OP. I've long since stopped tuning in to newstalk in the morning because of her ineptitude. Her TV appearances on Vincent Browne and Q & A were truly facepalm stuff, populist vacous nonsense.

Wella

Gave up on the breakfast show on Newstalk too ages ago, about 18 months ago I think. I found the entire show too boring; the presenters had absolutely no personality. Also, it was so commercial, everything was sponsored by this or that (sounds silly to say that about a commercial station I know, but it was really OTT on the breakfast show for some reason).

cruizer22b

I cant stand her either, She is truly awful. I listen every morning but have to turn off at times due to being so embarrassed for her. Some of her interviewing techniques are so ignorant and rude.

Arthur Daley

Have to say I agree with the sentiments on this thread. The problem is morning Ireland is not an option as it has tended to pump out government propaganda IMO. Claire is more suited to a TV3 type audience I feel, where I expect the newstalk breakfast show to be more heavyweight. Not maybe as heavy as a BBC radio 4, more like a 5live.

Not necessarily Claire Byrne related or her fault, but the other morning you had to cringe at the interview done with the poor father of the man shot dead Saturday night in Dublin 15. It was awful, barely 2 days after his son was shot. They explained that the man wanted to come on, but IMO somebody should have stepped in and said give them space and time and let's hear them speak up in a week or two, just like Roy Collins Dad is doing.

Firetrap

I've always thought she was a bit vacuous and out of her depth presenting a current affairs program. She'd be better presenting a Talk to Joe type program where she can vent her own personal opinions. Ivan Yates, whilst not the best radio presenter in the world, is far sharper and clued up on things.

barneygumble

Claire seems to be labouring under the impression that anyone cares what her opinion is. I thought she was there to ask questions and facilitate discussion, but it seems she is there to give us the benefit of her wisdom on each and every subject covered.

Along the same lines, George Hook is becoming increasingly preachy in recent weeks.

The fact that these two (and they are far from alone in this) can command prime-time radio slots really does highlight the dearth of talent available.

Tropheus

Ger Gilroy was streets ahead of her. Why they got rid of him and not her baffles me.

Firetrap

They headhunted her from TV3 - wasn't there some sort of court injunction stopping her from starting with Newstalk for a while? Axeing her would be an embarrassing climbdown.

mike65

Yep she was the centre of a tug of love, hard to credit now.

She is on hollidays this week I think, anyway the programme was better for her absence from what I heard

deadhead13

The final straw for me was her attempt at a Paxman-style grilling of Eamon Gilmore. I blame Eoghan Harris.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/eoghan-harris/killer-question-that-left-coris-champion-speechless-1756569.html

mike65

My week by Eoghan Harris was amusing read (for all the wrong reasons).

Dave!

Someone forward this thread to Newstalk...

mike65

She is already unhappy with us.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=60367737&postcount=874

Aidric

deadhead13 wrote: »

The final straw for me was her attempt at a Paxman-style grilling of Eamon Gilmore. I blame Eoghan Harris.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/eoghan-harris/killer-question-that-left-coris-champion-speechless-1756569.html

That's a truly sickening article, the bootlicking is intense.

In recent weeks I continually claimed that Newstalk's breakfast, lunchtime and afternoon current affairs are better than those on RTE. Claire Byrne, Eamon Keane and George Hook are informal but incisive, courteous but cutting, down home but not deferential.

Green Hornet

Ivan is doing well though. The only issue I have with him is his habit of cutting people off. He sometimes cuts across them when answering questions and I find it a bit annoying but it's obvious that he's the heavyweight on the programme alright.

The Davestator

anyone know what happened ger gilroy?

sorry if its been discussed before.

deadhead13

The Davestator wrote: »

anyone know what happened ger gilroy?

He was moved to an editorial role in the station and he presents fridays Off The Ball. At the moment he is filling in for Eamon Keane.

Sir Humphrey

I cannot believe anyone would ask why Ger Gilroy was shifted out of this programme. He was incredibly lightweight. He seems to drag down every programme he's involved in. In fact I though he even gave Claire a certain gravitas when he was there so bad was he.

As for Newstalk presenters generally, the station goes in for "telling it like it is" which is grand except for two serious problems. The presenters view of the world in then known and the choice of guests (the same ones crop up again and again) tend to reflect that which weakens the credibility of the presenter.

And secondly opinion is something that is successful only when they person offering it has some achievement or external credibility factor. Having access to a microphone is not enough. In that sense, there is at least a chance Yates knows what he is on about.

Having said that I gave up on the Breakfast show long ago. There was only so much of Ger Gilroy offering to email out links to the latest "greatest goal of all time" from the Spanish league at the weekend I could take.

It was also ludicrous having a sport segment at 7.45 on top of the half-hour between 8.30 and 9 simply because it was the only area where Gilroy was comfortable. I am sure Yates will have improved it but frankly I've heard so much of him yakking on in the media over the past 18 months that I will hardly bother going back to it.

Paparazzo

Clare Byrne is terrible, I gave up listening ages ago, so did my parents who can't believe how bad she is.
You would think that she would be embarrassed at being caught out at having a complete lack of knowledge of a particular subject and she'd make sure it wouldn't happen again, but it happens almost every day!
I love when she tries to "grill" someone!

Dozen Wicked Words

I have only really listened to her once or twice, but I do think her research, or lack of it,lets her down. The station must employ researchers, obviously if they do, Claire doesn't get to read it.

She is a weak link in a dodgy chain.

Sir Humphrey

dooferoaks wrote: »

I have only really listened to her once or twice, but I do think her research, or lack of it,lets her down. The station must employ researchers, obviously if they do, Claire doesn't get to read it.

She is a weak link in a dodgy chain.

Not in any real sense I'd say. They probably get in yellow pack students with the concentration levels of a goldfish on speed who'll work for nothing.

It is unlikely they would have the in-depth knowledge of weighty current affairs stuff to do meaningful research. Googling is grand but you need to know what's to google.

Newstalk does the "we're not RTÉ and we have so much street cred because of this" angle and that will always appeal to a certain constituency but leads to some appallingly bad programming.

focusfan

Have to agree with the majority sentiment in this thread but the mentioned Ms Byrne is no different from the vast majority of broadcasters in this country. Just witness Morning Ireland reviewing the Harry Potter opening last Wednesday. On the subject of romance Cathal Mac Coille asked "How far did they go?" Truly cringe inducing stuff

Poncherello

Its brightened up my day that I found this thread.

Anytime I turn on the show and its getting less and less I am always compelled to text in abuse aimed at our Claire.

In fairness to her she reads out the odd one - One morning she actually admitted to being upset by my text which was very satisfying !

barneygumble

One of the lowest ebbs was some time ago, when Gilroy was either ill or on holiday, as Claire repeatedly mugged her way through the post-8.30 AM sports segment. Truly, truly, teeth-crunching-on-tin-foil-awfulness. And in no way is the colour of her hair relevant (sorry Claire, no "blonde card" to be played in response).

Have improved the enjoyment of my weekdays no end by avoiding all local radio stations in the car on the way to/from work and investing in an internet radio for the house.

orourkeda

You took the words out of my mouth. It always seemed to me that Ger Gilroy was a glorified sports reporter.

Still anything is better than Colm and Jim Jim

cruizer22b

orourkeda wrote: »

You took the words out of my mouth. It always seemed to me that Ger Gilroy was a glorified sports reporter.

Still anything is better than Colm and Jim Jim

That reminds me, was that awful Colm and Jim Jim show on sunday nights canceled ? It was slit your wrists TV.

Heroditas

I think her worst moment (for me anyway) was a couple of weeks ago when Eamonn (Happy) Gilmore was being interviewed and asked about what he thought needed to be done.
He mentioned a property tax and seconds later she lost the rag and shrilly proclaimed "but what about the people who have bought 2, 3, 4 houses and they are all lying empty? These are real people and they are suffering!!!!"

Good grief! Was she talking from a vested viewpoint? That was the first thing that struck me. Give Conor Brophy a shot.

I hated Yates at first but he's ideal for the show. He won't accept any spin or bull from the politicians. Sure deep down he's cut from the same cloth.

orourkeda

cruizer22b wrote: »

That reminds me, was that awful Colm and Jim Jim show on sunday nights canceled ? It was slit your wrists TV.

I hope so. Must have been train wreck TV. Colm and Jim Gimp

FGR

Heroditas wrote: »

"but what about the people who have bought 2, 3, 4 houses and they are all lying empty? These are real people and they are suffering!!!!"

I get the impression that I couldn't trust her as far as I could throw her. I find her almost as intolerable as Brenda Power was. Always trying to find the right bias.

Is Brenda still a researcher for the G Hook show?

mike65

They are both Dail Mail hackets in spirit if not in actual fact.

Arthur Daley

This morning I'd had it with Claire Byrne and her ranting against the important burning issue of the use of models in bikinis to promote something.

Honest to Christ, the country is in the middle of a depression, there is so much to debate about Nama/the Liam O'carroll case, forthcoming tax hikes and spending cuts. If you want to forget that, discuss some decent films in the cinemas right now, or the start of the football season, or climax of the GAA. Whatever, but models in bikinis warrants so much discussion and ranting? It's a free country, if you want to hire some models for your photoshoot go ahead. It gives the girls a job I'm sure they enjoy.

Had to move to Radio 1, who at least had something from the real world like going around the country finding out about the state of farming these days. Which was interesting enough, but felt very 80s with the farmers claiming the poor mouth...:eek:.

ntlbell

anyone know if there is any online listener-ship trends for Irish stations?

barneygumble

I heard the same rant from Ms Byrne. On the day that was in it, that was her idea of a burning issue.

Gilroy wasn't great, but how they moved him on and kept her I have no idea. Ivan at least has a sense of humour which I'd say he needs sharing a studio with Her Ladyship.

The day after her Suffragette act she asked Mary Harney about the "bitter pill" the pharmacists had had to swallow. :pac:

Absolute amateur.

ntlbell

barneygumble wrote: »

The day after her Suffragette act she asked Mary Harney about the "bitter pill" the pharmacists had had to swallow. :pac:

Absolute amateur.

harney was on newstalk?

the one time she goes on when she does something right.

unreal

Utopia Parkway

When I hear Claire Byrne on the airwaves I always think a primary school somewhere in Ireland is missing a teacher.

kwalshe

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

When I hear Claire Byrne on the airwaves I always think a primary school somewhere in Ireland is missing a teacher.

When I hear her on the radio I get a bulge in my cacks.. she is a sexy lady

salad dodger

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

When I hear Claire Byrne on the airwaves I always think a primary school somewhere in Ireland is missing a teacher.

Thats a coincidence 'cos when i hear her i think there is a village somewhere missing its idiot!

??

I don't mind her banter, she is a bit uneducated on her subject matter at times and very populist but that represents a lot of the listenership too I think? Flying the flag for the masses.

Used to think Ivan was terrible but he has grown on me over the last few weeks.

Hacketry

ksimpson wrote: »

Ger Gilroy was streets ahead of her. Why they got rid of him and not her baffles me.

Hear, hear!

Firetrap

?? wrote: »

I don't mind her banter, she is a bit uneducated on her subject matter at times and very populist but that represents a lot of the listenership too I think? Flying the flag for the masses.

Used to think Ivan was terrible but he has grown on me over the last few weeks.

Agreed on Ivan. He's improved and he sounds like he's gone something between his ears. Claire - well let's just say at best she should be playing records on local radio and reading out texts from I.P. Freely and Jacques Strapp. If I wanted to hear uneducated rants I'd tune into Joe Duffy or Gerry Ryan.

tommy8969

Claire Byrne is not the worst on the radio, far from it!

orourkeda

tommy8969 wrote: »

Claire Byrne is not the worst on the radio, far from it!

You just need to listen to Ryan Tubridy and Derek Mooney to confirm that.

Ivan stepped on her toes this morning when he said something like 'you should know why Irish men are the worst lovers' She was rightly pissed off!

I'd say her nose is a bit out of joint now with Ivan beside her

juuge

She particularly made a right pigs-mickey of the interview with eh!Bertie. It was a complete wasted opportunity in which to nail the bsatard on live radio. What's this he said? oh yeah! 'yizz wuddnt have a job if it wasnt for me' - He really has a way with words!

Firetrap

tommy8969 wrote: »

Claire Byrne is not the worst on the radio, far from it!

Maybe not but she should not be presenting a current affairs program on a national radio station. Its a presenter's job to give the listeners the news of the day/important issues in a professional, impartial manner. Not to let the listeners know how she feels or what she thinks.

Aidric

salonfire wrote: »

Ivan stepped on her toes this morning when he said something like 'you should know why Irish men are the worst lovers' She was rightly pissed off!

Lol. Stellar bloke is Ivan.