Charlie Bird

Spanish Eyes

He was a big fish in a small sea in Ireland. Well known and had a profile.

In Washington he was a no one. He said on the prog he made no friends and Washington was not a friendly town. He is returning after one year, instead of the normal four. By his choice he said, as he misses his family.

He does not seem to have the social skills necessary to survive in a cut throat world like Foreign Corr in Washington. I personally think he is alright, no harm in him, but RTE did not make the right choice of Washington Corr in him I'm afraid.

Slideshowbob

Perhaps this sums it all up best.

Under Entertainment news on RTE website:

Bird set to leave Washington post

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0202/birdc.html

Even RTE themselves see him as entertainment

Ive seen it all now!

focusfan

Not so entertaining when its the taxpayer who picks up the tab for this stuff.

Slideshowbob

focusfan wrote: »

Not so entertaining when its the taxpayer who picks up the tab for this stuff.

Indeed

Anyway - sometimes I find RTE website makes cock-ups - especially with breaking news (not the case here I assure you). I think they get excited on their keyboards - ok on boards, not on the national broadcaster!

mike65

Charlie Bird is just a home bird, he couldn't hack it with people who might as well be from another planet.

Beyond that however it got me wondering again why RTE feels the need to have a Washington DC based US correspondent. Its a one business town.

If RTE has to waste our money it could at least do so by basing a hack in New York whihc never sleeps and is a far more diverse intersting environment which also has two important news centres - Wall Street and the UN.

The Black Oil

I don't mind him that much as a person, but I don't think his presenting style is well-suited for this type of piece. He comes across as irritating.

_Whimsical_

"I'm a home bird really"

I loved when he said that. I'm easily pleased.

Dempo1

I'm one of those sad half a million people who watched last nights episode. I can't understand what all the fuss is about and why anyone should care if Charlie is unhappy in his post. To be fair, the small amount of actual journalistic material featured on the Program was what it should be, excellent, in particular the mess the states economy is in. I had the displeasure of working in the states for a year and we think we got it bad?, the USA is not a place to be if your down in your luck. Charlie, Charlie, whatever happened to that expression whereby the reporter should never become the news? perhaps when he returns he could take over from Sean Whelan, recently returned from Europe, my god what a mess, completely out of his depth. I guess if Charlie comes back and just reports, we will be fine

tipperaryboy

I wouldnt be a big fan of his and i dont understand why such a big fuss is made over him as he just a journalist oh he is unhappy in his new post and all that so what.For some reason i do think that he was better suited to reporting in ireland

Aidric

Dempo1 wrote: »

perhaps when he returns he could take over from Sean Whelan, recently returned from Europe, my god what a mess, completely out of his depth.

His economic contributions have been bordering on the laughable thus far but we have to give him a chance with his new brief I guess.

Dempo1

I agree, what a fuss over nothing. Charlie to his credit, along with George Lee made some excellent contributions to Journalism. At nearly 60, going to Washington was a bizarre move and perhaps he got a little too cocky. I worked in DC for a year and it is a unique place and i can confirm a new comer is very much on their own, in fact during my three years in the states (another field to Journalism) i found it a very strange, materialistic place. Based in Baltimore, i never witnessed such poverty and homelessness. He really is a dog it dog society and not a country to be in when times are bad. Something about the Washington gig is odd. Robert Short did an excellent Job and settled well on his return, Mark little lost the run of himself and almost appeared to be too good to be presenting prime time, his arrogance was very obvious and its not a surprise he has now departed RTE, probably expected to get Brian Dobsons job on his return from DC.

Dempo1

Re Sean Whelan, i agree. Not sure if anyone saw him recently on the 1 o clock news, he actually started his report in the studio and had to stop twice to gather his breath and thoughts, it was embarrassing to watch, particularly from an experienced editor. Quite bizarre

Aidric

Dempo1 wrote: »

Mark little lost the run of himself and almost appeared to be too good to be presenting prime time, his arrogance was very obvious and its not a surprise he has now departed RTE, probably expected to get Brian Dobsons job on his return from DC.

That's just wrong. Mark Little has taken leave to work on a digital media project. I never found him to be arrogant, he was one of the strongest members of the RTE current affairs staff imo.

Dempo1

I don't agree, Mark Little was an excellent Washington Correspondent but i feel he never settled since he returned and he never fitted in on the prime time slot. As it was he had little to do on Prime time, but then again being opposite Miriam was always going to be challenge. He came across as being quite aloof and arrogant to me. I am aware of the Digital media project you refer too which i doubt will lead to much. My understanding is he had departed fully and not has you state (taken leave). I don't doubt the mans abilities but clearly he had not found the right forum to work from, just as it would appear Sean Whelan has not.

Slideshowbob

Almost a week into the volcano disruption and tonight Charlie has managed to get an exclusive interview with stranded passengers in JFK airport New York.

Bravo Charlie !!

Rookster

Maybe he could climb into the volcano to get the inside story.

blond45

Rookster wrote: »

Maybe he could climb into the volcano to get the inside story.

they done that on gift grub today so funny:D:D:D:D:D