Dunphy show boss let go after pilots

THE director of Eamon Dunphy’s new TV3 chat show has been told his services are no longer required following a viewing of the first two pilot episodes.

Bob Corkey, a director with an impressive track record in directing live TV shows, was told last Friday his style of direction was not what the producers were looking for. While Mr Corkey said there were no hard feelings in relation to the decision of the two producers, Cillian Fennell and Stuart Carolan, he did admit Mr Dunphy could be difficult to work with.

“I know what everyone knows, that he’s not an easy guy to work with, but he’s entering a field in which he has no experience and there are certain technicalities involved in airing a live programme which he does not understand. That may become an issue.”

Mr Corkey said the technicalities of putting on a live show over a day required “a hell of an effort” and The Dunphy Show, due to begin on September 5, “may require a lot more time than has been given” before it is ready to go on air.

He said he had ‘no direct run-in’ with Mr Dunphy, but the controversial broadcaster’s patience levels “may not have been the best.”

Mr Corkey said he was not upset by the decision of the chat show producers to axe him. “I can’t say I have any regrets. The show would have involved 15 weeks of strict commitment. I had also been offered a documentary which I really wanted to do and I was worried that my commitment to The Dunphy Show would swamp that.”

Mr Corkey’s involvement with the show ended last Friday following a phone call from a senior member of the production team.

“They suggested ... the decision was down to style rather than personality. There are no hard feelings. You have to be pretty robust in this business, these things happen all the time.”

Mr Corkery was involved in the production and planning of the show for 12 weeks, shooting two pilot episodes in a theatre setting in The Helix. He said two more intensive days of rehearsing are planned before the show goes on air.

Mr Corkey, with 15 years experience in directing, now moves on to directing the Rose of Tralee. He has, he said, “worked with every broadcaster on the island and practically every production company.”

His replacement has been named as Maurice Linnane, a name synonymous with U2 and most of the major players in the rock industry. A spokeswoman for TV3 said: “Bob was never signed up to do the full run of shows, only the pilots.”

She would not confirm speculation Roy Keane and Eric Cantona or U2 would be among the first guests.