Fresh faces line out for RTÉ

RTÉ chiefs have unveiled a new season of programmes which they claim will entertain, inform and involve audiences.

The Afternoon Show is gone from the schedule following allegations of bullying and rows among its presenters, to be replaced by a lifestyle programme presented by Maura Derrane, wife of Fine Gael TD John Deasy, called 4 Daily.

This show will be followed each day by a more news-driven programme called 4.50 Live presented by Claire Byrne and Daithí Ó Sé.

Controversial journalist Brendan O’Connor has also been given a full-time position on the Saturday Night Live chat show after what station bosses claim was a “successful” six-week stint presenting the programme last year.

Space has also been found for Craig Doyle, who unsuccessfully competed with O’Connor to present the flagship Saturday night show — the former BBC broadcaster will take over as host of the comedy news show The Panel.

Highlights from the RTÉ factual output include a six-part documentary series called From Here to Maternity, about a maternity hospital, and a five-part history series entitled The Story of Ireland, a co-production with the BBC.

Both blue- and white- collar crime will also feature, with a three-part series on the growth of criminal gangs and a two-part documentary on Ireland’s banking collapse.

Overall there are 54 new home-produced series/documentaries for the 2010/2011 season, with a further 52 new editions of returning home-produced series/documentaries.

Among them is Ireland’s Greatest Person, which will involve a public vote to decide among a final five of John Hume, Michael Collins, Bono, James Connolly and Mary Robinson.

Keeping up a recent RTÉ tradition of finding broadcast roles for former PD politicians, former minister for justice Micheal McDowell will be presenting the show on his hero Michael Collins.

There will also be a documentary about Phoebe Prince, the Irish schoolgirl who committed suicide in the US following a campaign of bullying, as well as Late, Late Show host Ryan Tubridy presenting a programme about former US president John Kennedy’s visit to Ireland, and a series following the new generation of Irish emigrants.

A drama concerning Bob Geldof and Live Aid will be broadcast this autumn.

Presenting the new schedule, RTÉ Television managing director Glen Killane said; “In spite of the continuing pressures of recession, we have more factual programming, more entertainment, and more drama than this time last year.”