Genre | Interview / phone-in chat |
---|---|
Running time | 13:45 – 15:00 |
Country of origin | Ireland |
Language(s) | English |
Home station | RTÉ Radio 1 |
Starring | Joe Duffy |
Produced by | Rebecca Meehan |
Recording studio | Donnybrook, Dublin 4 |
Original release | present |
Audio format | FM and Digital radio |
Website | Official site |
Podcast | Liveline |
Liveline is an Irish radio interview and phone-in chat show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday afternoon between 13.45 and 15.00. The programme, which has been presented since 1999 by Joe Duffy, and is known for its slogan, "Talk to Joe",[1] tends to seek the public's opinion on various questions and debates, and invites conversation on current events and controversies. It also gives a platform to those who have suffered grievances or distressing events, and wish to raise awareness of them on the national airwaves. According to The New York Times, it is Ireland's "most popular radio call-in program".[2] According to the Irish Independent, "[Joe Duffy's] greeting at 1.45pm every weekday—"Hello, good afternoon and you're very welcome to Liveline"—is the signal for 400,000 listeners to sit back and await some lively debate or the exposure of a scam or a social scandal".[3]
From its initial launch in 1985, Liveline was presented and produced by Marian Finucane[2] and Doireann Ní Bhriain, but was taken over in 1999 by Joe Duffy. During his absence, the role of presenter is typically filled by RTÉ presenters Katie Hannon, Philip Boucher-Hayes, or Damien O'Reilly; or prior to his death, Derek Davis. Sporadically, Liveline airs "Funny Fridays", a comedic departure from the usual programme, which tend to be broadcast from various hotels around Ireland, and before an audience. On "Funny Friday", Joe Duffy is joined by a series of comedians who tell jokes, and perform humorous songs. Regular contributing comedians include Brendan "Brush" Shiels and Brendan "Doc" Savage.
As an example of typical programming, in early August of 2007, Liveline ran a series of programmes focusing on the problems experienced by those who holiday abroad, regaling listeners with stories of the dangers of foreign resorts, and the corruption of Turkish and other local police authorities, and warnings of grasping and inhospitable hotel managements. Equally, the poor behaviour of young Irish holiday makers was also highlighted. Callers also aired their grievances over topics such as bikini-wearing models.[1][4]
In September of 2009, the screenwriter Frank Deasy appeared on Liveline several days before his death from liver cancer to discuss organ donor awareness. A record of at least 5,500 people soon applied to become holders of organ donor cards, 2,000 immediately afterwards and a further 3,500 the following day.[5][6] By comparison, a similar request on The Late Late Show in 2007 yielded only 1,000 more donor applicants.[7] Mark Murphy, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association, put it down to "the power of Joe Duffy".[7]