Gift Grub
Encyclopedia
Gift Grub is a series of short comic pieces broadcast on weekdays on the breakfast show of Irish commercial radio station Today FM
since 8 May 1999. The characters in the pieces are based on real people, generally local and international celebrities and political figures, and are mainly voiced by mimic Mario Rosenstock
.
The title is a remnant of the original format of the pieces, in which the character of Bertie Ahern
, Ireland's former Taoiseach
(prime minister), would introduce the listening public to favourite ("Gift") meals or food items ("Grub"). The portrayal of Ahern as blustering and inarticulate but infinitely shrewd set the tone for the future. Ahern is still the main star, but other frequent appearances are made by impersonators of Roy Keane
, Gerry Adams
, Colin Farrell
, Ronan Keating
, Bill Cullen
, Michael D. Higgins
, Keith Duffy
, Daniel O'Donnell
, Niall Quinn
, Ben Dunne
, Pádraig Harrington
, Steve Staunton
, Bobby Robson
, Rafael Benítez
, Joe Duffy
, Paul O'Connell
, Conor Deasy, Jack Charlton
and Brian Cowen
The popularity of the show has generated a number of spin-off compilations, merchandise and catchphrases that have caught on in the general public, such as Bertie's "Infacta", "Jaysus" and "Ya Spanner", and some may claim that the sketches' portrayal of Mr Ahern as street-wise, human and funny has arguably boosted the approval rating of Mr Ahern and his government.
by UK act The Streets
, with Roy Keane singing to David Beckham
, consoling him on England's
loss to France
in Euro 2004
.
In 2005 Rosenstock played the lead role in the stage musical I, Keano
, in which the feud between Roy Keane and former team manager Mick McCarthy
is transported to Ancient Rome.
In Summer 2005, a sketch entitled "José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkKDaOuDh9U", mimicking Chelsea
boss José Mourinho
, caught the attention of football fans in the UK
on a number of forums and message boards. Rosenstock was invited by Mourinho to attend a match at Stamford Bridge
. This track, along with "I Sign a Little Player or Two", based on Aretha Franklin
's I Say a Little Prayer
, have proven so popular with listeners to London's Capital Gold
radio station, that breakfast DJ Mick Brown was quoted in the 24 October 2005 edition of The Sun
as saying that the two tracks may be released in the UK as a Christmas novelty song
.
On 16 December 2005 a parody of Will Young's
song Leave Right Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQt-J1dkk_o relating to the events surrounding Roy Keane's
dismissal from Manchester United
was released as a charity single in the Republic of Ireland. It went straight in at the number 1 position on the Christmas chart; to date, it is the last Irish Christmas number-one not to be from the winner of The X Factor
. José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
was released in the UK on 20 February 2006.
In March 2007, the real Roy Keane met with Ian Dempsey
to promote the Irish Guide Dogs Foundation and was introduced to the Gift Grub Roy. Previous special guests who were invited on the show to meet their Gift Grub equivalents included Hector Ó hEochagáin
, Eddie Hobbs
, Ronan Keating
, the actresses who portray Fair City
characters Carol and Ali, Aisling O'Neal and Doreann Ni Charaigain. and recently, Bertie Ahern
himself to celebrate the segment's tenth anniversary. José Mourinho
's sudden departure from , in September 2007, and his falling out with owner Roman Abramovich
, became the subject of yet another Gift Grub parody http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDBUCbohk_o&mode=related&search=.
In December 2008, a parody of Beyoncé's If I Was a Boy about the then Sunderland
manager Roy Keane
's difficulties in the Premier League was transmitted. The lyrics of the chorus were altered to "If I wasn't Roy". Keane resigned hours later.
In November 2009, Today FM released a special 10 year edition of the annual 'Best of' CD which included 3 CDs', They were a best of 2009 CD, a best of the decade CD and an unreleased sketches CD, which included a sketch Titled "Ronan's Stalker" that became so popular it was then released on The "The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
".
In 2006, They also started to upload all Gift Grub Sketches on to iTunes
so people can listen to them on the go anytime, anywhere.
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
since 8 May 1999. The characters in the pieces are based on real people, generally local and international celebrities and political figures, and are mainly voiced by mimic Mario Rosenstock
Mario Rosenstock
Mario Rosenstock born 31 August 1971, is an Irish actor, comedian, impressionist and musician who is best known for his parody music singles and his role in the Gift Grub comedy series on Irish radio station Today FM....
.
The title is a remnant of the original format of the pieces, in which the character of Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, Ireland's former Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
(prime minister), would introduce the listening public to favourite ("Gift") meals or food items ("Grub"). The portrayal of Ahern as blustering and inarticulate but infinitely shrewd set the tone for the future. Ahern is still the main star, but other frequent appearances are made by impersonators of Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
, Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams is an Irish republican politician and Teachta Dála for the constituency of Louth. From 1983 to 1992 and from 1997 to 2011, he was an abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for Belfast West. He is the president of Sinn Féin, the second largest political party in Northern...
, Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Colin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
, Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
, Bill Cullen
Bill Cullen (businessman)
William 'Bill' Cullen is an Irish businessman, philanthropist, reality TV & media personality. He is the former owner of the Renault Ireland franchise until it was taken under more direct control by Renault in 2007. A well-known figure in Ireland, Cullen has made numerous appearances on RTÉ's The...
, Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
, Keith Duffy
Keith Duffy
Keith Peter Thomas Francis John Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, actor, drummer, dancer and television presenter. He began his career as part of Boyzone in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he achieved critical acclaim for his acting roles, particularly in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair...
, Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel or Danny O'Donnell may refer to:* Daniel O'Donnell, Irish singer* Daniel O'Donnell , American legislator from the state of New York* Danny O'Donnell * Danny O'Donnell...
, Niall Quinn
Niall Quinn
Niall John Quinn honorary MBE is a former Irish international footballer, and the ex-chairman of Sunderland AFC. He still works at the club as an overseas manager. He is also heavily involved in the management side of horse racing...
, Ben Dunne
Ben Dunne
Ben Dunne is an Irish entrepreneur and former director of his family firm, Dunnes Stores, one of the largest chains of department stores in Ireland. In 1981, he was kidnapped by the IRA and held for seven days...
, Pádraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington
Pádraig P. Harrington is an Irish professional golfer who plays on The European Tour and The PGA Tour. He has won three major championships: The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Championship, also in 2008.-Background:...
, Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
, Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
, Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
, Joe Duffy
Joe Duffy
Joseph "Joe" Duffy is an Irish broadcaster employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann . A Jacob's Award winner, he is the current presenter of Liveline, which is broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, Monday - Fridays between 13:45 and 15:00.Duffy has a history as a student activist; he was President of the Union of...
, Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.-Early life:...
, Conor Deasy, Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
and Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
The popularity of the show has generated a number of spin-off compilations, merchandise and catchphrases that have caught on in the general public, such as Bertie's "Infacta", "Jaysus" and "Ya Spanner", and some may claim that the sketches' portrayal of Mr Ahern as street-wise, human and funny has arguably boosted the approval rating of Mr Ahern and his government.
Notable sketches
A big part of the success of the series has been the ability of the writers to respond quickly to current news and events with withering satire. A notable episode involved the re-writing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_sW1CGMNxE of the song Dry Your EyesDry Your Eyes
"Dry Your Eyes" is a UK garage song written by English rapper The Streets for his second album A Grand Don't Come for Free . The song describes the persona trying to cope with his girlfriend breaking up with him. It was released as the album's second single on 19 July 2004...
by UK act The Streets
The Streets
The Streets were a British rap/garage project from Birmingham, United Kingdom, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner and has included a myriad of other contributors most notably drummer Johnny Drum Machine, vocalist Kevin Mark Trail and the Italian-American beatmaker Leroy.The...
, with Roy Keane singing to David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
, consoling him on England's
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
loss to France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
in Euro 2004
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
.
In 2005 Rosenstock played the lead role in the stage musical I, Keano
I, Keano
I, Keano is a comedy musical play about footballer Roy Keane leaving the Republic of Ireland national football team before the 2002 FIFA World Cup....
, in which the feud between Roy Keane and former team manager Mick McCarthy
Mick McCarthy
Michael Joseph "Mick" McCarthy is an English-born former Irish international footballer who is currently the manager of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has been in charge since July 2006....
is transported to Ancient Rome.
In Summer 2005, a sketch entitled "José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat is a comedy sketch first performed for Gift Grub on Ireland's Today FM.-Song:The skit parodies the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as Real Madrid manager José Mourinho...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkKDaOuDh9U", mimicking Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
boss José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
, caught the attention of football fans in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on a number of forums and message boards. Rosenstock was invited by Mourinho to attend a match at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
. This track, along with "I Sign a Little Player or Two", based on Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's I Say a Little Prayer
I Say a Little Prayer
"I Say a Little Prayer" is a song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, originally peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in December 1967.-Background:...
, have proven so popular with listeners to London's Capital Gold
Capital Gold
Gold is a network of oldies radio stations which was formed by the merger of the Capital Gold network and the Classic Gold Network in August 2007...
radio station, that breakfast DJ Mick Brown was quoted in the 24 October 2005 edition of The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
as saying that the two tracks may be released in the UK as a Christmas novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
.
On 16 December 2005 a parody of Will Young's
Will Young
William Robert "Will" Young is a British singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominenceafter winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the now-worldwide Idols-format franchise...
song Leave Right Now
Leave Right Now
"Leave Right Now" is a popular song written by Eg White and performed by Will Young. It appears on Young's second album, Friday's Child, and was released as the first single from the album, and Young's fifth overall. The single went to number one in the UK Singles Chart, selling 117,700 in its...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQt-J1dkk_o relating to the events surrounding Roy Keane's
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
dismissal from Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
was released as a charity single in the Republic of Ireland. It went straight in at the number 1 position on the Christmas chart; to date, it is the last Irish Christmas number-one not to be from the winner of The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
. José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat
José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat is a comedy sketch first performed for Gift Grub on Ireland's Today FM.-Song:The skit parodies the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as Real Madrid manager José Mourinho...
was released in the UK on 20 February 2006.
In March 2007, the real Roy Keane met with Ian Dempsey
Ian Dempsey
Ian Michael Dempsey is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on Today FM, self-titled The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, which runs from 07:00 - 09:00 each weekday morning...
to promote the Irish Guide Dogs Foundation and was introduced to the Gift Grub Roy. Previous special guests who were invited on the show to meet their Gift Grub equivalents included Hector Ó hEochagáin
Hector Ó hEochagáin
Hector Ó hEochagáin is an Irish television and radio presenter from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. He currently presents Breakfast with Hector weekday mornings on RTÉ 2fm.-Career:...
, Eddie Hobbs
Eddie Hobbs
-Early career:Hobbs worked for Zurich Life 1979 to 1991 and left his position as Marketing Manager to set up a fee-based financial planning company TIPS. In March 1993 Hobbs published a landmark report "Endowment Mortgages The Hometruth" which collapsed sales of endowment homeloans in Ireland by...
, Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
, the actresses who portray Fair City
Fair City
Fair City is an award-winning Irish television soap opera on RTÉ One. Produced by Radio Telefís Éireann, it was first broadcast on Monday, September 18, 1989...
characters Carol and Ali, Aisling O'Neal and Doreann Ni Charaigain. and recently, Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
himself to celebrate the segment's tenth anniversary. José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
's sudden departure from , in September 2007, and his falling out with owner Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich
Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich is a Russian businessman and the main owner of the private investment company Millhouse LLC.In 2003, Abramovich was named Person of the Year by Expert, a Russian business magazine. He shared this title with Mikhail Khodorkovsky...
, became the subject of yet another Gift Grub parody http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDBUCbohk_o&mode=related&search=.
In December 2008, a parody of Beyoncé's If I Was a Boy about the then Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
manager Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
's difficulties in the Premier League was transmitted. The lyrics of the chorus were altered to "If I wasn't Roy". Keane resigned hours later.
In November 2009, Today FM released a special 10 year edition of the annual 'Best of' CD which included 3 CDs', They were a best of 2009 CD, a best of the decade CD and an unreleased sketches CD, which included a sketch Titled "Ronan's Stalker" that became so popular it was then released on The "The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show is an Irish radio show broadcast on weekday mornings from 07:00 - 09:00 on Today FM. Presented by Ian Dempsey, it is noted for its Gift Grub feature, performed by Mario Rosenstock...
".
In 2006, They also started to upload all Gift Grub Sketches on to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
so people can listen to them on the go anytime, anywhere.
External links
- The Official Gift Grub Website
- Gift Grub Page on the official TodayFM website.
- Leave Right Now
- Niall Quinn & Roy Keane partnership
- Steve Staunton sings Eminems Stan