The Podge and Rodge Show
Encyclopedia
The Podge and Rodge Show (also formerly known as The Podge and Rodge Show with Lucy Kennedy) is an Irish
chat show
, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular Podge and Rodge
as hosts. For the first three seasons they were joined by Lucy Kennedy
as a co-host but for the first half of the fourth season they were joined by guest hosts including Michelle Heaton
, after Kennedy took insult to being called "every name under the sun from bisto to an ugly Gráinne Seoige
". Following a mid-season hiatus, Caroline Morahan
took on the role of permanent co-host in February 2009. The programme airs every Monday and Tuesday at 22:50 on RTÉ Two
from February to April and from October to December with a hiatus during the summer months.
s in mazes, sheep shearing
and tractors. During early episodes, with the credits rolling, it was common for the two to tell viewers to direct their complaints elsewhere, e.g. RTÉ or The Joe Duffy
Show. The programme's popularity has even affected the Irish Singles Chart
, with The Saw Doctors
reaching number one on 17 October 2008 with the song "About You Now
", first performed on The Podge and Rodge Show as a dare during the "Rock N' Roulette" feature of series three. In February 2009, it was reported that the producers had paid Peaches Geldof
a record sum of money to give her first television interview since her divorce, beating off rivals such as The Late Late Show
, Tubridy Tonight
and a number of British
television shows. However, Geldof failed to show for filming.
in 2005, the series did not begin in earnest until 6 February 2006.
A feature introduced in the first series was Rodge's Wrister Wreview. It involved various items, such as books, magazines and television shows receiving the expert opinion of Rodge. The items were rated on the Wrister Scale which was displayed on the screen.
Never to be accused of ignoring current affairs, the duo aired their views on the naked calendar craze that was sweeping the world and even did their bit to help out when Ireland was faced by fears of a bird-flu pandemic; they decided to 'kill' The Late Late Show
owl
. After spending much time taking aim, they eventually shot him to pieces. Also in current affairs they discussed the SSIAs, taking digs at Eddie Hobbs
, Pat Kenny
and The Late Late Show
along the way.
A feature that first appeared in this series was Ballydung Idol which featured spoofs of famous songs. When the performance had reached a sufficient level of "crapiness" a fart sound erupted to halt proceedings. The level of "crap" was measured on a Crapometer which Richie Kavanagh won with one minute and fifty-five seconds.
Winning Streak (a parody on the RTÉ produced gameshow of the same name) invited streakers to film their exploits and send them into the show with extra points being awarded for things such as more daylight and public streaking.
Miss Ballydung was a beauty contest of sorts; a cross between Miss World
and The Rose of Tralee
. It featured such beauties as Miss Muck, Miss Poledance Fitness and Miss Muff. Queen of the Land bottle-fed a lamb as Podge and Rodge made references to its imminent digestion by a hungry human. The final was held on the Monday 18 December 2006 episode, judged by The Rose of Tralee Kathryn Anne Feeney as well as that evening's guests Brendan Bowyer
and Des Bishop
. The winner was Miss Poledance Fitness (from Newry).
Model Andrea Roche
appeared on the show amidst media speculation on an interview she gave when she was competing in the Miss World
competition in the Seychelles
in 1997.
Podge and Rodge hosted a special show from Ballydung Manor on 19 December, entitled A Frightmare Before Christmas. It celebrated Christmas from their perspective, a reality where none of the intended guests turned up, and imaginary scenarios where the worst possible guests did. In reality Podge and Rodge and Lucy were left in the darkness of Ballydung Manor as the thunder raged outside, imagining their nightmare guests.
Podge and Rodge rang in 2007 on 31 December in a special programme lasting over forty minutes instead of the usual thirty-minute format. The New Year's Eve show was called Bogmanay (a play on Hogmanay
). It was broadcast on RTÉ Two
from 11:30 p.m. The boys dressed up for the occasion, presenting the show in white shirts, black jackets and bowties. The audience wore party hats.
The second series continued on 5 February 2007 after a hiatus of one month with a new feature Gifted or Afflicted and a new celebrity game; The Sheep Shagger Challenge in which Bernie the Sheep is ridden by a celebrity each week. Another new segment added was ShamRock, which has included tribute acts to some of the world's best known bands.
The third series began on 15 October 2007. A new feature will be "Ballydung's Grot Talent", which will see auditioning of freaks take place over nine weeks with judges Lucy Kennedy and Brendan Kilkenny travelling to almost 32 counties, beginning with Port Laoise
(with guest judge Declan Nerney
). Lucy Kennedy described it as "You're A Star
gone wrong" on The Ray D'Arcy Show
on Today FM
on Wednesday 26 September.
After a hiatus following the Bogmanay New Year's Eve Special, the third series continued on 4 February 2008 twice weekly for a further ten weeks. The 100th episode was celebrated on 24 March 2008. Series three ended with two special programmes. A Jack Charlton
Special on 14 April and on Tuesday 15 April the '2008 Golden Loggies Awards' which was a 'best of' show, featuring the best of the guests from the third series.
The fourth series began on 20 October 2008. For the first time Lucy Kennedy does not feature as co-host. Instead each week a female celebrity will guest present until they find a replacement. Kicking off the series was Michelle Heaton
who joined the Ballydung brothers for the first two shows. The second week sees Pamela Flood
as guest presenter.
Journalist and former Miss Ireland busty Amanda Brunker
also presented the show. She teased the boys with her high cut dressses and bulging clevage.
Other guest presenters up until Christmas 2008 included Mary McEvoy
aka Biddy
from Glenroe
, Donna and Joseph McCaul
, Rosanna Davison
, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh
, Rebecca Loos
, Caroline Morahan
, Anna Nolan
and Twink
.
After their usual mid-season break, the show returned on 9 February for a further twenty episodes with a new Lady of Ballydung Manor, Caroline Morahan
. Podge (or Rodge) opened the show with the announcement that "It's the same oul’ shite", before introducing Morahan with a number of quips such as: “She was Off the Rails and now she’s off the dole queue”, “A fully nationalised, index approved ride”, “Lady Caroline of the Manor” and “Ireland’s answer to Angelina Jolie
.” The fourth season began on 20 October 2008 and ran until 14 April 2009, which turned out to be the final episode of the series as it was announced that a new format, Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn
, a celebrity pub quiz would replace the chat show in the Autumn 2009 schedule.
which reverted back to a chat show mid series, Podge and Rodge returned on 23 February 2010 for a ten week run under the original title of The Podge and Rodge Show with brand new opening titles. The series is still shot in the Stickit Inn pub set with a live audience and Johnny Dorgan the man with the organ remains as a recurring character. For the first time the show does not have a female co-host. The running time has returned to the original thirty minutes format but features three celebrity guests and a music act per show. The return to the chat show format has been welcomed by viewers and critics alike and the first show achieved a very solid rating and was the only home produced show in that weeks Top Ten TV shows on RTE2. For the final episode of the Fifth Series the show pulled in a very impressive 211,000 viewers and a 20% audience share.
A further ten half hour 'Best of' shows were broadcast from June 8, 2010 until August 10, 2010.
and Lost
, both of which are also shown on RTÉ Two. It was also catching up on RTÉ's flagship chat show — The Late Late Show
— which airs on Friday nights on RTÉ One
, and has approximately half a million viewers. However, there was a drop in viewership in later seasons, but the show continues to be the top rated home produced show on RTÉ Two
.
Following on from the success of their show, Podge and Rodge were asked to appear in several television advertisements for RTÉ which encouraged viewers to pay their television licences. They were also featured in a radio ad for Will Leahy's The Saturday Show on RTÉ 2fm
, in which they described the show as better than "shit on a stick". Another spin-off saw them interviewing arch-nemesis Pat Kenny
for the People in Need Telethon whilst around the same time a book, The Ballydung Bible, was released.
:
IFTA
s:
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
chat show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular Podge and Rodge
Podge and Rodge
Pádraig Judas O'Leprosy and Rodraig Spartacus O'Leprosy are the two central characters on A Scare at Bedtime, an Irish adult comedy televised puppet show. Created and performed by Ciaran Morrison and Mick O'Hara, more recently, the brothers have presented The Podge and Rodge Show, a chat show in...
as hosts. For the first three seasons they were joined by Lucy Kennedy
Lucy Kennedy
Lucy Kennedy is an award-winning Irish presenter of radio and television. Along with Bazil Ashmawy she currently co-presents the radio show Weekend Breakfast with Baz & Lucy on RTÉ 2fm. She has been described as "one of Ireland's most familiar faces"....
as a co-host but for the first half of the fourth season they were joined by guest hosts including Michelle Heaton
Michelle Heaton
Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
, after Kennedy took insult to being called "every name under the sun from bisto to an ugly Gráinne Seoige
Gráinne Seoige
Gráinne Seoige is an Irish television presenter, Gaeilgeoir, and "fashion icon",Gráinne Seoige is one of the few television presenters who has worked for all terrestrial channels in the Republic of Ireland at some point. She has worked as a news anchor on TG4, TV3 and Sky News Ireland...
". Following a mid-season hiatus, Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan is an Irish actress and television host. She presents TV fashion show Off the Rails on RTÉ One. She has hosted numerous television shows including The Fame Game, Chance to Dance, The Podge and Rodge Show and The IFTA's Red Carpet Show, and has been a celebrity judge on talent shows...
took on the role of permanent co-host in February 2009. The programme airs every Monday and Tuesday at 22:50 on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
from February to April and from October to December with a hiatus during the summer months.
Setting
The show takes place in the fictional setting of Ballydung Manor, the brothers' home in the village of Ballydung in County Ring. As well as celebrity interviews of a humorous nature it also features other comic elements such as quizzes, reviews, news, music and talent contests as well as racenights involving amongst other entities hamsterHamster
Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera....
s in mazes, sheep shearing
Sheep shearing
Sheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year...
and tractors. During early episodes, with the credits rolling, it was common for the two to tell viewers to direct their complaints elsewhere, e.g. RTÉ or The 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...
Show. The programme's popularity has even affected the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
, with The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the...
reaching number one on 17 October 2008 with the song "About You Now
About You Now
"About You Now" is a 2007 single by English girl group Sugababes, written by Cathy Dennis and producer Dr. Luke for the group's fifth studio album, Change...
", first performed on The Podge and Rodge Show as a dare during the "Rock N' Roulette" feature of series three. In February 2009, it was reported that the producers had paid Peaches Geldof
Peaches Geldof
Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof is a British journalist, television presenter and model.-Background:Geldof was born in London in 1989, the second daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates. She is the granddaughter of Hughie Green. Her sisters are Fifi Trixibelle Geldof and Pixie Geldof...
a record sum of money to give her first television interview since her divorce, beating off rivals such as The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
, Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight is an Irish chat show hosted by Ryan Tubridy that aired for five series on RTÉ One between 2004 and 2009. The programme featured guest interviews , audience participation and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
and a number of British
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...
television shows. However, Geldof failed to show for filming.
First series
While the pilot episode, An Audience with Podge and Rodge, was first broadcast on RTÉ on St. Stephen's DaySt. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Many Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to the Julian calendar and mark St. Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which...
in 2005, the series did not begin in earnest until 6 February 2006.
A feature introduced in the first series was Rodge's Wrister Wreview. It involved various items, such as books, magazines and television shows receiving the expert opinion of Rodge. The items were rated on the Wrister Scale which was displayed on the screen.
Never to be accused of ignoring current affairs, the duo aired their views on the naked calendar craze that was sweeping the world and even did their bit to help out when Ireland was faced by fears of a bird-flu pandemic; they decided to 'kill' The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
owl
The Late Late Show owl
The Late Late Show owl is a motif that has been used by the world's longest-running chat show, The Late Late Show on RTÉ One, since its inception in 1962. The owl symbol is the only remaining theme from the classic format other than the show's name and the traditional annual ‘toy show’ edition...
. After spending much time taking aim, they eventually shot him to pieces. Also in current affairs they discussed the SSIAs, taking digs at 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...
, Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
and The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
along the way.
Second Series
The second series was broken into two halves, the first beginning on 16 October 2006 and running until 31 December 2006. After a break of one month the second series continued on 5 February 2007 and ran until 10 April 2007.A feature that first appeared in this series was Ballydung Idol which featured spoofs of famous songs. When the performance had reached a sufficient level of "crapiness" a fart sound erupted to halt proceedings. The level of "crap" was measured on a Crapometer which Richie Kavanagh won with one minute and fifty-five seconds.
Winning Streak (a parody on the RTÉ produced gameshow of the same name) invited streakers to film their exploits and send them into the show with extra points being awarded for things such as more daylight and public streaking.
Miss Ballydung was a beauty contest of sorts; a cross between Miss World
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
and The Rose of Tralee
Rose of Tralee (festival)
The Rose of Tralee festival is an international competition which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival takes its inspiration from a nineteenth century ballad of the same name about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The...
. It featured such beauties as Miss Muck, Miss Poledance Fitness and Miss Muff. Queen of the Land bottle-fed a lamb as Podge and Rodge made references to its imminent digestion by a hungry human. The final was held on the Monday 18 December 2006 episode, judged by The Rose of Tralee Kathryn Anne Feeney as well as that evening's guests Brendan Bowyer
Brendan Bowyer
Brendan Bowyer, born 12 October 1938 in Waterford, Ireland, is an Irish singer best known for fronting The Royal Showband, who had five number one hits in Ireland, and The Big Eight. He is also renowned for having The Beatles open for him at a concert in 1962 at the Liverpool Empire Theatre, and...
and Des Bishop
Des Bishop
Des Bishop is an Irish comedian and was brought up in New York. He is now primarily based in Ireland, after moving to County Wexford in 1990 at the age of 14.-Approach to Comedy:...
. The winner was Miss Poledance Fitness (from Newry).
Model Andrea Roche
Andrea Roche
Andrea Roche is an award-winning Irish model, socialite and occasional television personality. She took part in the RTÉ One reality sports television series Celebrity Bainisteoir in 2009 and features on a weekly basis on the TV3 show Ireland AM...
appeared on the show amidst media speculation on an interview she gave when she was competing in the Miss World
Miss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
competition in the Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
in 1997.
Podge and Rodge hosted a special show from Ballydung Manor on 19 December, entitled A Frightmare Before Christmas. It celebrated Christmas from their perspective, a reality where none of the intended guests turned up, and imaginary scenarios where the worst possible guests did. In reality Podge and Rodge and Lucy were left in the darkness of Ballydung Manor as the thunder raged outside, imagining their nightmare guests.
Podge and Rodge rang in 2007 on 31 December in a special programme lasting over forty minutes instead of the usual thirty-minute format. The New Year's Eve show was called Bogmanay (a play on Hogmanay
Hogmanay
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner...
). It was broadcast on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
from 11:30 p.m. The boys dressed up for the occasion, presenting the show in white shirts, black jackets and bowties. The audience wore party hats.
The second series continued on 5 February 2007 after a hiatus of one month with a new feature Gifted or Afflicted and a new celebrity game; The Sheep Shagger Challenge in which Bernie the Sheep is ridden by a celebrity each week. Another new segment added was ShamRock, which has included tribute acts to some of the world's best known bands.
Third series
Port Laoise
Portlaoise or Port Laoise , historically spelled Port Laoighise or Portlaoighise, is the county town of County Laois in the midlands of Ireland. The population was 14,613.-History:...
(with guest judge Declan Nerney
Declan Nerney
Declan Nerney is an Irish singer of country and Irish genre. Born in the town of Drumlish in County Longford, he started at the age of 16 in local band the "The Hi-Lows"...
). Lucy Kennedy described it as "You're A Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
gone wrong" on The Ray D'Arcy Show
The Ray D'Arcy Show
The Ray D'Arcy Show is Today FM's weekday mid-morning radio show presented by Ray D'Arcy. It is on air from 09:00–12:00 midday, competing with RTÉ 2fm's Ryan Tubridy, RTÉ Radio 1's Pat Kenny and Newstalk's Tom Dunne .The production team of Jenny Kelly, Will Hanafin and Mairead Farrell and...
on Today FM
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...
on Wednesday 26 September.
After a hiatus following the Bogmanay New Year's Eve Special, the third series continued on 4 February 2008 twice weekly for a further ten weeks. The 100th episode was celebrated on 24 March 2008. Series three ended with two special programmes. A 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...
Special on 14 April and on Tuesday 15 April the '2008 Golden Loggies Awards' which was a 'best of' show, featuring the best of the guests from the third series.
Fourth series
Michelle Heaton
Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
who joined the Ballydung brothers for the first two shows. The second week sees Pamela Flood
Pamela Flood
Pamela Ann Mary Flood is an Irish television presenter and former model from Tallaght, South Dublin. She received the Miss Ireland crown in 1993....
as guest presenter.
Journalist and former Miss Ireland busty Amanda Brunker
Amanda Brunker
Amanda Brunker is a novelist, journalist/columnist with the Irish Sunday World newspaper, and former Miss Ireland....
also presented the show. She teased the boys with her high cut dressses and bulging clevage.
Other guest presenters up until Christmas 2008 included Mary McEvoy
Mary McEvoy
Mary McEvoy is an Irish actress. She is recognised by television viewers for having played the role of Biddy Byrne in Glenroe from 1983-2000...
aka Biddy
Biddy
Biddy is a given name which may refer to:People:* Biddy Anderson , South African cricketer* Biddy Baxter , English television producer* Biddy Dolan , American Major League Baseball player* Biddy Early Biddy is a given name which may refer to:People:* Biddy Anderson (1874–1926), South African...
from Glenroe
Glenroe
Glenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
, Donna and Joseph McCaul
Donna and Joseph McCaul
Donna and Joseph McCaul , also known as The McCauls, are a sibling musical duo who represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, which was hosted by Kiev, Ukraine...
, Rosanna Davison
Rosanna Davison
Rosanna Diane Davison was the winner of the Miss World 2003 title. She is the daughter of musician Chris de Burgh. The song "For Rosanna" was written by her father in her honour for his 1986 album, Into The Light.-Education:Her primary education was at Aravon School, in Co...
, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh
Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh
Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh is an Irish TV presenter, Gaeilgeoir and all-round personality. She has presented Echo Island, The Afternoon Show and Charity ICA Bootcamp. She was a judge in The All Ireland Talent Show and participated in Celebrity Bainisteoir.-Career:Ní Chofaigh is an accomplished...
, Rebecca Loos
Rebecca Loos
Rebecca Loos is a Spanish-born Anglo-Dutch model and media personality, who was brought to media attention following claims that she conducted an affair with the married football player David Beckham—while employed as his personal assistant...
, Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan is an Irish actress and television host. She presents TV fashion show Off the Rails on RTÉ One. She has hosted numerous television shows including The Fame Game, Chance to Dance, The Podge and Rodge Show and The IFTA's Red Carpet Show, and has been a celebrity judge on talent shows...
, Anna Nolan
Anna Nolan
Anna Nolan is an Irish television presenter, producer and former business manager, waitress and Irish international basketball player. She has presented numerous television programmes in Ireland and the UK...
and Twink
Twink
Twink may refer to:* Chaffinch, a small bird in the finch family* Twink , a term for young or young-looking gay or bisexual men* Twink, a character from the Nintendo 64 game Paper Mario* Twinking, a role-playing game behavior, esp...
.
After their usual mid-season break, the show returned on 9 February for a further twenty episodes with a new Lady of Ballydung Manor, Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan
Caroline Morahan is an Irish actress and television host. She presents TV fashion show Off the Rails on RTÉ One. She has hosted numerous television shows including The Fame Game, Chance to Dance, The Podge and Rodge Show and The IFTA's Red Carpet Show, and has been a celebrity judge on talent shows...
. Podge (or Rodge) opened the show with the announcement that "It's the same oul’ shite", before introducing Morahan with a number of quips such as: “She was Off the Rails and now she’s off the dole queue”, “A fully nationalised, index approved ride”, “Lady Caroline of the Manor” and “Ireland’s answer to Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an American actress. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, and was named Hollywood's highest-paid actress by Forbes in 2009 and 2011. Jolie is noted for promoting humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the...
.” The fourth season began on 20 October 2008 and ran until 14 April 2009, which turned out to be the final episode of the series as it was announced that a new format, Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn
Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn
Podge and Rodge's Stickit Inn is an Irish Comedy entertainment show, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular puppet characters Podge and Rodge as hosts...
, a celebrity pub quiz would replace the chat show in the Autumn 2009 schedule.
Fifth Series
After the short lived quiz show format of Podge & Rodge's Stickit InnPodge & Rodge's Stickit Inn
Podge and Rodge's Stickit Inn is an Irish Comedy entertainment show, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular puppet characters Podge and Rodge as hosts...
which reverted back to a chat show mid series, Podge and Rodge returned on 23 February 2010 for a ten week run under the original title of The Podge and Rodge Show with brand new opening titles. The series is still shot in the Stickit Inn pub set with a live audience and Johnny Dorgan the man with the organ remains as a recurring character. For the first time the show does not have a female co-host. The running time has returned to the original thirty minutes format but features three celebrity guests and a music act per show. The return to the chat show format has been welcomed by viewers and critics alike and the first show achieved a very solid rating and was the only home produced show in that weeks Top Ten TV shows on RTE2. For the final episode of the Fifth Series the show pulled in a very impressive 211,000 viewers and a 20% audience share.
Best of The Podge and Rodge Show
From 21 July 2009, RTÉ began showing a compilation of the best moments of the first three series of The Podge and Rodge Show. Ten half hour episodes were produced and aired on RTÉ Two at 10:30 p.m.A further ten half hour 'Best of' shows were broadcast from June 8, 2010 until August 10, 2010.
Reception
The show was initially a ratings success, regularly getting over 400,000 viewers a show during the first season, including 440,000 for the week beginning 9 April 2006 and peaking at almost 450,000 (40 per cent of those watching television at this time) for the season finale on 2 May. At this time it tended to have more viewers than Desperate HousewivesDesperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
and Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
, both of which are also shown on RTÉ Two. It was also catching up on RTÉ's flagship chat show — The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
— which airs on Friday nights on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
, and has approximately half a million viewers. However, there was a drop in viewership in later seasons, but the show continues to be the top rated home produced show on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
.
Following on from the success of their show, Podge and Rodge were asked to appear in several television advertisements for RTÉ which encouraged viewers to pay their television licences. They were also featured in a radio ad for Will Leahy's The Saturday Show on RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
, in which they described the show as better than "shit on a stick". Another spin-off saw them interviewing arch-nemesis Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
for the People in Need Telethon whilst around the same time a book, The Ballydung Bible, was released.
DVDs
| DVD Name | Release Date | Bonus Material |
|---|---|---|
| The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series One | 3 November 2006 | Unseen pilot interview with sports presenter George Hamilton George Hamilton (commentator) George Hamilton is an Irish sportscaster born in Belfast. He works for Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and is a household name in Ireland where his voice and refined commentary style of football are familiar to sports fans. He also presents a show on RTÉ lyric fm and previously presented Know Your Sport... ,Even More Johnny Vegas Johnny Vegas Johnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his angry rants, portly figure, high husky voice and support of St Helens rugby league club. More recently he has moved into dramatic acting.-Early life:He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, the youngest of four children of Laurence... ,More 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... , Ainezone, Ballydung Weather with Martin King Martin King Martin King may refer to:*Martin Luther King, Jr. , Baptist minister and civil rights activist*Martin Luther King, Sr. , Baptist minister and the father of Martin Luther King, Jr.... ,Pole Dancing Competition. |
| The Podge & Rodge Show - The Cream of Series Two | 2 November 2007 | Miss Ballydung Pageant, Ballydung Idol, Sex Toy Show with Margo Margo (music) Margo is an Irish singer. She rose to prominence during the 1960s in the Irish country music scene and has had a successful career since.-Background:... , A Load of Pointless Games, Photo album, Hidden Easter Eggs. |
| The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series Three | 14 November 2008 | 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... half hour special Uncut, Rock N Roulette jukebox, Secret Bloopers tape. |
| The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series Four | 6 November 2009 | Podge & Rodge's Family Album, The Ballydung Jukebox. DVD cover design by Jim Fitzpatrick Jim Fitzpatrick (artist) Jim Fitzpatrick is an Irish artist famous for Irish Celtic Art. Perhaps his most famous piece is his iconic two-tone portrait of Che Guevara created in 1968 and based on a photo by Alberto Korda.... |
| The Podge & Rodge Show - Poxy Box | 9 April 2010 | The set features all four previous 'Best of' DVD's in a collectors box set. |
Awards
TVNow awardTV Now Awards
The TV Now Awards is an annual awards ceremony which takes place in Ireland...
:
- Favourite Television Programme - 2006 WON
- Favourite Television Programme - 2007 WON
- Favourite Television Programme - 2008 Nomination
IFTA
Irish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
s:
- Best Entertainment Show - 2007 Nomination
- BSE/IFB & NIFTC Breakthrough Talent Award for Lucy Kennedy for her role as co-host - 2007 Nomination
- Best Entertainment Show - 2008 WON
- Best Entertainment Show - 2009 Nomination