16 April 1998 Edition
Television: Colonial Boys
1798 Agus O Shin TnaG
Kenny Live RTE 1
South Park Sky 1
``They were over optimistic and had too much faith in the brotherhood of man....'' so said the man from the Orange Lodge about the United Irishmen and in particular the role played by disaffected and radical Presbyterians, as highlighted by Louis Marcus's excellent documentary, 1798 Agus O Shin, on TnaG.
Through a succession of footage, re-enactment of battles and interviews with academics, Marcus put together what was easily the best feature on 1798 seen on our screens.
Presbyterians in the 18th century had no say in their lives politically and, similar to Catholics, fled oppression through the coffin ships of that time.
They were involved with and supported the American drive for independence and following the establishment of volunteer companies in Ireland the political mould was broken. For the first time, the domination by wealthy Anglican landlords was challenged in particular by Ulster Presbyterians, who sought to bring the Catholic masses on board.
Following the establishment of the United Irishmen Tone, Tandy et al sought ``to involve ordinary people in political life'', revolutionary thinking which was developed by Connolly and Marx.
It is ironic to reflect on what was then Belfast's largest march - the republican Bastille Day on 14 July, later altered to the 12th.
In those days even the Freemasons discussed and promoted progressive ideals and Belfast Presbyterians promoted the Irish language and culture through newspapers, harp festivals etc.
Marcus largely avoids what we already know - the failure of the French etc. - and uses footage from Bloody Sunday to portray the unchanging nature of British repression. There were at least 30,000 killed in that short space of time and there has been nothing comparable since. The rebels themselves were guilty of some savagery, as Kevin Myers likes to remind us, but John Gray of the Linen Hall Library exclaims that it was miraculous the small scale of such massacres, when one considers the large scale savagery of the state.
Events as Scullabogue have repeatedly been focused on in order to drive a wedge between northern Catholics and Protestants. Likewise the Catholic Church, who described Fr Murphy as ``the faeces of the church'' usurped his memory years later to promote themselves.
One must worry about the health of a nation where supporters clubs exist for Hartlepool United or Colchester Rovers. Kenny Live typifies this slavish mentality with its promotion of plastic culture and the view that all that is foreign is beneficial to our health. According to its presenter, Pat Kenny, the biggest events in people's lives over the last year have been Lady Di's funeral, Man United losing to Monaco and Deirdre Rachid's jail sentence.
On the latest offering we were promised ``prizes, royalty and fast women'' with the audience who appeared to have the semblance of stuffed dummies lapping it up. We were subjected to an exhilarating interview with Eastenders latest star, who was told ``you're a bit of a wild child''.
This was followed by HRH Prince Rafhtu of Bali, his black leather trousers and earring, who must've parked his Ford Capri with the furry dice outside.
This is ``Hello'' magazine on screen, and Pat threw in some sauciness, asking the prince for ``marks out of ten for your wife in bed'' Roll on the glamour. We were then treated to the highlight of the show, ``the world's hottest blonde'', who told us of the harsh life on the road: ``it takes two and a half hours to put on my make up''.
Pat concluded with such in-depth questions as ``how do the girls in California wear their bikinis?'' and ``are you a bitch?'' Yet another empty interview in an utterly vacuous programme, which for reasons beyond my comprehension, RTE persist with.
American animation has changed somewhat since the debut of Mickey Mouse in 1927, and the latest hit ``South Park'' has been described as ``crude and crass''. Tom and Jerry was slated in its day for conditioning us to violence, but this seemed mild in comparison to the antics of Beavis and Butthead, who are wont to repeatedly talk about ``chicks'' and their ``peckers''. In fairness to the Simpsons, everyone sees a Simpson in themselves, with ex taoiseach John Brutal bearing a striking resemblance to Homer. This is classic humour, continually questioning American values.
South Park, some would argue, has gone too far. Run on a low budget with very basic animation, the South Park children spend their days vomiting and setting fire to people and each episode ends with the death of Kenny, a schoolboy character.
Is this comic logic or a sick sense of humour?
I reserve judgement but have no doubt it will soon be topping the Irish cartoon ratings.
By Sean O Donaile
Kenny Live RTE 1
South Park Sky 1
``They were over optimistic and had too much faith in the brotherhood of man....'' so said the man from the Orange Lodge about the United Irishmen and in particular the role played by disaffected and radical Presbyterians, as highlighted by Louis Marcus's excellent documentary, 1798 Agus O Shin, on TnaG.
Through a succession of footage, re-enactment of battles and interviews with academics, Marcus put together what was easily the best feature on 1798 seen on our screens.
Presbyterians in the 18th century had no say in their lives politically and, similar to Catholics, fled oppression through the coffin ships of that time.
They were involved with and supported the American drive for independence and following the establishment of volunteer companies in Ireland the political mould was broken. For the first time, the domination by wealthy Anglican landlords was challenged in particular by Ulster Presbyterians, who sought to bring the Catholic masses on board.
Following the establishment of the United Irishmen Tone, Tandy et al sought ``to involve ordinary people in political life'', revolutionary thinking which was developed by Connolly and Marx.
It is ironic to reflect on what was then Belfast's largest march - the republican Bastille Day on 14 July, later altered to the 12th.
In those days even the Freemasons discussed and promoted progressive ideals and Belfast Presbyterians promoted the Irish language and culture through newspapers, harp festivals etc.
Marcus largely avoids what we already know - the failure of the French etc. - and uses footage from Bloody Sunday to portray the unchanging nature of British repression. There were at least 30,000 killed in that short space of time and there has been nothing comparable since. The rebels themselves were guilty of some savagery, as Kevin Myers likes to remind us, but John Gray of the Linen Hall Library exclaims that it was miraculous the small scale of such massacres, when one considers the large scale savagery of the state.
Events as Scullabogue have repeatedly been focused on in order to drive a wedge between northern Catholics and Protestants. Likewise the Catholic Church, who described Fr Murphy as ``the faeces of the church'' usurped his memory years later to promote themselves.
One must worry about the health of a nation where supporters clubs exist for Hartlepool United or Colchester Rovers. Kenny Live typifies this slavish mentality with its promotion of plastic culture and the view that all that is foreign is beneficial to our health. According to its presenter, Pat Kenny, the biggest events in people's lives over the last year have been Lady Di's funeral, Man United losing to Monaco and Deirdre Rachid's jail sentence.
On the latest offering we were promised ``prizes, royalty and fast women'' with the audience who appeared to have the semblance of stuffed dummies lapping it up. We were subjected to an exhilarating interview with Eastenders latest star, who was told ``you're a bit of a wild child''.
This was followed by HRH Prince Rafhtu of Bali, his black leather trousers and earring, who must've parked his Ford Capri with the furry dice outside.
This is ``Hello'' magazine on screen, and Pat threw in some sauciness, asking the prince for ``marks out of ten for your wife in bed'' Roll on the glamour. We were then treated to the highlight of the show, ``the world's hottest blonde'', who told us of the harsh life on the road: ``it takes two and a half hours to put on my make up''.
Pat concluded with such in-depth questions as ``how do the girls in California wear their bikinis?'' and ``are you a bitch?'' Yet another empty interview in an utterly vacuous programme, which for reasons beyond my comprehension, RTE persist with.
American animation has changed somewhat since the debut of Mickey Mouse in 1927, and the latest hit ``South Park'' has been described as ``crude and crass''. Tom and Jerry was slated in its day for conditioning us to violence, but this seemed mild in comparison to the antics of Beavis and Butthead, who are wont to repeatedly talk about ``chicks'' and their ``peckers''. In fairness to the Simpsons, everyone sees a Simpson in themselves, with ex taoiseach John Brutal bearing a striking resemblance to Homer. This is classic humour, continually questioning American values.
South Park, some would argue, has gone too far. Run on a low budget with very basic animation, the South Park children spend their days vomiting and setting fire to people and each episode ends with the death of Kenny, a schoolboy character.
Is this comic logic or a sick sense of humour?
I reserve judgement but have no doubt it will soon be topping the Irish cartoon ratings.
By Sean O Donaile