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Questions and Answers gets Cancelled after 21 years
Read more about: Democracy, Government, Irish Election, Manifesto, Oireachtas 
John Bowman and Questions and Answers are to finish up at the end of its June 2009 run. Maybe it was all Suzy and Simon’s live blogging shenanigans or just the need to take a format that was running tired and get something in. For politicos it is probably a sad enough day, especially if RTE do not come up with a decent replacement – graet news for Vincent Browne however, a show slowly becoming important to watch as well as entertaining, if only TV3 allowed an embed.
The broadcaster and historian Dr. John Bowman has been contracted by RTÉ to write a history of RTÉ television to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Telefis Eireann in December 1961. He will also present a series of documentaries on television’s impact on modern Ireland and act as consulting editor in other initiatives being considered to mark this anniversary.
In view of these commitments, RTÉ has decided, with John Bowman’s agreement, to end the run of Questions and Answers at the conclusion of its current season in June 2009. John’s continuous presentation of the programme for 21 years makes it the second longest run in RTÉ’s history.
John commented: “When I was initially persuaded to take on Questions and Answers in 1988 for one season, I never envisaged that it would enjoy such a prolonged run. However, despite the difficulty of such a decision, I concluded some time ago that once I had completed twenty years, it would be time to concentrate on my other interests within television. With summer 2009 marking my ‘21st birthday’ presenting the programme – and eager to devote more time to the marking of the 50th anniversary – I agree with RTÉ’s decision on the timing of this change.”
Cathal Goan says there will be something replacing it:
Questions and Answers has been an integral part of the national conversation for over twenty years. With John in the chair expertly guiding and probing both guests and audiences, it has been an appointment to view for all with the remotest interest in current affairs at home and abroad. Given John’s central importance to its success, RTÉ has decided it will not continue the series but will – instead – seek other ways of continuing its commitment to highest quality debate on, and engagement with, matters of current public interest. I look forward to John’s important new contributions as we approach fifty years of Irish Television.”
Oh no we are going to get Bryan Little hosting a show instead.
It should be like Saturday Live was and Have I got News for you has become with interesting and thoughtful guest hosts, like…err..I’m thinking, I thinking.
The financial mess RTE are in it will more than likely be replaced with repeats of “I love Lucy”.
Of all the shows on RTE this wouldn’t be the first I would have targetted. Is there really a need for two almost identical tabloid gossip shows back to back every afternoon? Is there anyone left in the country who has not yet been featured on Nationwide as they scrape the bottom of the barrel for “stories”? Are there enough retired models writing books in the country to keep Tubirdy tonight going? How many seasons can we see the same people (e.g. Lenny Henry) being interviewed over and over and over and over and over on the Late Late Show? The cringe factor of Podge & Rodge has ceased to be funny and is now just plain stupid.
The scrapping of Questions and Answers in the middle of the greatest period of change (for good or bad has yet to become clear) in the nation’s history is just plain stupid.
I think everyone is overreacting here and elsewhere. John Bowman is stepping down and RTe are using that as a chance to change the format. They still plan to use the same slot for a similarly themed show but with a modified format to do…well…whatever it is they intend to do. A new presenter, with a new title and some alterations to the format, maybe even running alterations for the first series to see what works and what doesn’t. Suggestions for the new name anyone? “Speak your brains”
So long as we still have Vincent Browne, I’m not all that bothered. The audience on Q&A tended to annoy me.
The make-up of audience can be a problem right enough. Audiences outside of Dublin were considerably larger but outside broadcasts cost a lot of money, and getting a pool of people outside the usual party/issue heads with some UCD/TCD students thrown in to make up the numbers is hard. It’s not like the Late Late where people get to make a night of it, and there is something for everyone in the audience.