Seoige and O'Shea

Infobox Television
bgcolour =
show_name = Seoige


caption = RTÉ promotional picture
format = Talkshow
camera = Multi-camera
picture_format = PAL (16:9)
audio_format = Stereo
runtime = 40 minutes per edition
creator = Robert Clare
developer = Tyrone Productions
executive_producer =
starring = Gráinne Seoige
Sile Seoige
narrated =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = Ireland
language = English/Irish
network = RTÉ One
first_run =
first_aired = 9 October, 2006
last_aired = Present
num_episodes =
website = http://www.rte.ie/tv/seoige/
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

"Seoige" is an Irish television chat show. The show, hosted by sisters Gráinne and Sile Seoige(from Autumn 2008), is broadcast live on weekdays at 16:30 on RTÉ One with a hiatus in the summer months. Episodes are repeated at 08:20 the following weekday morning on the same channel.

The programme, which was originally launched in 2006 as "Seoige and O'Shea" with Grainne Seoige and Joe O'Shea at the healm. It follows a similar format to ITV's "This Morning" programme. Moving easily between serious issues and lighter subjects, there are usually interviews, debates and musical performances. Viewers can call, text or e-mail the programme's studio to give their opinions on topics. The presenters chat with four sets of guests, which consist of interviewees, discussion groups and musical artists.

The show was rebranded "Seoige" in August 2008 after Joe O'Shea announced he was leaving RTÉ to pursue a career in radio broadcasting. [" [www.independent.ie/tv-radio/afternoon-favourites-seoige-and-oshea-to-go-their-separate-ways-1419962.html Seoige and O'Shea to go their separate ways] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-06-24]

Episodes

First series

The first series began on 9 October 2006 and ran until 20 April 2007. In the first series, Seoige and O'Shea ran a short story and photograph competition. The top 14 writers were published in a book entitled "Do The Write Thing".

The winner, Ellen McCarthy, from Waterford was signed by publishers [http://www.poolbeg.com/ Poolbeg] and her debut novel, [http://www.ellenmccarthy.ie/ "Guarding Maggie"] was released on May 2 2008.

econd series

The second series began on 1 October 2007 and ran until 18 April 2008. In the second series, the programme has a whole new look, and a live studio audience. As part of the new look series, there are also a number of new features. "Relative Values" takes a look at the family life of some of the nation's stars, "Home Values" shows exclusive peeks into the homes of some of Ireland's celebrities, and "Money Matters" offers solutions to sorting out money worries. There is also a regular travel slot and a weekly feature concerning psychics. There is a daily feature as well - "Talking Point" - where burning social issues are discussed. Following on from the success of the "Do the Write Thing" competition, Seoige and O'Shea now host their own book club. On Wednesday, a well-known personality introduces his/her favourite book and is joined by a book club to review the week's best reads. On Friday, there are musical performances and the preview spot where a panel of previewers inform viewers about the entertainment, music and sport events taking place around the country at the weekend.

Third series

The third series will begin in October 2008 and will see Sile Seoige replace Joe O'Shea as co-presenter with her sister, Gráinne.

Guests

Guests on the first two series' of the show include:
*David Norris, senator
*Cecelia Ahern, author
*Louis Walsh, music manager
*Mickey Joe Harte, singer
*Bosco, children's television presenter
*Gordon Ramsay, chef
*John Waters, journalist
*Mary O'Rourke, TD
*Mary Harney, TD
*Eddie Hobbs, financial advisor
*Katy French, model
*The Wolfe Tones, Irish band
*Keith Duffy, television personality
*Joe Duffy, radio personality
*Brian Ormond, presenter
*Aidan Power, presenter
*David Mitchell, actor
*Gerry Ryan, radio personality
*Ryan Tubridy, presenter
*Derek Davis, television personality
*Pat Shortt, comedian
*Eamonn Dunphy, broadcaster
*Terry Prone, director
*Mary McEvoy, actress

Reception

The show has been very negatively received by the public. Although Seoige and O'Shea claim that the programme has proved successful [" [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/education/2007/0227/1172185164487.html] " "The Irish Times". URL last accessed 2007-03-16] , television ratings have regularly shown that it has failed to enter the top 20. [" [http://www.medialive.ie/Television/top-tw.html RTE/TV3 Top 20 Programmes] " "Medialive". URL last accessed 2007-03-16] It pulls in an average viewership of 20-21 percent of the available audience. [" [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/grainne-and-joe-to-return-for-new-series-1336065.html Seoige and O'Shea return] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-04-09] Critics believe that the show's time slot and topics are responsible for its low viewing figures.

Criticism

The show's format has been criticised in editorials in both the "Irish Independent" [" [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-afternoon-slump-1280222.html The Afternoon Slump] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-04-09] and "The Sunday Times". [" [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2101-2410905,00.html Review of "Seoige and O'Shea"] " "The Irish Times". URL last accessed 2008-04-09]

John Meagher has asserted that Seoige and O'Shea have no chemistry between them: "Where was the on-screen chemistry, the "telly marriage" that both had talked up so much in the days leading up to the start date?" [" [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/grainne-and-joe-dont-even-have-sets-appeal-72513.html Grainne and Joe don't even have sets appeal] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-04-09]

Seoige and O'Shea are perceived, by John Boland, as being unsuited to the field of chat shows as this description of their presentation styles stated: "As they [Seoige and O'Shea] lurched awkwardly from trivial items to serious topics they were nervous and stilted - she as much as he - and nowhere did they convey the ease that would put the make viewer feel at home." [" [http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/seoige-amp-oshea-are-no-richard-amp-judy-73329.html Seoige & O'Shea are no Richard & Judy] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-04-09]

The show was regularly parodied to great effect by Dublin's 98FM duo The Toll Trolls, who present Gráinne as bossy and domineering, with O'Shea as slow and often confused.

References

External links

* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/seoigeandoshea/ RTÉ.ie page]
*imdb title|0947506
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2101-2410905,00.html Review of "Seoige and O'Shea]