Pandemic only barely slows impressionist Oliver Callan

Performer’s Catchy Title Ltd records profits of almost €155,000 despite pandemic

Accumulated profit at the entertainment firm owned by Oliver Callan topped €1.5 million last year. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Accumulated profit at the entertainment firm owned by Oliver Callan topped €1.5 million last year. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

The entertainment firm owned by satirist and impressionist Oliver Callan last year saw accumulated profits rise to over €1.573 million. New accounts show that Callan’s Catchy Title Ltd enjoyed a buoyant 2021, recording profits of €154,803 despite Covid-19′s impact on the entertainment business. That was an improvement on last year’s figure of €131,797 but down on pre-Covid levels that saw profits hit €249,646 back in 2018.

The firm’s current assets – cash and money owed by debtors – was €1.15 million, up from €993,556. The firm also had tangible assets with a book value of €492,872.

Callan is a regular stand-in on RTÉ for Ryan Tubridy and also earns income from stand-up shows along with his own productions for RTÉ.

During April and May Callan completed an 18-date tour of the country culminating in a show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. The dates were rescheduled from earlier gigs that had been cancelled due to the pandemic.

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Callan was able to insulate his business from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as RTÉ commissioned four hours of Callan Kicks The Year for TV in 2021. The RTÉ Independent Productions Unit also commissioned Callan’s Catchy Title to produce 12 hours of Callan’s Kicks last year.

A journalism graduate from DCU, the Co Monaghan man earned his stripes on his Nob Nation sketch on the Gerry Ryan Show on 2FM and has been producing his highly popular Callan’s Kicks show for RTÉ for many years.

The broadcaster set up the company in 2012 to capitalise on the lucrative earnings from his comedy. A multi-award winner, the impressionist is well known for his impressions of Leo Varadkar, Donald Trump and Michael D Higgins, while Marty Morrissey and Eamon Dunphy also feature in his performances.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times