National broadcaster deserves pat on back for this optimistic package, writes HILARY FANNIN
MORE THAN 50 new home-produced series and documentaries were unveiled as RTÉ launched its autumn schedule for 2010-11.
The bleak reality of our straitened times and the menace of cutbacks, which grip the hand of the industry like an unwelcome old witch at a christening, were temporarily banished by a creative and optimistic package that also sees the return of more than 50 home-produced series and documentaries.
Increased investment in home-produced factual programming will give us the likes of Badfellas, a three-part series examining the evolution of crime in Ireland, and the somewhat more uplifting From Here to Maternity, an observational documentary shot in a maternity hospital. There will be a new three-part series looking at the challenges faced by Irish children, including an exploration of the lives of gifted children and of children who are full-time carers for their parents.
The well-documented volunteering spirit of the Irish will be put to the test in Do the Right Thing, a reality/documentary hybrid which will ultimately see two contestants win a year away working on a number of projects.
On a lighter note, a handful of clever, newly commissioned documentaries will throw a light on, among other things, a heavily gelled musical(-ish) phenomenon in OMG! It's Jedwardand that most solid of institutions, the Irish Countrywomen's Association, which will be passing some recalcitrant young women through its well-floured hands in ICA Bootcamp.
A number of co-productions are increasing RTÉ's potential to create new work. The most interesting of these looks to be The Story of Ireland, an RTÉ/BBC co-production in which journalist Fergal Keane scrutinises our history and impact on the world.
RTÉ's news and current affairs output continues to play at the top of its game, and the new season sees the return of Pat Kenny's highly successful Frontline, along with Prime Timeand the superb Prime Time Investigates.
Arts coverage may not have increased too significantly, but at least Arts Liveshas been recommissioned, with six new documentaries, including portraits of writers Maeve Binchy and Dermot Healy. The Viewand the excellent The View Presentsalso make a welcome return.
While news and factual programming seem well-covered in the coming season, drama (the neurotic and expensive sister of that more solid and reasonable strand of programming) could do with having her allowance raised once again. There are a few new dramas meagrely scattered across the schedules, most notably a feature-length dramatisation of Edna O'Brien's Wild Decembers, with Owen McDonnell and Lara Belmont. And Aidan Gillen, one of Ireland's most brilliant acting exports, is back to star in Love/Hate, a four-part drama set in gangland Dublin.
On the entertainment front, the BBC is back in the frame as co-producer of Mrs Brown's Boy Comedian. The ever-popular Pat Shortt, who introduced viewers to his hapless Limerick-based detective Mattiein a pilot episode last Christmas, is back with a six-part series. The Late Late Showis, of course, returning under the lithe baton of Ryan Tubridy, while the rather less lissom Brendan O'Connor is at the helm of The Saturday Night Show.
“RTÉ is Ireland’s largest creative organisation and our programming is testament to that,” says Steve Carson, RTÉ Television’s director of programming. The national broadcaster’s fighting line-up in the face of continued difficulties in the industry feels like a plucky and well-armed response.