Latest news with #SimonDelaney
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lyric FM host Simon Delaney explains why Liveline gig 'wouldn't be my bag'
Simon Delaney has ruled himself out of the running to be the next Liveline host – as he admits the state of the world "annoys me". RTE bosses are currently debating over the iconic phone-in show's next host after Joe Duffy hung up his mic on June 27 after 27 years hosting the RTE Radio 1 show. Speculation is rife as to who will be its next presenter, but Simon said he doesn't want the job because the state of the world "annoys me". Speaking at this year's Marie Keating Foundation golf classic, Simon told us: "I don't think I could do Liveline because the current state of the world annoys me. "The current state of Ireland and the issues we have here, and the issues we've had for the last 10 years, 20 years and 30 years, annoy me. "I saw it myself on Ireland AM, we were interviewing politicians about the same thing every year. "There's a flu crisis at Christmas, there's a housing crisis and there's a problem with the health service." The Lyric FM host said he has "total admiration" for what Joe Duffy did on the show over the last 27 years before his retirement on June 27. "I have total admiration for what Joe did over the years. But, no, it wouldn't be my bag. I'm quite happy on Lyric FM playing Sinatra songs." Joe Duffy pictured presenting his final farewell show in Studio 1 in RTÉ Radio Centre (Image: Andres Poveda) Opening up about hosting his Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney radio show, the star said he likes the regularity of the work compared to being an actor. "I like the regularity of the work because that's not what comes with being self-employed and being an actor. "Anybody will tell you that. I saw an actor, who was in The Irishman and How I Met Your Mother, post on Instagram that he was working on a building site. He said that's what he does now and he hates it. "The difference with American actors is that most of them can live and survive on their residuals from their SAG (Screen Actors Guild) contracts. We don't get that here. When you do a job in Ireland you get paid for it and that's it. "American actors would be able to survive on part time work and they would pick up residuals from being a guest star like I did on The Good Wife. "I enjoy the consistency of going into work every week, but I'd probably earn more working in SuperValu, and that's why you have to do 45 other things at the same time." Simon Delaney (Image: Twitter // IrelandAM) We will next see Simon on our screens alongside Andrew Scott and Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon. The film is set on the opening night of Oklahoma! in 1943, focusing on the legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (played by Ethan Hawke), who is grappling with the end of his partnership with composer Richard Rodgers (played by Andrew Scott). The story unfolds primarily in Sardi's restaurant, where Hart, struggling with alcoholism and self-doubt, observes the success of Rodgers' new collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II. The film explores themes of artistic jealousy, creative differences, and the complexities of love and friendship. Simon described it as a "gorgeous movie". "It's a gorgeous movie that we shot here in Ardmore Studios last year. "It's a beautiful film and I think Ethan Hawke should win an Oscar for it. He's phenomenal. He was a gentleman to work with. It was shot in 11 days. "You very rarely rehearse for a TV show or movie beforehand, but we rehearsed for a week and a half before shooting. The whole movie takes place on one set, so it's contained. It was like being in a play." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Mrs Brown's Boys review: It's surely time for this dreary and unfunny series to fade from our screens
Brendan O'Carroll recently confessed he 'didn't know the secret' of the popularity of his chortling blockbuster, Mrs Brown's Boys ( RTÉ One, Friday). He isn't the only one – since first airing on RTÉ and the BBC in 2011, the lowbrow sitcom has soared ever higher. The iffier the humour, the healthier the ratings – and the more vitriolic the reviews. Some 14 years in, though, might the gloss have gone off his famous Finglas mammy? Viewing figures are down, and people who previously enjoyed hating the show appear largely indifferent to its return. Nor does O'Carroll himself seem all that engaged during a dreary and unfunny opening episode in which Agnes discovers the joys of podcasting while working through a row with daughter Cathy (O'Carroll's off-screen wife Jennifer Gibney). Jennifer Gibney, Simon Delaney, Brendan O'Carroll and the cast in Mrs Brown's Boys. Photograph: Graeme Hunter/BBC Studios/BOC The biggest disappointment is how slick the whole thing is. There aren't any of the fluffed lines that in the past gave Mrs Brown a seat-of-the-pants charm, while O'Carroll breaks the fourth wall just once, riffing when a character says that something is 'pointless'. 'It could be worse, I could be the chase,' he says – a reference to two popular quizshows (Pointless and The Chase), which raises a guffaw or two before the scene is restaged. [ Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special review: Unkillable comedy's wit is as sharp as a mouthful of Brussels sprouts Opens in new window ] Agnes and Cathy have a falling-out after Cathy takes up with a fancy-pants podcaster, Roger, who says he wants to improve her 'diction' – a hilarious word which O'Carroll mines for several gags. Somewhat inevitably, Roger is played by Simon Delaney , the Dublin character actor who has graced every TV show ever set in Ireland (including this one – he portrayed a different character in the 2014 film Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie). READ MORE Eilish O'Carroll as Winnie, Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes, June Rodgers as Birdie and Simon Delaney as Roger. Photograph: Graeme Hunter/BBC Studios/BOC Delaney is a good actor, which means that his performance has a jarring quality when set against the pantomime elbow-nudges that are Mrs Brown's stock in trade. You can tell he's a top thesp because he stays in character as the dialogue plumbs the depths, such as when Agnes's pal Birdie (June Rodgers) replies to Cathy's assertion that Roger wants to exploit the 'gap in the market' by saying: 'I've had a few Rogers exploit my gap in the market!' There is no God, and we are all staring into the void. Aside from jokes drop-kicked in from the mid-1970s, Mrs Brown's Boys' most consistent quality is its sentimentality, which, as ever, is laid on with a rolling pin. The syrup is uncorked with a vengeance as Agnes uses the podcast to talk about how mothers and daughters don't always get along and then discusses her love for Cathy. It is massively mawkish – one more sign that, after a decade-plus of delighting fans and scandalising the snobs, the time may have come for Mrs Brown to fade to grey.
The Irish Sun
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Former Ireland AM host stars in trailer for new film from A-list Hollywood director alongside Andrew Scott & Ethan Hawke
FORMER Ireland AM host Simon Delaney is set to appear in a major Hollywood movie releasing later this year. The highly anticipated project was filmed all over Advertisement 2 Simon Delaney will star in Richard linkalter's latest film Credit: SONY PICTURE CLASSICS 2 Simon will appear in the film alongside Andrew Scott and Ethan Hawke Credit: SONY PICTURE CLASSICS Hollywood director Richard Linklater released the trailer for his latest film, Blue Moon. The flick follows the intriguing story of the formation of the coveted theatre producers Rodgers and Hammerstein - told through the lens of one of their former collaborators. As on the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi's bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit musical Oklahoma!. The film stars Advertisement read more on simon delaney However, outside of And with the trailer now out, it's clear the dad-of-four will play a major role in the movie as the clip was littered with appearances by the actor. The 54-year-old portrays Scott's professional-second-half, Oscar Hammerstein. The film premiered earlier this year at the 2025 International Berlin Film Festival - where it was met with glowing Advertisement Most read in Celebrity And for his role in the film, Andrew Scott won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance, for his turn as Rodgers. Previously, Simon opened up on his Ageless Irish heartthrob looks completely different as he steps into ring as boxing legend in new biopic Simon made the decision to take a break from hosting to put all of his energy into his acting career and has since The Advertisement The acclaimed actor spoke with The Irish Sun on the red-carpet at the star-studded event and told us why he really quit his Virgin Media gig. When asked if Simon had any regrets leaving, he replied: "No things move on. I did six years there. "I only really went into it and thought I'd do a year and ended up doing six." Simon explained how difficult it was juggling his jobs saying: "I was still acting while I was doing it and it was just tricky to do everything at the one time. Something kind of had to give. Advertisement "At one point doing "So something had to give and acting is my thing, that's where I come from. So I thought I'd cut the cord with Virgin Media and here we are."
RTÉ News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Live Watch: RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards 2025
All roads lead to Athlone as nine finalist drama groups from all over Ireland battle it out in the finals of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival, streaming live for the first time from 9pm on Saturday 17th May - watch the Gala Awards Ceremony, presented by Simon Delaney and Nuala Carey, above. The plays included in this year's RTÉ AIDF Final – listed below – include several adaptations for stage, a premiere of an Irish adaptation of a play, two amateur premieres, a farce and a black comedy. With awards for achievements both on and off stage, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Stage Design, the stakes are high to see who will win the coveted Perpetual Trophy and The Abbey Theatre Award. The Finalist Plays Ballycogley Players, directed by Pat Whelan, Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig. Brideview Drama Group, directed by Jack Aherne, The Weir by Conor McPherson. Bradán Players, directed by Réidín Dunne, Little Gem by Elaine Murphy. Corofin Dramatic Society, directed by John Clancy The Weir by Conor McPherson. Ballyduff Drama Group, directed by Ger Canning, The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibín. Wexford Drama Group directed by Paul Walsh, Skylight written by David Hare. Balally Players, directed by Declan Rudden, Ulster American, written by David Ireland. Bridge Drama, directed by Susan Somers, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens. Newpoint Players, directed by Sean Treanor, Joshua Sobol's 1984 play Ghetto.
