The Podge and Rodge Show

The Podge and Rodge Show
RTÉ promotional picture
Genre	Comedic talk show
Created by	Ciaran Morrison Mick O'Hara
Developed by	Ciaran Morrison Mick O'Hara
Starring	Caroline Morahan Lucy Kennedy (until 2008) Ciaran Morrison Mick O'Hara
Country of origin	Ireland
Language(s)	English, Irish
No. of series	5
No. of episodes	164 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Jim Jennings
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	22 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	RTÉ Two
Picture format	PAL (16:9)
Audio format	Stereo
Original run	6 February 2006 – 27 April 2010
Chronology
Preceded by	A Scare at Bedtime
Followed by	Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn
Related shows	The Den
External links
Website

The Podge and Rodge Show (also formerly known as The Podge and Rodge Show with Lucy Kennedy) is an Irish chat show, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular Podge and Rodge as hosts. For the first three seasons they were joined by Lucy Kennedy as a co-host but for the first half of the fourth season they were joined by guest hosts including Michelle Heaton, after Kennedy took insult to being called "every name under the sun from bisto to an ugly Gráinne Seoige".^[1] Following a mid-season hiatus, Caroline Morahan took on the role of permanent co-host in February 2009.^[2] The programme airs every Monday and Tuesday at 22:50 on RTÉ Two from February to April and from October to December with a hiatus during the summer months.^[3]

Setting

The show takes place in the fictional setting of Ballydung Manor, the brothers' home in the village of Ballydung in County Ring. As well as celebrity interviews of a humorous nature it also features other comic elements such as quizzes, reviews, news, music and talent contests as well as racenights involving amongst other entities hamsters in mazes, sheep shearing and tractors.^[4] During early episodes, with the credits rolling, it was common for the two to tell viewers to direct their complaints elsewhere, e.g. RTÉ or The Joe Duffy Show. The programme's popularity has even affected the Irish Singles Chart, with The Saw Doctors reaching number one on 17 October 2008 with the song "About You Now", first performed on The Podge and Rodge Show as a dare during the "Rock N' Roulette" feature of series three.^[5] In February 2009, it was reported that the producers had paid Peaches Geldof a record sum of money to give her first television interview since her divorce, beating off rivals such as The Late Late Show, Tubridy Tonight and a number of British television shows.^[6] However, Geldof failed to show for filming.^[7]

Episodes

Main article: List of The Podge and Rodge Show episodes

First series

While the pilot episode, An Audience with Podge and Rodge, was first broadcast on RTÉ on St. Stephen's Day in 2005, the series did not begin in earnest until 6 February 2006.

A feature introduced in the first series was Rodge's Wrister Wreview. It involved various items, such as books, magazines and television shows receiving the expert opinion of Rodge. The items were rated on the Wrister Scale which was displayed on the screen.

Never to be accused of ignoring current affairs, the duo aired their views on the naked calendar craze that was sweeping the world and even did their bit to help out when Ireland was faced by fears of a bird-flu pandemic; they decided to 'kill' The Late Late Show owl. After spending much time taking aim, they eventually shot him to pieces. Also in current affairs they discussed the SSIAs, taking digs at Eddie Hobbs, Pat Kenny and The Late Late Show along the way.^{[citation needed]}

Second Series

The second series was broken into two halves, the first beginning on 16 October 2006 and running until 31 December 2006. After a break of one month the second series continued on 5 February 2007 and ran until 10 April 2007.

A feature that first appeared in this series was Ballydung Idol which featured spoofs of famous songs. When the performance had reached a sufficient level of "crapiness" a fart sound erupted to halt proceedings. The level of "crap" was measured on a Crapometer which Richie Kavanagh won with one minute and fifty-five seconds.

Winning Streak (a parody on the RTÉ produced gameshow of the same name) invited streakers to film their exploits and send them into the show with extra points being awarded for things such as more daylight and public streaking.

Miss Ballydung was a beauty contest of sorts; a cross between Miss World and The Rose of Tralee. It featured such beauties as Miss Muck, Miss Poledance Fitness and Miss Muff. Queen of the Land bottle-fed a lamb as Podge and Rodge made references to its imminent digestion by a hungry human. The final was held on the Monday 18 December 2006 episode, judged by The Rose of Tralee Kathryn Anne Feeney as well as that evening's guests Brendan Bowyer and Des Bishop. The winner was Miss Poledance Fitness (from Newry).

Model Andrea Roche appeared on the show amidst media speculation on an interview she gave when she was competing in the Miss World competition in the Seychelles in 1997.^[8]

Podge and Rodge hosted a special show from Ballydung Manor on 19 December, entitled A Frightmare Before Christmas. It celebrated Christmas from their perspective, a reality where none of the intended guests turned up, and imaginary scenarios where the worst possible guests did. In reality Podge and Rodge and Lucy were left in the darkness of Ballydung Manor as the thunder raged outside, imagining their nightmare guests.

Podge and Rodge rang in 2007 on 31 December in a special programme lasting over forty minutes instead of the usual thirty-minute format. The New Year's Eve show was called Bogmanay (a play on Hogmanay). It was broadcast on RTÉ Two from 11:30 p.m. The boys dressed up for the occasion, presenting the show in white shirts, black jackets and bowties. The audience wore party hats.

The second series continued on 5 February 2007 after a hiatus of one month with a new feature Gifted or Afflicted and a new celebrity game; The Sheep Shagger Challenge in which Bernie the Sheep is ridden by a celebrity each week. Another new segment added was ShamRock, which has included tribute acts to some of the world's best known bands.

Third series

The famous Rock 'N' Roulette slot let to a #1 single for The Saw Doctors.

The third series began on 15 October 2007. A new feature will be "Ballydung's Grot Talent", which will see auditioning of freaks take place over nine weeks with judges Lucy Kennedy and Brendan Kilkenny travelling to almost 32 counties, beginning with Port Laoise (with guest judge Declan Nerney). Lucy Kennedy described it as "You're A Star gone wrong" on The Ray D'Arcy Show on Today FM on Wednesday 26 September. After a hiatus following the Bogmanay New Year's Eve Special, the third series continued on 4 February 2008 twice weekly for a further ten weeks. The 100th episode was celebrated on 24 March 2008. Series three ended with two special programmes. A Jack Charlton Special on 14 April and on Tuesday 15 April the '2008 Golden Loggies Awards' which was a 'best of' show, featuring the best of the guests from the third series.

Fourth series

Each week of series four the guest presenter undergoes a challenge set by Podge and Rodge.

The fourth series began on 20 October 2008. For the first time Lucy Kennedy does not feature as co-host. Instead each week a female celebrity will guest present until they find a replacement. Kicking off the series was Michelle Heaton who joined the Ballydung brothers for the first two shows. The second week sees Pamela Flood as guest presenter.^[9] Journalist and former Miss Ireland busty Amanda Brunker also presented the show. She teased the boys with her high cut dressses and bulging clevage. Other guest presenters up until Christmas 2008 included Mary McEvoy aka Biddy from Glenroe, Donna and Joseph McCaul, Rosanna Davison, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, Rebecca Loos, Caroline Morahan, Anna Nolan and Twink. After their usual mid-season break, the show returned on 9 February for a further twenty episodes with a new Lady of Ballydung Manor, Caroline Morahan.^[10] Podge (or Rodge) opened the show with the announcement that "It's the same oul’ shite", before introducing Morahan with a number of quips such as: “She was Off the Rails and now she’s off the dole queue”, “A fully nationalised, index approved ride”, “Lady Caroline of the Manor” and “Ireland’s answer to Angelina Jolie.”^[11] The fourth season began on 20 October 2008 and ran until 14 April 2009, which turned out to be the final episode of the series as it was announced that a new format, Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn,^[12] a celebrity pub quiz would replace the chat show in the Autumn 2009 schedule.

Fifth Series

After the short lived quiz show format of Podge & Rodge's Stickit Inn which reverted back to a chat show mid series, Podge and Rodge returned on 23 February 2010 for a ten week run under the original title of The Podge and Rodge Show with brand new opening titles. The series is still shot in the Stickit Inn pub set with a live audience and Johnny Dorgan the man with the organ remains as a recurring character. For the first time the show does not have a female co-host. The running time has returned to the original thirty minutes format but features three celebrity guests and a music act per show. The return to the chat show format has been welcomed by viewers and critics alike and the first show achieved a very solid rating and was the only home produced show in that weeks Top Ten TV shows on RTE2. For the final episode of the Fifth Series the show pulled in a very impressive 211,000 viewers and a 20% audience share.

Best of The Podge and Rodge Show

From 21 July 2009, RTÉ began showing a compilation of the best moments of the first three series of The Podge and Rodge Show. Ten half hour episodes were produced and aired on RTÉ Two at 10:30 p.m. A further ten half hour 'Best of' shows were broadcast from June 8, 2010 until August 10, 2010.

Reception

The show was initially a ratings success, regularly getting over 400,000 viewers a show during the first season, including 440,000 for the week beginning 9 April 2006 and peaking at almost 450,000 (40 per cent of those watching television at this time) for the season finale on 2 May.^[13] At this time it tended to have more viewers than Desperate Housewives and Lost, both of which are also shown on RTÉ Two. It was also catching up on RTÉ's flagship chat show — The Late Late Show — which airs on Friday nights on RTÉ One, and has approximately half a million viewers. However, there was a drop in viewership in later seasons, but the show continues to be the top rated home produced show on RTÉ Two.^[14]

Following on from the success of their show, Podge and Rodge were asked to appear in several television advertisements for RTÉ which encouraged viewers to pay their television licences. They were also featured in a radio ad for Will Leahy's The Saturday Show on RTÉ 2fm, in which they described the show as better than "shit on a stick".^[15] Another spin-off saw them interviewing arch-nemesis Pat Kenny for the People in Need Telethon whilst around the same time a book, The Ballydung Bible, was released.^[16]

DVDs

DVD Name	Release Date	Bonus Material
The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series One	3 November 2006	Unseen pilot interview with sports presenter George Hamilton,Even More Johnny Vegas ,More Keith Duffy, Ainezone, Ballydung Weather with Martin King,Pole Dancing Competition.
The Podge & Rodge Show - The Cream of Series Two	2 November 2007	Miss Ballydung Pageant, Ballydung Idol, Sex Toy Show with Margo, A Load of Pointless Games, Photo album, Hidden Easter Eggs.
The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series Three	14 November 2008	Jack Charlton half hour special Uncut, Rock N Roulette jukebox, Secret Bloopers tape.
The Podge & Rodge Show - The Best of Series Four	6 November 2009	Podge & Rodge's Family Album, The Ballydung Jukebox. DVD cover design by Jim Fitzpatrick
The Podge & Rodge Show - Poxy Box	9 April 2010	The set features all four previous 'Best of' DVD's in a collectors box set.

Awards

TVNow award:

• Favourite Television Programme - 2006 WON^[13]
• Favourite Television Programme - 2007 WON
• Favourite Television Programme - 2008 Nomination ^[17]

IFTAs:

• Best Entertainment Show - 2007 Nomination ^[18]
• BSE/IFB & NIFTC Breakthrough Talent Award for Lucy Kennedy for her role as co-host - 2007 Nomination
• Best Entertainment Show - 2008 WON^[19]
• Best Entertainment Show - 2009 Nomination^[20]

Footnotes

1. ^ "Top TV totty Lucy Kennedy gets last laugh". Irish Independent. 2007-05-15. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/top-tv-totty-lucy-kennedy-gets-last-laugh-670037.html. Retrieved 2008-12-23. 
2. ^ "Podge & Rodge warn new girl Morahan". RTÉ. 2009-02-06. http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0206/podgeandrodge.html. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
3. ^ Official television listings
4. ^ The Podge and Rodge Show
5. ^ "The Saw Doctors top the charts". Hot Press. 2008-10-17. http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:CfuKbdvb6_kJ:www.hotpress.com/news/4929661.html+saw+doctors+number+one+podge+and+rodge+show&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=ie. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
6. ^ "RTE dodges Podge and Rodge quiz on cost of Geldof interview". Evening Herald. 2009-02-18. http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/rte-dodges-podge-and-rodge-quiz-on-cost-of-geldof-interview-1643616.html. Retrieved 2009-02-23. 
7. ^ "Peaches wasn't paid, said RTÉ". Evening Herald. 2009-03-05. http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/peaches-wasnt-paid-said-rte-1662094.html. Retrieved 2009-03-07. 
8. ^ "People: Ego? I'm really loads of fun - Andrea". Irish Independent. 2006-12-13. http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/people-ego-im-really-loads-of-fun--andrea-64384.html. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
9. ^ "The Bourne Supremacy". Irish Independent. 2008-10-25. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-bourne-supremacy-1510144.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
10. ^ "Caroline joins Ballydung boys!
11. ^ "A hodge podge of lousy oul’ jokes". Evening Herald. 2009-02-10. http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/a-hodge-podge-of-lousy-oulrsquo-jokes-1634711.html. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
12. ^ "New Autumn line-up". RTÉ. 2009-08-13. http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0813/rte.html. Retrieved 2009-08-13. 
13. ^ ^{a b} RTÉ Television And The Podge & Rodge Show In Ratings High
14. ^ "RTE/TV3 Top 20 Programmes" Medialive. URL last accessed 2007-03-23
15. ^ RTÉ 2fm advertisement
16. ^ Podge and Rodge grill Pat Kenny
17. ^ TVNow nominees 2008
18. ^ Pluto leads Irish awards race
19. ^ IFTA nominees announced
20. ^ IFTA nominees 2009 announced

External links

• Watch the first ever minute on RTÉ's archives
• WWW.THEPODGEANDRODGESHOW.COM Fansite
• The Podge and Rodge Show at the Internet Movie Database
• The Podge and Rodge Show at TV.com