The Gay Byrne Show
| Other names | The Gay Byrne Hour |
|---|---|
| Genre | News and current affairs |
| Running time | 2 hours |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | RTÉ Radio 1 |
| TV adaptations | The Late Late Show |
| Hosted by | Gay Byrne |
| Produced by | John Caden |
| Recording studio | Donnybrook, Dublin |
| Original release | 2 February 1973 – 24 December 1998 |
The Gay Byrne Show (previously The Gay Byrne Hour and also known as The GB Show) was an Irish radio programme, which ran from 1973 until 1998. The programme was presented by Gay Byrne, and aired Monday to Friday for two hours each day. It was a favourite of Irish housewives. Before Byrne's retirement in 1998, he was helped by Gareth O'Callaghan (who left for RTÉ 2fm) and then Des Cahill. Future Labour Party face Alex White edited the show for four years.
The Gay Byrne Hour began broadcasting on 2 February 1973. It featured many Irish taboo subjects, with forums and discussions.
In 1979, because of an extended air time, the programme was retitled The Gay Byrne Show. The show's reporter was Joe Duffy. In 1976, Byrne won a Jacob's Award for his programme. Duffy also won a Jacob's Award in 1992.
In 1984, the show received letters in response to a report by Kevin O'Connor on the death of schoolgirl Ann Lovett from childbirth. Byrne and two actors read on air stories of rape, abortion and sexual abuse.
Christine Buckley was invited with her father onto the show in 1992 to discuss her experiences at St. Vincent's Industrial School, Goldenbridge, receiving what she later described as an "overwhelming response".
Speculation that Byrne would leave his show began in January 1998. In August of that year, a spokeswoman for the Director of Radio confirmed the show would end.
On 16 December 1998, while presenting his programme in Studio 5, Mike Murphy interrupted the programme and escorted a surprised Byrne into Studio 1. An audience of 150 celebrities and guests greeted Byrne. The then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese were among the guests.
...
Wikipedia