THURSDAY
Farewell to a star
I don’t know how commonly known and appreciated the comedian and actor Richard Lewis was in these parts, but to fans of the brilliant Curb Your Enthusiasm, he was a much-loved cast member of Larry David’s comedy classic (which is still running).
Lewis, who died today aged 76, had a long career as a successful comedian, writer and actor, while arguably being best known for his role in ‘Curb’, in which, like the show’s creator and star, Larry David, he played a version of himself.
Lewis brought the almost permanent hangdog expression, neurotic tendencies and dark humour of his real-life existence to the role. As David’s friend and sparring partner in the show, he was a patient, benevolent and warm-hearted foil for the tactless, confrontational and irrational Larry. It really was comedy cold.
Superb in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Richard Lewis’ legacy will be shaped by his 25-year involvement in the show, that and his much-loved stand-up. The star had experienced ill health in recent years but his death today was unexpected. May he rest in peace.
THURSDAY
The Irish weather!
As a lover of the written (and spoken) word, I can’t explain how I opted for journalism/writing instead of studying for a career with Met Éireann.
After all, our friends in Met Éireann get to utilise the English language to the fullest extent possible, in a manner that would have Stephen Fry or Michael D himself envious.
Today’s weather forecast was an Irish classic, the type that must have tourists shaking their heads in a combination of bemusement and amusement.
Today, we were informed, would bring cold weather with sunny spells, rain or hail, with a chance of thunder. Our friends in Met Éireann really do get to use a multitude of words to describe the prospective weather.
FRIDAY
Spring surprise
It’s the first day of March. Yesterday was a beautiful day. Roll on March, I’m thinking. Then I (confidently) roll up the blinds… only to discover that the garden is covered in snow…
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Sporting highlights
On a busy sporting weekend, Marcus Rashford scored a ‘wonder goal’ for Manchester United in the Manchester Derby, only for Phil Foden to respond with a ‘wonder goal’ for Manchester City (Pep’s men winning 3-1).
Roscommon had a miserable trip to Castlebar, with Mayo strolling to victory (see pages 42 and 43, not that the central message will improve); Creggs RFC retained their Connacht League title in sensational fashion, and Gaelic football fans nationwide were left wondering if Dublin are (yet again) toying with the hopes and dreams of the pretenders to the crown.
MONDAY
A pressure putt…
I decided to do some remote working this afternoon. Settling down at my laptop at home, I couldn’t help but notice that the delayed final round of the Cognizant Classic in Florida (where Shane Lowry was kind of in contention) was on TV.
As Andrew Novak – two off the lead – lined up a tricky putt on the 14th, the Sky commentator casually said: “There appears to be an alligator floating in the water a few feet behind him”.
Indeed there was – and it was very much alive. Talk about a pressure putt!
(“Maybe he was too menacing for Novak to handle” the commentator added, after the American golfer missed the putt).
MONDAY
Timing is everything…
It’s ten days since Siún Ní Raghallaigh resigned as chair of the RTE board, her decision prompted by a dramatic falling out with Media Minister Catherine Martin.
Given how very critical Minister Martin has been of the former chair over that period, it was entirely predictable that Shafted Siún would not keep her powder dry. After all, the embattled Minister has not spared the ex-RTE chair.
Happily, after ten days of staying silent, Siún has now issued a lengthy public statement, defending her track record and taking issue with the minister. “I cannot remain silent” Ms Ní Raghallaigh declared this evening.
How she managed to stay silent for ten days might be a mystery were it not for the fact that Minister Martin is due to unveil a new chairperson of the RTE board in the morning!
TUESDAY
Me too, Roderic…
Minister Roderic O’Gorman spoke to an empty Dáil chamber today. There wasn’t a single other TD in the chamber when he began his speech (on the subject of International Women’s Day).
Some TDs began to arrive a few minutes into the minister’s speech, but not before the cameras had captured the bizarre sight of a politician effectively talking to himself. Needless to say, Twitter/X loved it.
From the minister’s point of view, I suppose the experience had some merit. He got to speak without interruption, with no fear of being heckled. In fact Roderic can always claim that you could have heard a pin drop while he was speaking.
By the way, if you think this sounds comparable to a Monty Python sketch, you are right. Reading from a prepared script, Minister O’Gorman actually began his speech by welcoming “all present” to the Chamber, “particularly my female colleagues”.
It kind of reminded me of a scene in Rooskey Church well over 40 years ago. At school earlier in the week, I had been chosen to do a reading at Mass that coming Sunday. Alarmed at the prospect of addressing a congregation of mostly adult humans, I had the brainwave of popping into the church during the week to get some practise in.
And so, one evening, I stood at the pulpit in an empty church, reading the script, by way of rehearsal. Like Minister O’Gorman, I was reading aloud to an empty ‘house’. But suddenly I wasn’t alone. Just as I was in full flow on the altar, the priest’s housekeeper walked in, ‘armed’ with a sweeping brush. A young boy, ‘caught’ talking out loud, alone in Rooskey Church on a quiet evening, I was suitably embarrassed.
The housekeeper (being a real pro) went about her business. She and I never talked about it in the decades since (too raw). The reading went fine for me the following Sunday.
This poignant Rooskey tale from the 1970s is evidence that you are not alone, Minister O’Gorman (well, you were, but you know what I mean).
