Friday
I may have briefly nodded off during parts of the Late Late Toy Show…not because it was boring, because I was tired after a busy week. Far from being boring, it was excellent. Every time I woke up there was another heartwarming segment.
Ryan Tubridy hosted the show with enthusiasm, empathy and skill. He is a perfect fit for the Toy Show. The set was spectacular (kudos to all involved). The children who featured on the night were wonderful, and surely touched the entire nation.
Entertaining, inspirational and uplifting, this show was also an emotional rollercoaster. It made you proud to be Irish. Viewers responded by donating over €6m for children’s charities. This, as the Fantastic Mr. Fox (it was a Roald Dahl-themed show) would agree…was fantastic.
Even The Grinch, or Charles Dickens’ Scrooge, might have smiled if they witnessed this TV gold being minted before us. The amazing set and the celebrity contributions created a great atmosphere and a spirit of generosity. Tubridy excels on such nights; he is fabulous as Toy Show host. The children were the beating heart of a show that gave the nation a very timely lift. It was a joyous (and emotion-charged) distraction from Covid, a window on Ireland at its best.
Saturday
As ever, Snoop Dogg and I are broadly in agreement…
Over 40 years ago, when bar-room brawls were in fashion, I remember two middle-aged customers in my family’s Kon Tiki bar & lounge in Rooskey squaring up to one another.
The place was packed; the late Eamonn Kelly and the Merrymen were on stage. The warring duo had the decency to kind of cartwheel into the main porch, away from the dancing. There was a bit of pushing and shoving, muffled yelps threatening to drown out the music of the Merrymen.
After a couple of noisy minutes, exhausted (and thirsty), the two half-hearted brawlers – merry men themselves – returned to the counter, arm in arm…and ordered two more drinks.
I was reminded of that scene from long ago on Saturday night, when former boxing champions Mike Tyson (54) and Roy Jones Jr. (51) came out of retirement for an exhibition fight. (Suspiciously, it ended in a draw. Anyone for a rematch?).
This is silly, circus-like codology. Tyson hadn’t fought in 15 years, and he peaked before the Berlin Wall fell. Good luck to former greats who manage to boost their bank accounts with these absurd comebacks, but these hyped quasi-sporting contests have little, if any, credibility.
I had no interest whatsoever in seeing this sham-fight. In fact, I’m with rapper Snoop Dogg, who was on commentary duty (like I said, a circus), and produced the memorable line: “This s**t is like two of my uncles fighting at the BBQ”.
Meanwhile, no word yet on a comeback by the two lads in Rooskey…
All week
When he did it, Diego created fantasy football…some mind-blowing mixture of Roy of the Rovers and real life…a goal of awe-inspiring beauty, created in front of the world, showcased on the greatest stage of all.
Immortality in eleven seconds.
34 years on, it still sends shivers down the spine. Those of us who saw it as it happened will never forget the joyous shock to the senses. The great Jimmy Magee was one of a number of commentators who managed to summon worthy words, breathless exclamations which urgently sought to somehow keep pace with, whatever about adequately describe, the majesty of what was happening.
Maradona, with the most sublime pirouette on the halfway line, is gone before the English team can process the sudden threat. Defenders scramble to protect their territory, but nothing can stop this invader as he swoops on England’s dreams and turns them into his own destiny.
Maradona’s second goal in that 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England is the abiding highlight of a tournament that came to be shaped in his image.
Gifted by the Gods, a poet on the pitch, brimming with courage, an entertainer extraordinaire, Diego Armando Maradona would spark joy and wonder for many more years. That toxic influences, unbearable pressures and human weakness ultimately brought about a painful decline was perhaps almost unavoidable.
I won’t be dwelling on demons. This is a life to be celebrated, a legend to be cherished. He was, without question, ‘more sinned against than sinning’. This was a man who touched the entire world with the beauty of his almost peerless gift. He rose from poverty, accepted the glory and weight of his genius…while having the humility to hone his craft. He never forgot the ordinary people of Argentina (and Naples), and went on to achieve greatness, bringing joy into the lives of millions of people.
In time, the demons circled. But let’s remember the boy of destiny, the charming man, the genius who carried his people on his shoulders. On the pitch he was safe from all demons, the ball as though a part of him, Maradona smiling, dancing, mesmerising. The glory of 1986 will never fade. Rest in peace, Diego. What joy you gave. We were fortunate to have shared your days of glory.
Recently…
It was pleasing to hear and read that the all-round entertainer, Des O’Connor – who died recently – was one of the nicest people in showbusiness. The tributes paid to the versatile star all highlighted what a lovely man he was.
Many of us were introduced to O’Connor via his status as long-running butt of Eric Morecambe’s jokes. That sideshow was only a tiny part of his story.
A prolific recording artist, he was a regular on TV for over 40 years…as a singer and comedian, later as chat-show host. In the latter role, his skill lay in not making himself centre stage, instead being a foil for his guests (O’Connor arguably made Freddie Starr a star).
A much-loved family entertainer, Des O’Connor brightened up thousands of mornings and nights on TV and radio over his distinguished career.
Tuesday/Wednesday
We’ve come through the second lockdown, the easing of Covid-19-related restrictions having taken effect on Tuesday.
It’s a welcome development for the business community, with the prospect of a few busy weeks before Christmas.
Hotels, restaurants and pubs that serve food will reopen on Friday. For the vast majority of pubs, there is sadly no respite yet.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen to what extent families (and friends) will be able to meet up and interact over Christmas. It’s great to see places of worship reopening.
Moving to Level 3 is welcome, but everyone needs to remain vigilant. The virus is still lurking. We need to adhere to the regulations and not allow any complacency to take hold. Stay safe – and shop local.
