Irish television’s track record when it comes to putting a local twist on international reality franchises is patchy at best. For every Dancing With The Stars there are a dozen soggy versions of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Ireland’s Got Talent, The (Not So) Great Irish Bake Off etc. Some rise in the oven, others come out tasteless and weirdly shaped.
It's early days for Glow Up Ireland (RTÉ 2, 9.35pm), which gives a homegrown makeover to BBC Three's Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star. But it is off to a promising start as 10 make-up artists (apparently they are referred to as MUAs because "make up artist" is too long and boring to say) vie to create the most memorable look.
It helps that the original Glow Up isn't exactly a blockbuster, which means Glow Up Ireland doesn't suffer by comparison. Plus, RTÉ has tried something new in hiring reality star Maura Higgins.
Her casting echoes the trend in British TV for presenters who speak in their natural regional accents. And Higgins is to be praised for not affecting the south Dublin twang so ubiquitous in Irish broadcasting. She’s audibly from the midlands, and this is a good thing.
She is joined by judges Cathyanne Mac Allister and Emma O'Byrne. On the reality adjudicators' scale they fall somewhere between Simon Cowell and Mary Berry. They aren't particularly interested in putting the boot in – but have a keen eye and know what they are and aren't looking for.
The contestants assembled at the Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun, Dublin are the traditional dreamers, schemers and underdogs. Mother-of-two Carol tries to channel her maternal side into her work. Megan holds back tears as she talks about her mother's Alzheimer's.
As per the universal laws of reality TV, tears are laid on with a brush. Former drag queen Laura breaks down upon placing in the bottom two in the first task (to create a “future brave” look for Kerry designer Colin Horgan).
But when Marie, who moved back to Ireland after studying special effects makeup in Hollywood, is eliminated after the second challenge she smiles and emphasises the bright side: at least she was chosen to compete in the first place.
Glow Up Ireland could of course fall to pieces and end up with mascara streaking down its face in coming weeks. Yet it holds its own at the outset, and fans of the original will find lots to love. RTÉ might have its new Dancing With The Stars.
