We had been warned there would be no Gay Byrne. We were well prepared for that. The real shock of Radio 1's new schedule yesterday was that there was no 9 o'clock news and review of the papers.
What we got instead was the straitjacket of the schedule. Marian Finucane's programme was to start at 9 o'clock so it starts at 9 o'clock.
In order to conform to some new broadcasting law that programmes must start on the hour, Marian Finucane introduced herself and went straight to the newsroom for the headlines. In reality, Marian's new programme started at 9.05 a.m. and it is a conceit to pretend otherwise. Instead of a full news bulletin we get four minutes of news headlines.
The disappearance of the main news means RTE 1 offers no full bulletin between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. In the long term it might mean that the 9 o'clock news will not be able to include inserts from interviews carried on Morning Ireland. The reason for the change, the director of radio, Ms Helen Shaw, explained in a recent press release, was "we are seeing clear signs that more people are available earlier now and want their information in terms of news, sport, weather, papers and traffic when they are up and out at 7 o'clock."
So there you have it. If you want all the news and a review of the newspapers, get up earlier.
Those who draw up schedules might be happy with the clean effect of the on-the-hour start, but it meant that instead of beginning with its strongest item, an interview with Richard Rock, son of Dickie Rock, who didn't make it with Boyzone, the programme started with the news headlines.
At first it was not clear why Richard Rock was being interviewed. It was well into the interview before he mentioned drugs and before his father, Dickie, was introduced. Richard was brave. Dickie spoke as any parent would with love and confusion at how such a thing could happen. Then it was over to a man whose Donegal cottage was wired for electricity only just before Christmas - only to be cut off by the storms.
Today with Pat Kenny returned with its tried and trusted format of music and current affairs. A frequent criticism levelled at Radio 1 is that there is too much talk, especially during the morning. The first piece of music heard yesterday morning since 7.30 a.m. was played by Pat Kenny at 10.15 a.m.
Carrie Crowley's programme will be welcomed if for nothing else than it means Konvenience Korner is now off the air. Crowley is forever bright and chirpy, and her programme is full of serendipity, as all good radio should be.
Her music choice was quirky and interesting, forcing the listener to stop and listen, rather than treat music radio as aural wallpaper. The inclusion of a daily short story is welcome.
In line with the view that familiar is best, Joe Duffy came on-air in his new slot as the presenter of Liveline. It is, of course, only a few months since he last presented the programme, when Marian Finucane was on holiday.
The theme of familiarity was carried further and Duffy's first interview was with the ubiquitous Ronan Keating from Boyzone. A few light questions were put to him about the earlier interview with Richard Rock, but clearly he was not expected to comment if he didn't want to.