In the ever competitive, slick, demanding world of modern television, there would seem to be little room for parochial, twee coverage of the Rose of Tralee. Not in the world of Irish television, though.
Like an elephant dressed in taffeta, for another year it trampled through the RTE schedules, shoving aside such smart, meaningful programmes as The West Wing and Nurses as it went. But those programmes don't pull in an average of 750,000 viewers for seven hours of coverage through four programmes. "The Rose of Tralee," says executive producer Mr Noel Smyth, "is the kind of programme that nobody watches but everybody sees."
This is the 24th year RTE has broadcast a show which, in any other country, would have long ago been injected with high-tech effects or simply cancelled. As a television event, the Rose of Tralee is not beyond criticism but it is impervious. It has survived the age of irony, political correctness and a Father Ted parody and looks unlikely to be dragged off the stage for a long time yet.
It is television stuck somewhere in time. It's not impossible that RTE could have picked a tape from the archives some years back and has been repeating it each year without anyone noticing. The fashions remain quaint and demure. The only audience members who get more camera time than the mammies are the priests. The turns are the same old town hall talent contest mix of jigs and poems and singing that always seems to be from a different song book to the orchestra.
These contestants are not wannabe pop stars manipulating the Rose to launch their careers. Surprises are as likely as a transexual Rose walking off with the crown.
As compere, Marty Whelan may be is less avuncular than Gay Byrne, less witty than Derek Davis but he eased into the role; diligently plugging the sponsors, giving the "great girl" encouragement to contestants. After the South African Rose performed a native dance he didn't miss a beat. "If it rains tomorrow, you can find her in room 122 of the Brandon Hotel."
Tear up your TV licences if you want but there seem to be plenty of others willing to take your place.
