Sir, - Up to December 30th, 1999, I thought RTE television could not get any worse - but I was wrong. The tripe dished up on the eve of the millennium topped all previous fiascos.
It was inexcusable, especially in view of the acknowledged unwelcome introduction of the "wintry shires and clyde a-bite" weather brigade (also known as the "rynde-a-bite" traffic bridgade.) It was doubly unpardonable in the aftermath of the botched Newgrange programme which I had the misfortune to watch live. It must be said that if those responsible in RTE were looking for a more incongruous sight or sound at Newgrange, they could not have done better than Joe Duffy talking into a microphone. Does RTE ability to misjudge and mistime know no bounds?
I have long ago stopped watching RTE regularly, but having heard Mr Joe Mulholland on the News at One during the lead-up to the celebrations give such a glowing description of the wonderful programme RTE had planned to mark the eve of the millennium, I thought it just might be worth while taking a look at it on the night.
Words simply fail me to describe RTE's pathetic effort. The new millennium was a unique, historic, once-in-a-lifetime occasion for all the obvious reasons. It deserved a unique, historic, once-in-a-lifetime special programme. We were led to believe a real treat was in store for us. A high percentage of people stayed home on the night and expected RTE to deliver, but what we got was a below-average weekly marathon Kenny Live show with a young unknown female added as superfluous window-dressing.
Did RTE seriously think that on such a night, the nation at large would be remotely interested in celebrating the new millennium with a Kenny Live show in any shape or form? Or in having Joe Dolan imposed on us - to say nothing of the unknown characters from RTE soaps, or of Liam O Murchu, who looked as if he did not know why he was there? I can only conclude that RTE has lost the plot. In response, RTE has quoted high viewing figures for the night in question. Of course large numbers watched - but that was in expectation of something great. How many of those who watched were disappointed, angry and outraged? It would be interesting to know the figures for that section of viewers.
I suggest RTE rid itself of the boring, inward-looking clique of people who seem to be cursed with a narrow, parochial Dublin 4 view on what the Irish people expect from our national television station. - Yours, etc.,
Celine Hussey, Capel Street, Dublin 1.