Get set for bust-ups galore this year on Ireland’s Got Tantrums
IF there was one television moment that dominated the weekend it was Jennifer Zamparelli and her debut on Dancing With The Stars.
Many wondered if this live TV rookie could fill the well walked stilettos left vacant by the departing Amanda Byram. By the time a mere 30 seconds had passed on the first episode, the whole of Ireland was saying: ‘Amanda who?’
Zamparelli lit up the screen — she was brilliant, sharp and brought an edge of mischief to the show that has elevated season three above where season two left off. Those of you who tuned in were, in my view, watching the birth of someone with a long career in shiny floor broadcasting ahead of them.
So strong was Zamparelli’s rookie show that I really believe she would not look out of place should the BBC come calling for a stand-in on Strictly.
Across the city, Virgin Media were clearly watching the PR bonanza that RTÉ was enjoying on the back of their dance show. So they took to the newlyrevamped Alex Hotel on Fenian Street to announce the launch for season two of their light entertainment juggernaut Ireland’s Got Talent.
WITH Louis Walsh on his holidays in Miami, it was left to Lucy Kennedy, Denise Van Outen and Jason Byrne to steal some of the thunder back from Montrose. And the sizzle they showed ahead of their February 2 transmission date proved they have a lot to shout about.
‘There was a dance group that I loved who were stunning,’ Jason told me. ‘I know a dance group won last year but this crowd were different and unusual and they just stood out for me.
‘I loved a little young magician. He was about ten years old but it is not what he is doing, it is his personality. I think the public will fall in love with him.’
Jason says it can be tricky for comedians on talent shows as the time allocated is so short. But he added: ‘We had a couple of really good female comics which was brilliant to see. There was one in particular who stood out for me and she was playing a character.
‘Louis, of course, didn’t get it and thought she was real. I had to explain it to him and you know what it is like explaining jokes to someone, if they don’t get it first time they are lost. She was quirky and odd and I just loved her. But that’s Louis, he is old.’
The first series was incredibly successful and the judges have promised it’s going to be even better this time around, but they admitted there were a few strange acts at the auditions. Jason says he now feels confident enough to try and wind the music manager up, which can lead to explosive rows. However, there was one bust-up between the two where Michelle Visage even had to step in.
‘We had a lot of characters that maybe Louis didn’t get,’ Jason said. ‘We had a mock DJ who was brilliant. Because I know Louis better than I did last year, I am not letting him away with his nonsense and he doesn’t get his own way all the time.
‘When you don’t know someone and you are not sure, you test boundaries. This year I called him up when he was going too far. I ended up having this really big fight with him on camera. And to be fair you can have a blazing row with Louis and minutes later you will be having tea together. He doesn’t hold onto it.
‘And that is how humans throughout the world work. In Ireland that’s not the case. Here, if you have a fight with someone, that is the end of the relationship forever. That’s why Americans could not live here. They can’t fathom why you can’t have a big blow-out and get over it.
‘It has made the competition better because me and Louis have big blow-outs at the desk and we meant it at the time and were passionate but we got over it. That’s better for the acts and the people at home because they know it’s real and it matters to us.’
I was backstage for the filming of both shows this year and while there will undoubtedly be crossover when DWTS and IGT go head to head in February, it is the public who will be the real winners. We haven’t always been this spoilt for choice but as appointment TV finds it harder to compete with the likes of Netflix, you have to applaud both RTÉ and Virgin.
These two shows will have you looking forward to two nights on the couch for some good old family entertainment. What’s not to love about January?