Surprise! Tiernan gets his chat show extended
TOMMY Tiernan’s popular Saturday night chat show has been extended by six weeks.
It was due to finish its ten-week run next weekend, but has been such a constant hit with audiences and has also proved to be a ratings winner for RTÉ that six extra episodes of the show will air.
The Navan star took over the Saturday slot previously occupied by Ray D’Arcy, one of RTÉ’s top earners, who has reprised his popular show The Den.
More than 400,000 tune in each week to watch actor and stand-up Tiernan whose guests are a surprise to him each evening. As well as the unusual format, Tiernan’s charm has attracted guests who don’t normally do interviews, and his compassionate listening style of interviewing often draws out sensitive and hard-hitting topics.
More than 427,000 tuned in to last week’s show, featuring singer Philomena Begley and nurse-turned-Bafta nominee Helen Behan.
In recent weeks, viewers watched as former Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll teared up discussing the suicide of a close friend.
In another frank conversation, actor Stephen Rea discussed his marriage to the late Dolours Price, a former Provisional IRA member, as well as her tragic death.