On the Couch with Aedín Gormley
Dubliner Aedín Gormley studied Irish and Archaeology in UCD, then joined RTÉ Radio 1 as a continuity announcer. She has worked on Raidió na Life, Raidió na Gaeltachta and lyric fm, as well as hosting film concerts with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra. Aedín’s Sunday afternoon programme Movies and Musicals is currently celebrating 20 years on air, with a retrospective “best of” going out on Radio 1.
How much TV do you think you watch every week?
It depends on the week and what I have going on but it is turned on most nights. My days are lled with radio and music, so I am a night-time TV person. Having said that, on a day o recently I tuned in to a repeat of The West Wing on TG4 – a perfect accompaniment to my lunch.
Have you done any TV work? If yes, would you like to do more?
I have been a contributor or guest on a few shows over the years. I enjoyed the experience, but radio is where I most feel at home, or presenting concerts on stage. I was delighted that something like lyric fm’s 20th birthday concert, which I co-presented, was lmed – friends abroad tuned in online and we have it now in our archive, which is important.
Is there just too much good TV now to watch it all?
I have a very basic TV package and don’t get to watch all that I record, so I cannot imagine how I would cope if I subscribed to the many extra channels that are available these days.
What radio show would translate well to a TV version?
I think my own show Movies and Musicals would work well, with live guests – and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra playing the scores would be great.
What are your unmissable shows right now?
The Good Fight, Killing Eve and, more recently, Derry Girls and Catastrophe. It’s great to see so many female writers doing so well and getting the praise they deserve.
What’s your all-time favourite movie soundtrack – and why?
Argh! That is impossible for me to answer. It varies all the time as I am listening to new and old soundtracks every day. Earlier today though I was listening again to Atonement by Dario Marianelli. It is pretty perfect and makes for wonderful listening, both with the visual images or as a solo listening experience. I have also been listening to a lot of Judy Garland as the 50th anniversary of her death is June 22 and, well, she can just do no wrong.
Are there any genres of TV you just can’t abide?
I have never and will never watch Love Island… and the same goes for Jeremy Kyle, thank goodness he has been taken o air.
Who would play you in the TV show of your life – and what genre would it be?
It would be a musical of course, and I think I might cast the fabulous Irish actress Jessie Buckley. She blew me away in Wild Rose. She’s a total star, an incredible singer and I really enjoyed meeting her. Let’s have Hugh Jackman in there too, please…
What shows do you watch in the old-fashioned way, i.e. once a week at a particular time?
Most of what I watch is recorded, but I try to stay up to watch This is Us, which I really enjoy, and sometimes if Reeling in the Years is on, I’ll happily stay with it: it’s a great format and always a nostalgic watch.
What show would you like a cameo in?
Fleabag. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a genius writer and brilliant actress, and our own Andrew Scott was absolutely fantastic in season two. I really loved it.