The afternoon show with Maura and Daithi is a popular Irish daytime television program that airs every weekday afternoon on RTÉ One. The show is hosted by Maura Derrane and Daithi Ó Sé and features a mix of entertainment, chat, lifestyle features and music. It has been broadcasting since 2010 and is one of the highest rated daytime shows in Ireland.
Hosts
The show is hosted by Maura Derrane and Daithi Ó Sé. Maura is a well-known Irish broadcaster and model who hails from Inishmore in the Aran Islands. She started her career as a newsreader on TG4 before moving to TV3 and then RTÉ. Daithi is an actor and broadcaster from Kerry who is known for his work on TG4. He competed in the Rose of Tralee in 1998 where he met his wife Rita. Maura and Daithi have great onscreen chemistry and their lighthearted banter helps make the show so enjoyable to watch.
Format
The show follows a magazine format with different segments each day. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Maura and Daithi present from the RTÉ studios in Dublin. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they broadcast on location from different towns and cities around Ireland. Each show starts with Maura and Daithi discussing the latest news and gossip. They then chat to two guests over the course of the program, with one guest in the first half and the second in the second half. There are also lifestyle segments like fashion, cookery demonstrations, consumer advice and health. Local community groups and musicians are often featured as well.
Regular Features
As well as the guest interviews, the show has some regular features that viewers love. These include:
- Daithi’s “Daithi’s Teeshirt of the Day” where he shows off an amusing or quirky t-shirt.
- “Life Hacks with Daithi” where Daithi demonstrates handy household tips.
- “60 Second News” – Daithi presents the news in an amusing way.
- “Maura’s Moment” where Maura gets to discuss an issue or topic she feels passionately about.
- “On This Day” looking back at events from previous years.
Guests
The show features celebrity guests from the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics, lifestyle and more. Guests typically join Maura and Daithi for a relaxed chat on the couch about their life and career. Some notable guests over the years have included:
- Colin Farrell
- Dermot Bannon
- Bressie
- The Coronas
- Imelda May
- Daniel O’Donnell
- Dermot O’Leary
- Hozier
The mix of well-known faces and enthusiastic newcomers helps make the guest interviews engaging for viewers.
Music
Live music performances are an important element of the show. Irish musicians and bands regularly perform their latest releases live on the show giving it a lively festival atmosphere. Over the years, countless Irish music acts from across the musical spectrum have taken to the stage. This exposure helps newer artists reach new audiences.
On Location Shows
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the show broadcasts live from different towns around Ireland. Maura and Daithi pick a new location each week giving exposure to communities around the country. They meet local people, highlight local issues, cover upcoming events and showcase the area’s food, heritage and culture. Destinations have included everywhere from Mayo to Wexford, Sligo to Kerry. The on location shows provide a nice change of scenery.
Special Editions
There are a number of special editions of the show broadcast across the year. These include:
- Valentine’s Day Special – A loved-themed show with romance tips and stories.
- Easter Special – Celebrating Easter traditions.
- Summer Picnic Specials – Filmed on location at community picnic events.
- Halloween Special – Marking this popular Irish holiday.
- Christmas Special – Festive songs, decoration tips and gift ideas.
These themed shows are a fan favorite and help make the show a reflection of what’s happening in Ireland throughout the year.
Quotable Moments
Over its long run, the show has had countless funny, heartwarming and bizarre moments that fans love to quote and share on social media. Some of the most memorable include:
- When Daithi accidentally introduced actor Matt Damon as ‘Mark Wahlberg.’
- Maura’s live reaction when model Robert Sheehan ripped his shirt off mid-interview.
- Daithi being chased by cows during a ‘On Location’ broadcast from Kerry.
- When guest Miriam O’Callaghan and Maura recreated the famous ‘Shoe Shop’ skit from Glenroe.
These quotable moments help make the show so entertaining and keeps viewers tuning in.
| Year | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 2010 | The show debuts with Maura and Daithi as co-presenters. |
| 2011 | Maura takes maternity leave with Sinead Kennedy filling in. |
| 2012 | Maura returns from maternity leave. |
| 2014 | Show extends to one hour in length. |
| 2015 | The show is broadcast from Glastonbury Festival. |
| 2018 | Maura and Daithi win coveted TV Presenter of the Year award. |
| 2021 | Show celebrates its 10th season on air. |
Why People Love It
There are many reasons why the afternoon show with Maura and Daithi has become so popular with Irish viewers over the last decade:
- The relaxed, fun hosting dynamic between Maura and Daithi.
- It provides an overview of the day’s main news and topics.
- The showcases interesting guests from diverse backgrounds.
- Viewers enjoy the music performances and regional features.
- The lighthearted tone is perfect easy afternoon viewing.
- It promotes Irish talent across many fields.
- The hosts have great rapport with audiences.
Criticism
While generally enjoying huge popularity, the show has drawn some criticism over the years. Some common critiques include:
- The show can seem lightweight with not enough serious content.
- Interview questions are not hard-hitting enough.
- There is not enough diversity among guests.
- Some just see it as bland daytime TV with no edge.
- Too much time spent chatting, not enough variety.
However, producers seem to have embraced the show’s formula and have stuck closely to it over the years regardless of some critical voices.
Impact
The afternoon show with Maura and Daithi has had a significant impact on Irish daytime television since it first arrived on screens. Some of its notable impacts include:
- Giving RTÉ a popular, high-rating daytime show.
- Providing a platform for new musical talent.
- Showcasing different Irish locations.
- Developing Maura and Daithi into household names.
- Setting an easygoing, fun tone for the afternoon schedule.
- Boosting its guests’ profiles.
The show has become something of an institution and a routine part of many Irish people’s afternoons. While it may not be groundbreaking TV, its mix of entertainment and talk has proven very effective over a sustained period.
The Future
As it celebrates over a decade on the air, what does the future hold for the show? There are a few possible directions it could take:
- The current format stays largely the same with Maura and Daithi at the helm.
- A shake-up sees some new segments added to the show’s mix.
- The hosts themselves could change in the coming years.
- A move to a new timeslot like morning or evening.
- Special weeks where guest hosts fill in could be tried.
However, given the show’s continued strong ratings, there may be a sense of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ among producers. Substantial format changes seem unlikely in the short term. But the need to keep things fresh will likely see some minor tweaks and additions in the coming seasons.
Conclusion
Over its 12 years on air so far, the afternoon show has become a staple of Irish television. Its hosts have built up a great rapport and the show provides a lively mix of entertainment, chat and music. The regional broadcasts help connect national audiences with local communities around Ireland. While critics say it plays things too safe, the show’s formula has clearly found a way to engage audiences year after year. With strong ratings continuing, the afternoon show looks set to be a comforting part of Irish TV schedules for many years to come.