Colonial Boys
- 1798 Agus O Shin TnaG
- Kenny Live RTE 1
- South Park Sky 1
``They were over optimistic and had too much faith in the
brotherhood of man....'' so said the man from the Orange Lodge
about the United Irishmen and in particular the role played by
disaffected and radical Presbyterians, as highlighted by Louis
Marcus's excellent documentary, 1798 Agus O Shin, on TnaG.
Through a succession of footage, re-enactment of battles and
interviews with academics, Marcus put together what was easily
the best feature on 1798 seen on our screens.
Presbyterians in the 18th century had no say in their lives
politically and, similar to Catholics, fled oppression through
the coffin ships of that time.
They were involved with and supported the American drive for
independence and following the establishment of volunteer
companies in Ireland the political mould was broken. For the
first time, the domination by wealthy Anglican landlords was
challenged in particular by Ulster Presbyterians, who sought to
bring the Catholic masses on board.
Following the establishment of the United Irishmen Tone, Tandy et
al sought ``to involve ordinary people in political life'',
revolutionary thinking which was developed by Connolly and Marx.
It is ironic to reflect on what was then Belfast's largest march
- the republican Bastille Day on 14 July, later altered to the
12th.
In those days even the Freemasons discussed and promoted
progressive ideals and Belfast Presbyterians promoted the Irish
language and culture through newspapers, harp festivals etc.
Marcus largely avoids what we already know - the failure of the
French etc. - and uses footage from Bloody Sunday to portray the
unchanging nature of British repression. There were at least
30,000 killed in that short space of time and there has been
nothing comparable since. The rebels themselves were guilty of
some savagery, as Kevin Myers likes to remind us, but John Gray
of the Linen Hall Library exclaims that it was miraculous the
small scale of such massacres, when one considers the large scale
savagery of the state.
Events as Scullabogue have repeatedly been focused on in order to
drive a wedge between northern Catholics and Protestants.
Likewise the Catholic Church, who described Fr Murphy as ``the
faeces of the church'' usurped his memory years later to promote
themselves.
One must worry about the health of a nation where supporters
clubs exist for Hartlepool United or Colchester Rovers. Kenny
Live typifies this slavish mentality with its promotion of
plastic culture and the view that all that is foreign is
beneficial to our health. According to its presenter, Pat Kenny,
the biggest events in people's lives over the last year have been
Lady Di's funeral, Man United losing to Monaco and Deirdre
Rachid's jail sentence.
On the latest offering we were promised ``prizes, royalty and fast
women'' with the audience who appeared to have the semblance of
stuffed dummies lapping it up. We were subjected to an
exhilarating interview with Eastenders latest star, who was told
``you're a bit of a wild child''.
This was followed by HRH Prince Rafhtu of Bali, his black leather
trousers and earring, who must've parked his Ford Capri with the
furry dice outside.
This is ``Hello'' magazine on screen, and Pat threw in some
sauciness, asking the prince for ``marks out of ten for your wife
in bed'' Roll on the glamour. We were then treated to the
highlight of the show, ``the world's hottest blonde'', who told us
of the harsh life on the road: ``it takes two and a half hours to
put on my make up''.
Pat concluded with such in-depth questions as ``how do the girls
in California wear their bikinis?'' and ``are you a bitch?'' Yet
another empty interview in an utterly vacuous programme, which
for reasons beyond my comprehension, RTE persist with.
American animation has changed somewhat since the debut of Mickey
Mouse in 1927, and the latest hit ``South Park'' has been described
as ``crude and crass''. Tom and Jerry was slated in its day for
conditioning us to violence, but this seemed mild in comparison
to the antics of Beavis and Butthead, who are wont to repeatedly
talk about ``chicks'' and their ``peckers''. In fairness to the
Simpsons, everyone sees a Simpson in themselves, with ex
taoiseach John Brutal bearing a striking resemblance to Homer.
This is classic humour, continually questioning American values.
South Park, some would argue, has gone too far. Run on a low
budget with very basic animation, the South Park children spend
their days vomiting and setting fire to people and each episode
ends with the death of Kenny, a schoolboy character.
Is this comic logic or a sick sense of humour?
I reserve judgement but have no doubt it will soon be topping the
Irish cartoon ratings.
By Sean O Donaile
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