Sir, - I am a 19 year old student home from university in Britain. For two evenings my mother and I - limited as we are to RTE I and Network 2 - sat through a substantial proportion of the Rose of Tralee contest. We emerged with united opinions of the show, and in agreement that there are a few things which need to be said.
Derek Davis has shown himself to be rather inadequate in a role where the ability to apply some sensitivity and political correctness, as well as a more cosmopolitan approach, are necessary; I am still in disbelief at his asking the New Zealand Rose if there really was any difference between New Zealand and Australia. He muddled through six hours of live television "playing the gombeen", as my mother phrased it. But his comportment was only the beginning.
The lighting left Derek's face in shadow when it wasn't flickering and blinking, the cameras seemed to shake, the set was dated and, oh yes, the air vents were a continuous source of embarrassment. The interviews themselves were vapid and boring; Kathleen Watkins's little summary of the Tuesday Roses was badly written, inappropriately selective, and the extent to which it trivialised and reduced those women was annoying, if hilarious.
It is unbelievable that RTE should invests much in this anachronistic drivel the show seems lodged in a time warp. I cringe to think that this might be seen to be representative, in any way, of the modern Ireland. Anyone for a game of "spot the redeeming feature"? - Yours, etc.,
Birr,
Co Offaly.
PS. I would just like to take this opportunity to compliment The Irish Times on your excellent Internet service. When in university, I read the WebTimes most days and it's something I always look forward to. Thank you for the opportunity to keep in touch with home!)