Fantastic to see.
Despite the fact that there’s almost 450km between Cork and Derry, both cities were the toast of Irish comedy on Thursday night as The Young Offenders TV show premiered on RTE2 while the superb season finale of Derry Girls aired on Channel 4.
In terms of their tone and subject matter, both shows are world’s apart but they’re both rightfully celebrating because they’ve each been commissioned for a second season.
As audiences, we sometimes take for granted the amount of work that goes into creating a TV show. Yes, we’ve got an endless amount of shows to choose from but in an era that’s saturated with so much diversity and choice, it’s easy to forget that most scripts don’t even make it to the pilot stage – nevermind a whole season. As for a second season, that’s a sign of two things. 1) Genuine quality and, 2) Love from the public.
What’s even more impressive is the fact that both shows have ‘cracked’ the English market without ever losing a sense of their local identity. Lisa McGee and Peter Foott have captured that uniquely surreal, heartfelt and madcap sense of humour that defines Irish culture but most importantly, both shows have loads of heart.
In terms of The Young Offenders, the news that the BBC can’t get enough of Conor and Jock is extremely impressive. In fact, JOE was told that Peter Foott’s TV show was picked up BEFORE any audience – British or Irish – had even seen an episode. Simply put, that’s incredible.
After the film was released in 2016, The Young Offenders charmed everyone on the festival circuit and it found a whole new audience on Netflix. What’s even more impressive is the fact that it’s 100% Cork. After the BBC came on board to co-produce the TV show, people worried that it might lose a sense of its local identity- the exact opposite happened.
As you can see by the first episode, the language, location, actors, gags, and spirit of the show are definitively shaped by life on Leeside. Irish people aren’t easily fooled by something that tries to pass itself off as ‘authentic’ whenever its filmed over here – think about all those dodgy accents, infuriating cliches and unchecked stereotypes that you’ve seen over the years. The Young Offenders excels because everyone knows a ‘Conor and Jock type’ in their area and as for Conor’s mother Mairead, Hilary Rose’s performance is hilarious. She’s redefining the concept of an Irish mam because she clearly loves her son but probably wants to strangle him at times.
If Mairead is ever feeling lonely, she might take comfort in knowing that she has an ally that’s a ‘short’ 6-hour drive in Derry. As we know, Mary (Tara Lynne O’Neill) is constantly asking her daughter, Derry Girls’ lead character Erin, to “catch yourself on” while yelling instructions at her husband Gerry (Tommy Tiernan).
Despite the fact that it only aired in January, we’re almost running out of superlatives and positive things to say about Lisa McGee’s hit show- hopefully, this article here can articulate what’s so amazing about Derry Girls – but just like The Young Offenders, it’s a triumph because McGee and her characters remain true to what life in Derry was like during those difficult times.
Good writing is just that. It doesn’t matter where these shows are set, what era they’re from, who the main characters or what ages they are. It’s often said that comedy is the hardest thing to get right because humour is subjective. On that note, everyone involved with Derry Girls and The Young Offenders deserves massive credit because they’re doing what very few other shows have managed to pull off, they’re making people laugh – not just Derry, Cork, or Irish people, but people.
Without getting too analytical and preachy, isn’t that very welcome in the world that we’re living in? How good is it to see two quintessentially Irish shows that are making people feel a little bit better about their daily lives?
In terms of original comedy, these Irish shows are practically at the top of the class.
If you haven’t seen them yet, catch yourself on ya langer. These people agree.
Watched the #YoungOffenders followed by #DerryGirls, what an amazing achievement and shining example for Irish comedy they are! both made me cry with laughter, one made me cry with that ending! #Wow #BrilliantTv #IrishTv #Cork #Derry #Comedy #Drama
— Ashling Desmond (@redactash) February 8, 2018
Between #youngOffenders and #DerryGirls ain't no one going to tell me this island ain't funny boi pic.twitter.com/i7vAvW1BWS
— Jonny Beardo Mandatory but not Compulsory 🥸🪂 (@jonnybeardo) February 9, 2018
Watched last episode of #DerryGirls and first episode of #youngOffenders last night both brilliant for different reasons were a talented little country
— James Moore (@Muzzymoore) February 9, 2018
Derry Girls and young offenders in the same night, quality 🙌
— Cian McNamara (@cian_mcnamara) February 8, 2018
Ireland is spitting out some fairly daycent telly of late.. #Derrygirls & #YoungOffenders are hilarious, and who'd have though Ireland had so much talent!! #IrelandsGotTalent 👍🏼👍🏼☘️☘️
— Sharon Keogh 🌻🌻 (@Sharon_Keogh26) February 8, 2018
Great night for Irish comedy TV
Excellent first ep #Young Offenders and bittersweet ending to the fab #DerryGirls.— Maurz (@mhcasting) February 8, 2018
Derry girls and the young offenders both being on a Thursday has made it my new favorite day
— MollyHynes (@molly_hynes) February 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/Pauliereidy/status/961732044492623872
@YoungOffenders_ Just watched the second episode and every bit as funny as the first. Along with #DerryGirls 2 of the best shows on tv at the minute.
— darren mullen (@ncr72) February 8, 2018
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