Farewell Vincent Browne, you’ll be sorely missed.
You might not have always agreed with him, but much like Eamon Dunphy or Joe Brolly on another channel, there was no doubting that Vincent Browne usually made for a lively night’s entertainment when you sat down to watch him on the box.
A towering figure in Irish journalism for decades, it was revealed at the weekend that Browne’s ten-year career with TV3 is coming to an end, news that was confirmed by the station and the man himself on Wednesday night.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Bill Malone, Director of Programming at TV3 said: “Vincent has made an extraordinary contribution to Irish journalism and to Irish broadcasting. As the presenter of the Tonight Show, Vincent encapsulated the mood of the nation during unprecedented economic and political turmoil.
“His commitment to highlighting inequality and injustices in Irish life has been unwavering over his journalistic career. TV3 would like to take this opportunity to thank Vincent for his contribution to the station and to wish him the very best.”
Revealing on Wednesday night’s show that his last Tonight with Vincent Browne show will be on Thursday, 28 July, three weeks from now, Browne said:
“I’ve been thinking about this for some time and it was advised medically I should avoid stress. While I’m not as stressed at all on the programme except when Fine Gael TDs avoid questions, there have been stresses around the programme otherwise and I decided I needed to avoid that and I’ve done that a year ahead of the end of my contract.
“I’m very grateful to TV3 for the opportunity they’ve given me on television and I’m particularly grateful to TV3 for rescuing me from a financial crisis all of my own making. I know I will miss the programme and the banter with participants and the interaction with you, the members of the public and I will have an opportunity to thank those who have worked with me on the programme over the years and to thank the viewers and, of course, TV3.
“Over the next three weeks we hope to have back on the programme many of those who appeared on the programme many times over the ten years and who contributed a lot to it. We hope to cover all the major themes we’ve been addressing on the programme over the ten years, notably inequality, travellers, radical political reform, the state of the media, NAMA, the Gardaí and others.
“We hope you will join us for this final hurrah over the next three weeks.”
Vincent’s announcement that his time at TV3 is coming to an end prompted much admiration to be thrown his way on social media on Wednesday night, or as he might like to call it himself, the tweet machine.
We’ll miss you, Vincent.
Vincent Browne gave me my start in journalism. I honest to god don't know whether I should be grateful, or sock him on the jaw #vinb
— Lise Hand 🦩 (@liseinthecity) July 5, 2017
Vincent Browne gave young journalists like myself & countless others a chance in an industry that rarely likes change. We are grateful #vinb
— Shane Beatty 🎙️ (@ShaneBeattyNews) July 5, 2017
Wishing @vincentbrowne best wishes on his retirement #Vinb pic.twitter.com/4mo2Ws73Z8
— Mattress Mick (@mattressmick) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/JohnKennyMedia/status/882752347931373568
https://twitter.com/grooveontheloop/status/882751930589687808
Vincent's style is unique – exasperating – but he is a great disruptor & always championed unpopular voices & issues. Enjoy retirement #vinb
— Mary Roche (@maryroche) July 5, 2017
Vincent has been one of my main inspirations for critical thinking. I'm at a loss as to who will fill that gap. Thank you #vinb
— Ireland (@drominagh) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/popcornhack/status/882740691046191104
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