That would certainly seem to be the policy in RTÉ, where the hugely successful Scrap Saturday was ditched and Extra Extra promoted as A GREAT IDEA. Widely considered Ireland’s most talented and controversial comedian, Dermot Morgan has suffered more than most in a climate where safety remains the bottom line. Here he talks about Teasey and Haughey, Bishop Casey’s bedroom habits, Chris de Burgh’s ladies in bed, the loves Labour have lost in government and what makes a legitimate target – along the way excoriating RTÉ for their unwillingness to take even the slightest risk in the cause of decent comedy. Interview: Joe Jackson.

“I have great sympathy for hookers,” says Dermot Morgan. “It’s like, ‘you’re on after the meal – and we want head as well.”

The television cameras were rolling non-stop over the past few weeks as the third series of the satirical comedy “Father Ted” was shot on location throughout County Clare. The stars of the hit Channel 4 sitcom were based in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon for a number of weeks. It was home away from home for the duration of filming for the new series of Father Ted which will be screened in February.

30 September 1987, Karl Tsigdinos in Car Driver

The Radio Ireland opening party in the Jervis Centre was a lively affair.

Originally intended as “Getting Morganised”, a series. [Our Father p. 77 says this was aired in 1983, but additional sources from the time say otherwise; I suspect a lot of it would have been recorded in 1983]

What do you really expect from a programme called That’s Showbusiness?

RTÉ report on a planned move by the Shamrock Rovers from Milltown to Tolka Park, featuring Dermot, who “leads the fans and KRAM supporters in song with a rendition of ‘We’re Never Gonna Leave Milltown’.”

Two appearances: 15 October 1996 and 19 March 1997.