RTE star
Miriam O’Callaghan has insisted that she never wants to present The Late Late Show - as it is important for women to front current affairs programmes.
Miriam (51) was one of the front runners for the job when Pat Kenny stepped down but has no ambitions to replace the current host Ryan Tubridy.
Miriam also stated that
Prime Time had a difficult year because of the Fr Kevin Reynolds controversy which she admitted was their own fault. And she pointed out that they normally produce good programmes. She said: “It’s been a very difficult year for Prime Time. It was our own fault it was such a difficult year, we made a catastrophic error. The other night Prime Time went out on prostitution and absolutely everybody said it was a very good programme.
“Most of the time we make very good programmes and that’s not to deny when we totally get it wrong and we apologise profusely. But we normally make very good programmes and I don’t do any of the work. I go out in front and get all the kudos.” She continued: “Read my lips, I do not want to present
The Late Late Show because I actually think as a female presenter presenting current affairs is very important.
“I don’t mind doing my chat show as well. I’ll be 95 in a wheelchair presenting Prime Time. I’ll never give it up. I’m like a younger Madonna.” Miriam has also found success with her weekend radio show Miriam Meets which has recently featured Dara O Briain, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan TD and Moya Brennan.
In the latest radio listenership results Miriam’s figures grew by 17,000 and she has heard that her show is changing mass attendance. She said: “I’m new to radio. I feel sorry for people in radio because you get these (JNLRs) every three months and they are a bit of a lottery and they are quite stressful.
“I was delighted that they went up so much. Apparently we are interfering with people’s mass going habits because it goes out at 10 on a Sunday. It’s quite a difficult slot. They are going to mass earlier or later.”