The last presenter to depart from 2FM, please ensure the lights are off. While it is often reluctantly done, to borrow and adapt the well-known phrase from the Sun newspaper, regarding the general election in Britain in 1992, is a disappointingly apt and momentarily relevant way to summarise the current wave of hosts departing from RTE’s secondary radio station.
In recent news this week, firstly, it was unveiled that the 2 Johnnies will be departing the station by month’s end, and secondly, that Jennifer Zamparelli will not be returning to her namesake show post her recent break. This follows hot on the heels of Doireann Garrihy’s decision to step down from her position as co-host of 2FM’s breakfast show. Misfortune may be suggested by the loss of one top-tier presenter and two may signify recklessness, so what does losing four imply?
Yet, considering the triumphant spirit of Johnny “Smacks” McMahon and Johnny “B” O’Brien on Tuesday’s Drive It With The 2 Johnnies (weekdays), it does not seem to be sorrow. “We have nine shows remaining, which is the bright side,” conveys McMahon, his voice seeming to radiate cheerfulness. Interestingly, it is unclear whether this information will please fans or critics more, whereas the Montrose executives who suspended the pair from the broadcast at the starting of their term might be anxious considering what lies ahead when McMahon, with a touch of ominous humour, says: “We are not going anywhere.”
Despite this, the mood is more celebratory than critical. Although they do not clarify their reasons for exiting their radio job, they utilise the stage to promote their upcoming album and tour, which are significant reasons in themselves, along with their continuing podcast. Their array of commitments and responsibilities has seemingly had them stretched, as evidenced by their extensive discussion on being compelled to watch unappreciated TV shows on the insistence of their life partners. In McMahon’s concise and amusing summary, “You’ll go through a whole lot for a smooch.”
It may be puzzling why someone would have any fondness for straightforward joviality, however much enthusiasm it is presented with. Likewise, the hunt for Ireland’s top whistler, featured in Wednesday’s segment, is unique – as O’Brien commends with admirable sincerity, “It’s incredulous this is working”. However, despite its originality, it becomes less amusing with time. Still, it serves to highlight McMahon and O’Brien’s distinct appeal, as their position as 2FM’s highest-rated presenters, reaffirmed by last week’s Joint National Listenership Research (JNLR) survey, illustrates. Their exit would undoubtedly pose a significant challenge to the station’s leadership in maintaining listener numbers.
On 2FM Breakfast (weekdays), the implication may not seem quite as severe. Garrihy is one of three presenters, along with Donncha O’Callaghan and Carl Mullan. Yet, envisaging the show continuing in her absence is difficult. Since the three began their shared broadcast in 2021, Garrihy has been the key influence in their on-air dynamic, providing the equilibrium between O’Callaghan’s hearty joviality and Mullan’s lively horseplay.
This arrangement produces an engagingly energetic morning atmosphere, but the substance is somewhat light and the 2 Johnnies may seem comparatively thoughtful. The principal topic on Wednesday revolves around Mullan’s consideration of swapping his charcoal barbecue for a gas alternative, accompanied by discussions on the safety implications of barbecuing chicken thighs. It’s as absorbing as one might expect. In fairness, a self-aware streak is evident throughout: their light-hearted round-up segment is aptly named Claire Byrne’s Bin as it is, by the presenters’ admission, ‘nonsense’.
Yet, occasionally amidst the amiable chatter, a poignant comment surfaces. When a teacher featuring in the daily quiz implies the Leaving Certificate business exam could include a question on cash flow, O’Callaghan quips in a subtly cutting manner. Referencing a previous incident where Garrihy was reprimanded for using RTÉ studios without permission, he teases, “Perhaps Doireann could shed some light on it”. The joke results in comedic affront from Garrihy and Mullan joins in, conjuring up images involving his co-host akin to those from Father Ted: “Doireann was merely keeping the money temporarily in her account.”
Notwithstanding the teasing, the departure of Garrihy and the 2 Johnnies from 2FM surely highlights a pivotal consideration. In the wake of the Ryan Tubridy payment outrage, RTÉ has heightened scrutiny over the external commercial dealings of its team, particularly impacting their young talent who benefit from thriving social-media platforms or podcasts. This, in turn, affects the youth-geared 2FM more than Radio 1. Hence, Garrihy’s quit notice expressing her desire to “pursue the projects I’ve been dreaming about” resonates. With whatever justification, the morning timetable of 2FM shall suffer a void without her presence.
Jennifer Zamparelli (2FM, weekdays) has been noticeably absent over the past month with just an explanation she’s on leave. On Thursday, Zamparelli, a mother of two, announced she wouldn’t return to host the breakfast show she handled since May 2019. Agreeing to what RTÉ attests, Zamparelli’s entry on the station a decade back was integral to its scheme of revitalising to captivate younger audiences.
Laura Fox, Zamparelli’s weekend counterpart, has been filling her shoes creditably but she doesn’t have the public reputation that years of TV work have given Zamparelli. The decision of Zamparelli to permanently exit 2FM only amplifies the image of a station disastrously stripped of its well-liked figures.
This is a swift reversal of luck for 2FM, which despite its vibrant persona, had been navigating a stable path over the past year, although the broader RTÉ network experienced turbulence. Bright points exist, particularly Tracy Clifford (weekdays) – her appealing style of friendliness and enthusiasm, without seeming too loud or overzealous, has resulted in increased ratings for her afternoon stint. However, Clifford’s performance can’t compensate for the disorder and doubts besieging the station’s three major daytime shows.
RTÉ has stated that “2FM will reveal its summer lineup in the forthcoming weeks”. Given the staff turmoil at the station, a thorough revamp seems necessary, indeed unavoidable, if there’s any hope of seeing the light at tunnel’s end.