It's about a decade since 'The Panel' disappeared from Irish TV screens. A lot has happened to Ireland since. In light of the funding crisis at RTÉ in recent years and the erosion of quality Irish comedy programming on TV, it's worth giving the show a reappraisal.
Although it wasn't the most reliable form of entertainment, 'The Panel' was often a very good and very watchable show. It was proof that Ireland can do the panel programmes that fill up so many programming hours in the UK, and do them well. The show effectively made the likes of Dara O'Briain, Ed Byrne and Andrew Maxwell household names. It's the kind of show Ireland badly needs right now, and given the amount of funny people in this country looking for work, it's odd that there's not some version of it on the telly any more.
We combed through youtube for the best clips from The Panel and here's a curated selection.
1. Ed Byrne and Dara O'Briain on 1970s Irish PSAs
I don't know if anyone has actually seen an 1970s Irish PSA, but they sound completely ridiculous. We would pay €1 million to see that water safety ad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fahMrV6b7ss&has_verified=1
2. Andrew Maxwell on the Thierry Henry and why we need our own national sport
This must have happened around the time Movember became a thing.
3. Grainne Seoige vs Mairead Farrell
The Panel was always a bit laddy but this staged catfight between Grainne and Mairead from the Ray D'Arcy is fun
4. The Panel interview Richard Dawkins
A surprisingly educational interview.
5. Andrew Maxwell on aliens arriving at the Vatican
Creepy, in a good way
6. Andrew Maxwell flirting with Grainne Seoige
Also a little creepy from Maxwell, Grainne handles it well.
