You might not agree with what the panellists had to say, but it made for a good watch.
Cutting Edge made a welcome return to the midweek TV schedule on Wednesday night and it didn’t waste any time in stirring the passions of the watching audience.
The show frequently addresses topics that will usually divide opinions both amongst the panellists and viewers at home and so it proved when Niall Boylan, Jennifer O’Connell and Maia Dunphy appeared alongside host Brendan O’Connor last night.
'Beggars can't be choosers', @niallboylan4fm clashes with @jenoconnell on whether it's actually that difficult to get a home in Ireland. #CuttingEdge is live now pic.twitter.com/1Y1d50tvzO
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 14, 2018
Amongst the issues up for discussion were the Catholic Church, motherhood, sexual harassment and the difficulty of buying a house in Ireland and the panellists weren’t exactly unanimous in their views on the respective issues throughout.
Perhaps the most notable moment of the show came when Niall Boylan told of his experience of the Catholic Church and of a mother and baby home, becoming a little emotional in the process.
'If it was a company for example….you wouldn't have anything to do with that company and you would make sure that our government closed that company down' @niallboylan4fm shares his thoughts on the Catholic church and shares his story of a mother and baby home. #CuttingEdge pic.twitter.com/bgRPDDWVqs
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 14, 2018
It was very misguided of me to speak again after Niall’s extraordinarily brave story. In my defence, live telly is not easy. #cuttingedge
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) March 15, 2018
After the show, Maia Dunphy said she was “misguided” to speak after Boylan told the story, although while he was commended for his bravery in doing so, his views on sexual harassment weren’t universally well received.
Although it isn’t perfect, the live format can certainly add to the viewing experience and if the show continues to stimulate the sort of debate it did in studio and on social media last night, it will be well worth tuning in every week.
You can catch up on Cutting Edge on the RTÉ Player here.
Really enjoying @niallboylan4fm on #CuttingEdge tonight. Love him or hate him it’s refreshing to see someone genuinely say what they feel on tv. His own personal story is a tough and very real thing to hear as well.
— PJ Gallagher (@pjgallagher) March 14, 2018
Especially infuriating to hear Niall Boylan dismiss allegations against Dustin Hoffman as "silly stories" or as examples of #MeToo gone too far. They're anything but. #CuttingEdge https://t.co/WSvbXAYhtM pic.twitter.com/g0XHNOy50B
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) March 14, 2018
Regarding Niall Boylan's "silly stories" comment about Dustin Hoffman, Hoffman has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, of exposing himself to a minor and of sexual harassment. #CuttingEdge
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) March 14, 2018
What the f— is “genuinely sexually assaulted”, Niall? #CuttingEdge
— Eithne Shortall (@eithneshortall) March 14, 2018
Niall Boylan talking a lot of sense tonight. Liking his no bullshit attitude. Not afraid to put his opinion out there, whether it goes against the current trend or not.#cuttingedge
— Shane Owens (@TheShaneOwens) March 14, 2018
I'm raging listening to Niall Boylan. How dare he suggest that the 9,000 homeless people are being 'fussy' by needing a place to live! #CuttingEdge
— Clairebear (@93clairebear) March 14, 2018
#CuttingEdge is one of my favourite shows but it needs 90 minutes. Sort it out, RTÉ.
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) March 14, 2018
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