An Irish Times commentary argues that Irish broadcasting has moved far away from the age of dominant on-air personalities. Using Gay Byrne and Claire Byrne as bookends, the piece suggests that one era was defined by powerful presenters who shaped programmes through presence, instinct and public connection.
In that framing, Gay Byrne stands as the original "big beast" broadcaster, while Claire Byrne is presented as the last figure to fit that model. The article points to The Late Late Show as the clearest symbol of that change, with the programme no longer representing a presenter-driven culture in the same way.
Instead, the commentary says broadcasting now feels increasingly controlled by management structures, financial oversight and corporate caution. It paints a picture of decision-making led less by standout talent and more by senior executives, technology chiefs and compliance teams, suggesting that bureaucracy now carries more weight than personality.
The broader point is not only about two well-known names, but about how television institutions operate. In this view, Irish TV has shifted from charismatic, risk-taking broadcasters to an era shaped by bean counters, governance and process, with The Late Late Show serving as the most recognizable example of that transition.
