PAUL SHARP PAUL SHARP

THIS AFTERNOON, TV3 gave people their first look at the station’s autumn programming schedule – and the launch was packed to the rafters with recognisable TV3 faces.

Given the station is showing the Rugby World Cup this year, the event was held in the Aviva Stadium – and the rugby was a continuous theme throughout.

1. The first thing you noticed when entering the presentation area though was the baby grand piano beside the stage

Casual, like.

Was Vincent Browne going to croon at some point? We’d have to wait and find out.

2. The bar at the Aviva was very on #brand as well

Coupled with the massive purple curtains, it was all on point.

3. In fact, the hallways of the stadium were decked out with some oversized posters

Purple was the colour of the day, it seemed.

4. One of the first shows that was presented to the audience was ‘Animal Rescue’ – and it looked as adorable as you’d expect

This could be a heartbreaker. The documentary team follows the ISPCA around Ireland while they rescue animals – and it features some emotional scenes.

They played a clip of it for about 30 seconds and even that nearly sent the audience over the edge.

5. Keith Barry had an interesting description of his new show

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Speaking about Keith Barry: Hypnomagician, the magician said he’d be driving around Ireland in a “tricked-out hypnovan.” This entails the intrepid Keith driving the country looking for people to hypnotize and perform magic tricks on. He’ll be creating the show in the back while they drive, you’ll be delighted to hear.

We can’t wait to see the ‘hypnovan’ in fairness.

6. Twink could be seen roaming the halls with her pet dog Teddy

It added that certain something every programme launch needs.

7. There is a new judge for The Great Irish Bake Off this year

Director of Content for TV3 Lynda McQuaid said “baking is the new going out.”

*orders a round of cakes*

8. Vincent Browne had some bants on stage with Colette Fitzpatrick

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He’s in the process of planning the next General Election coverage, and joked about the ones in 2021 and 2026 being on his radar too.

“I won’t leave until I’m 131,” Vincent quipped.

#topbants

9. Brian Ormond has his own game show now

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Couples submit their dream wish list to the show (the show’s also, aptly enough, named Wish List), and then compete to see if they can win it. Brian said the prizes can be anything from a trip to Disneyland to a wedding dress.

We need more originality with the requested items, please. How about a baby grand piano?

10. Half the Xposé presenters were missing in action

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The public screamed ‘where are they?’ – but it’s Lisa Cannon’s wedding in Italy this week, which explains why it was only Glenda Gilson and Peter O’Riordan representin’.

11. There *will* be an Irish Gogglebox on TV3

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*relief*

Confirming to DailyEdge.ie, a TV3 spokesperson said that the Irish version of the show will be on air next autumn – so we still have a while to wait yet.

But just imagine the gas characters they could rustle up for us.

12. We finally discovered why there was a piano sitting beside the stage the entire time

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It was the finale to the show, and it stuck to the rugby theme.

Yes, Phil Coulter was there, and yes, he was going to sing his inimitable rugby anthem Ireland’s Call.

He was joined by The High Kings for a singalong that was equal parts patriotic and surreal in such a corporate setting.

Still, at least the piano was put to good use.

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Written by David Elkin and originally published on DailyEdge.ie

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