“Complete cod.”
Radio DJ Damien Tiernan has called RTÉ’s Room To Improve “disgusting” and “pathetic.”
The Waterford presenter took to Twitter following the broadcast of Sunday night’s episode to question the morality of the series, and to ask why the national broadcaster – and host Dermot Bannon – are promoting the show.
“That #RoomToImprove is a disgusting programme,” he wrote.
“At no time does Bannon question the morality of what he is promoting.
“It’s a complete cod of a programme that plays on people’s greed, opulence and avarice. And #RTE promotes it as entertainment? Pathetic. They should be ashamed.”
That #roomtoimprove is a disgusting programme. At no time does Bannon question the morality of what he is promoting. It’s a complete cod of a programme that plays on people’s greed, opulence and avarice. And #rte promotes it as entertainment? Pathetic. They should be ashamed.
— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) September 29, 2019
Tiernan later added that he thought the show to be “shockingly bad.” He also pointed to the notable differences between Room To Improve‘s first series in 2007 and the programme now.
“People can’t afford their rent, let alone sky-high interior designers talking about space and knocking down walls,” he later told Live Line.
“I just don’t think it’s right morally to be putting out something like this at a time when there’s families in hotels, there’s homeless crises around the country.
“I like the concept, I just think it’s gone a bit too far.
Tiernan worked with RTÉ for 23 years as their south east correspondent before he made the move to Waterford radio station, WLR FM.
The DJ went on to say that he thinks the show is “out of touch.”
“It’s supposed to be escapism, but there’s a fine line between escapism and vulgarity, and for me, it’s vulgar, it’s insensitive, it’s full of bling,” he said.
“It’s just pure exhibitionism and ostentatious.”
The responses to Tiernan’s views were mixed, however users many did agree with his sentiment. His words have also generated a lot of discussion about Ireland’s attitudes towards opulence and the housing crisis.
Despite this, Room To Improve has remained incredibly popular among Irish audiences since its inception.
