Dry Your Eyes (TV series)

Dry Your Eyes
Created by Damon Quinn
Starring Martin Reid
Tim McGarry
Damon Quinn
Michael McDowell
Martin McCann
Emma Little
Sharon Norwood
Country of origin Northern Ireland
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 12
Production
Running time 30 mins
Release
Original network BBC One (NI)
Original release 10/03/2006

Dry Your Eyes was a Northern Irish sketch show on BBC One NI, created by the Hole in the Wall Gang, the makers of one of Northern Ireland's most successful shows Give My Head Peace. The show is written by Damon Quinn who also produces and stars in the series.

Writer Damon Quinn said "It's a temporary move away from Give My Head Peace for us and is made up of a series of short series featuring new characters. We are delighted to be able to welcome on board actors Sharon Morwood, Martin McCann and Emma Little, which is a credit to BBC Northern Ireland in its commitment to bringing on local talent and promoting local comedy."[1]

Sketches

  • Angry Steve is an overweight radio DJ who is usually unpopular with his audience and makes disparaging comments to his assistants. Fans widely believed Angry Steve was based on Radio Ulster talk show host Stephen Nolan, although the creators claim that any likeness was entirely coincidental. Played unconvincingly by Damon Quinn.
  • Arthur Heckler is a loud character who insults just about everyone - including his wife - and then retracts it by saying "I'm only sleggin'!". Arthur once ran a course in heckling at Queens, although it was closed down after he failed all his students. Played by Tim McGarry.
  • Betty the Cleaner usually interrupts important events to ask when she can start cleaning, such as the evolution of apes and a UN meeting. her catchphrase is "Are youse gonna be long?" Played by Tim McGarry.
  • Derek is a fanatic, foul-mouthed Linfield F.C. supporter. He has a very direct and no-nonsense way of dealing with issues. When disagreeing with someone, he usually blurts out "Is it/Are you by fuck!". He is widely regarded as the most popular character in the series. Derek is played by Martin Reid.
  • McDowell Brothers: Jonjo 1 (Martin Reid) and his brother Jonjo 2 (Michael McDowell) are two motorbike enthusiasts from Rasharkin, Antrim. Despite their name being written as McDowell, they claim it is actually pronounced "McDooooooooowell". In the second series the brothers were terrorised by a supernatural bike named Black Betty.
  • Norman and his mother: A man (Michael McDowell) who goes around wheeling the corpse of his dead mother in a wheelchair. The mother speaks to Norman in his mind and reprimands him at any opportunity. These sketches are a clear reference to the 1960 film Psycho, with Norman being based on Norman Bates and his mother on Norma Bates.
  • Trendy Priest: A young priest (Martin McCann) is taking part in an event and doing his normal clerical duties: at some point his mobile phone rings with the unmistakable Crazy Frog ringtone. The priest starts chatting to his friend about where is his, often making disparaging remarks about his audience.

Stage show

In the spring of 2007 Dry Your Eyes it's Give My Head Peace played sell-out shows at two venues in Northern Ireland; the Millennium Forum in Derry from 19–24 March and at Belfast's Grand Opera House from 26 March – 7 April. The show featured new material from Dry Your Eyes and Give My Head Peace and Tim McGarry also performed stand-up comedy. It was very well received. The next show in 2008, Give My Head Peace: Back from the Grave, also featured stand-up comedy and appearances by Dry Your Eyes characters Derek and the McDowell Brothers alongside the regular Give My Head Peace cast.

Trivia

  • The theme tune to Dry Your Eyes is a recording also titled 'Dry Your Eyes', written and performed by The Proclaimers exclusively for the show.[2]
  • Linfield manager David Jeffrey criticised the Derek sketch in February 2007 over fears it would harm the club's image. He claimed it "brings up the old stereotypical image of what a Linfield supporter used to be like".[3]
  • The idea for the McDowell Brothers came about after the Gang read about a local rider who was badly injured in a crash in 2006. Despite his long-term injuries his only real concern was whether he would be able to race in the North West 200. The actors playing the McDowells have also never been on a motorbike in their lives, and scenes aboard a bike are performed by a stunt actor.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Dry Your Eyes - Life's a sketch ", BBC, 19 January 2006
  2. ↑ The Proclaimers: The News, Proclaimers fans in Northern Ireland can look out for the comedy series 'Dry Your Eyes', a brand new comedy sketch show starring the Hole In The Wall Gang starting on BBC 1 TV Northern Ireland on Fri 10 March, 10:35 pm. The Proclaimers have written a new theme tune for the programme which they recorded in Glasgow in January of this year. (6 March 2006)
  3. ↑ "Comedy sketch riles Linfield boss", BBC, 19 February 2007
  4. ↑ Dry Your Eyes FAQs, Dry Your Eyes it's Give My Head Peace booklet page 10
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