The ex-FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Duo started their new job this Monday called “The Colm and Jim-Jim Breakfast Show”. The much hyped and anticipated show has so far done nothing for me.
I gave them the benefit of the doubt each morning this week, thinking that it’s just this bad while they find their feet. However, things are just so annoyingly 2fm that I can’t listen to them anymore.
First and foremost is that terrible playlist that they must have to abide by. The one thing I really liked about Colm was his music selection. He just knew when to play the right track. But if you have a bad selection of tracks to work with, it’s hard to fing the right one! The jingles are also very cheesy and old fashioned, I could go on, but I’d only bore people.
I have to say, I thought I would move my alliance to 2fm as soon as they took to the airwaves, but I think I’ll stick with FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Clock. They’re not as good as the old Colm and Jim-jim show, but they’re doing a pretty good job!
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#1 by Stewart at March 8th, 2007
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when the DJ’s start honking bicycle horns (seriously, it happened this morning…) it’s time to change stations.
Anyway, it’s pretty much the same show… badly sung FLC “stings”, the “silly kids” bit, all wrapped up in unfunny banter.
#2 by tom lord at March 8th, 2007
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I have to say I agree, and having read the papers recently i feel that Colm and dim jim have some sort of grudge against their old employers. They seem to have forgotten to mention that they probalblt trebbled their wages by going national. As a licence payer I feel robbed, to be 100% honest they stopped being funny a long time ago, colm sounds tired and old and dim jim sounds like a headless chicken being lead by colm.
regards
Tom
#3 by Tom Doyle at March 8th, 2007
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I never found Jim-Jim funny to be honest! Colm has always been the heart and soul of the show.
#4 by tom lord at March 8th, 2007
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As a radio “fan” indeed Hayes was a great “Jock” but to be honest I read an article in the Sunday World recently that put me right off him, he came across as a crazed ego maniac high on something, all i felt was “what an a**hole!” anyway RTE don’t seem to hold on to breakfast shows for very long they should have kept Tubridy on 2fm he was starting to do very well on a radio sation that has no real heart or direction. It will be no suprise to me to hear that the next 2FM breakfast show presenter will be Will Leahy. keep the muckers happy and he suits what is a terrible excuse for a national “youth”?? station.
#5 by Stefani at March 10th, 2007
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It’s like this, when Ian Dempsey left 2fm I followed and I haven’t been let down at all. Today FM is by far the best radio station. Gift Grub, Ray D’arcy, Ray Fowley (new to the Afternoon, brilliant!) The Last Word, Alice Cooper (not a big fan but i’m sure you’ll like his play list tom)
Where would we be without fix it friday. Tom i recommend you change your radio station to today fm! Although knowing you, I know you won’t listen to a word I Say!!!!!
Stef
#6 by Linda at March 10th, 2007
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The show is awful. The lads are likeable as presenters, but the “comedy” just isn’t working. You can hear the self-consciousness of being part of the national station with all that entails creeping in to their manner and delivery style. Laughable as it may sound, the comedy sketches on Marty in the Morning were more irreverent and tongue in cheek. The new guys are toeing the line.
Colm and Jim were suitable for the new Dublin working class, and I mean that in the best sense of the word. The M50/Spar/Jackie Skelly/100% mortgage crowd. I’m not sure if that will work nationwide, or if the lads will last the course trying to please other demographics if they tailor the show accordingly.
#7 by Linda at March 10th, 2007
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Another point (and I know it’s off topic) – don’t get me started on Will Leahy. You’d get more wit and independent train of thought in 30 seconds of Gaybo’s Swinging Sunday (or whatever the hell it’s called)
#8 by Darren at March 14th, 2007
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I have to agree with Linda there. A huge part of their show used to be slagging off (in a nice way) culchies. Everything used to be pro Dubs.
I was a huge fan of the Strawberry Alarm clock when they were at the helm. But as soon as I hear the rediculous jingle rap intro to the 2fm show, I just get put right off. As Tom says, the playlist is terrible, so I can’t blame them for not having anything good to choose from.
They have sold out for the money, thats for sure but you can’t hold that against them. A lot of people would do the same. Unfortunately for them, I don’t see this lasting. Where do they go from there…
#9 by George at March 20th, 2007
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I Thought Marty annoyed me but these guys really take the morning show to a new low. I am in my late thirties and this show does not appeal to me at all, In fact it is rubbish from the start. Bring back Mr Whelan 2FM, you lost a good one there, At least he played a bit of music unlike the colm and Dim Jim. I was as well getting tired of Mr Dempseys show but have been switching back to him on most mornings as at least he knows what he doing. 2FM – Get those dummies off the airwaves please.
#10 by Mary at March 30th, 2007
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What are you doing!! I have been a listener to 2fm all my life and I love listening to the morning shows since Ian Dempsey.I really enjoyed Marty Whelan he would put you in Good form for the rest of the day. Now we have these two ejets!!! They do a slot with Kids in the morning which is enjoyable but the other morning Tues or Wed they proceeded to sing a song about food and up poped the word (poxy!!) I couldnt believe it so I have turned 2FM off untill 9.00. My Kids where listening to this and I was not impressed. Get them off and gain your audience back. Bring Back MARTY!!!! or Garreth
#11 by Tom Doyle at March 30th, 2007
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Oh my god…. offended by the word “poxy”??? Yer kidding aren’t you?
#12 by Mary at April 16th, 2007
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What ever about me been offended by such a horrible word I do not expect MY CHILDREN getting ready for school to have to listen to it.Its suppose to be an enjoyable part of the morning!!! remember!!
#13 by Tom Doyle at April 16th, 2007
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Well to be honest, I don’t see anything wrong with it, kids will be subjected to these words no matter what walk of life they are in.
It’s attitudes like this that have made RTE have to censor our programmes. But then again, there is a level I would accept it to. If I didn;t like what I was watching or hearing, I have the control to change station…..
#14 by Craig at June 27th, 2007
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Lets get one thing straight, I’m 20 years old, theese 2 morning show idiots were brought into appeal to my age group, huh. If i wanted to listen to 2 idiots laughing at eachothers crap jokes for three hours i’d go to the local comedy night at the pub. Bring back Marty Whelan, he was excellent, a goog laugh, and as Mary said, Marty put you in good form for the rest of the day. Its hard to find good Djs, and 2fm are sidlining some of the best.
#15 by paddy at July 2nd, 2007
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the new 2fm line up puts today fm to shame. its like 2fm from the 80s. and talking about idiots laughing at there own jokes, listen to the heap of crap ray foly
#16 by PD at July 2nd, 2007
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What are you harking on about people ?
Your run of the mill know it all critics, who can only judge on ” what you don’t like “.
What about all the good things they do, and have done!
The lads got that gig because…
A – They had the biggest breakfast show in Dublin.
B – They are multi PPI winning broadcasters and comedy writers
C – They deliver , whether you moaners like it or not.
Marty fooking wheelchair had 80 thousand more people tuning in, to his show, he was national radio for gods sake.
He lost thousands with his daily rubbish ranting and shite music. You had a mumbling 50 year old on a national youth service. He too did ” kids ” features in case you forgot, he too had comedy sketches introduced into his show, all features that worked on the Strawberry first and was copied by many including 2FM.
2FM is on its national knees and need the injection of fun that the lads bring to morning radio. If your late thirty then fook off where you belong, serious, its not for you anymore.
2fm need to get that vital; 15-35 audience, the audience they ignored as they got older loosing to , spin, fm104, beat, Corks Redfm etc.
When the lads get their national figures then you can judge them, but until then those who don’t like em don’t tune in to the show … use your head !
KC
#17 by Tom Doyle at July 3rd, 2007
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KC / PD – whatever yer real name is….
I think you are missing the point. GREAT and all that they were on FM104, they are not the same team they were.
On 2fm, they obviously have a playlist to adhere to and their jokes are completely toned down to what they were able to do on FM104.
They are absolutely terrible now on 2fm and I can safely say, they’ll be lucky to win any awards this year…..
#18 by Tom Doyle at July 3rd, 2007
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PS…. I’m just gone 30…
#19 by PD at July 3rd, 2007
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Tom, if you drove a car for 10 years and then one day said “fuck it ill but a new one ” then it would take some time before you adjusted to the new improved power steering, the bigger body & the extra horses, the feel of the car .. would it not ?
That’s what your hearing.
They are on national a few months in a market that they have never been in before. Of course they are going to be toned down a little, until people warm to em , you settle in .. .and then you get confident , your ready to drop her into 5th gear on an open road.
As for play lists you wrong on that call….
FM 104 Is 100% hardcore selector playlist ran, and would be so much stricter then 2fm, the lads have 50% more free choice on 2fm to place tracks into the show.
They inherited 180,000 listeners from Marty Wheelchair, watch the figure hit 250,000 after they take 20% of their hardcore Dublin following with them and pick up 1000 listeners in each county across the country.
What you don’t like, I think, is the decoration around the show. If you were a 104 listener then 2fm will feel alien to you as a station. The news, the sport, the imaging, the un- Dublin feel to it – that’s what you might be uncomfortable with.
It’s the same people you know doing the same radio wearing new shoes.
KC
#20 by Tom Doyle at July 4th, 2007
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KC,
Firstly, I know what I like and don’t like – so please don’t try and tell me what you “THINK” I like, because you’re wrong.
Of course the show is going to be different, but just like when you buy a new car, you expect it to be a whole lot better than a car you’ve been driving for ten years previous. I don’t believe you need a settling in period, you’ll know straight away if the car is better or not.
It’s not hard to cop on to the fact that their figures will increase, they were the most popular show in Dublin, so it’s hardly surprising that they’d increase the listenership on their show. However, that doesn’t make it a good show.
I would like to challenge you on the playlist suggestion. If as you say FM104’s playlist is 100% selected, maybe they have a much larger and better selection than 2FM’s 50%. The bottom line is they are supposed to be appealing to a younger age group and the tracks they are planning just doesn’t.
Bottom line is, I was a huge fan of the guys – well Colm at least – and have been listening to Colm for years. The show is absolutely terrible and it’s sad to see we have lost one of the greatest shows in the country because the two guys got greedy.
On another note – are you sure you’re not Jim-Jim or Colm?
#21 by KC at July 5th, 2007
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Your in “business ” Tom ya ?
If I gave you the opportunity to double your salary for doing the job you currently do, would you turn that down?
Gimme a break man… you would jump at it.
The show, in my opionion, is what they were doing on 104, just on 2fm.
The bench marks, the comedy imaging, creative promotions, Telly bits, pick of the week, Jims dad, comedy inserts, all the same. They put showbiz on earlier so not to clash their comedy with Today FM and give an alternative to the often “high brow -self indulgent� gift grub section which airs at the same time.
No disrespect to gift grub, their stuff can be really good I just feel it can leave a lot of people out sometimes.
Anyway your point is “ you don’t like it “
My point is “ I don’t see a huge difference “
That’s opinions for ya ….
And no im Colm or Jim , I work in radio and judge objectively.
#22 by Tom Doyle at July 5th, 2007
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The first few years of working for myself I asked myself that question everyday and the answer was the same everyday…. no.
So you’re wrong again with your assumptions – I wouldn’t jump at it.
I agree with you on one point – you do have an opinion and I respect that.
#23 by bullvine at July 17th, 2007
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Sure Tom what would you know, you have terrible taste in Music, I mean Trivium, go on outa that.
#24 by Tom Doyle at July 17th, 2007
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hahahahaha – who listens to them anymore?
#25 by bullvine at July 17th, 2007
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Can only imagine the utter muck you listen to these days? Probably Boltthrower or Napalm Death
#26 by Aileen at July 19th, 2007
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I have to say, I’m very dissapointed with the new breakfast show they are doing now. I listened for the first 2 weeks or so and havn’t since. When they were on FM104 I listened every day, RELIGIOUSLY, as I thought they were great on there in the mornings! Very light-hearted and witty, great gags and wind-ups, even the jingles were catchy…now they seem forced and unsure of themselves, and very false humour. I’d love to see them return to their former glory, but unfortunately with all the restrictions and regulations 2FM seem to have put in place for them, I can’t see that happening.
#27 by Linda at July 20th, 2007
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After three months of listening to this claptrap in the morning (the only thing going for it is that it’s loud and jolts me out of bed) I’ll be tuning out. Forget FM104, the show has significantly deteriorated since its launch in March. Colm Hayes (nee Caffrey) still hasn’t learn to work the deck, they interject each other constantly just as one of them starts making a statement that’s slightly above the intellectual capacity of a flea, their jingles are cringeworthy, and their prank calls both embarrassing and cruel. Of the two, Caffrey is by far the worst. Smug and embarrassing, like a pissed uncle at a 21st birthday party. Jim Jim on the other hand, reminds me of a young Pat Kenny. Can’t wait for the JNLR figures.
#28 by catherine at July 20th, 2007
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I dont know what everyone is moaning about, naturally there will be an adjustment period for the guys! they are sooo much better than those attention seekers on 98fm, Dermot and Dave share a single brain cell and do not get me started on Siobhan!what can she do only hot goss! please! give me some intelligent radio!
I think Colm and Jim Jims playlist is excellent, it is akin to the strawberry pick of the week! Give them a chance for Gods sake! and no they havent sold out! wouldnt any of us jump to another job for more money! cop on people!
As for Gavin / Dougie, class Radio!
#29 by Craig at July 24th, 2007
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The problem with The Colm and Jim Jim breakfast show is that they are very limited personalities together on 2fm. They were so used to a Dublin only audience that now they don’t know how to handle a nationwide one. I listened to Colm Hayes talking on his own a couple of weeks ago and he seems better without dim Jim, he just makes me sick. The new 2fm line up is great except for the huge morning show cock up. They have had the morning show since March, four months have gone buy and there is very little improvement.
#30 by Damian at October 17th, 2007
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The breakfast show in the morning is crap. It’s full of stupid jingles and presented by two clowns who think they are Gods gift to humour. If RTEs criteria to fill the morning slot involved the candidate to be an absolute dipstick and to talk utter shite all day, then I take my hat off to their HR dept., as they not only got one ideal candidate but managed somehow to get 2. The jingles are shit, Jim Jims Dad is an asshole ( which isn’t suprising )and the show in general gives my arse a headache. By the way I’m only sending this because I was unfortunate to have to endure 20 minutes of the show this morning which was out of my control.
#31 by philip at December 5th, 2007
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well lads think the breakfest show is the best ever!and alwayshas been even on “104” keep up the good work . funny men…….
#32 by Clare at July 26th, 2008
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I didn`t like them at the start, I missed Marty, but I have to say they have grown on me and now I have them on every morning. I can never get through on the phone to them so that in itself says a lot about the amount of listenership
#33 by David at July 29th, 2008
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Thank god i found this discussion!!!!, that Colm and jim jim show shite drives me nuts!!!!!, i have a habit of flicking between stations to get a song and generally try to stay away from the shit chat, but the moronic duo colm & jim jim take the biscuit , it is without doubt the worst crap i have EVER listened to!!!!, they are the 2 most unfunny presenters i have ever heard, i dont know what target market / demographic could “enjoy” this, do they feel if the constantly chuckle at their own lameass jokes (ala beavis & butthead) that it make this drivel funny????,
i generally dont have strong views on programming but this pair make me want to puke every time i hear thier voices , i dont understand who the hell (a) could bear this shite and (b) would consider it even remotely funny ,2FM bring back ANYBODY else to do it , PLEASE !!!!!!
#34 by paul at August 1st, 2008
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I agree dave. Their banter is embarassing and about as funny as a toothache. I actually only tune in (now and again) cuz i cant beleive how bad it actually is. And dont start me on larry gogans golden hour. If i hear “young at heart” by the bluebells one more time ill SCREAM!! Put this dinosaur to bed.
#35 by Maria Dolke at August 24th, 2008
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The colm & jim jim breakfast show have gained 34 thousand new listeners – JNLR august 2008
#36 by Brenda D at April 27th, 2009
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Oh my f***ing god, I hate those two f***ing fools. Do they actually think they are funny? If I want a sick day off work I turn them on in the morning so I can get a migraine, absolute awful shit. Thank god I found this site. They have one thing going for them though, they both sure have a face for radio.