Eoin Butler: writer, journalist and Mayoman of the Year
Tripping Along The Ledge
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Play with the ball, Lexus
Jaysus, I almost forgot. Last weekend I visited the set of the new Hardy Bucks series in Swinford. Three thirty-minute episodes will air on RTE this autumn. (Look out for me as the last man standing in the 17-hour pint drinking contest. It’s the role I was born to play.) I’m also writing a feature about it for the Irish Times, to be published in September. The transition, for the lads, from internet chancers to national television stars is going to be a tricky one. It was fascinating to witness the amateur cast interact with the professional crew. This has clearly been a sharp learning curve for both.
The earlier, well-received YouTube epsides were all improvised. But the RTE Drama Department have insisted everything be scripted in advance this time around. I think that’s a pity, because the non-actors seemed more comfortable expressing themselves in their own words.
Pictured above, incidentally, are John O’Mahony (23) from Glanmire, Luke Murphy (22) also from Glanmire and James Brennan (23) from Freemount. They’re hardcore fans of the show, posing here with the guy who plays Eddie’s paranoid schitzophrenic cousin Lexus. It’s terrible I’ve forgotten his name now. He was deadly crack, even if I finally figured out who he kinda looks like. (Ian Huntley.)
Word was leaked on Friday evening, via Facebook, that the shoot was going ahead in the morning. On the spur of the moment, John, Luke and James decided to get up at 6am the next day, pack a couple of crates of beer in the boot of their car and set out on the four hour trek to Swinford.
Not only did they bring enthusiasm, the boot of their car also kept the stars (and one or two members of the supporting cast!) refreshed throughout the day. We had a ball. And yes, it really was like Pierce Brosnan’s wedding all over again!
May 28th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Chrisht, that one tough looking bastard. he’ll do it for the poteen lads.
May 28th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Jesus their so hardy even their fans look like they could throw a few shlaps
May 28th, 2010 at 10:37 am
What are the lads like? I hear they’re gas crack. And did you really beat the Hardy Bucks in a drinking contest?
May 28th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
@ Dan – With the exception of Chris/The Viper, who could not be more different from his character, the other lads are virtually indistinguishable from their onscreen alter egos. Great crack altogether.
Not really. We were drinking non-alcoholic beer. It came down to me and French Toast. He had to vomit on another character, making me the winner by default.
May 31st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Was Lexus part of the boozing contest? Fine shlab of a man. He looks like he’d be able to put a few away i’d say.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
He wasn’t thank God and he is. Interesting Lexus factoid: he’s got a Playboy bunny tattoo on his right shoulder. He told me he regrets it now, as it gives his lady friends unrealistic expectations…
May 31st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
“gives his lady friends unrealistic expectations…”
I think that probably depends on what the expectations are. In the unlikely event I think I’d expect to wind up under the patio…..
May 31st, 2010 at 5:52 pm
@ Mairead – not at all, he was a lovely guy. Bit lairy after a few pints maybe… but sure aren’t we all?
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Ian huntley….! Bit strong Eoin…!
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Sorry Paul, I only thought it was a very feint resemblance. But you’re right, it’s in bad taste and I apologise. Great day in Swinford tho, eh?
August 4th, 2010 at 11:33 am
that was the hilight of our summer!ha.. the following day there was over 60 empty cans in the boot and 3 bottles of vodka!..
August 4th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Great site Eoin, love your work… It was a good day a biteen on the mad side but hey who gives a *%”! Not Me!
September 13th, 2010 at 10:53 am
[…] On a gloriously sunny day in May of this year, I visit the set of the new series to find out. How much has changed, I wonder, since RTE came on board? Strolling around the set, the answer would seem to be everything and nothing. “It’s so much different now,” series director and co-creator Chris Torduff confides when I track him down. “In the old days there was no crew, no executive producer, no editor coming back daily with a list of pick-up shots we’d missed.” He smiles wistfully. “We were just trying to make each other laugh.” […]
June 23rd, 2011 at 10:35 am
[…] were in Mayo, incidentally, working on a feature about the new Hardy Bucks series. It was good to catch up with […]