GALA TV SHOW OF THE YEAR - The Peopls's Choice Award!
#GalaTVShow


The upcoming IFTA Gala Television Awards Ceremony is set to be a big night for Irish television, with the cream of Irish TV talent, guests and nominees coming together to showcase and honour the outstanding creative talent across the leading TV Programmes and shows that are entertaining and engaging Irish audiences across our TV screens. The Ceremony will take place at the Double Tree Ballroom on Thursday 22nd October 2015.

An exciting development this year is the introduction of the People’s Choice Award – the Gala TV Show of the Year – where the Irish public will get THEIR say on what they think is this year’s Best TV Show. Voting is free and the public can cast their votes via Gala Retail's Facebook page. There's also set to be fantastic prizes running across both the IFTA and Gala social media channels in the lead up the ceremony.

The finalists for the GALA TV Show of the Year have been shortlisted by a special Jury of some well-known faces, who selected their favourite Shows of the year from a long list down to the TOP TEN. Among the Jurors were people such as Amanda Brunker the self-confessed media & reality whizz and who is no stranger to television herself; and also included former Rose of Tralee and media extraordinaire Maria Walsh; all things sporty with the lovable Brent Pope along with Editor of the RTE Guide, Michael Doherty, all of whom provided an all-round encyclopaedia on all things Television to deliver the Top Ten for public voting (see their feedback and Quotes below).

The shortlist includes a mix of sport, entertainment, reality, lifestyle and soap with popular household TV programmes. The line-up includes Ireland’s favourite Music shows The Voice of Ireland, the X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent along with the Christmas favourite The Late Late Toy Show along with the cheeky and lovable comedy Mrs. Brown’s Boys and the Garda drama of Red Rock. Sports features heavily with FIFA World Cup Coverage, Ireland’s epic year at the RBS Six Nations and the GAA coverage in The Sunday Game Live which brought us live action from the GAA Championship throughout the summer and every household’s guilty pleasure for home improvement Room To Improve.

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail said: “This People’s Choice Award is our shoppers and the public’s chance to vote for their favourite show, and see it awarded Gala TV Show of the Year. The shortlist includes some of Ireland’s most-loved programmes across all genres with entertainment, sports and reality programmes included. As this is the only Award to be voted for by the public, it’s set to be one of the most hotly contested awards on the night, therefore we’re calling upon our shoppers and the wider public to cast their votes, as every vote counts!”

Aine Moriarty of IFTA said of the shortlist; “ What a great line up of popular and entertaining TV Shows for the Irish public to choose from - so get voting for Free and enjoy all the prizes thanks to Gala and our partners – good luck to all”

What the Jury had to say:

Amanda Brunker (Irish Novelist, Journalist/Columnist with the Sunday World and Former Miss Ireland) says of the shortlist: “slightly mad and ridiculously passionate people make for great TV viewing. And this shortlist definitely includes both of them. Quality television moves people. Whether it entertains, shocks, thrills or makes us cry, we all want to feel emotionally invested and that's the secret to an excellent prime time show.”

Of the tough choice for the public, typically witty and controversial Amanda says “I'm not sure how the public will choose between men kicking balls and a man HIDING HIS BALLS but there's a grand cross (dressing) selection here for people to pick from.”

Brent Pope (Sports legend and all round nice guy) says of short-listing the long list; “ I spent hours watching performing dogs, oval balls, round balls, soaps and wannabe rock stars - the perfect night in?”

“A programme literally has to jump out of the screen at me, like a book I want it to capture me from the start, so I will continue to watch it. Most people have a pretty short span of attention with one finger always hovering over the remote to change channels, so I need a programme to excite, educate and entertain... “

Maria Walsh (broadcaster, journalist and the Rose of Tralee 2014 ) says of the shortlist: “From strapping curvaceous men in dresses to those answering Ireland’s call, to extraordinary talented individuals, to the annual splash of excited little people in prep of Christmas time! What a sensational mix of television for viewers at home.”

“The programmes which hand deliver a mix of pushes, developments of perspectives, opportunities to discuss anything and everything the very moment it is over. That's great television! And what's so great about television is each person is extremely different. Therefore as audience members we are constantly looking and searching for those pushes. And Irish television delivers each and every year...”

Michael Doherty of the RTE Guide says “The shortlist reflects the diversity of our most popular programmes - sporting heroes, talent hopefuls, toy stories, and everyone’s favourite man in a frock’’

The shortlist was drawn from the Free-to-Air terrestrial channels in Ireland and included representation from RTE One, RTE Two, TV3, UTV Ireland & TG4 and top rated shows of the year and in keeping with the IFTA eligibility date for 2015 which are from 01st January 2014 to June 30th 2015. The Nominations have been shortlisted by Members of the Irish Academy along with Irish Jury panels of well-known personalities.

To Vote: Go to https://www.facebook.com/galaretail, during the voting period and cast your vote using the Gala People’s Choice Awards Facebook application. The Voting opens 8th October 2015 at 12:01 GMT and closes 19th October 2015 at 18:00 GMT. Entry via the Gala Retail Facebook page. #GalaTVShow


 

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Editors notes:

ABOUT GALA

Established in 1998 and wholly Irish-owned, Gala is one of the most progressive symbol groups operating in the convenience retail market in Ireland. Gala stores are renowned for their high levels of service and commitment and support of local communities. Gala has 185 stores nationwide, and has opened 10 stores in the first half of 2015

Gala’s ethos is community convenience retailing at its best, and its values include: community, Irishness, quality and innovation. Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala, heads up the Gala team, who are based in Kill, Co. Kildare

In 2015, Gala was named as one of the official partners of Special Olympics Ireland’s Team Ireland, helping to fund 88 athletes travel and participation at the World Summer Games in LA. Gala has also been an ongoing supporter of the Jack & Jill Foundation, raising thousands of euro for the charity, and the brand has previously been the title sponsors of the Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championships.

Gala stores are unique in that they are owned and run by local entrepreneurs who are very much part of their community. Each store is individual, and has been tailored to meet the needs of its customers.

Website: www.Gala.ie Facebook: www.facebook.com/GalaRetail aTwitter Handle : @Gala_Retail

ABOUT THE JURY

AMANDA BRUNKER

Amanda Brunker is a best-selling author, journalist, director, producer and TV personality. Having started modelling at 15, Amanda won Miss Ireland aged 17 in 1991 and has been a general media whore ever since. Amanda is best known for staring in practically every reality TV series Ireland has produced; being a TV talent judge on All Ireland Talent Show and Celebrity You’re A Star and writing dirty books!

BRENT POPE

Brent Pope is a former New Zealand rugby player and professional coach but is best known as an RTE rugby pundit with George Hook. Brent has published 6 children’s books for charity, and in 2012 wrote an autobiography entitled "Brent Pope if you really knew me that was shortlisted for the British Sports Book of the year". Brent is an ambassador for many Irish mental health charities and has just established POPE a fashion label.

MARIA WALSH

Maria Walsh is a Broadcaster and Journalist and was crowned the International Rose of Tralee 2014. During her reign as The Rose of Tralee, Maria travelled across the world as ambassador for the Festival and attended various international events. She appeared on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, RTÉ TODAY, and The New Year’s Eve Celebration. On TV3, she featured on Late Lunch Live and the Seven O’Clock Show. Within her capacity as International Rose of Tralee, Maria dedicated much of her year traveling across the country speaking to young people. She has also given her time to a number of charitable organisations. She travelled to Kolkata with the Hope Foundation, Eastern Cape with Mellon Educate and Vesnova with Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International. Maria is the ambassador for Development Perspective’s “Insight 2015” program, which explores issues affecting our communities from a local and global perspective, and will travel to Tanzania in June.

MICHAEL DOHERTY

As Movies Editor with The RTÉ Guide, Ireland’s largest-selling magazine, Michael Doherty has spent two decades interviewing the world’s leading film-makers. He was the movie reviewer on various RTÉ TV shows including The Afternoon Show, The Daily Show and Morning Edition, and has been a regular contributor over the years to such RTÉ radio shows as Morning Ireland, Arena and Dave Fanning. Michael is the author of Reel Lives (Blackwater Press), a collection of essays and interviews. .