Television Career
In May 2007, O'Doherty's first TV series, The Modest Adventures of David O'Doherty, began airing on RTÉ Two. The six-part series was directed by John Carney, following the completion of his Academy Award-winning film Once. The premise of each episode was to have the comedian attempt to achieve a goal which he set for himself. The show features O'Doherty, his neighbour Bryan, and his friend Maeve Higgins. A running gag in the show is a reference to road racing cyclist Stephen Roche.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | "Galway" |
| David attempts to cycle from Dublin to Galway, for a show later that night. He quits 100 kilometres from his destination. | |
| 2 | "27" |
| David attempts to have "a minor hit", preferably charting at number 27. His song "Orange" instead reaches number 30, losing the number 27 spot in the Irish Singles Chart to Jibbs's "Chain Hang Low". | |
| 3 | "Job" |
| David tries to make his rent. A number of strategies are employed for this end; these include: betting money on a game of golf he plays with his nephew (and losing); betting money at a dog track (and losing); attempting to sell an office chair he found in a skip (and eventually making €1.70 on the sale); trying to find a job where he states in an interview that he can touch-type at around 40 words per minute. He turned down a telemarketing placement; and eventually acting as an assistant to his neighbour Bryan, whose work involved erecting signs about planning permission, leading to a string of jokes concerning erections. He eventually earned the €260 through the latter. | |
| 4 | "Tour" |
| David does a stand-up tour which he has t-shirts printed for. One show is for children. He does a gig at Vicar Street (a 1200 seater venue), but due to it being cancelled and re-instated repeatedly only about 20 people attend. The t-shirts do not arrive until after the tour has finished and are too small. | |
| 5 | "Movie" |
|
David tries to make a short film. The film is to be about Ernest Shackleton's reasons for trekking to the Antarctic and heavily features penguins. He sneaks his crew into Dublin Zoo dressed in clothes of an 1800s style. Due to too many people walking into frame, he opts to acquire a penguin elsewhere in Dublin. This proves to be a difficult task with O'Doherty eventually buying an inflatable penguin on eBay for €35. The inflatable is blown away by the wind. O'Doherty subsequently dresses up to play the part of the penguin. The film premieres in a local pub during the half-time of a football match on TV. The film's plotline goes as follows: Shackleton's blocks are knocked over by bullies, one of whom has a picture of a penguin on his shirt.; His girlfriend breaks up with him at the penguin enclosure at the zoo. The penguins seem to mock him. ; His parents choke on Penguin chocolate biscuits. ; He goes to the Antarctic. ; He shoots a penguin. There is no applause for his film, however there is a cheer when the match is put back on. This episode is dedicated to O'Doherty's friend's pet kitten, Tony, who appeared in the episode and died in 2007. |
|
| 6 | "Live" |
| David attempts to record a comedy CD. The CD is recorded in his one-room apartment. He then advertises the gig on A4-sized posters, asking to be contacted via e-mail if anyone is interested in coming to the show. Upwards of 30 chairs are squeezed into the apartment. |
O'Doherty appeared on Comedy Live Presents: Russell Brand and Friends shown on Channel 4 on 25 January 2008.
On 18 November 2010, O'Doherty presented episode 5 of the 24th series of BBC2 music quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks. He also wrote and presented the end-of-series compilation. O'Doherty had previously appeared on the show three times as a panellist.
In January 2011 he also hosted the 'Best of Series 24" Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
Read more about this topic: David O'Doherty
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