Brian Redmond may be known as the tough judge on Dancing with the Stars, but he knows how important words truly are.
We sat down with the judge ahead of Sunday nights show as he reflected on his time on the series and why he thinks it’s important not to mince his words.
Of course, we know how involved we can all get in the series. But he admits that he doesn’t receive a lot of nasty messages from viewers online.
“The biggest criticism I get is at home from my own kids. When you mention the word Twitter my mind goes to other places, between working on Dancing with the Stars and the radio show,” he admits with a laugh.
Pic: Kyran O’Brien/kobpix
But he knows the weight his words have.
“I was invited down to speak to students doing media courses in SETU Carlow this week and the key part of our conversation was the word, responsibility. That responsibility is something I take really seriously. When we’re on the TV and in positions of privilege to talk to people directly and we have to take that responsibility very seriously.
“I also told the students that I hope they turn out to be brave individuals. The media landscape is changing so quickly and to make sure that it’s a true reflection of what’s happening requires that there are brave people in it.”
He goes on to tell us: “Me being brave isn’t telling people that their Cha Cha foot was sloppy, me being brave is being on the radio and being willing to talk to people from diverse communities and the challenges they face. It’s being able to tackle subjects that can be described as thorny subjects. Criticism over if someone agrees with me about a Cha Cha Cha is small fry compared to the larger challenges you face in media.”
Of course, we had to ask about the impact Dancing with the Stars has, inspiring young people to dance, starting conversations at home and bringing more people together.
“I think it’s the most important thing,” Brian says of the impact of the show.
“it is possible to have an entertainment show that does something more than that, it is possible to deliver news in an entertaining way, it is possible to cover sports in an educational way. I think that’s the biggest privilege I have from Dancing with the Stars. It’s not getting to sit there and enjoy the performances, that’s nice.
“It’s, Panti a couple of years ago or Géaróid this year, getting messages from young people saying they have come out to their parents. I know people think it’s just a fluffy entertainment show. It is! But I think the media landscape has to be conscious of what we do in all streams. If we can do entertainment and have fun and lift people up and bring them along with us that’s good media.
“Whether it’s Dancing with the Stars or the news being engaging enough for people to really learn what’s going on in the world, it’s being conscious of the responsibility we all have. And to be brave. It’s sounds highfalutin for a dancing show, but that’s what I think about it!”
Dancing with the Stars continues on Sunday at 6:30pm on RTÉ One
