'Uncomfortable but interesting': Viewers deliver their verdict as the Tommy Tiernan Show returns

Comedian Tommy Tiernan returned to TV screens on Saturday evening as the eighth series of his popular chat show premiered on RTÉ One.

The guests on the first episode included comedian and writer Dylan Moran, author and entrepreneur Sarah De Lagarde and Sean Ronayne, creator of Irish Wildlife Sounds.

In keeping with the theme of the show, the host has no idea as to who the guests are until they are are introduced by MC Fred Cooke.

First up was Meath comedian Dylan Moran whose appearance left some viewers feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm worried about you!" stated Tommy after he greeted and embraced Dylan who has just completed a major world tour.

"It's mad, it's not healthy," said the guest. "I could have done with more down time - sometimes you take on too much and I misjudged it," he added.

“I don’t want to torture people and have a bad time.”

Dylan Moran explains to @Tommedian how he has added improvised musical performances into his gigs with mixed results #TommyTiernanShow pic.twitter.com/51zfIehlOt

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 6, 2024

Something deeply personal going on between @Tommedian and @thedylanmoran here…. Uncomfortable but interesting…… #TommyTiernanShow

— Eavan Murray (@EavanMurray) January 6, 2024

Dylan Moran on Tommy Tiernan. Electric telly

— Peter McGann (@peterjmcgann) January 6, 2024

That Dylan Moran interview was one of the best I interviews I have ever seen. Great to go back to no audience. #TommyTiernanShow

— TravelTaleswithFergal (@FergalTravel) January 6, 2024

Oh Dylan Moran is hurting my heart right now.
I really hope he’s ok. He’s a very lovely and talented man. #TommyTiernanShow

— Audrey FitzHagan (@AudgeFitzHagan) January 6, 2024

The "third half" of the show featured an interview with ornithologist Sean Ronayne who explained he is currently "on a mission" to sound record every bird in Ireland.

"It's absolutely unbelievable the details you can get from birdsong,"  he added telling Tommy his obsession goes back to when he was a young child in Cork.

It was such a hugh surprise & honor to be asked on the Tommy Tiernan Show.

I'm so overwhelmed at the response I've gotten from everyone (will reply tomorrow). Emotional. Thank you so much. It genuinely means a lot to me (and our birds!). #tommytiernanshow@RTEOne @Tommedian pic.twitter.com/2F8Y4iwjb8

— Irish Wildlife Sounds (@SoundsIrish) January 6, 2024

10:30pm on a Saturday night and there’s hundreds of thousands of us listening to a recording of a family of Icelandic swans landing in Wexford on a rainy day. And it’s actually riveting #tommytiernan

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 6, 2024

“This bird is singing its life story, where it’s been, stamps on a passport”

Sean Roynane share his passion for birdsong with @Tommedian #TommyTiernanShow pic.twitter.com/iJSPpFsPv6

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 6, 2024

Watch the Tommy Tiernan Show at 9.30pm on Saturdays on RTÉ One and on the RTÉ Player.