It seems that BRENDAN COURTNEY‘s star is in the ascendent at RTE following his rather excellent presenting job on that network’s 40 year’s Of Presenters show. Taking a look at the development of the cult of the talking head at Montrose, Courtney was joined by a studio audience comprising of the cream of the stations presenters in News, Current Affairs and Variety. Nipping adroitly from audience to VT to interview couch, Courtney wound up a wholly admirable performance with a double interview with GAY BYRNE and PAT KENNY. Interviewing the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Diplodicus of Irish broadcasting appeared to faze Courtney only slightly (and perhaps if he had been as blasé as he can be with mere mortals his subjects might have felt a little under appreciated), and it is likely that his television career has been greatly helped by the show.

Elsewhere at RTE, word reaches Laughlines that PETER VAMOS, the web-wizard behind RTE’s Raw Talent initiative has parted company with the station. Friends of Vamos state that he was unhappy with the lack of resources allocated to the The Raw Talent project, which was developed to encourage home grown comedy talent for television. The site is currently inaccessible and is being “re-designed”.

ROGER GREGG’s big Big Big Space RTE Radio 1 series has been released in a three CD format box set. Our favourite episode is The Cabaret Of Fordidden Celestial Delights. Or STUART CLARKES’s flat, as we like to call it. Speaking of things radio, KARL MCDERMOT tells us that his latest radio series, Gone But Forgotten, a six-part spoof documentary chronicling the lives of a group of Irish ne’r do wells in 1920’s Chicago, has its first broadcast on June 1st. Football fans will be aware that this is the date for Ireland’s first game in the World Cup finals. I however, will be tuning into Karl’s show, where his partners in crime include MORGAN JONES, CONOR LAMBERT and KAREN ARDUFF.

Is The Comedy Cellar at the International Bar the best comedy club in the world? It is according to regular MC JOHN MOYNES who tells us that the clib is going from strenght to “strength”. When not making himself available for quotes, Moynes can be heard on RTE Radio 1’s Bull, and is still perturbed that the series producers would only let him do his own stuff on radio, not on TV. “Moynes is the new face of Irish radio,” said a source. In the canteen. Who was emptying the bins at the time.

Incidentally, why isn’t Carrickmacross comic MICHAEL DOWNEY on the radio more often? He recently brought the house down at the International with a brand new set. Apart from occasional snippets on the news, when Downey is normally denying allegations of everything from smuggling to transvestism, the man has no forum. Remedy this injustice, please.

Dear JACKIE HAYDEN, having written so much about radio in this column, can I please have a Fairplay For Airplay award?

DECLAN ROONEY has launched a new Monday night comedy club at GUBU on Dublin’s Capel St. If the success of The Comedy Room at The Ha’penny Bridge Inn on Wednesdays is anything to go by this one could run and run. Expect the Ha’Penny crew plus some special guests.

Once again deadline dates and dodgy computers mean that we were unable to bring you an interview with THE CUBAN BROTHERS who again amazed audiences at The Laughter Lounge’s Galway and Dublin gigs with their Latin-flavoured antics. Doubtless, FATBOY SLIM’s favourite comedians will soon return, and we’ll bring you the whole enchilada. Also at The Laughter Lounge on Friday, March 29th are ADDY BORGH, DES BISHOP, NEIL DELAMARE and SHAUN CONNORS. As if the line-up alone wasn’t enough to tempt you, March 29th is Good Friday. And all the bars are closed.

Except this one. See you there.