The Minister for Hardship's address tells the public and attempts to convince them that they are better off under his government.

The Minister talks of tolls on bridges, the reintroduction of ration books, the reopening of workhouses, and the reappearance of the glimmerman.

The minister comments "My government is the best government you have at the present time so make the most of it. God knows how long it will last."

Frank Hall's amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator' which became known as 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly'. The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country.

Regarded as RTE's flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats.

The show ran for 9 series until 1980. In the RTÉ Guide on the week of it's first transmission, Frank Hall wrote,

"The form and content of Hall's Pictorial Weekly should be impossible to forecast until the last moment. It should be as varied and absorbing as life itself". He further commented "I have an inexhaustible interest in the lives and times of the people who live in our country towns and villages; no event is too small to capture my attention, no community too out of the way... This programme is intended to be about you, your town, your friends, your local interests."
(RTE Guide, September 24, 1971, Vol.8, No.9, p.2)

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