Best know for his roles in ‘Bachelors Walk’ and ‘Zonad’, the RTÉ Guide’s Janice Butler caught up with actor Simon Delaney as he takes to the stage as this year’s host of the Irish Film and Television Awards.
Whether you’re an actor, comedian or all round super-star, accepting the gig of awards ceremony host can be a risky move. Every step is scrutinised by the critics, guest and viewing public – in short, it’s truly a love/hate scenario. Look at Ricky Gervais, his recent Golden Globes performance has divided the Hollywood community, and while it’s reported that’s he’s already been offered next year’s Golden Globes, don’t hold your breath. Then there’s Hugh Jackman: his all singing, all dancing performance at the Oscars two years ago went down a storm, confirming the Aussie’s status as a bona fide A-lister. With both talent and his sense of humour sparkling, Jackman nailed it. Then, who can forget poor old David Letterman – his ‘Oprah, Uma, Keanu’ schtick wasn’t the only joke that fell flat on his big night! Life as an MC can surely be a difficult one.
Cue Simon Delaney – the new host of the Irish Film and Television Awards, which air live on RTÉ One this Saturday. The actor doesn’t seem the least bit worried about the critics.
“In my line of business, if you were to listen to critics, you’d never leave the house in the morning. It’s very hard to please everyone all the time; all you can do is tailor what you’re doing to the particular job. What I’m going to try to do on the night is entertain the 1,200 people in the Convention Centre and the thousands of people watching on TV because they’re your ultimate critics”, says Simon defiantly.
“As long as I don’t let myself down or IFTA down, my job has been done”, he adds.
“I’m a bit nervous – we’re plotting and planning what we’re going to do with the show. There’s lots of work going on behind the scenes. But I’m looking forward to it – it’s a big task – a two-and-a-half-hour live show and it’s a tough room because people I’ve worked with and would like to work with are going to be in the room, so no pressure!”
Is it a difficult role? “It’s certainly different for me. I mean, presenting live TV is something that I’ve never done before and there’s something about being live – anything can happen. But it’s all about preparation, as Roy Keane says, ‘if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail’.”
Previous hosts of the IFTAs have put their own stamp on the occasion: James Nesbitt took the reins for three years, followed by a fresh-faced Ryan Tubridy and then Victoria Smurfit injected glamour to proceedings last year. Simon’s approach is to just be himself, and he promises that attendees won’t have to suffer any verbal abuse.
“People think I’m going to give it the Ricky Gervais treatment, but that’s just not me, if they wanted that kind of host they came to the wrong man. We want to make it a great show, enjoyable and entertaining and at the end of the day, it’s a celebration of everything and everyone that’s good in Irish film and television”, he remarks.
“It’s not in my nature – it wouldn’t sound right coming out of my mouth. I think people are expecting to see me on the night and I think they would be surprised if I started slating people – which if I do, will be done in a very nice way.”
As well as preparing for the big night, Simon still has the day job, and a very busy day job it is too – currently he is directing Grumpy Old Women, starring Twink, shooting the new series of Roy, and planning a trip to the US in April. The actor tries to spend all of his limited spare time with his family – wife Lisa and two young boys, Cameron (4) and Elliot (2).
“That’s the bed you lie in, you can’t afford to be choosy in this business, when the work comes along you take it”, he comments on his hectic schedule.
“But you do managed to fit in the family life around it – I’m married with two small boys and I try to be with them when I can, which does mean all my spare time is dedicated to home and that’s really where my heart is and what I enjoy most – being a daddy.”
Simon has a longing to break into the US movie business – a very difficult task by all accounts, but one he’s determined to give his best shot.
“I’ll be in California for five weeks filming a movie and who knows what will happen from there? I’ve signed with an agent over in LA and a manager in New York so I’m just trying to spread my wings a bit. The great drive is that my two kids have developed this habit of eating food every day – they’re very selfish, so I have to go where the work is”, he laughs.
“I don’t want to be 60, sitting at a bar and saying ‘I had the chance to go to America and I didn’t take it’. At the end of the day, I’ll go over, do this movie and if nothing comes from it then so be it.”
With the IFTAs added to his CV, could we one day see Simon Delaney take to the stage of the majestic Kodak Theatre in LA, present the Oscars, and face the critics?
“Well if it ever happens, I’ll get you a ticket for it!”
That’s one offer I’ll be holding him to.
Janice Butler
