Comedian and writer Martin ‘Beanz’ Warde has said he’s “delira” to be back wiht a second series of his hit environmental docuseries on RTÉ One, and admits he “struck gold” when it comes to his co-presenters.
Over six insightful episodes, The End of the World with Beanz sees the Galway native exploring how people are tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges, from climate change and geopolitical conflict to culture wars.
Each week, he’s joined by a celebrity co-host. The upcoming series, which airs this Tuesday at 7pm, will feature singer Samantha Mumba, presenter Darren Kennedy, Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, comedians Neil Delamere and Enya Martin, and actor Norma Sheahan.
Opening up about the return of the show, Warde said he’s absolutely thrilled, and admitted it really is the dream TV slot.
“Delira is the word – if you could just put that as a heading,” he laughed. “I mean, it’s amazing. For someone like me, who came from the town that I came from, and to be doing a second series on RTÉ One at a primetime of 7 o’clock on a Tuesday, mish-mashed in there with the Champions League… I mean, it’s perfect. It really is.”
When asked how he keeps the show natural and enjoyable, yet informative, Warde said it’s not as tricky as you might think.
“There’s no big magic trick,” he explained.”I didn’t come from a background where I had any presenting skills. What I do have – which I think the vast majority of people watching will have – is an interest in people.
“This is why we are seen as the friendliest people in the world – as we actually have a genuine interest. the first thing we say is ‘Ah, where are you from?’ We wont to learn about you, especially where you’re from and what you do for a bit of craic. That kind of stuff. As Irish people,we’re kind of preprogrammed to seek out anything interesting about you or your situation.”
over six insightful episodes, The End of the World with Beanz sees the Galway native exploring how people are tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges.
Warde added that humour is key – even in heavy or tough conversations.
“Then there’s the other side of it – we’ll try to find humour in everything. It might very well be the darkest of stuff, but we’ll find some way to get a bit of a laugh. We’ll masquerade our empathy – because I think with Irish people, well with me anyway, I don’t know what to do with high emotional situations, so I’ll crack a joke to ease the tension.”
“I think Irish people are the same. When you’re watching something on TV and it’s a very polished presenter – which I’m not, by the way – it feels like you’re watching a programme. But when you’re watching The End of the World with beanz, it feels like you’re going on a journey with me and the co-host.”
Warde also revealed that he doesn’t do any research on the people he meets before filming – a conscious decision to keep things spontaneous.
“There are so many situations on screen where I’m failing…