The reboot we deserve.
When it was announced back in September that The Den was returning to our screens, people were excited to see what the show had in store.
Unlike many other reboots of years gone by, we welcomed the return of The Den with open arms and nostalgic memories – after all, it was some of the best news to come out of 2020.
Mark it in your calendar going forward – Sundays are for The Den now. The reboot has the perfect amount of fun and laughs and love that you need from your end-of-weekend TV.
Last week we saw the first episode air with Dara Ó Briain appearing as a special guest. It was, unsurprisingly, a huge hit with audiences, and this week was even better.
This week saw comedian Joanne McNally and Stephen Fry join the show.
Joanne was as funny as ever as she appeared in studio as a superhero named Captain Sarcastic. Stephen Fry later joined the how via Zoom at the end of the show, where he discussed Harry Potter, tried out the Noggin rap, and shot the shit with Dustin the Turkey.
I am due to visit The Den, @RTEOne this evening. Will finally meet (if only virtually) Mr Zig and – very probably – Mr Zag too. Also hoping to have a word or two with @DustinOfficial
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 15, 2020
Viewers were, understandably, loving the show and took to Twitter last night to express their delight that it’s finally back on the air.
Writer and journalist Stefanie Preissner tweeted: “Lads #theden is my new favourite weekly appointment,” while author Paul Howard wrote: “Bringing back The Den was one of the best ideas anyone has ever had ever.”
Lads #theden is my new favourite weekly appointment @DustinOfficial @RadioRayRTE @RTERayDarcyShow @rte
— Stefanie Preissner (@StefPreissner) November 15, 2020
Bringing back The Den was one of the best ideas anyone has ever had ever.
— Paul Howard (@AkaPaulHoward) November 15, 2020
The highlight of the television week #theden @RadioRayRTE pic.twitter.com/fMotbyz0aS
— Niamh Maher (@NiamhMaher) November 15, 2020
The difference between kids on #theden now and the kids on The Den in the 90s is something else. Now they’re all showbiz and extroverted. In the 90s, they were all so crippled with the fear of notions, you thought they were gonna collapse in on themselves.
— Muireann O’Connell (@MuireannO_C) November 15, 2020
This week’s episode also saw the star of SuperValu’s emotional Christmas ad, Cian Kearney, interviewed about his role in the advert.
The show also featured a live on air surprise with a grandma named Patricia, who received a Zoom call with her seven grandchildren from all over the world. The episode also featured a live performance from The Mary Wallopers – and Dustin even sang along with them!
One thing is for sure, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for next week’s episode.