Liveline listeners have reacted to the series premiere of Normal People, with some comparing to a porno. Only in Ireland as they’d say.
There’s no denying that Normal People is a bit, ehm, raunchy to put it lightly. Anyone who has read the book will know that it focuses on the relationship between the two main characters, Connell and Marianne, with particular emphasis on their physical relationship. And so it should come as no surprise that the TV adaptation reflects that, sticking very closely to the plotline of the novel.
Kildare newcomer Paul Mescal, who plays the male lead in the series, has already weighed in on what filming the sex scenes was actually like saying that it was “really quite positive” and that both he and co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones “felt safe”. However, while fans around the world have been lavishing praise upon the series, it seems that the programme’s more intimate moments don’t sit quite so well with some of the RTE Liveline listeners who have compared the series to “something you would expect to see in a porno movie”.
It all kicked off earlier today when listeners called in to Liveline to give their take on the show, with some of the opinion that it’s “giving the wrong message to young people” and is “normalising promiscuity for school-goers”.
Of course, the series’ supporters weren’t far behind, chipping in to say that it’s “an exquisite piece” and has handled sensitive topics such as consent and contraception “really well” but you can have a read through what else was said in the thread below.
Mary tuned in to Normal People last night and she thinks it was like "something you would expect to see in a porno movie". #liveline@joeliveline pic.twitter.com/mMoJwtMEvw
— Liveline (@rteliveline) April 30, 2020
Irish director Lenny Abrahamson – who directed the first six episodes of the series – has since responded, tweeting a photo of Joe, head in hand, alongside the words: “Poor Joe”.
https://twitter.com/lennyabrahamson/status/1255853676352212992
Simple but effective.
The comparison seems to have reminded people of another iconic moment in Irish television – when Mrs Doyle delivers her famous monologue on the language in Miss Clarke’s novels. See below for reference.
https://twitter.com/VonnyR7/status/1255862588480671745
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