Laois man to star in new reality TV show

Laois man Dermot Collins is set to feature in a new television show that promises to spark up some heated debate. The architectural technologist will join the cast of Dinner with the Enemy when it lands on Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media One on Monday, October 6 and will run for six weeks.

This daring social experiment will see 10 people with polar opposite views and opinions sit across from each other for a fiery week of debate and conversation, with psychotherapists Daniella Moyles and Dr Richard Hogan watching from the sidelines, decoding every glance, every outburst and every silence.

The ten diners come from all walks of life and from every corner of Ireland; they have experienced everything from poverty and racism to assault. They are carers, activists, office workers, mums and dads, sons and daughters. However, they are not the same – they have very different world views. This series will bring them face to face with their perceived enemies. Each night, they're served not just food, but moral dilemmas, divisive social issues, and deeply personal questions.

In an increasingly polarised world where many people hide behind the mask of social media, what can these very different people learn from each other and about themselves across each dinner? Over the course of the series, expect new dinner guests to join the table to discuss cultural hot topics, as well as moral and societal questions that reveal how we’re all shaped by our cultures, experiences, and values. The robust debate around the table will invite the audience to question where they stand on the big societal issues of today. In a world of algorithm dictated discourse how would we cope when face to face with opposing views?

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The series will feature challenges designed to test group dynamics at the table. Themes such as groupthink, teamwork, unconscious bias, prejudice and power dynamics will be observed and allowed to play out as the experiment asks: once we peel back assumptions, labels and political allegiances, can we humanise each other rather than demonise?
The week of unpredictable dinners concludes with a final challenge testing the diners’ ability to reach consensus. Will greed and individualism trump shared humanity, or will the group have bonded enough to overcome their differences? Has anyone truly changed as a person? Were their assumptions about their fellow diners wrong?  And most crucially, has the experience shifted their perspective on those with opposite views to their own?

Dinner with the Enemy starts Monday 6th of October and runs for six weeks on Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media One at 9pm.
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound and Vision Funding Scheme. 

Psychotherapists’ bios:

Dr Richard Hogan 

Richard Hogan is a systemically trained Family Psychotherapist registered with The Family Therapy Association of Ireland. He writes every Thursday for the Irish Examiner where he explores mental health issues for teenagers, couples and families. He has been invited by Trinity College Dublin to undertake a PhD exploring how to introduce systemic theory into the Irish and American educational system. Richard was recently awarded a Fulbright scholarship for his research into promoting inclusion in Irish and American schools. Richard is also the author of the best-selling book, “Parenting the Screenager, a practical guide for parents of the modern child “. In this book Richard uses his vast experience working with teenagers in schools and as director of Therapy Institute to offer parents easy – to – follow, practical steps that build healthier and more positive patterns of communication.

Diner Bios:

Dermot Collins (42)

Architectural Technologist. A worried citizen who believes that the power exerted over the Irish people by the government during Covid could extend into the future. 

From: Laois

Andy Lee (37)

From poverty-stricken inner-city Dublin, Andy is a self-made man and has become Ireland’s most famous porn star.

From: Dublin, living in London 

Amy Nicole Byrne (28)

Law graduate who is passionate about the welfare of animals and now works on a farm as a practising manager of a veterinary team.

From: Dublin 

Ben Scallan (28)

Political Correspondent for Gript Media.

From: Dublin

Jacob Donegan (24)

A Tik Tok star with 1.3 million followers who works in a tyre repair shop.

From: Meath 

Izzy Kamikazee (62)

Activist Izzy has worked for many years in services for homeless people, providing supports around housing need, addiction and social integration. She is passionate about these topics and advocates for the human rights of minorities, including refugees, asylum seekers and LGBTQ+ people and was a founding member of Dublin Pride and NorthWest Pride.

From: Leitrim and Dublin

Fiona McCormack (49)

Carer for people with intellectual disabilities, Fiona is a HSE worker and concerned local who ran for election as an independent candidate last year.

From: Cavan

Tayem Mercer (32)

Business Development Director. Tayem is a motivational speaker carrying a powerful and inspiring message about harnessing your inner potential. 

From: The Democratic Republic of Congo / Dublin

Natasha O’Brien (25)

An activist who raises awareness on violence in Irish society and advocates for the rights of victims in the Irish justice system. 

From: Limerick 

Sophie McGuinness (24)

A model and content creator who is outspoken on the issues in society that she cares about. 

From: Dublin