Pioc do Ride
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| genre = Dating game show
| runtime =
| creator =
| presenter = Áine Goggins
| narrated =
| channel = TG4
| num_series =
| num_episodes =
| language = Irish
| first_aired = {{Start date|2015}}
| country = Ireland
| producer = El Zorrero Films
| related =
}}
Pioc do Ride is a car-based dating show format broadcast on Irish language broadcaster TG4. A contestant must choose from three dates solely based on their car and its contents.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/meet-tg4-host-ine-goggins-whose-presenting-job-is-funding-her-medical-degree-31519233.html|title=Meet TG4 host Áine Goggins - whose presenting job is funding her medical degree}}
The show became famous for the cruel twist at the end, where the chosen contestant can either choose to go on a date or take a voucher for a car service worth €250.
The moment the contestant chose the voucher over the date in Episode 1, the video clip went viral across Ireland and also featured in news reports across the UK and as far afield as in the USA and China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dating-show-contestant-chooses-car-6526256|title=Woman learns unromantic side of dating shows when man chooses this over a date|website=Daily Mirror |date=27 September 2015}}
The series consists of 13 episodes broadcast on Thursday nights starting in September 2015. Pioc do Ride was commissioned by Proinsias Ní Ghrainne and Laura Ní Cheallaigh and is aimed at the 15-24 age group. It is produced by Dave Clarke and Ciarán Deeney of El Zorrero Films and directed by Dermot O’Hanlon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4288628&tpl=archnews&force=1|title = New format 'Pioc do Ride' premiering on TG4 on Thursday, 24th September | the Irish Film & Television Network}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/20-years-agrowing-but-how-secure-is-the-future-for-tg4-31555339.html|title=20 years a-growing - but how secure is the future for TG4?}}
Contestants were sourced for the show in part through the dating app Tinder.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/new-irish-dating-show-pioc-do-ride-found-participants-using-tinder-31554272.html|title = New Irish dating show Pioc do Ride found participants using Tinder}}
Presenter
The show is presented by Áine Goggins from Dublin. Presenting the show has enabled her to fund her studies for a medical degree at Queen's University Belfast. Goggins is from Dublin and previously presented ‘Ó Tholg go Tolg’ also on TG4.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/meet-tg4-host-ine-goggins-whose-presenting-job-is-funding-her-medical-degree-31519233.html|title = Meet TG4 host Áine Goggins - whose presenting job is funding her medical degree}}
Critical response
Speaking on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Bláthnaid Ni Chofaigh has criticised the show calling it "tacky".{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/10/05/the-pioc-stops-here/#comments|title = The Pioc Stops here|date = 5 October 2015}} Ray Foley, a radio presenter on 98fm called Pioc Do Ride the 'best programme on Irish TV ever’.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kildare.ie/news/news-detail.asp?NewsID=574|title = Kildare Man on TG4 Show Pioc do Ride}} The Irish Times described the show as "perfectly daft".{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/tg4-beats-budget-constraints-with-a-lively-homegrown-drama-line-up-1.2337571|title=TG4 beats budget constraints with a lively homegrown drama line-up|newspaper=The Irish Times }} Writing in the Irish Independent Ian O'Doherty called Pioc Do Ride "genuinely bonkers and charming".{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/blind-date-with-bangers-the-secret-formula-for-tg4s-hit-dating-show-pioc-do-ride-34171279.html|title = Blind date with bangers - the secret formula for TG4's hit dating show Pioc do Ride}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{TG4 Shows}}
Category:Irish-language television shows