Frank Hall

Frank Hall (24 February 1921 – 21 September 1995) was an Irish broadcaster, journalist, satirist and film censor. He is best remembered for his satirical revue programme Hall's Pictorial Weekly. Early life Born in Newry, County Down, Hall received little more than a primary education as he left school at the age of twelve to work in a local shop. He later worked as a waiter in London before moving to Dublin. On his return he joined the art department of the Irish Independent. Hall subsequently worked with the Evening Herald where he wrote a column on dance bands. Television After that, he moved to RTÉ where he worked in the newsroom. From 1964 to 1971 he presented Newsbeat , a regional news programme. He also presented The Late Late Show for the opening of the 1964 season, but his lack of success in that seat led to the return of the previous presenter, Gay Byrne. When Newsbeat ended, Hall started writing and presenting Hall's Pictorial Weekly, a political satire show that ran for over 250 episodes until 1980. A successor show, Hall and Company, ran from 1980 until Hall's retirement from television in 1986. He served as spokesperson for the Irish jury in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 and 1966. Hall won two Jacob's Awards, in 1966 and 1975, for his work on Newsbeat and Hall's Pictorial Weekly respectively.