George Bush once described Eminem as "the biggest threat to American youth since polio."

When the rapper first burst onto the music scene in the late 90s, people didn't know what to make of the Dr. Dre protégé.

Very quickly Eminem addressed any confusion over how he would fit into the rap world with the release of his multi chart-topping debut single, 'My Name Is.'

Today FM producer Clara Kavanagh joined Mario's Sunday Roast to take us through The Story Behind The Song.

Catch the full chat by pressing the Listen button on this page.

The world has changed in more ways than we can count ever since Covid-19 became part of our every day language.

Columnist Larissa Nolan joined Mario during Mario's Sunday Roast to delve into the wider repercussions of the coronavirus and what it could all mean for society going forward.

To catch the full chat press the Listen button on this page.

The Story Behind The Song 'Cars' is a colourful one.

It's based on road rage and a real-life event Gary Numan experienced in his own vehicle in London in the 70s when people gave chase to the singer.

Music legend Joe Donnelly join Mario to walk is through the classic that is Gary Numan's 'Cars.'

To catch the full chat press the Listen button on this page.

Economist David McWilliams joined Mario on Mario's Sunday Roast to talk about how other countries have been dealing with the impending economic and financial catastrophe of Covid-19.

David explains ‘Helicopter Money’, where everyone in the country gets a lump sum deposited in to their bank accounts, with no strings attached.

He talked through the impact of the crisis on people working in the gig economy and if it will change our economy and the way we operate in the future.

To hear their full chat, press the listen button on this page.

The Story Behind The Song

This week John Caddell, Assistant Programme Director for Today FM and a walking encyclopedia of all things music, joined Mario for The Story Behind The Song.

John chose Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang.

To hear more about The Story Behind The Song, press the listen button on this page.

This week's show looked a little different due to Covid-19.

Instead of our usual panel, Mario was joined in studio by Alison Curtis from Today FM's Weekend Breakfast.

Mario and Alison discussed how Mother's Day this year was like no other Mother's Day anyone can remember.

Check out their full chat by pressing the listen button on screen.

St. Patrick's Day

It's very unlikely we’ll be hitting pubs and restaurants to celebrate St. Patrick this Tuesday.

To keep ourselves occupied, Terry McCoy joined Mario to share some food we can make to still celebrate Ireland's Patron Saint.

Terry McCoy has been a chef for many years and is fascinated with the story of Saint Patrick.

Terry moved to Skerries in the 1970s, where legend has it St. Patrick moved to, living on an island off the Skerries Coast.

As a chef, he always wondered what he might have eaten out on the isolated island.

Terry spoke to Mario about what food was like in Ireland back then, what influences St. Patrick could have brought to it, and how we'd all be a bit healthier if we ate like the Saint.

Check out their full chat by pressing the listen button on screen.

 

Cheltenham & Covid-19

Sports reporter John Duggan travels to Cheltenham every year to cover the events.

As the racing festival kicked off, the concerns surrounding Covid-19 exposure were only beginning to grow.

However, the festival did come under criticism for not reacting as the threat worsened.

Having traveled there himself, John spoke to Mario on this week's Sunday Roast to share his concerns and regrets.

Check out their full chat by pressing the listen button on screen.

 

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19th year heading to Cheltenham! Paul Hardcastle eat your heart out!

Mario's Sunday Roast

This week's show looked a little different due to Covid-19.

Instead of our usual panel, Mario was joined in studio by Alison Curtis from Today FM's Weekend Breakfast.

Mario and Alison discussed the controversy surrounding the opening of pubs and clubs and how other countries need to be responding better to the crisis.

They also remembered their dear friend and Today FM colleague Tony Fenton on the fifth anniversary of his passing.

We also got to hear some vintage Gift Grub from when Tony was working on the Breakfast Show.

Check out their full chat by pressing the listen button on screen.

 

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5 years ago we lost Tony. How lucky am I to have known him and adored him. I’ve never met anyone like him and I never will again. I’ll think of him always

A post shared by Alison curtis ⚡️ (@alisontodayfm) on Mar 11, 2020 at 11:59pm PDT

The Story Behind The Song

This week Brian Adams, Head Of Music at Today FM, joined Mario for The Story Behind The Song.

Brian chose I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats.

Personally, Brian remembers the sense of pride he felt seeing an Irish band on Top of The Pops.

The song came about during a promo tour of the US in Jan 1979.

Bob Geldof did a radio interview, during which breaking news came in that a mass shooting by a 16 year school girl in California had occured.

Bob then wrote the song I don't like Mondays. The lyrics use the shooter’s words and captures the spirit of the moment.

To hear more about The Story Behind The Song, press the listen button on this page.