The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Donald Gallagher discusses his brother Rory Gallagher's early musical influences, including their father's traditional music background and Rory's first makeshift guitar. The conversation covers Rory's brush with the Rolling Stones and Donald's personal musical favorites. Donald also shares personal connections to musical legends like Gordon Lightfoot and The Doors, sharing anecdotes about live performances and meeting artists. He further explores his appreciation for actor Adrian Dunbar's work, the play 'The Brother', and the historical fiction novel 'The Ballycotton Job'.

In this episode of The Last Word, Mark Little discusses his new book, The Last Good Day on the Internet, exploring the evolution of the internet from a tool of democratization to a landscape dominated by concentrated corporate power. The conversation examines the parallels between the rise of social media and the current trajectory of artificial intelligence, specifically addressing the risks of superintelligence and the potential for algorithmic exploitation of human instincts. Little highlights the importance of open-source alternatives and sovereign economic strategies to prevent unprecedented concentrations of power. The discussion touches upon the necessity of regulatory oversight, the potential for AI in medical breakthroughs, and the distinction between blind optimism and actionable hope in navigating the technological shifts ahead.

Author Louise O'Neill discusses her memoir, 'A Bigger Life,' which explores her journey of healing after a devastating breakup in 2013. She reflects on overcoming the fear of dating, rediscovering her self-worth through travel and new connections, and learning to define a fulfilling life based on her own desires rather than societal expectations. The episode also covers how shifting her dating focus from strict criteria to simply having fun allowed for more unexpected connections. Louise recounts a frightening encounter with an aggressive man during a date and describes her decision to not let such experiences destroy her trust in people, concluding with reflections on the resonant reception of her new book.

This episode examines the escalating tensions and sectarian friction caused by the recent standoff on the Garvahi Road in Northern Ireland. Featuring political commentator Alex Cain and Irish Independent columnist Martina Devlin, the discussion explores the potential for the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the erosion of community relations between unionism and nationalism. The conversation delves into the role of integrated education, the impact of historical commemorations, and the broader implications for the stability of the Good Friday Agreement and the future of the island.

The hosts discuss recent U2 performances in Dublin, including the challenges of navigating crowds and missing events. The conversation covers various music news, from Stevie Wonder's new EP and the complexities of Oasis ticket sales to the critical backlash regarding Taylor Swift's frequent releases. The episode also touches on Morten Harket's journey living with Parkinson's disease and his upcoming solo album featuring his daughter's vocals. Finally, the hosts share their weekly music picks and announce Macklemore's upcoming tour dates in Dublin, Paris, and London.

This episode features a discussion between hosts and analysts Marian McKeown and Cal Thomas regarding significant political and legal developments in the United States. The conversation covers an investigation into suspicious activity near a British airbase used by American forces, the diplomatic implications of Donald Trump's recent interactions with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, and the potential impact of US-China relations on global security and AI competition. The panel also examines the legal challenges facing former President Trump, including testimony from former prosecutor Jack Smith regarding alleged crimes against the nation. Additionally, the episode touches upon the energy and infrastructure landscape in Texas concerning data centers, and concludes with a discussion on the sensitive allegations involving the 'Cornell Seven' and the complexities of navigating sexual assault accusations within the justice system.

The host interviews author Louise Kennedy about her new novel, Stations, which explores teenage life in 1980s Ireland and the experience of emigrating to London. Kennedy discusses how the social atmosphere of the era and the economic hardships of Thatcher's Britain informed her characters. The conversation also covers the challenges of writing across different time periods and how Kennedy's personal history in London influenced the narrative. She recounts her experience working a tedious filing job at an American merchant bank, which she balanced with a rich inner life of reading and music.

Hosts Joe Shea and Elaine Burke discuss a New York Times poll of Hollywood professionals regarding the best television series of the 21st century. The conversation covers the top-ranked shows, including Breaking Bad, The Wire, and Mad Men, while addressing the controversial exclusion of The Sopranos due to its 1999 debut. The duo explores various rankings, noting the impact of long-running hits versus newer series like Severance and The Bear. The episode also transitions into television news, discussing Netflix's decision to renew the limited series The Beast and Me for a second season, alongside the cancellation of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. The hosts conclude with personal recommendations for upcoming viewing, including the Sky Atlantic drama War, the documentary Crisis in the Classroom, and Disney Plus's Race Against Time.