No Matter What - Boyzone documentary

[WhollarBill]

Can't see a thread on this yet.
I've just finished watching this three parter. Is anyone else watching it?
It's so sad seeing the effect the management and media had on all of them. I already hated Louis Walsh but this cements it for me!

I would put all the money in the world on the fact that Louis was the one who sold Stephen out.

Only seen the first episode, will watch the rest tonight, but re- Louis outing Steo to that scummy, filthy rag - Would this not potentially harm their image, impact sales etc because he was supposed to be a female pin up? Would Louis not be shooting himself in the foot? Or is all publicity good publicity?

Lots of hurt in Mikey’s face. I found myself thinking “Push, fight, tell management that you want a crack at a solo. Put your foot down!!” But I suppose they’d have had no problem getting rid of him if he became a nuisance ☹️

I find him very attractive! I think he’s really handsome. Do we know what he’s doing now?

Ah I wish I hadn’t given Sky up they keep doing brilliant things like this!

I’ve disliked Louis Walsh ever since he started making stupid (and racist) remarks on X Factor: “You are like a little Lenny Henry”. Why is he telling a contestant on a singing show he’s like a comedian? Oh yeah, because he’s black, and all black people look the same right Louis. Also Paige looks nothing like Lenny Henry

Lots of hurt in Mikey’s face. I found myself thinking “Push, fight, tell management that you want a crack at a solo. Put your foot down!!” But I suppose they’d have had no problem getting rid of him if he became a nuisance

I think Louis recruited a couple of 'extra' band members at the start with the sole purpose of sacking them so that the remaining band members felt that they had to work hard, couldn't complain etc because he would just as easily do the same to them.
Mikey said that he thought about leaving a number of times but wanted/needed the financial security for his daughter.

He did the same with westlife. Replaced tow members with Nicky and Brian.

I’ve watched the first episode.

I was a huge Boyzone fan. My favourite was Stephen; I was devastated when he died.

Watching the documentary, I felt so desperately sad for Mikey. He was always ‘the one no one liked’

If they ever reunite (doubtful) I’ll take the biggest possible Mikey banner!

Louis Walsh is vile. I remember him being awful on the ‘Boybands Forever’ documentary on BBC.

Lenny Henry also sang. Im sure he had some songs out back in the day.

As someone mentioned Ronin Keating was involved in producing and directing the documentary.

I think this is why he was shown in a more positive light than he could have been. I felt like he was blaming it all on Louis when in reality he wasnt that nice of a person.

They also didnt show much about the others personal lives (apart from Stephen) and how being in a band affected it.
Again i think it would be because Ronin would have to talk about cheating on his wife.

I’m not convinced it did show Ro in a good light. He very much came across as someone hugely ambitious.

I would have liked to know more about how they managed the issue of Keith and Mikey becoming young dads, but that was glossed over

I think Ronan came across quite well in that he acknowledged his parts in stuff. Certainly he seems to take more responsibility for his part in the bad side of things than Louis Walsh does!

Hopefully no one will let their youngster's career into Louis hands after seeing it.

His laughing comment about them believing their press when he wrote it was particularly nasty .

If anyone has believed their own press it’s Mr Walsh.

I think it’s telling that every single band apart from Westlife have sacked him. Every single one.

I suspect the financial penalties imposed on WL were very high which keeps them with him even though they themselves admit he doesn’t do much for them.

So looking forward to watching this.
I loved them at the time yet somehow don't like any of them individually these days.

Hmm it was an interesting watch but Ronan Keating is not someone I hold an high opinion of and this hasn't really changed that.

He definitely believed his own press in the 90s and even today he's not without an ego, I remember that he cast BZ aside to do his solo stuff and when that didn't work out as well as hoped he went back to the band. I saw them live just before Stephen died (I was someone's plus 1) and there was a part of the show that was just devoted to Ronan to croon his hits. 🙄. Also the way he treated his first wife was fucking appalling.

I sympathise with Louis Walsh's heath issues but he really is short of redeeming features. It was awful watching him laugh at the front page. Also strange to think what a big deal it was. I would think every popstar in the world could come out now and fans wouldn't bat an eyelid. So at least humanity has made some progress.

Mikey I wanted to hug. The music industry really does fuck people up. I hope he finds some peace and happiness.

Haven't watched it- genuinely can't understand how they had any success though, they are shockingly untalented

Always thought Louis was a wrong un like Cowell.

Ooh thank you for this! So glad I can get to watch it now 😃

Ronan was a young Dad too.

Yeah I know - it’s more that I was thinking that Keith/Mikey were first. And at a time when it was very much frowned on for boy bandsr to have open girlfriends - let alone be married with kids!

So many thoughts on this.

I remember Stephen being outed in the sun. I had that newspaper I remember being at school with my friend devastated as she loved him.
I'd forgotten Keith's teeth - how did I not notice his turkey teeth.
That producer guy who Said to sack Ronan because he couldn't sung was right - hes so nasal!! And agree he comes across like a smug arse.
I'm not looking forward to episode 3.

The songs don't have the longevity of other bands either.

Yes. Louis was very manipulative and thoroughly unpleasant.
I wasn't a Boyzone fan particularly but this was a fascinating insight into that world.
The outing of Steven was horrific.
Ronan came across as very reflective and accepting that he made mistakes but easy to say now after the fact. He was selfish and pretty ruthless in his ambition. Still manipulated by Louis, the promotion of Westlife being a case in point.

I watched the second episode last night.

It’s very slow, and I don’t feel like I’m ’learning’ a lot.

There was a documentary a few years ago prior to their reunion tour; that was better.

Interesting.
Only watched Ep1 yet, but he gloats about all the completely fake stories he told the Press.
So proud of himself too.

Also if was obvious he was always going to get rid of 2 members, just to keep the rest of the band in check.
He practically says so.
I know it happens in lots of bands, including the Spice Girls (but she was replaced by Emma, so not quite the same)

Louis was playing God with young lives and the surplus lads were just cast aside.

He's coming across quite loathsome so far.

I rewatched episodes 1/2 last night. The way Louis literally says “it was going to come out anyway” and then shrugs and smiles….

I strongly suspect that because the relationship with Rav was trading on favours, he literally ran out of favours to trade. And because the outcome was positive with the fans, Louis feels no guilt about it. Compared to the other 4 who clearly did everything they did for Stephen to protect him, the difference in how Louis spoke about it was striking.

but what also struck me was the fact that it had only been 6 years between Ireland decriminalising homosexuality and Steo coming out. That’s hardly no time at all and makes it all the more horrific.

I remember that - that was a great documentary. Do you reckon that’s available on YouTube?

Louis Walsh came out of this very badly. And seems to either have no awareness or no care about how vile he looked. And I'm
Not sure Ronan is an especially nice person either!

It reminded me of that take that documentary back in 2005 which led to them getting back together - that was a better documentary too.
It's clear they've all got their scars sadly.

Its not made me rush to listen to their old stuff which is a shame but as I said previously don't think the songs have the longevity of other bands like take that, east 17, spice girls, even westlife.