Late Late Show review: Patrick Kielty off to a flier with Oireachtas jokes and touching tributes
Patrick Kielty during his first Late Late Show as host. Picture: Andres Poveda
Few can truly understand the level of pressure Patrick Kielty must have felt before walking out onto a revamped studio for his first as host — especially after the summer of scrutiny RTÉ experienced. Another fresh-faced host would have avoided the elephant in the room but to Kielty’s credit, he threw a shiny new saddle on it and proudly rode that elephant right into Studio 4.
On Friday night, the veteran comedian and presenter from Co Down took over from Ryan Tubridy, who presented his final episode last May, before controversy took the shine off his red Vespa ride into the sunset and later saw the end of his tenure hosting RTÉ’s morning radio show. As the dust settled, Kielty took centre stage, introduced by a poignant voiceover from the original host, the late Gay Byrne.
Kielty opened his debut show with a sharp comedic monologue, quipping that the Late Late was off the air but not off the airways. “What a treat it is to have the on again after the news,” he joked. He added he is trying out a “new format tonight on the show where the host gets to ask questions instead of having to answer them at the Oireachtas.”
While generally well-received, some of his pointed remarks fell flat with the audience as one or two pauses were not filled with the expected laughter, and that section felt dragged out. However, he moved to a more heart-tugging tribute, describing how his grandfather moved to Co Down from Co Wexford “before the border was drawn on this island” and later established a Friday night Kielty family tradition of watching the Late Late Show that continues today. He offered a wave to his mother and added: “There's two other Kielty brothers also watching tonight in London, up way past their bedtime who will now be able to say that their dad was lucky enough to host this show."
He ended his introduction with a tear in his eye and a tremble in his voice as the enormity of his new role no doubt made itself known to him, but if Kielty had any nerves beyond that moment, they were not evident when the cameras were rolling. Unsurprisingly given his C.V., he was often ready with a quip or a witty remark throughout the night, but he proved his mettle as the show went on with an ability to take on more serious topics too, like politics in the North.
Kielty’s first guests were comedian and fellow RTÉ chat show host Tommy Tiernan and his podcast co-stars Hector Ó hEochagáin and Laurita Blewitt, who were later joined by former president Mary McAleese.
Kielty’s version of the seems to be adopting elements of popular talk shows in other countries. His new-look set has more than an echo of the in the US while Graham Norton must surely have been an influence too, as it was the first comparison that came to mind when Mrs McAleese took her seat beside the show’s earlier guests in front of the audience – an odd combination that did not add any additional depth to the interview.
Chasing Abbey was Kielty’s first musical act, before he revealed the 2 Johnnies would be joining him too, adding to a stereotypical ‘RTÉ Canteen’ feel to proceedings, possibly influenced by the Hollywood actors’ strike which likely hindered A-list additions. Footballer James McClean rounded out the guest list to discuss his move to Wrexham, joining the 100-cap club, and his experience of abuse on and off the pitch.
Kielty’s comic skills carried much of the episode but few bigger names, whether in the entertainment world or beyond, or stronger human interest interviews would have made more of a splash for Kielty but ultimately, it looks like the grande dame talk show is in a confident, comedic pair of hands — you could almost see Gaybo chuckling at his jokes as the credits rolled.
