Four things we learned from this week’s Late Late Show, from guest variety to country music
Patrick Kielty was joined by Rob Delaney for his third Late Late Show as host, and he also braved a mechanical horse
“As the year’s final supermoon hangs in the sky, stay tuned for some stars,” RTÉ’s voiceover promised ahead of Patrick Kielty’s third Late Late Show. After two weeks of more of the same old RTÉ canteen guests, it was honestly hard to muster any hope for variety, especially as the State broadcaster continues to keep its guest list under wraps ahead of airtime.
Popular British fitness coach Joe Wicks was a big name to appear but he let it slip more than once that he was a late addition to the line up, seemingly only noticed at the last minute during his tour of Irish schools this week. “Thank you for inviting me last minute,” Wicks said while taking his seat, while later stating he would have been more formally attired if he’d had more notice. Wicks’ hoody and sweatpants were a stark contract against his fellow guests Nina Carberry and Carl Frampton, who were dressed to impress.
However, Siptu confirming in the afternoon that RMT general secretary Mick Lynch was among the guests was a promising omen, and the addition of Rob Delaney was inspired, as he and Kielty bonded over their grief: Delaney at the loss of his infant son to cancer and Kielty at the killing of his father, both of which happened on significant dates for their families.
“There might be a day that you will be able to celebrate a birthday again”@robdelaney @PatricKielty #LateLate pic.twitter.com/1CVxyjwUGP
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 29, 2023
Kiely appeared on set this week in a shirt and tie, no doubt to the relief of many viewers who had expressed their displeasure at the host’s preference for more casual clothing in his previous outings fronting the chat show. "He looks well but I think he should be wearing a white shirt and maybe with a tie as it looks better for TV," Jimmy Mc Ilmail said to the Irish Examiner after the season opener.
First tie of the season. 👊🏼
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 29, 2023
Let’s get down to business… #LateLate @RTEplayer pic.twitter.com/yIOFaLlR3T
Another change, at least to this viewer’s eye, was the angling of the set. When Kielty and Delaney were speaking almost intimately about death and grief, there was no sign of the awkward angling to be face-to-face that we witnessed during last week’s interview with Dr Tony Holohan. Perhaps the producers are taking some constructive criticism on board and slightly manoeuvring their furniture in response?
Definitely the fittest panel we’ve had yet #LateLate pic.twitter.com/iSIaUzW4Oz
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 29, 2023
Opening the show this week with its now usual trio of guests were Nina Carbery, Carl Frampton, and Joe Wicks. While last week’s discussion with James Nesbitt, Vogue Williams and Baz Ashmawy seemed disjointed, having three guests with similar backgrounds — in this instance sport and fitness — seems to lend better to a comfortable conversation flow and a better host-guest interraction.
Thankfully, the addition of a fourth guest, as seen in previous weeks, was decided against. Union man Mick Lynch’s interview was a strong standalone as a result and benefitted from one-on-one time with the host, who covered all things from the Hollywood strike to road bowling in Cork City and Armagh, where Lynch’s parents each hail from.
Special Guest in studio tonight #LateLate pic.twitter.com/hLNtDLPrGS
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 29, 2023
From hopping onto a mechanical horse to giving out tickets to a lucky viewer at home, Kielty seems set to celebrate all things country, which is fitting ahead of the Late Late Country Special taking place next week. Kielty has previously spoken about his father’s involvement in the entertainment industry so it is very likely the country special is a significant milestone show for the Co Down man. “My auld fella, he used to promote showbands,” he told the Irish Examiner ahead of the season.
Singer Cliona Hagan was on hand via live camera to surprise one country music fan in their home with the last remaining tickets for next Friday’s show — although for Kielty’s opening episodes as host, the live link has been an awkward conversation, with the delay in the chat and the rush to fill a silence causing much overlap that needs to be flowing better for an enhanced viewer experience at home. It is, however, a welcome bit of variety to proceedings that just needs a more professional technical touch to perfect it.
