Four things we learned from this week's Late Late Show from Toy Show news to poignant moments
Patrick Kielty with guests Brendan O'Carroll and Jason Byrne. Picture: Michelle Daly
How many comedians does it take to make us laugh? More than three apparently. The show seemed to get off to a promising start as Brendan O'Carroll and Jason Byrne joined Kielty.
Three well-established comedians and friends having the chats of a Friday night? It should make for enjoyable viewing but somehow it fell flat.
It wasn't a comfortable laid-back conversation. Instead, after the two guests plugged their current projects, Kielty's questions stopped the natural flow as he stuck to his cue card. That was until O'Carroll's constant interruptions led to Kielty ripping the card up and pretending to walk away.
Trying to host a show with these 2 beside you š« š @PatricKielty @MrsBrownsBoys, @thejasonbyrne #latelate pic.twitter.com/se9UNkPIjy
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 13, 2023
Throughout the interview, which felt like it ran on a bit too long, O'Carroll and Byrne constantly spoke over each other and Kielty. No one got to finish a thought and it all came off as a bit unprofessional.
Thankfully, Rozanna Purcell joined the group chat just in time. The author said that she had told her parents that being on with the comedians, she wouldn't be able to get a word in edgeways.
But she was well able for them and things mostly got back on track.
It is only Kielty's fourth show and understandably he is still finding his groove but on several occasions on Friday night, things came across as amateur.
Before his first show, the Co Down man said he wanted the Late Late to feel "like coming into the parlour". He definitely achieved that but probably not in the way he had hoped.
It seems they are set on starting the show with a group interview but they haven't quite figured out how to keep control of things when a lot of big personalities are vying for attention.
Instead, there were people talking over each other and interrupting when another was answering a question. There were long meandering stories that didn't go anywhere.
It was O'Carroll who finally stopped Byrne when his rambling story seemed like it would never end as Kielty doesn't seem to be able to keep people on track.
Of course, O'Carroll was just as guilty but the host didn't really try to rein things in.
Pat Spillane was the final guest of the night and while it was a much more enjoyable interview, Spillane went off on a couple of tangents.
On more than one occasion, you could see Kielty glancing to the side as he was likely being told to wind things up. He would lean forward and open his mouth but never actually said anything.
Kielty, who at this point in his career should be confident in his abilities, ended up coming across as a nervous schoolchild afraid to interrupt the teacher.
But this is his classroom and if he can't show some authority the kids are going to run riot.
Sure, we are only halfway through October but it's never too early to look forward to the Late Late Toy Show.
It is arguably one of the most important nights of the year when it comes to TV.
Kielty announced that the show will air on November 24 meaning we have just six weeks to wait.
It will be his first Toy Show so the pressure is definitely on for the Ballywalter actor. Many believe that how a host manages the wonderful chaos of the Toy Show is the thing that makes or breaks them.
The time to apply for #LateLateToyShow tickets is here! šØ
— The Late Late Toy Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 13, 2023
Head to https://t.co/kBXPcPpH1b and fill out the form for your chance to join us on the night! š š» āØ pic.twitter.com/q3z4eoRjP8
Kielty was being grilled about what he had in store for the iconic episode before he had his first show under his belt.
Friday night saw him get more than a bit flustered on a few occasions so it will be interesting to see how he deals with a studio full of hyped-up children.
If you want to get your hands on some tickets for the Toy Show, applications are now open.
It wasn't a perfect show by any means but it was the closing moments of the show that people will remember.
A whiplash change of tone following Pat Spillane's antics, Kielty turned to face the camera and addressed the violence that has occurred over the past week in Palestine and Israel.
He extended his condolences to the family of Irish-Israeli woman Kim Danti who died after Hamas militants attacked a music festival near the Gaza border last weekend.
The ongoing situation obviously strikes a chord with Kielty who grew up in Co Down during the Troubles and whose father was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries.
Clearly speaking from the heart, he offered a message of hope in a moment that left viewers very emotional, some even saying his words drew a tear.
"Tonight there are many parents and children in Israel and in Gaza who also think that this will never end and are praying for a miracle to make it stop," he said.
"In the midst of despair, miracles are hard to believe in but it's worth remembering that we are currently living our own miracle on our island because we are living in peace.
"For all those in Israel and Palestine, it might not seem like it tonight but there is always hope and we hope that your miracle comes soon."
Viewers praised Kielty for his words and his compassion.
In this moment of vulnerability, we are given a glimpse of how good Kielty could be when given the chance.
Perhaps we need to see this man just be himself rather than being thrown into gimmicky, cringey situations.
