Editing The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)

{{short description|Irish chat show}}
{{About|the Irish late-night talk show|the American late-night talk show franchise of the same name|The Late Late Show (American talk show)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = The Late Late Show logo 2023.jpg
| alt_name             = ''The Late Late''<ref name=sex_factor/><ref name=look-whos_just_popped_in>{{cite news|first=Jane|last=Last|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/look-who-just-popped-in-for-the-late-late-1902767.html|title=Look who just popped in for the Late Late|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=2 October 2009|access-date=4 October 2009|archive-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218001838/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/look-who-just-popped-in-for-the-late-late-1902767.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| presenter            = {{Plain list| 
* [[Gay Byrne]] (1962–1964, 1965–1999)
* [[Frank Hall (broadcaster)|Frank Hall]] (1964)
* [[Pat Kenny]] (1999–2009)
* [[Ryan Tubridy]] (2009–2023)
* [[Patrick Kielty]] (2023–)
* '''Stand ins''':
* [[Gerry Ryan]] (2008)
* Pat Kenny (2013)
* [[Miriam O'Callaghan]] (2020)
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Chris Andrews (singer)|Chris Andrews]]
| opentheme            = "To Whom It Concerns" (1960s–1999, 2009–)
| endtheme             = "The Late Late Show" by [[Nat King Cole]] (Gay Byrne era)
| country              = Ireland
| language             = English, Irish
| num_seasons          = 50+
| num_episodes         = More than 500 by 1979<ref name=infull27032020/>
| list_episodes        = List of The Late Late Show episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plain list| 
* Michael Kealy
* Jim Jennings
* [[Larry Masterson]]<ref name=tv_first_as_senators_justify_jobs/>
}}
| location             = Studio 4, [[RTÉ Television Centre]], [[Donnybrook, Dublin|Donnybrook]], [[Dublin 4]]
| runtime              = 90 minutes
| channel              = [[RTÉ One]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|df=y|1962|7|6}}
| last_aired           = present
| related              = {{Plain list|
* ''[[Kenny Live]]''
* ''[[Saturday Live (Irish TV series)|Saturday Live]]''
* ''[[The Saturday Night Show]]''
* ''[[Saturday Night with Miriam]]''
* ''[[Tubridy Tonight]]''
| website                  = {{URL|http://rte.ie/tv/latelate/}}
| website_title            = 
}}
}}

'''''The Late Late Show''''', with its title often shortened to '''''The Late Late''''', is an Irish chat show. It is the world's second longest-running [[late-night talk show]], after the American ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', and is the longest-running live talk show.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lalor|first=Brian|title=The Encyclopedia of Ireland|year=2003|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-09442-8|page=147}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1128|title=Dima performs at The Late Late Show|publisher=[[Eurovision Song Contest]]|date=31 May 2008|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225144334/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1128|archive-date=25 February 2015}}
* {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7848737.stm|title=Paisley on RTE's Late Late Show|publisher=BBC News|date=24 January 2009|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225144424/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7848737.stm|archive-date=25 February 2015}}
* {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8045336.stm|title=Late Late show getting new face|publisher=BBC News|date=12 May 2009|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225144531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8045336.stm|archive-date=25 February 2015}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0602/breaking69.htm|title=Kenny's final viewer figures released|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=2 June 2009|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225144707/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenny-s-final-viewer-figures-released-1.841358|archive-date=25 February 2015}}
</ref> Perceived as the official flagship television programme of [[RTÉ]],<ref name=too_late_to_save/> it is regarded as an Irish television institution,<ref>{{cite news|first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/nov/22/biography.gayrights|title=Just call me Nell|date=22 November 2004|access-date=13 April 2009|work=The Guardian|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225180711/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/nov/22/biography.gayrights|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> and is broadcast live across normally two hours in front of a studio audience on Friday nights at 9:30&nbsp;pm between September and May. Certain segments are sometimes pre-recorded and aired within the live parts of the show.

Having maintained the same name and format continuously, ''The Late Late Show'' was first broadcast on Friday 6 July 1962 at 11:20&nbsp;pm<ref name=montrose_chameleon/> and in colour from 1976. Originating as temporary summer filler for a niche Saturday night audience (airing at 11:30&nbsp;pm),<ref name=too_late_to_save/> it later moved to its current home on Friday night schedules. The format has remained largely the same throughout, featuring interviews, musical performances and discourse on topical issues. It has influenced attitudes of the populace towards approval or disapproval of its chosen topics, directed social change and helped shape Irish societal norms. It averages 650,000 viewers per episode and has consistently achieved RTÉ's highest ratings.<ref name=too_late_to_save>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/is-it-too-late--to-save-the--late-late-1698141.html|title=Is it too late to save the Late Late?|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=4 April 2009|access-date=5 April 2009|archive-date=6 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406153935/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/is-it-too-late--to-save-the--late-late-1698141.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

For much of its early life, [[RTÉ Television Centre]]'s Studio 1 at Montrose in [[Donnybrook, Dublin|Donnybrook]], [[Dublin 4]], was its home; this original studio accommodated a small audience of about 120. In 1995, ''The Late Late Show'' transferred to the more spacious Studio 4, adapted specifically to cater for this and ''[[Kenny Live]]''. Three external broadcasts have aired, including from the [[National Opera House (Ireland)|Wexford Opera House]] on 5 September 2008<ref>{{cite news|title=County in a tizzy as The Late Late Show broadcasts from Wexford|newspaper=Wexford Echo|date=4 September 2008}}</ref> and, most recently, from London in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/1012/1002866-look-the-late-late-show-in-london/|title=In Pictures: The Late Late Show in London|publisher=RTÉ|date=13 October 2018|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008090132/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/1012/1002866-look-the-late-late-show-in-london/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Gay Byrne]] hosted the show from its inception until 21 May 1999. [[Pat Kenny]] was Byrne's successor, hosting the show for ten years between 1999 and 2009. [[Ryan Tubridy]] succeeded Kenny in September 2009 and hosted the show for fourteen years. Under Tubridy, first [[Quinn Group]] and then [[Sky Broadband]] added sponsorship deals.<ref>{{cite news|first=Allison|last=Bray|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tubridy-gets-early-83641m-boost-with-late-late-deal-1856182.html|title=Tubridy gets early €1m boost with 'Late Late' deal|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=11 August 2009|access-date=11 August 2009|archive-date=12 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812102306/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tubridy-gets-early-83641m-boost-with-late-late-deal-1856182.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4286377&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=Sky Broadband Officially Named New 'Late Late Show' Sponsor|date=23 August 2013|work=[[Irish Film and Television Network]]|access-date=10 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225151146/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4286377&tpl=archnews&force=1|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Tubridy's arrival coincided with a marked increase in audience ratings,<ref>{{cite news|first=Claire|last=Murphy|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/16m-tune-in-to-see-tubridy-on-his-late-late-show-debut-1880890.html|title=1.6m tune in to see Tubridy on his Late Late Show debut|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=8 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-date=7 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130107200524/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/16m-tune-in-to-see-tubridy-on-his-late-late-show-debut-1880890.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with some early statistics comparing him to the Byrne era.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0907/breaking77.htm|title=Tubridy's 'Late Late' debut draws 1.6m|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225182009/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/tubridy-s-late-late-debut-draws-1-6m-1.845882|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0908/1224254067501.html|title=1.6m tuned in for Tubridy 'Late Late'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=8 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|quote=In total, about 1.6&nbsp;million tuned in at some stage of the programme, making it the most watched ''Late Late Show'', outside the toy show, since Gay Byrne's retirement in May 1999.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225182142/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/1-6m-tuned-in-for-tubridy-late-late-1.733424|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> [[Patrick Kielty]] is the current presenter, having succeeded Tubridy in September 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0916/1405591-kielty-brings-a-fresh-spin-to-the-late-late-show/|title=Patrick Kielty brings a fresh spin to the Late Late Show|publisher=RTÉ|first=Alan|last=Corr|date=16 September 2023|accessdate=16 September 2023}}</ref>

==1962–1999: Gay Byrne==
[[File:The Late Late Show (Ireland).jpg|right|thumb|Logo during the Gay Byrne era]]
The idea for the show was developed by RTÉ producer [[Tom McGrath (producer)|Tom McGrath]], after he had seen ''The Tonight Show'' while working for a Canadian TV station.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGowan|first=Sharon|date=2019-01-03|title=Gay Byrne used to dread going to school due to regular beatings|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/gay-byrne-says-used-dread-13808762|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Irish Mirror|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415212736/https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/gay-byrne-says-used-dread-13808762|url-status=live}}</ref> He proposed it to [[Gay Byrne]], who became the show's first presenter. The first episode aired on Friday 6 July 1962 at 23:20.<ref name=montrose_chameleon>{{cite news|first=Gay |last=Byrne |author-link=Gay Byrne |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0213/1224264325263.html |title=The chameleon of Montrose |date=13 February 2010 |access-date=13 February 2010 |newspaper=The Irish Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118184127/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0213/1224264325263.html |archive-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead }} Note that the date in the source is 5 July 1962, a Thursday.</ref>{{clarify|Is this time in the citation?|date=February 2015}} Byrne was then a young Irish broadcaster working with [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]] in Britain; while there he had become the first person to introduce [[The Beatles]] on television on ''People and Places''.<ref name=montrose_chameleon/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/gaybolaughsback/|title=Gaybo Laughs Back|publisher=RTÉ Television|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226013810/http://www.rte.ie/tv/gaybolaughsback/|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

Originally intended as light summer "filler",<ref name=rte_history09/> ''The Late Late Show'' soon developed into a forum for contentious opinion and debate, involving topics such as [[divorce]], [[contraception]] and a number of areas hitherto unspoken. Much of the populace, especially in the south and west of Ireland, had no previous experience of television, and many were unprepared for ''The Late Late Show'' bringing such discussion into their homes (large swathes of Ireland were rural and devoutly [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]). Indeed, the politician [[Oliver J. Flanagan]], whilst guesting on the show, proclaimed there to have been "no sex in Ireland until Teilifís Éireann went on the air", reflecting this greater indiscretion.<ref name=polygamy_orgies_scandals/> [[Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)|Archbishop of Dublin]], [[John Charles McQuaid]], was confronted by a guest in the show's first series — a sensational and unprecedented event. Many more such events would follow, each contributing to the folklore and mythical qualities of ''The Late Late Show''.

Two common formats were used: the first — a series of interviews of celebrity guests, most of whom could be defined as Irish or British and involved in the entertainment industry; the second — a defined topic involving live discussion from a panel and studio audience. The latter tended to be far the weightier in content, as people who were directly connected with the defined topic sat in the audience.

Byrne would remain host for 37 years, retiring in 1999. He came out of retirement to present such programmes as ''[[The Meaning of Life (TV series)|The Meaning of Life]]'' and ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Ireland)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]''; as of September 2009, Byrne's 37 years remains the longest period through which any individual has hosted a televised talk show. In 1964, with the launch of [[BBC Two|BBC2]], Byrne moved back to the United Kingdom, where his career had started. [[Frank Hall (broadcaster)|Frank Hall]] presented ''The Late Late Show'' in Byrne's absence. However, after one year, Byrne returned to RTÉ to present his old show, supplemented by [[The Gay Byrne Show|his own radio show]].<ref name=rte_history09>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/history09.html|title=History (2009 version)|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226141850/http://www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/history09.html|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

Few of the 1960s editions of ''The Late Late Show'' are extant, as it was prohibitively expensive to use tape to record at this time.

=== Bishop and the Nightie ===
A minor furore erupted in 1966 when the Bishop of Clonfert condemned ''The Late Late Show'' as "immoral" and Gay Byrne as a promoter of "filth". The condemnation stemmed from a small item on the show in which Byrne was interviewing a number of couples to see how well they knew each other. Byrne asked the Fox couple from [[Terenure]] what colour nightdress Mrs Fox wore during her honeymoon.<ref name=sex_factor/> Mr Fox implied it was "transparent" and Mrs Fox said she had not worn any nightdress.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2019/0726/1065447-gay-byrnes-finest-moments-on-the-late-late-show/|title=Gay Byrne's finest moments on The Late Late Show|publisher=RTÉ|date=8 November 2019|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105160637/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2019/0726/1065447-gay-byrnes-finest-moments-on-the-late-late-show/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sex_factor/><ref name=polygamy_orgies_scandals>{{cite news|first=Kim|last=Bielenberg|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/from-polygamy-and-orgies--to-the-late-late-scandals-324772.html|title=From polygamy and orgies to the Late, Late 'scandals'|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=29 December 2001|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=1 August 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801225452/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/from-polygamy-and-orgies--to-the-late-late-scandals-324772.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This response was received with laughter by Byrne and the studio audience, with Mrs. Fox then suggesting that her nightdress had been white from the options offered.<ref name=sex_factor/> However, the Bishop either misheard or ignored this, feeling the need to protest against this "filthy" programme and the "filth" which was being televised into the nation's homes.<ref name=polygamy_orgies_scandals/>

The Bishop of Clonfert sent a telegram: "Disgusted with disgraceful performance",<ref name=sex_factor/> prompting a swift RTÉ apology which the ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' states was similar to the apology the same broadcaster issued during the [[Brian Cowen nude portraits controversy]] in 2009.<ref name=chance_to_match_man_who_changed_ireland/> [[County Meath|Meath]] VEC said it was "anti-national", whilst [[Loughrea]] Town Council described it as "a dirty programme that should be abolished altogether".<ref name=sex_factor/> The furore died down after a number of weeks, but is still remembered. When the topic featured on the 2008 documentary ''How the Irish Have Sex'' broadcast by rival channel [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]], the ''[[Irish Independent]]''{{'}}s Damian Corless said [[Éamon de Valera]] "won't be turning on, but will instead be turning in his grave".<ref name=sex_factor/>

=== Brian Trevaskis affair ===
On a March 1966 episode of ''The Late Late Show'' a debate was held on the Roman [[Catholic Church]]. Brian Trevaskis, a young student and President of [[University Philosophical Society|The Phil Society]] of [[Trinity College Dublin|Trinity College]], making his first television appearance, criticised the [[Bishop of Galway]], [[Michael Browne (Bishop of Galway)|Michael Browne]], for spending so much on a [[Galway Cathedral|cathedral]] instead of helping the poor. Trevaskis described the building as a "monstrosity" and referred to the bishop as a "[[Moron (psychology)|moron]]". He was invited back on the show the following week, 6 April, to expand on his opinions. The student referred to the fiftieth anniversary of the [[Easter Rising]], a pivotal moment in Irish history, when he expressed his concern over the devotion of money to building churches in a society where women who were impregnated outside marriage were considered outcasts and as such were vulnerable members of society. Trevaskis claimed Ireland was not a [[Christians|Christian]] country and when asked by the bishop if he knew the meaning of the word "moron", he replied that he was uncertain the bishop knew the meaning of the word "Christian".<ref name=chance_to_match_man_who_changed_ireland/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoilnet.ie/lookathistory/Video2.aspx?FolderId=1&Id=541&ref=4|title=4. Brian Trevaskis on The Late Late Show: 1966|work=Scoilnet|access-date=23 October 2008|archive-date=26 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234603/http://www.scoilnet.ie/lookathistory/Video2.aspx?FolderId=1&Id=541&ref=4|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Annie Murphy interview ===
In 1992, Bishop [[Eamonn Casey]] resigned when it was revealed that he had broken his vow of celibacy having fathered a child with a young American divorcee named Annie Murphy in 1973 during his tenure as Bishop of Kerry.<ref>{{cite news|first=Constance L.|last=Hays|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/09/world/mother-of-bishop-s-son-tells-of-irish-love-affair.html?pagewanted=1|title=Mother of Bishop's Son Tells of Irish Love Affair|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=9 May 1992|access-date=25 May 2010|archive-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226030322/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/09/world/mother-of-bishop-s-son-tells-of-irish-love-affair.html?pagewanted=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Casey was a well-known bishop with a national profile, and had been a guest on ''The Late Late Show'' on several occasions. In April 1993, Murphy appeared on ''The Late Late Show'' to speak about the affair and their child, Peter. Casey had supported their son financially, but had requested that this be kept quiet to protect his career.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Sean|last1=O' Neill|first2=Fiona|last2=Hamilton|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article745495.ece|title=Profile: Eamonn Casey|newspaper=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=4 December 2005|access-date=27 February 2010|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604143749/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article745495.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the interview Byrne said if the baby was "half the man his father was" he would be fine and Annie Murphy replied that the boy's mother (meaning herself) was "not so bad either", drawing applause from the studio audience.<ref>{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Dwyer|url=http://forth.ie/index.php/content/article/back_to_the_1980s/|title=Back to the 1980s?|work=[[Forth magazine|forth]]|date=10 December 2009|access-date=13 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213215942/http://forth.ie/index.php/content/article/back_to_the_1980s|archive-date=13 December 2009}}</ref> Casey spent most of his time following the scandal outside Ireland in an effort to avoid media attention, but eventually returned in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0205/72677-caseye/|title=Eamonn Casey returns to Ireland|publisher=RTÉ News|date=5 February 2006|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=9 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309163919/https://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0205/72677-caseye/|url-status=live}}</ref> More than twenty years later, the ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' named this one of its "Top 10 moments of Irish television".<ref>{{cite news|first=Jonathan|last= deBurca Butler |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/top-10-moments-of-irish-television-239612.html|title=Top 10 moments of Irish television|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=13 August 2013|access-date=13 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226181314/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/top-10-moments-of-irish-television-239612.html|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

=== Tom Gilmartin affair ===
In 1999, [[Pádraig Flynn]], Ireland's [[EU Commissioner]], appeared on the show, during which he commented on [[Tom Gilmartin (businessman)|Tom Gilmartin]] and a donation of £50,000 to the [[Fianna Fáil]] party. Flynn also talked about "the difficulties" in his own life; he talked of having a salary of £100,000 ([[Irish Pound|Irish Punt]]) and trying to run three houses, cars and housekeepers along with regular travel. The performance was seen as very out of touch, at a time when house prices in Ireland were rising dramatically, and the average industrial wage was £15,380.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/statistics/indearnings.htm|title=CSO – Statistics: Industrial Earnings|publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] (CSO)|access-date=15 November 2006|archive-date=10 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010204245/http://www.cso.ie/statistics/indearnings.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Flynn also made remarks concerning Gilmartin, a [[Luton]]-based Irish developer and investor. In response to Byrne's question that Flynn knew Gilmartin, Flynn answered, "Oh yes, yes. I haven't seen him now for some years. I met him. He's a Sligo man who went to England, made a lot of money, came back, wanted to do a lot of business in Ireland, didn't work out for him, didn't work out for him. He's not well. His wife isn't well. He's out of sorts." Flynn seemed to attack the credibility of Gilmartin at a time when he was making allegations in the media of planning irregularities in Dublin.

Gilmartin responded by publicising details of Flynn's failed attempts to get Gilmartin to change his evidence. This led to Flynn's career being effectively ended because the government would not endorse him for reappointment to the European Commission after its mass resignation that year. This "vanity platform" on ''The Late Late Show'' saw, as the ''Irish Examiner'' later referred to it, Flynn "managed to get both feet into his mouth and talk at the same time".<ref name=chance_to_match_man_who_changed_ireland/>

=== Other incidents ===
;''Playboy'': In January 1966, Victor Lownes, a representative of ''[[Playboy]]'', was expected to appear on ''The Late Late Show''; however, he was axed when he revealed that he hoped to recruit young women to work as Bunnies in Playboy clubs.<ref name=sex_factor>{{cite news|first=Damian|last=Corless|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/the-sex-factor-1491630.html|title=The Sex Factor|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=7 October 2008|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=3 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103023307/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/the-sex-factor-1491630.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Women's rights: Elderly [[Feminism|feminist]] campaigner [[Hilary Boyle]] criticised the Irish government when she appeared on ''The Late Late Show'' during the 1970s, calling them "all so afraid of a belt of the [[Crosier|crozier]] (the Bishop's stick)".<ref name=chance_to_match_man_who_changed_ireland>{{cite news|first=Ryle|last=Dwyer|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/ryle-dwyer/tubridy-gets-his-chance-to-match-the-man-who-changed-ireland-91897.html|title=Tubridy-gets-his-chance-to-match-the-man-who-changed-Ireland|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=16 May 2009|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127232024/http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/ryle-dwyer/tubridy-gets-his-chance-to-match-the-man-who-changed-ireland-91897.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Contraceptive train: When several women, amongst them [[June Levine]] and [[Nell McCafferty]], carried bags of [[condom]]s from [[Belfast]] on a train in protest at Ireland's strict anti-contraception laws in 1971, ''The Late Late Show'' became involved in the incident when one of the women, Mary Kenny, appeared in the studio to say that the law was "pretty damn weird".<ref>{{cite news|first=Terry|last=Prone|url=http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/femme/the-day-sex-came-out-of-the-closet-1902797.html|title=The day sex came out of the closet|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=2 October 2009|access-date=5 October 2009|archive-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810030849/http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/femme/the-day-sex-came-out-of-the-closet-1902797.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Lesbian nuns: In 1979, Gay Byrne interviewed a lesbian on ''The Late Late Show'', escaping public condemnation in the process.<ref name=sex_factor/> However, when two former nuns who were lesbians, [[Rosemary Curb]] and Nancy Manahan, were booked to appear in 1985, a [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]] case ensued and calls came for ''The Late Late Show'' to be axed altogether as it would "greatly undermine Christian moral values" and "the respect of the general public for nuns" to feature the pair on live television.<ref name=sex_factor/> Protestors gathered to recite decades of the [[rosary]], sing hymns as the show got underway.<ref name=sex_factor/> According to the ''[[Irish Examiner]]'', "the interview with the nuns ended up being not all that scandalous". During the discussion, Sr. Maura, an Irish nun from the Daughters of Sion, remarked that members of the clergy don't 'leave their sexuality at the door' when they enter religious life.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-20415220.html|title=Lesbian Nuns and gay Priests: From The Late Late Show to Maynooth|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=10 August 2016|first=Páraic|last=Kerrigan|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028044313/https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-20415220.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;AIDS special: An AIDS special in the 1980s included a controversial demonstration on live television of how to attach a [[condom]] to a finger.<ref name=sex_factor/>
;Brian Lenihan: Gay Byrne was a personal friend of [[Brian Lenihan Snr|Brian Lenihan]] and presented a tribute show in March 1990 to support the case for Lenihan as a candidate for the office of [[President of Ireland]] in the [[1990 Irish presidential election|1990 presidential election]].
;Minding the children: In 1992 several female TDs who had been newly elected to Dáil Éireann appeared on the programme, with Gay Byrne wondering who was taking care of their children.<ref>{{cite news|first=Liz|last=McManus|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/i-was-naive-to-think-number-of-women-tds-would-grow-2324341.html|title=I was naive to think number of women TDs would grow|date=4 September 2010|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=4 September 2010|author-link=Liz McManus|archive-date=26 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726024531/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/i-was-naive-to-think-number-of-women-tds-would-grow-2324341.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Peter Brooke: In 1992 the British [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]], [[Peter Brooke, Baron Brooke of Sutton Mandeville|Peter Brooke]] appeared on ''The Late Late Show''. After a pleasant interview, Byrne coaxed and goaded the unwilling Brooke into singing "[[Oh My Darling, Clementine]]" on a day when seven Protestant construction workers had been killed by an [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] bomb. Unionists were outraged at what seemed to be a moment clearly out of touch with grieving families, and instantly requested the resignation of Brooke. Brooke was humiliated, and subsequently lost his position as Secretary of State to Sir [[Patrick Mayhew]] after the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 British General Election]] in April.<ref>{{cite book|first=Tim Pat|last=Coogan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33sWKhmPl3UC&q=Peter+Brooke+The+Late+Late+Show&pg=PA239|title=The Troubles: Ireland's Ordeal, 1966–1996, and the Search for Peace|page=239|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2002|isbn=0-312-29418-2}}</ref>
;Gerry Adams: As a response to a change in legislation against terrorist groups being given publicity, known as [[Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act|Section 31]], it became possible for RTÉ to interview [[Sinn Féin]] leader [[Gerry Adams]] in 1994. Byrne set up a show, with a panel of public figures, [[Jim Kemmy]], [[Dermot Ahern]], [[Michael McDowell (politician)|Michael McDowell]], [[Hugh Leonard]] and [[Austin Currie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=h-JazEW8la8|title=Gerry Adams on the Late Late Show 28th October 1994|via=YouTube|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> The last three openly loathed Adams. Byrne himself refused to shake hands with Adams and kept a distance of over three metres away from him for most of the show. During the show, a number of people telephoned in stating that Byrne and the other panellists were acting in a "hostile and aggressive" manner towards Adams. Byrne maintained that nobody was specially invited to the audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=h-JazEW8la8|title=Gerry Adams on the Late Late Show 28th October 1994|via=YouTube|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> The interview did not seem to damage Adams's popularity, with the ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' reporting that 70 per cent of people held a favourable view of him after the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=h-JazEW8la8|title=Gerry Adams on the Late Late Show 28th October 1994|via=YouTube|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>
;Terry Keane: ''The Late Late Show'' continued to cause controversy right up to Byrne's departure. On his penultimate show in 1999, he interviewed the gossip columnist [[Terry Keane]], who went on to reveal a long affair with the former [[Taoiseach]], [[Charles Haughey]]. Haughey, a lifelong acquaintance of Byrne, had intended to be available for the last show but went into hiding from the media as a result of the revelations. Haughey had appealed to Keane not to reveal her story. Keane was publicising her book covering her life in Irish public life, and her career as a journalist with the ''Irish Independent'' newspaper group.
;Bill Murray: One show featured an interview with ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' actor [[Bill Murray]]. In the audience, comedian [[Jason Byrne (comedian)|Jason Byrne]] masqueraded as a man who had set up a paranormal investigation agency, similar to that in the film. Murray responded by making a joke regarding his experience in a local restaurant.

=== Byrne's role as producer ===
The flexibility of the show was augmented by Byrne's position not merely as the show's presenter but also as its producer for much of his period with the show. He intentionally reminded the viewer that the show was being broadcast live through his interaction with people working behind the scenes. Cameras were visible, and if an audience member was invited to speak, the boom microphone could be seen swinging overhead. Some of Byrne's phrases became well known; when instructing that a piece of videotape be played, he invariably announced "you can roll it there, Colette/Roisín", chat to the floor manager, inquiring as to what telephone line a caller was ringing in on, and on some shows would extend its running time by fifteen or thirty minutes, discussing the extra running time with the floor staff and production team as an "aside" during an interview. The effect of all these mannerisms was said to add to the sense of realism in the show, that, as the theme music at the end of the show stated: "It started on ''The Late Late Show''." This was a clip of the [[Nat King Cole]] song "The Late Late Show", which appeared on his 1959 album ''Big Band Cole''.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199916191.001.0001/acref-9780199916191-e-4547;jsessionid=D97342A1E7AC806A52A5C481EFC8BD85 | isbn=978-0-19-991619-1 | title=Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable | chapter=Roll it there, Colette | date=7 August 2023 | publisher=Chambers Harrap Publishers }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30961959.html | title=Friends and co-workers remember 'extraordinary' Gay Byrne | date=5 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/roll-it-again-colette-1.959534 | title=Roll it again, Colette | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/it-started-on-the-roll-it-there-colette/26004475.html | title=It started on the . . . Roll it there, Colette | date=18 January 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30961826.html | title=It started on the Late Late Show: Gaybo's most controversial moments | date=4 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0511/1382847-late-late-show-history-1962-gay-byrne-1999-pat-kenny-2009-ryan-tubridy/ | title=To whom it concerns: A short history of the Late Late Show | date=11 May 2023 | last1=O'Neill | first1=Finola Doyle | website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/farming/it-started-on-the-late-late-show/34498970.html | title=It started on the Late Late Show | date=2 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>Collins, P. (1981) 'It started on the Late Late Show': Ward River Press</ref>

=== Byrne's final show ===
On 21 May 1999, Byrne presented his last edition of ''The Late Late Show''. The show, beginning at 21:30, lasted four hours (twice as long as a normal edition of ''The Late Late Show'' at the time). Tributes flooded in from all quarters for the host. High-profile guests on this final show included author [[Salman Rushdie]] and comedian [[Billy Connolly]].<ref name=bbc_gb_says_goodnight/>

The then Irish President [[Mary McAleese]] told Byrne: {{cquote|You're bearing up well, but people out there are crying tonight, they're very sad. You've entertained us, you've educated us, you've exasperated us. What more could anyone ask over 37 years?<ref name=bbc_gb_says_goodnight>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/348834.stm|title=Gay Byrne says goodnight|publisher=BBC News|location=London|date=24 May 1999|access-date=24 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225233618/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/348834.stm|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>}}
There were also glowing tributes for Byrne from then [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]], RTÉ broadcasters [[Des Cahill]], [[Larry Gogan]], [[Mike Murphy (presenter)|Mike Murphy]], [[Marian Finucane]], American counterpart [[Merv Griffin]], former Taoiseach [[Charles Haughey]] and various other celebrities.

There were musical performances on the night from [[The Corrs]],<ref name=bbc_gb_says_goodnight/> [[Christy Moore]], [[Sarah Brightman]] and [[Rosaleen Linehan]]. [[U2]] members [[Bono]] and [[Larry Mullen]] presented Byrne with a [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycle as a retirement present. Byrne was spotted on the bike regularly, until January 2003 when Byrne and U2 jointly auctioned the bike for The Children's Medical & Research Foundation at [[Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin]], Dublin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126183/bio|title=Biography for Gay Byrne|publisher=IMDb|access-date=24 October 2008|archive-date=24 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824014726/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126183/bio|url-status=live}}</ref>

== 1999–2009: Pat Kenny ==
:''Including [[Gerry Ryan]] for one night''.
When Byrne left, ''The Late Late Show'' dominated RTÉ's ratings viewership figures, coming in consistently either at number 1 or number 2.{{efn|''The Late Late Show'' and ''[[Glenroe]]''—a 20th-century soap opera—regularly swapped positions, being either 1 or 2 (''[[RTÉ Guide]]'')}} Some columnists writing in the ''[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]'' and ''[[The Irish Times]]'' called for the show be dropped as its success was linked too intricately with Byrne to work with anyone else. RTÉ, however, retained the show, justifying the decision as it being a powerful brand that attracted extensive advertising revenue. Contemporary media reports speculated that [[Patrick Kielty]], [[Marian Finucane]], [[Gerry Ryan]] and [[Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)|Gerry Kelly]] would take over.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/stepping-into-the-shoes-of-uncle-gay-1.182272|title=Stepping into the shoes of Uncle Gay|date=8 May 1999|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=6 November 2016|archive-date=7 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107013324/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/stepping-into-the-shoes-of-uncle-gay-1.182272|url-status=live}}</ref> However, RTÉ gave the show to [[Pat Kenny]], who for nearly a decade had presented his own ''[[Kenny Live]]'' show in the Saturday night time slot. Even after seven years at the helm of that show Kenny was often criticised in the media for his presentation style.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=36&si=1677812&issue_id=14569|title=Sorry, Pat, but you're no Gay Byrne..|newspaper=[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]|date=27 August 2006|access-date=6 September 2006|archive-date=27 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827175705/http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=36&si=1677812&issue_id=14569|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kenny and his staff changed many aspects of ''The Late Late Show''. Its distinctive title music{{efn|An instrumental version of the [[Chris Andrews (singer)|Chris Andrews]] 1965 UK Top Twenty hit "To Whom It Concerns"}} was changed, as was the set design and studio layout. Guests, instead of remaining on, were involved only in that part of the show when the focus was them. A new set abandoned the traditional presenter's desk. Unlike Byrne, Kenny ensured his guests were announced in advance. Other than the title, [[The Late Late Show owl|the use of an owl as the show's symbol]] and [[The Late Late Toy Show|the traditional edition marketing toys to children and their parents]],{{efn|''[[The Late Late Toy Show]]'', broadcast in late November or early December, on which children and special guests advise on the latest toys available for the Christmas market each year.}} little of the original remained the same. Byrne's two catchphrases, "It started on ''The Late Late Show''", and "one for everyone in the audience"{{efn|When having shown some item on the show, Byrne would announce that there was "one for everyone in the audience" (i.e. that each person sitting in the studio audience would receive their own version of said item).}} were dropped. The latter of these phrases has since been revived under Kenny's successor but was not much in use when Kenny was at the helm.

=== "That rude interruption" ===
{{listen|filename=Late Late Intruder.ogg |title="The Late Late Intruder"|description= 24 November 2006|format=[[Ogg]]}}
As the 24 November 2006 edition of the show was getting underway, an intruder, Paul Stokes from [[Monkstown, County Dublin]], emerged from off screen to confront a visibly startled Pat Kenny, who was had just greeted three guests, ''[[You're a Star]]'' judges [[Thomas Black (television personality)|Thomas Black]], [[Linda Martin]], and [[Brendan O'Connor (media personality)|Brendan O'Connor]]. Stokes approached Kenny, with his back to the camera, crouched down closer to Kenny and accused Kenny of being a "censor" and described him and his predecessor, Gay Byrne, as "insufferable arseholes". The incident was broadcast live and uncensored before the studio audience. Kenny repeatedly uttered "thank you, thank you". The show cut to a premature commercial break while Stokes was removed from the studio. When the show returned to television screens, Kenny apologised to viewers for what he described as "that rude interruption" and began his interview. Stokes was arrested but later released.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1124/82930-latelate/|title=Man arrested after Late Late show disruption|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=24 November 2006|access-date=24 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226024917/http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1124/82930-latelate/|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

[[Today FM]] presenter [[Jenny Kelly]] reportedly went into labour whilst laughing as the incident unfolded on her television screen. She described her initial intention as having been to sit down for an evening of Kenny and to "bore the baby into arriving".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/dj-ray-on-night-shift--as-a-dad-70709.html|title=DJ Ray on night shift – as a dad|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=28 November 2006|access-date=26 December 2008|archive-date=13 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113110448/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/dj-ray-on-night-shift--as-a-dad-70709.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was later revealed<ref>{{cite news|first1=Cormac|last1=Murphy|first2=L.|last2=Nolan|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/late-late-intruder-in-second-rte-arrest-137630.html|title=Late Late intruder in second RTÉ arrest|date=3 December 2006|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=4 May 2010|archive-date=4 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504213746/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/late-late-intruder-in-second-rte-arrest-137630.html|url-status=live}}</ref> that the intruder's daughter was a member of ''The Late Late Show'' crew. Shortly after the initial incident, the man rammed his vehicle into the front entrance of RTÉ's Donnybrook facility; no-one was injured.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0201/85282-stokesp/|title=Circuit Court to decide on Stokes|publisher=RTÉ News|date=1 February 2007|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=7 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307085214/https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0201/85282-stokesp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also reported to have stood outside Kenny's house shouting insults<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2007/0126/1169680646846.html|title=Remand for man on harassment charge|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=1 January 2007|access-date=1 January 2007|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727025837/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2007/0126/1169680646846.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and to have painted threatening messages on walls near the house,<ref>{{cite news|first=Lorna|last=Reid|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/paul-stokes-is-still-here-but-pat-kenny-wont-be-soon-66054.html|title=Paul Stokes is still here, but Pat Kenny won't be soon|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=27 December 2006|access-date=27 December 2006|archive-date=8 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408072312/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/paul-stokes-is-still-here-but-pat-kenny-wont-be-soon-66054.html|url-status=live}}</ref> although a charge of harassment connected with the case was dropped.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/migration/rt-crash-driver-pleads-guilty-668315.html|title=RTÉ crash driver pleads guilty|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=1 May 2007|access-date=1 May 2007|archive-date=8 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408071003/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/migration/rt-crash-driver-pleads-guilty-668315.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The man was later sentenced to two years in prison for ramming the RTÉ entrance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0522/89264-stokesp/|title=Man jailed for criminal damage at RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ News|date=22 May 2007|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219214400/https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0522/89264-stokesp/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other incidents ===
;O'Reilly/Callaly interview: In late October 2004, three weeks after Rachel O'Reilly was found murdered at her home in the [[Naul, Dublin|Naul]], north [[County Dublin]], the mother and husband of the woman, Rose Callaly and Joe O'Reilly, were Kenny's guests. Callaly's trauma was evident; O'Reilly calmly dealt with Kenny's questions. O'Reilly was later arrested. Two years later, he was convicted of the crime.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/joe-oreilly-interview-tops-my-10-years-of-late-late-memories-reveals-kenny-1752242.html|title=Joe O'Reilly interview tops my 10 years of Late Late memories, reveals Kenny|date=27 May 2009|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324152052/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/joe-oreilly-interview-tops-my-10-years-of-late-late-memories-reveals-kenny-1752242.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/joe-oreilly-told-me-to-play-down-our-affair-1035339.html|title=Joe O'Reilly told me to play down our affair|date=13 July 2007|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=19 September 2009|first=Paul|last=Melia|archive-date=8 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408061141/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/joe-oreilly-told-me-to-play-down-our-affair-1035339.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/phone-call-logs-reveal-secret-life-of-joe-oreilly-1037829.html|title=Phone call logs reveal secret life of Joe O'Reilly|date=15 July 2007|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-date=26 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726024545/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/phone-call-logs-reveal-secret-life-of-joe-oreilly-1037829.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0307/1224242448739.html|title=Well-wishers surround Callalys as O'Reilly remains impassive|date=7 March 2009|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727025845/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0307/1224242448739.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

;Brendan Gleeson: On 17 March 2006 ([[Saint Patrick's Day]], the national holiday), actor [[Brendan Gleeson]] became emotional while disclosing his views on the state of the [[Health Service Executive (Ireland)|national health service]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Emer|last=O'Kelly|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/bravo-to-you-brendan-as-straight-talk-is-the-healthy-way-forward-128169.html|title=Bravo to you, Brendan, as straight talk is the healthy way forward|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=26 March 2006|access-date=20 September 2009|archive-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324073343/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/bravo-to-you-brendan-as-straight-talk-is-the-healthy-way-forward-128169.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

;Enrique Iglesias: In 2007, an interview with Spanish singer [[Enrique Iglesias]] proved awkward for Kenny. When Kenny persisted in asking about his relationship with the tennis player [[Anna Kournikova]], Iglesias responded: "You ask the questions so dry and so seriously that it kind of scares me."<ref name=it_host_of_memorable_moments/>

;"Jerry Sein''field''": In 2007, Kenny famously introduced the U.S. comedian [[Jerry Seinfeld]] as "Jerry Seinfield". Much uncomfortable chat on the topic of bees (Seinfeld being on the show to promote ''[[Bee Movie]]'') ensued before Kenny presented Seinfeld with a cheap imitation of his favourite superhero, [[Superman]].<ref name=it_host_of_memorable_moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk1EOcFv3s8|title=Pat Kenny vs Jerry Seinfeld – Toy Show|via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=24 October 2008|archive-date=18 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418102201/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk1EOcFv3s8&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

;Ticket tearing: In November 2008, Kenny telephoned a competition winner for a prize of a weekend in Dublin, shopping money and two tickets to the ''[[Late Late Toy Show]]'' episode. The winner, a woman from Cork city, answered the phone and correctly answered the competition question ("[[Roald Dahl]]").<ref name=it_kenny_greatest_hits/> The woman's apparent lack of enthusiasm prompted Kenny to turn to [[Charlie Bird]] (who had been his previous guest) and say: "If they tortured her, they couldn't get anything out of this woman."<ref name=it_kenny_greatest_hits/> Bird laughed.<ref name=it_kenny_greatest_hits/> When asked who would be accompanying her using the other ticket, the woman said she was "not particularly interested" in the tickets and tried explaining her idea that they instead be raffled so that a worthier winner might be found.<ref name=it_host_of_memorable_moments/><ref name=it_kenny_greatest_hits>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/video-pat-kenny-s-greatest-youtube-hits-1.1480786|title=Video: Pat Kenny's greatest YouTube hits|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 July 2013|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226182738/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/video-pat-kenny-s-greatest-youtube-hits-1.1480786|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ralph|last=Riegel|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/id-be-bored-stiff-says-winner-of-toy-show-tickets-1552763.html|title=I'd be bored stiff, says winner of Toy Show tickets|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=26 November 2008|access-date=15 December 2008|archive-date=3 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203000134/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/id-be-bored-stiff-says-winner-of-toy-show-tickets-1552763.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Eugene|last=Masterson|url=http://www.sundayworld.com/style/showbiz/kenny-throws-his-toys-out-of-pram|title=Kenny thows his toys out of pram|newspaper=Sunday World|date=24 November 2008|access-date=24 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226175337/http://www.sundayworld.com/style/showbiz/kenny-throws-his-toys-out-of-pram|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> Kenny, the phone receiver perched between his ear and shoulder, pulled the offending sheets of paper from his breast pocket, tore them and said: "I think I'll give up this job".<ref name=it_host_of_memorable_moments/>

;Pete Doherty: In February 2009, an interview with the English rock musician proved awkward for Kenny with the presenter repeatedly asking about the singer's private life and showing no interest in his music.<ref name=it_host_of_memorable_moments>{{cite news|first=Fiona|last=McCann|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0523/1224247188263.html|title=A host of memorable moments|date=23 May 2009|access-date=29 May 2009|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225162524/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/a-host-of-memorable-moments-1.769446|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=it_kenny_greatest_hits/>

;Senate first: In March 2009, a debate was held pitting twenty senators against journalists [[John Drennan]] and [[Ian O'Doherty]] on a proposal to abolish [[Seanad Éireann]]. Executive producer [[Larry Masterson]] described it as a "first ever for TV".<ref name=tv_first_as_senators_justify_jobs>{{cite news|first=Gerald|last=Gittens|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-first-as-senators-join-late-debate-to-justify-jobs-1680302.html|title=TV first as senators join Late debate to justify jobs|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=20 March 2009|access-date=13 November 2009|archive-date=26 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326121453/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-first-as-senators-join-late-debate-to-justify-jobs-1680302.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Set design under Kenny ===
[[File:Pat Kenny September 2007.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Pat Kenny on the new set as launched in September 2007]]
RTÉ launched the last revamp while Kenny was the host on Friday 7 September 2007, introducing a new set but retaining the title sequence in use since 2003. Designed by Darragh Treacy of RTÉ Production Design, that set consisted of metal, timber and [[polycarbonate]], with carpet as a floor covering; it made for a more complex and layered background than the previous arrangement and was heavily dependent on saturated lighting and modern construction materials. According to Treacy: "I wanted something contemporary that would be architectural and structural, [for example] the horizontal lines and boxes that you see running throughout the set. [...] The back wall of the [chat area] has textured panels which just take the light beautifully and give a great three-dimensional effect. Then the polycarbonate boxes sit in front of that. The fins – the large timber sections – to the left of the chat area are replicated in the entertainment area as well, and are large pieces of timber with a paint finish that take the light."<ref name=nationwide_19092007>''[[Nationwide (Irish TV series)|Nationwide]]'', 19 September 2007.</ref>

A desk also reappeared, as initially continued after Byrne's departure but disposed of shortly afterwards despite a final-attempt redesign in 2000. Kenny noted: "After eight seasons of sitting around, lounging around, as if in a living room, we decided just for a change that we'd put the desk in and see what difference it made. We'll work with it: I mean if it doesn't work after five or six weeks, it goes – if it does work, well we'll find ways of using it effectively. I mean it does put a little barrier between myself and the guest, but on the other hand it can be very useful for a formal interview where you don't want to be too intimate with your guest if it's a little bit antagonistic, whereas in the past I was always reclining and even if I had to be a bit aggressive with a guest the body language was a little bit confusing in that regard. So we'll see."<ref name=nationwide_19092007/> In an apparent effort to resolve such problems, the new desk had more of a table design with a transparent underside, was angled to be narrower at the guest end, and was composed of thin elegant profiles of timber and glass.

A new entrance flight of steps was also introduced, somewhat redolent of former ''Kenny Live'' sets. Treacy again: "I wanted a grand entrance, but I also wanted an entrance that was part of the background of the set, so they arrive down and join Pat – and it's a feature walk-on for guests". Kenny approved of the steps: "As you come down the steps, be it myself or a guest, you're slowly revealed: more and more of your body is revealed to the audience until finally you're standing in the 'doorway' as it were. I think it'll be interesting; a more dramatic entrance than we've had for the past three or four years." Irish company Design Classics Direct provided new chairs, made to an original 1929 design by [[Eileen Gray]].

=== Kenny's final show ===
On 27 March 2009, Kenny announced live on air without warning his intention to stand down.

On 29 May 2009, an average share of 55 per cent of the total TV audience<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2009/0602/417485-latelateshow/|title=Huge viewing figures for Kenny's last show|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=2 June 2009|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617192612/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2009/0602/417485-latelateshow/|url-status=live}}</ref> tuned in to watch Kenny present his last edition of ''The Late Late Show'' as regular host (he returned for one night in 2013 when his successor was unavailable). An outdoor event was set up for the occasion on the RTÉ campus. At the end of the show, [[Joe Duffy]] presented Kenny with a cake in the shape of a "10", to mark his ten years of presenting. [[The Edge]] of [[U2]] also gave Kenny glasses and a guitar.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/pat-bids-farewell-to-the-late-late-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends-1756343.html|title=Pat bids farewell to the Late Late with a little help from his friends|date=30 May 2009|work=Irish Independent|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-date=2 August 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802200418/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/pat-bids-farewell-to-the-late-late-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends-1756343.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==2009–2023: Ryan Tubridy ==
[[File:The Late Late Show.png|right|thumb|Logo during the Ryan Tubridy era]]
:''Including [[Pat Kenny]] for one night and [[Miriam O'Callaghan (media personality)|Miriam O'Callaghan]] for two nights.''
After two months of speculation, [[Ryan Tubridy]] emerged as Kenny's successor.<ref name=iftn_tubridy_new_host>{{cite news|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282119&tpl=archnews&only=1|title=Ryan Tubridy New 'Late Late Show' Host|work=[[Irish Film and Television Network]]|date=11 May 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225155713/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282119&tpl=archnews&only=1|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Original host Gay Byrne gave Tubridy his blessing: "He has all the qualities required, the light deft touch together with a serious mind. I think it's a great adventure that he's setting off on".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0817/byrneg.html|title=Gay Byrne talks Tubridy and Late Late Show|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=17 August 2009|access-date=18 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304005322/http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2009/0817/418493-byrneg/|archive-date=4 March 2015}}</ref> Other personalities tipped for the role had included [[Gerry Ryan]] and [[Miriam O'Callaghan (media personality)|Miriam O'Callaghan]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Siobhan|last=O'Connell|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/0409/1224244286476.html|title=The person who can bring big audience numbers will fill the 'Late Late' chair|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=9 April 2009|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226022847/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/the-person-who-can-bring-big-audience-numbers-will-fill-the-late-late-chair-1.741297|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> O'Callaghan, whom some media commentators considered favourite for the job,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hotpress.com/features/interviews/In%20The%20Prime%20Time%20Of%20Her%20Life/5736744.html|title=In The Prime Time of Her Life|work=Hot Press|date=10 August 2009|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-date=14 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814130839/http://www.hotpress.com/features/interviews/In%20The%20Prime%20Time%20Of%20Her%20Life/5736744.html|url-status=live}}</ref> claimed she had turned down an offer, so as to keep her ''[[Prime Time (Irish TV programme)|Prime Time]]'' slot and spend time with her eight children.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rteguide.ie/2009/0620/star.html|title=Star of the Day: Miriam O'Callaghan|work=RTÉ Guide|date=20 June 2009|access-date=13 August 2009}}</ref>

Tubridy presented his first programme on 4 September 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iftn.ie/finance/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282402&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=Quinn Group Sign 'Late Late Show' Sponsorship Deal|publisher=IFTN|date=12 August 2009|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226005414/http://www.iftn.ie/finance/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282402&tpl=archnews&force=1|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> with a custom picked staff,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/ryan-to-bring-his-own-team-to-the-late-late-as-pats-people-finish-up-1822597.html|title=Ryan to bring his own team to the Late Late as Pat's people finish up|date=15 July 2009|newspaper=Evening Herald|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810030519/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/ryan-to-bring-his-own-team-to-the-late-late-as-pats-people-finish-up-1822597.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a new set and house band.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2009/0813/418447-tubridyr/|title=Tubridy reveals Late Late Show plans|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=13 August 2009|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115608/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2009/0813/418447-tubridyr/|url-status=live}}</ref> He emerged from behind a red curtain and walked to a wooden desk, at which he sat in the same €3,000-plus Irish designed chair as the actress [[Meryl Streep]] in the film ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (film)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Caitlin|last=McBride|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/revealed-tubridy-plumps-for-meryl-streeps-euro3000-luxury-chair-for-his-late-late-hotseat-1873853.html|title=Revealed: Tubridy plumps for Meryl Streep's €3,000 luxury chair for his Late Late hotseat|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=31 August 2009|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-date=6 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906085608/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/revealed-tubridy-plumps-for-meryl-streeps-euro3000-luxury-chair-for-his-late-late-hotseat-1873853.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Guests on this first show included [[Brian Cowen]], [[Saoirse Ronan]], [[Brian McFadden]], [[Joan Collins]], [[Cherie Blair]], and [[Niall Quinn]].<ref name=little_bit_personal_with_taoiseach>{{cite news|first=Hilary|last=Fanin|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0905/1224253911856.html|title=Tubridy gets a little bit personal with the Taoiseach|date=5 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225160129/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/tubridy-gets-a-little-bit-personal-with-the-taoiseach-1.731856|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-boy-done-good-1879330.html|title=IT'S ALL YOURS: Ryan turns on style to make show his own|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=5 September 2009|access-date=9 September 2009|archive-date=7 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907085556/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-boy-done-good-1879330.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With an overall audience share of 62 per cent, it was the most watched — outside the annual ''Late Late Toy Show'' — since Gay Byrne's retirement in May 1999.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0907/breaking77.htm|title=Tubridy's 'Late Late' debut draws 1.6m|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225160712/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/tubridy-s-late-late-debut-draws-1-6m-1.845882|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> This promising start would not last, however; audience ratings had declined by Tubridy's sixth season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/late-late-show-saturday-night-show-views-rte-1931135-Feb2015/|title=More tuned into Saturday Night Show than Late Late last weekend – but they're "not in competition"|work=TheJournal.ie|date=10 February 2015|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226224749/http://www.thejournal.ie/late-late-show-saturday-night-show-views-rte-1931135-Feb2015/|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> Another notable occurrence in Tubridy's first season was when the show aired on [[Good Friday]] for the first time in 15 years in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2010/0401/421694-latelateshow/|title=Music greats among Late Late guests|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=1 April 2010|access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> Later the same month (April), the show's former hosts, [[Gay Byrne]] and [[Pat Kenny]], alongside fellow RTÉ broadcasters [[Joe Duffy]], [[Dave Fanning]] and Brenda Donohue, joined Tubridy to discuss [[Death of Gerry Ryan|the sudden death]] of one-time host and colleague [[Gerry Ryan]] on 30 April 2010.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0430/breaking58.html?via=mr|title=Ryan's 'unconstrained spirit' honoured|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 April 2010|access-date=30 April 2010|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727025812/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0430/breaking58.html?via=mr|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- PLEASE FIND A SOURCE IF YOU WISH TO ADD ANY MORE NAMES -->

Tubridy's second season as host began with a notable interview with former British prime minister [[Tony Blair]]. The live interview occurred the night before a book signing at [[Eason & Son|Eason's]] which attracted international attention when Blair was [[Shoeing|pelted with shoes]] and eggs and successfully evaded an attempted [[citizen's arrest]] on charges of [[war crime]]s.<ref>{{cite news|author=McHale, Michael|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/protesters-aim-to-arrest-blair-on-weekend-visit-2322947.html|title=Protesters aim to 'arrest' Blair on weekend visit|date=3 September 2010|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=3 September 2010|archive-date=5 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905215424/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/protesters-aim-to-arrest-blair-on-weekend-visit-2322947.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/anti-war-protests-to-greet-tony-blair-at-book-signing-472184.html|title=Anti-war protests to greet Tony Blair at book signing|date=4 September 2010|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225154025/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/anti-war-protests-to-greet-tony-blair-at-book-signing-472184.html|archive-date=25 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=McDonald, Henry|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/04/tony-blair-attacked-memoirs-signing|title=Tony Blair pelted with eggs and shoes at book signing|date=4 September 2010|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225154144/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/04/tony-blair-attacked-memoirs-signing|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0904/blairt.html|title=Arrests after protests at Tony Blair event|date=4 September 2010|publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225154302/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0904/135211-blairt/|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/09/20109414012490770.html|title=Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin|date=4 September 2010|publisher=[[Al Jazeera]]|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225154416/http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2010/09/20109414012490770.html|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>

On 1 February 2013, Pat Kenny returned to host that night's edition when Tubridy's father died.<ref name=journal_pat_kenny_return>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/ryan-tubridy-father-death-pat-kenny-776497-Jan2013/|title=Pat Kenny to return to Late Late|work=The Journal.ie|date=30 January 2013|access-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225153012/http://www.thejournal.ie/ryan-tubridy-father-death-pat-kenny-776497-Jan2013/|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, Tubridy's tone and choice of questions when interviewing [[Anti-Austerity Alliance]] TD [[Paul Murphy (Irish politician)|Paul Murphy]] in relation to the campaign against the implementation of a water tax was much criticised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/22/the-paul-murphy-takedown/|title=The Paul Murphy Takedown (contains transcript of interview)|date=22 February 2015|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225143855/http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/22/the-paul-murphy-takedown/|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Hynes|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/twitter-users-angered-ryan-tubridys-5203545|title=Twitter users angered by Ryan Tubridy's interview with Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy|date=21 February 2015|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225143953/http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/twitter-users-angered-ryan-tubridys-5203545|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Opponents of the water tax praised Murphy on social media for what was said to have been his "restraint" during the interview.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tim|last=O'Brien|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/socialist-td-responds-to-late-late-show-badgering-1.2112658|title=Socialist TD responds to Late Late Show 'badgering': Paul Murphy says Ryan Tubridy interview was designed to link him to abusive remarks|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=21 February 2015|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225143555/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/socialist-td-responds-to-late-late-show-badgering-1.2112658|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/paul-murphy-interview-late-late-response-1952969-Feb2015/|title=Paul Murphy describes Tubridy interview as 'exercise in badgering'|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|date=22 February 2015|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225144050/http://www.thejournal.ie/paul-murphy-interview-late-late-response-1952969-Feb2015/|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Julien Mercille, the academic and writer of ''The Political Economy and Media Coverage of the European Economic Crisis: The Case of Ireland'', observed that "Tubridy was pretty good from the standpoint of protecting government interests. [...] He asked all the right questions to try to discredit the water charges protests and Paul Murphy".<ref>{{cite news|first=Julien|last=Mercille|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/23/just-doing-his-job/|title=Just Doing His Job|date=23 February 2015|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225143717/http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/02/23/just-doing-his-job/|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>

In 2011, Tubridy announced that he hoped his time as host would be closer to Kenny's ten years than Byrne's 37, stating that Kenny made the "right tenure" as host.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tales-of-hardship-dont-make-ryan-feel-guilty-about-his-euro500000-salary-he-admits-2952391.html|title=Tales of hardship don't make Ryan feel guilty about his €500,000 salary, he admits|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=2 December 2011|access-date=2 December 2011|archive-date=7 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207045028/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tales-of-hardship-dont-make-ryan-feel-guilty-about-his-euro500000-salary-he-admits-2952391.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He hosted 14 seasons in total.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/pat-kenny-admits-never-thought-29478430|title=Pat Kenny admits he never thought Ryan Tubridy would last so long – and next Late Late Show host 'likely to be a woman'|work=[[Irish Mirror]]|first=Sandra|last=Mallon|date=18 March 2023|accessdate=29 May 2023}}</ref>

In March 2020, Tubridy and his production team were forced to produce the show without their usual live studio audience of around 200 who would come each week to watch the show air live from RTÉ's Studio 4. The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland|COVID-19 pandemic]] caused all large gatherings of people to be banned, and so RTÉ and the ''Late Late Show'' production team decided the talk show would continue to air live every Friday night for the remainder of the season, except there would be no studio audience. The show continued to air live during the pandemic, with special guests either being interviewed via the internet or guests come into the studio and were interviewed by Tubridy whilst maintaining [[Social distancing|social distance]]. The first edition of the show without an audience aired on 13 March 2020, and lasted until May 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/tv/late-late-show-viewers-react-21692127|title=The Late Late Show viewers react to 'weird' RTE show with no audience due to coronavirus|newspaper=[[Irish Mirror]]|first=Cormac|last=O'Shea|date=14 March 2020|access-date=22 May 2020|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317080012/https://www.irishmirror.ie/tv/late-late-show-viewers-react-21692127|url-status=live}}</ref> Studio audiences returned on 3 September 2021, initially sitting spaced out at tables in order to maintain social distancing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/rtes-ryan-tubridy-confirms-late-21437493 |title=RTE's Ryan Tubridy confirms Late Late show audience to return for new series |first=Thomas |last=Telford |date=30 August 2021 |website=Dublin Live |accessdate=13 August 2023}}</ref> In May 2022, the mask mandate for audience members was lifted.

On 16 March 2023, Tubridy announced that he would be stepping down as the presenter of ''The Late Late Show'' after 14 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0316/1363571-late-late/|title=Ryan Tubridy to step down from Late Late Show|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|date=16 March 2023|accessdate=16 March 2023}}</ref>

=== Tubridy's final show ===
On 26 May 2023, Tubridy presented his last edition of ''The Late Late Show''. Messages of congratulations poured in from [[Saoirse Ronan]], [[Jessie Buckley]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Russell Crowe]] and various other celebrities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2023/05/29/russell-crowes-tribute-to-ryan-tubridy-were-mates-played-a-bit-of-tennis-had-the-odd-drink-or-two/|title=Russell Crowe posts tribute to Ryan Tubridy: 'We're mates – played a bit of tennis, had the odd drink or two'|work=[[The Irish Times]]|date=29 May 2023}}</ref> High-profile guests on this final show included Irish President [[Michael D. Higgins]], comedian [[P. J. Gallagher (comedian)|PJ Gallagher]], [[Jedward]] and [[Charlie Bird]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0526/1385913-ryan-tubridy-era-ends-with-late-late-show-celebration/|title=Ryan Tubridy era ends with Late Late Show celebration|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|date=27 May 2023|first=John|last=Byrne|accessdate=29 May 2023}}</ref>

There were musical performances on the night from [[Andrea Corr]], [[John Sheahan]], [[Moya Brennan]], [[Steve Wickham]], [[Sharon Shannon]] and [[Cian Ducrot]]. [[U2]] member [[Bono]] presented Tubridy with a red [[Vespa]] scooter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tubridys-last-late-late-show-ryan-visited-by-toy-show-stars-as-he-signs-off-after-14-years-as-host/a266654688.html|title=Tubridy's last Late Late Show: Ryan visited by Toy Show stars as he signs off after 14 years as host|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first1=Eoghan|last1=Moloney|first2=Maeve|last2=McTaggart|first3=Seoirse|last3=Mulgrew|date=26 May 2023|accessdate=29 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2023/05/27/ryan-tubridys-last-late-late-the-host-brims-with-emotion-as-he-says-goodbye-after-14-years/|title=Ryan Tubridy's last Late Late: Host brims with emotion as Saoirse Ronan, U2 and Paul McCartney make appearances|work=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Ed|last=Power|date=27 May 2023|accessdate=29 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0527/1385914-and-in-the-end-tubs-signs-off-on-last-last-show/|title= And in the end ... it's all about love on Tubs' Last Last Show|date=27 May 2023|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=2 June 2023}}</ref>

==2023–present: Patrick Kielty==
In May 2023, after much speculation, [[Patrick Kielty]] was confirmed as Tubridy's replacement, becoming the show's fourth permanent presenter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slattery |first1=Laura |title=Patrick Kielty confirmed as new host of The Late Late Show |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2023/05/20/patrick-kielty-confirmed-as-new-host-of-the-late-late-show/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=20 May 2023}}</ref>

On 17 August 2023, it was announced that the running time for each episode of ''The Late Late Show'' would be reduced from approximately two hours to 90 minutes, although each episode would still be split into four parts, with three commercial breaks. ''The Toy Show'', however, retained the two-hour slot. The number of episodes per season was also reduced from approximately 36 to 30.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=John |title=Late Late Show trims its broadcast slot to 90 minutes |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/08/17/late-late-show-trims-its-broadcast-slot-to-90-minutes/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=17 August 2023}}</ref>

Kielty's first show as host aired on Friday 15 September 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0520/1384708-the-late-late-show/|title=Patrick Kielty is new Late Late Show host|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|date=20 May 2023|accessdate=20 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/05/20/patrick-kielty-announced-as-new-host-of-the-late-late-show/|title=Patrick Kielty confirmed as new host of The Late Late Show|work=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Laura|last=Slattery|date=20 May 2023|accessdate=20 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=RTÉ Entertainment |title=Late Late Show's return date announced |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0811/1399387-late-late-shows-return-date-announced/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |date=11 August 2023}}</ref>

==Hosts==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Host !! colspan="2" | From !! colspan="2" | To !! rowspan="2" | Notes
|-
! Date
! Age
! Date
! Age
|-
| [[Gay Byrne]] || 6 July 1962 || 27 || 30 May 1964 || 29 || Also simultaneously hosted Telefís Éireann's first gameshow called ''[[Jackpot (Irish TV series)|Jackpot]]''
|-
| [[Frank Hall (broadcaster)|Frank Hall]] || 19 September 1964 || 43 || 19 December 1964 || 43 || Replacement host
|-
| Gay Byrne || 2 January 1965 || 30 || 21 May 1999 || 64 ||
|-
| [[Pat Kenny]] || 10 September 1999 || 51 || 29 May 2009 || 61 || Previously hosted ''[[Kenny Live]]''
|-
| [[Ryan Tubridy]] || 4 September 2009 || 36 || 26 May 2023 || 49 || Previously hosted ''[[Tubridy Tonight]]''
|-
| [[Patrick Kielty]] || 15 September 2023 || 52 || ''Incumbent'' ||
|-
|}
''The Late Late Show'' has had four regular hosts: [[Gay Byrne]], [[Pat Kenny]], [[Ryan Tubridy]] and [[Patrick Kielty]]. [[Frank Hall (broadcaster)|Frank Hall]] deputised for Byrne for one season in the 1960s.

There have been other rare occasions on which another presenter has hosted the show. In 1972, Byrne became unexpectedly and seriously ill.<ref name=infull27032020/> Frequent panellist Ted Bonner presented in his absence.<ref name=infull27032020/> After 500 episodes of the programme in 1979, ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' host [[Eamonn Andrews]] appeared to Byrne's surprise (he had been expecting American star [[Dana Andrews]]).<ref name=infull27032020>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0327/1126838-those-stand-in-late-late-hosts-in-full/|title=Those stand-in Late Late hosts in full!|date=27 March 2020|access-date=27 March 2020|first=Alan|last=Corr|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818230200/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0327/1126838-those-stand-in-late-late-hosts-in-full/|url-status=live}}</ref> Andrews took over and quizzed Byrne on his seventeen years with the programme.<ref name=infull27032020/> On another occasion, radio broadcaster and former newsreader Andy O'Mahony replaced Byrne for an interview with journalist Deirdre Purcell, who had ghostwritten Byrne's autobiography.<ref>{{cite book|first=Joe|last=Duffy|author-link=Joe Duffy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h_nh0OWoyxEC&q=just+joe+andy+o%27mahony&pg=PT95|title=Just Joe: My Autobiography|date=13 October 2011|publisher=Random House |isbn=9781446463604|quote=As a way of circumventing the awkwardness of the regular host talking about himself, Andy was inveigled into interviewing Deirdre Purcell, who had helped Gay Byrne write his autobiography, ''The Time of My Life''. Andy's opening question must have sent thousands scurrying for the back of the couch: 'Did you want to sleep with him?' Deirdre nearly followed her jaw as it hit the floor!|access-date=20 October 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924233546/https://books.google.com/books?id=h_nh0OWoyxEC&q=just+joe+andy+o%27mahony&pg=PT95|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Kenny's mother suddenly died in October 2008, [[Gerry Ryan]] was announced as guest presenter for that week's show with less than 48 hours' notice.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ciaran|last=Byrne|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/ryan-takes-on-late-late--as-kenny-mourns-mother-1506146.html|title=Ryan takes on 'Late, Late' as Kenny mourns mother|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=23 October 2008|access-date=23 October 2008|archive-date=24 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024223610/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/ryan-takes-on-late-late--as-kenny-mourns-mother-1506146.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kenny announced his decision to quit live on air in March 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0327/breaking77.htm|title=Pat Kenny to step down as Late Late Show host|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 March 2009|access-date=27 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225162033/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/pat-kenny-to-step-down-as-late-late-show-host-1.838178|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> On 11 May that year, RTÉ announced [[Ryan Tubridy]] as Kenny's successor.<ref name=iftn_tubridy_new_host/> Kenny in turn replaced Tubridy on 1 February 2013 for one night only, due to the death of Tubridy's father.<ref name=journal_pat_kenny_return/>

A woman has only presented the ''Late Late Show'' on three occasions. On 15 November 1980, towards the end of one show about feminism, Gay Byrne ushered a young [[Marian Finucane]] into his seat to present part of an episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.herald.ie/opinion/comment/gerrys-love-of-chaos-may-be-a-ratings-winner-for-the-late-late-show-standin-1506499.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315184826/https://www.herald.ie/opinion/comment/gerrys-love-of-chaos-may-be-a-ratings-winner-for-the-late-late-show-standin-1506499.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2009|title=Gerry's love of chaos may be a ratings winner for the Late Late Show stand-in|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=23 October 2008|access-date=23 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2020/1020/1172712-marian-finucane-steps-up/ | title=Marian Finucane Steps up | website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref> In March and April 2020, [[Miriam O'Callaghan]] stood in for Ryan Tubridy on two consecutive weeks when Tubridy was quarantined with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 and later tested [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] positive.<ref name=TubridyVirusPositive>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/broadcaster-ryan-tubridy-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-1.4216078|title=Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy tests positive for coronavirus|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=30 March 2020|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924233536/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/broadcaster-ryan-tubridy-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-1.4216078|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Tribute shows==
{{Main|The Late Late Tribute Shows}}

==Toy Show==
{{main|The Late Late Toy Show}}

Since the early 1970s, an annual Christmas edition entitled ''The Late Late Toy Show'' has been held in late November or early December, where various children's toys are showcased to the audience before the Christmas season.

==Music==

===Theme music and opening titles===
Although not the original theme, the theme music most associated with the show is the instrumental introduction from [[Chris Andrews (singer)|Chris Andrews]]' 1965 single "To Whom It Concerns", which was in use as early as 1971 and used until Byrne's final show. The version used on the show was proceeded with a distinctive drum roll, followed by a whistle which would then segue into "To Whom It Concerns". This was always accompanied by the spoken introduction: "Ladies and gentlemen, to whom it concerns, it's "The Late Late Show", and here is your host, Gay Byrne". During the same era, a clip from '"The Late Late Show" by [[Nat King Cole]] was used as the closing music. ''The Late Late Show'' was unusual during Byrne's era in that the show's production credits ran over the opening title sequence, and only a brief still of the show's logo was shown at the end.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/2112-gay-byrne/633547-and-here-is-your-host-gay-byrne/ | title=And here is your host, Gay Byrne | website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref>

During the Kenny era, "To Whom It Concerns" was replaced, although the new theme incorporated elements of the distinctive drum roll from the old theme. Three different arrangements were used during this era. The show's production credits were moved to the end at this point, and the closing theme has been the same as the opening since 1999.<ref name="independent.ie">{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/to-whom-it-concerns-late-late-show-trades-on-nostalgia-with-new-intro-from-gaybo-era/38494395.html | title='To whom it concerns' – Late Late Show trades on nostalgia with new intro from Gaybo era | date=13 September 2019 }}</ref>

A new set and title sequence was introduced for Ryan Tubridy's first show, with Chris Andrews' "To Whom It Concerns" returning as the theme music after a ten-year absence, albeit in a new arrangement performed by ''The Late Late Show Band'' and [[RTÉ Concert Orchestra]].<ref name="independent.ie"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2009/09/09/new-late-late-signature-tune-the-work-of-navan-composer/ | title=New 'Late Late' signature tune the work of Navan composer | date=9 September 2009 }}</ref>

===First musical performances===
Below is a list of artists whose first televised performance happened on ''The Late Late Show''.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Artist !! Song !! Date
|-
| [[The Boomtown Rats]] || "Mary of the Fourth Form" || 1977<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobgeldof.info/Articles/memories.html |title=Joseph O'Connor article |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517125419/http://www.bobgeldof.info/Articles/memories.html |archive-date=17 May 2008 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Boyzone]]{{efn|Boyzone also made their first TV appearance since the death of [[Stephen Gately]] on 12 March 2010.<ref name=guests_12032010/><ref>{{cite news|first=Melanie|last=Finn|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/the-boyz-are-back-first-show-since-tragedy-2088358.html|title=The Boyz are back: first show since tragedy|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=4 March 2010|access-date=4 March 2010|archive-date=11 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311025130/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/the-boyz-are-back-first-show-since-tragedy-2088358.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} ||  ||26 November 1993
|-
| [[Mary Coughlan (singer)|Mary Coughlan]] ||  || 1985<ref>{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Mcguire|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/19976|title=The longest journey home|newspaper=Galway Advertiser|date=10 December 2009|access-date=11 December 2009|quote="I started singing in 1985," Mary says. [...] Coughlan leapt ahead of her contemporaries when she was invited to appear on ''The Late Late Show''. After a memorable television debut, she was ready to take on the world. "Shay Healy and Siobhan McHugh had done a show called Sounds Promising and I recorded three songs for that," she says. "When they were mixing it in the studio Gay Byrne heard my voice and a few days later booked me to appear on ''The Late Late Show''. Back then it meant so much more than it does now because we only really had one channel in Ireland. [...] On the back of her slot on the show Mary's debut release, ''Tired and Emotional'', shot to the top of Irish album charts. Within a few short years she was also enjoying success in Britain and across Europe.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225234250/http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/19976|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Crystal Swing]] || "He Drinks Tequila" || 12 March 2010<ref name=guests_12032010>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0312/latelateshow.html|title=Late Late Show guests revealed|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=12 March 2010|access-date=12 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313073527/http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0312/latelateshow.html}}</ref>
|-
| [[Hothouse Flowers]] ||  || 
|-
| [[Sinéad O'Connor]] || "[[Mandinka (song)|Mandinka]]" ||26 February 1988
|-
| [[U2]] || "[[Stories for Boys]]" || January 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/reelingintheyears/faq.html|title=Reeling in the Years FAQ|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=2 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225233828/http://www.rte.ie/tv/reelingintheyears/faq.html|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrock.org/video.html|title=Video Clips|publisher=Irish Rock Discography|access-date=22 March 2010|archive-date=1 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301224827/http://www.irishrock.org/video.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Finbar Wright]] ||  || 
|-
| [[The Strypes]] || "[[I Saw Her Standing There]]" || 2010 (Toy Show)
|-
| [[HomeTown]] || "[[Roar (song)|Roar]]" || 30 May 2014
|-
| [[Westlife]] (Then known as Westside)|| "[[Flying Without Wings]]" ||13 November 1998
|-
| [[Wonderland (band)|Wonderland]] || "[[When the Stars Go Blue]]" || 26 December 2008
|}

===Other notable musical performances===
[[Virgin Prunes]], "Theme for Thought", 1979.{{clarify|Was this a first televised performance? If it was it could be added to the relevant section instead|date=February 2015}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginprunes.com/multimedia/late-late-show-video/|title=Late Late Show video|date=5 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226143138/http://www.virginprunes.com/multimedia/late-late-show-video/|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

[[Therapy?]], invited to perform in 1994, were anticipated to perform their [[cover version]] of the [[Joy Division]] composition "[[Isolation (Joy Division song)|Isolation]]"; disheartened with their treatment, however, they decided to perform their own composition "Knives" instead, without prior notice. The performance featured two instances of the expletive "fuck", a word normally expected to be omitted. The nation was affronted.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gerry|last=McGovern|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/THE-KNIVES-ARE-OUT-FOR-THERAPY-/482918.html|title=The Knives Are Out for Therapy?|work=[[Hot Press]]|date=21 September 1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226004304/http://www.hotpress.com/news/THE-KNIVES-ARE-OUT-FOR-THERAPY-/482918.html|archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> Therapy? returned the following year to perform another of their compositions, this one titled "[[Stories (Therapy? song)|Stories]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nDzkcLpx9o|title="Therapy? Stories The Late Late Late Show" on YouTube|via=YouTube|access-date=25 February 2014|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308214033/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nDzkcLpx9o|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, the English independent rock band [[Pop Will Eat Itself]] defaced the studio whilst in the midst of a performance. The group were invited back to Ireland by Byrne having performed in the country again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBYqNj7Rrh4|title=Pop Will Eat Itself PWEI on Late Late Show RTE|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=23 November 2008|archive-date=3 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903184520/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBYqNj7Rrh4&gl=US&hl=en&amp;has_verified=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tammy Wynette and Ray Lynam duet on 22 March 1991 of "Til a Tear Becomes a Rose".

==Eurovision Song Contest==
{{further|Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
The Irish representative for the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] has been chosen annually through a variety of shows including a national song competition called ''Eurosong'' and a reality TV series called ''[[You're a Star]]''. The six finalists perform their songs live on the show, with voting done as a 50–50 split between regional juries and a public televote.<ref>{{cite web|title=RTÉ announces Eurosong 2009 finalists|date=13 February 2009 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/0213/eurosongfinalists.html|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=23 February 2013|archive-date=6 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106223035/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/0213/eurosongfinalists.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RTÉ Announce Eurosong 2010 Finalists|url=http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2010/0211/292785-eurosong10022010/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=23 February 2013|archive-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226030055/http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2010/0211/292785-eurosong10022010/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Eurosong finalists excited about show|date=11 February 2011 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0211/eurosong.html|publisher=RTÉ Ten|access-date=23 February 2013|archive-date=18 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118164729/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0211/eurosong.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The show also includes celebrity interviews, guest performances, and a panel of Eurovision experts who discuss the performances with the host.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Eurovision Song Contest 2012|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/eurovision2012.html|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=23 February 2013|archive-date=11 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511165356/http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/eurovision2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Eurosong 2013 mentors announced|date=6 November 2012 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/1106/eurosong.html|publisher=RTÉ Ten|access-date=23 February 2013|archive-date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109020229/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/1106/eurosong.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Ireland: Eurovision 2022 national final will air on The Late Late Show|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/09/17/ireland-eurovision-2022-national-final-will-air-on-the-late-late-show-special/266636/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=wiwibloggs}}</ref>

Pat Kenny hosted numerous editions of the ''Eurosong'' final (which often replaced his Saturday Night chat show ''[[Kenny Live]]'') and in 1988 he co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2006 and 2007, the song was chosen on ''The Late Late Show'', the performers [[Brian Kennedy (singer)|Brian Kennedy]] and [[Dervish (band)|Dervish]] had already been chosen to represent the country at the contest. In 2008, RTÉ returned to the national song contest format for ''Eurosong''. 2009 would be the last edition of the format that Pat Kenny would host and ''The Late Late Show'' would host the competition until 2015. ''Eurosong'' returned in 2022, hosted by [[Ryan Tubridy]], with 2023 being Tubridy's last ''Eurosong''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Geraldine|last=Gittens|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/eurosong-final-on-late-late-show-1584987.html|title=Eurosong final on Late Late Show|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=24 December 2008|access-date=24 December 2008|archive-date=10 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110173552/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/eurosong-final-on-late-late-show-1584987.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The format continued into its third consecutive year in 2024, hosted by [[Patrick Kielty]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2024/0126/1428622-kielty-confident-of-irish-eurovision-qualification/|title=Kielty confident of Irish Eurovision qualification|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|first=Audrey|last=Donohue|date=26 January 2024|accessdate=28 January 2024}}</ref>

==Accolades==
''The Late Late Show'' was named "Favourite Irish TV Show" at the [[TV Now Awards]] on 22 May 2010.<ref>{{cite news|first=Lorna|last=Nolan|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/i-didnt-rehearse-aoibhinn-double-act-says-winner-tubridy-2192106.html|title=I didn't rehearse Aoibhinn double act, says winner Tubridy|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=24 May 2010|access-date=24 May 2010|archive-date=4 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904155015/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/i-didnt-rehearse-aoibhinn-double-act-says-winner-tubridy-2192106.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.rte.ie/latelate}}
* {{IMDb title|0264270|The Late Late Show}}

{{The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)}}
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{{Gay Byrne}}
{{Ryan Tubridy}}
{{Gerry Ryan}}
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{{RTÉ Entertainment}}
{{Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest}}

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