On his first night as host, Kielty willingly joked about the elephant in the room, which is the RTÉ payment scandal, which saw Tubirdy taken off air back in June, amid controversy over underdeclared payments made to the former presenter.
Following this controversy, RTÉ became embroiled in a scandal, which saw them face countless Oireachtas hearings, which were referred to in his usual jocular nature by Patrick Kielty on his opening night as host, which saw comical references to the Oirechtas, Grant Thornton and more.
“Good evening and welcome to a brand new season of The Late Late Show. It’s so nice to finally get started because as you all know folks the Late Late Show has been off air now for almost four months…”, the comedian said in his opening monologue to the audience.
He continued, “Well I say off air but its been on Morning Ireland, Prime Time, Live Line. What a treat it is to have The Late Late Show on again after the news”.
“We’ve got a new opening, we’ve got a new logo and we’ve got a brand new house band for you folks… give it up for Grant Thornton and the flip flops!”
“And we’re trying out a brand new format tonight on the show where the host gets to ask the questions instead of having to answer them at the Oireachtas”.
“We wanted to make a special effort for you tonight folks because apparently lots of folks are tuning in this evening which is really very exciting”.
Kielty also joked, “Based on the latest figures for TV license payments we’re expecting an audience of up to 27 people tuning in tonight, and just to put that into perspective that’s almost double the amount of people who saw Toy Show The Musical”.
“This is where the RTE executives in the green room realise they might have booked the wrong pony”.
On a more serious note, Patrick Kielty also showed his sensitive side, to go with his obvious comical demeanour, when he mentioned his family, and how they have reacted to his appointment as the latest Late Late Show host, following in the footsteps, of the likes of Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, and Ryan Tubridy.
“I just wanted to say how much this means to me tonight. Like so many of you watching this show tonight my journey has had the odd bump in the road but it’s funny how things work out”, the comic added, while holding back tears.
“There’s no way I ever thought that I’d be standing here this evening but I am so so happy… and it truly is an honour of a lifetime to be able to say welcome to the Late Late Show”.
See below.
