Late Late Show Viewers Rave as Guests’ Edgy Jokes Steal the Show in Major Departure from Tradition
Viewers of The Late Late Show were treated to an unforgettable night of laughter and cheeky humor on Friday night, as host Patrick Kielty embraced a new, edgier format that had audiences raving. In his seventh week at the helm of the world’s longest-running chat show, Kielty brought a fresh energy, with guests delivering plenty of jokes — mostly appropriate — and keeping the atmosphere lively and fun. Fans on social media couldn’t get enough of the new tone, with many praising the new approach for successfully breaking from the traditional format.
Kielty’s guest lineup was diverse and full of personality, kicking off with national heartthrob and singer Daniel O’Donnell, who was in flying form from the get-go. The two engaged in a fun duet, performing “I Just Want to Dance With You”, with the audience clapping along. Kielty even sported an ill-fitted wig for good measure, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere. The conversation later turned to the life and legacy of Sinéad O’Connor, a topic close to Daniel’s heart. He paid a heartfelt tribute, describing O’Connor as “a person of the people” and lamenting the immense loss to the music industry and her family.
Next up was Ricky Tomlinson, known for his iconic roles in Mike Bassett: England Manager and The Royle Family. The dynamic between Ricky and Daniel was an instant hit with the audience, showcasing the pair’s undeniable chemistry. The conversation took a notably adult comedic turn, representing a departure from the traditionally more reserved tone of past Late Late Show presentations.
One of the highlights of the night was when Ricky and Daniel exchanged playful banter over the cover of Ricky’s new album, where he is seen standing naked with a banjo strategically placed to cover his modesty. Daniel cheekily remarked: “Well, I’ll tell ya something now. You’re very lucky to have a big banjo like that.” Kielty added with a grin: “It’s very true. I could only manage a ukulele,” before Daniel closed the segment with a joke that had the entire room in stitches: “I always had a mouth organ myself!” The moment was met with rapturous applause, with one viewer tweeting: “Was great seeing Ricky Tomlinson and Daniel O’Donnell knocking great gas out of each other.”
The third guest was Irish science, wildlife, and natural history presenter Liz Bonnin, who discussed her upcoming **four-part wildlife series, Liz Bonnin’s Wild Caribbean,” which will debut in November on BBC 2. With both of her parents hailing from the Caribbean, Liz spoke passionately about her roots and her love for David Attenborough, sharing how nervous she was when she met him for the first time. “I stuttered the first time I met him. I couldn’t put a sentence together,” she confessed.
Kielty pressed Liz on the rumors circulating that she might one day replace Attenborough as the BBC’s go-to wildlife documentary host. Liz, however, was quick to dismiss such speculation, saying, “We’ve all had that, at some point in an interview, the paper will say ‘they’re the next…’ none of us would ever want that to be mentioned because he is incomparable, he is our mentor, our teacher. He is an extraordinary human.” Liz’s admiration for Attenborough was palpable, and her candidness added to the show’s appeal.
The evening also featured a bizarre segment with Paranormal Supernatural Investigations Ireland Ltd (PSII), who discussed their work capturing images of ghosts. The group showcased a camera they use to capture these supernatural images, claiming to have photographed Edward Carson, the ghost of a former Irish Unionist politician, in a castle in Galway. The segment added an unexpected twist to the evening, blending the usual lighthearted banter with a touch of the eerie.
All in all, the Late Late Show’s Friday night episode was a refreshing departure from tradition. The mix of heartfelt tributes, cheeky humor, and a few unexpected surprises made it an episode to remember. Viewers are now eagerly anticipating the next installment, as Patrick Kielty continues to redefine the show’s format with fresh energy and humor.