Patrick Kielty: "The Late Late has always reflected Irish life"

Press gathered at RTÉ Television headquarters in Donnybrook on Thursday to pick the brain of Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty ahead of the programme’s new season, which kicks off tonight (September 13).

Musical performances for episode one include some of the summer’s most viral stars in the form of young rappers Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew, with folk royals John Sheehan and Phil Coulter also set to appear to discuss their new stage production, Dubliners Encore.

When asked about his role in choosing musical acts, Kielty credited the experienced team behind the scenes.

“We have a brilliant team who have been doing this for a long time and we're lucky enough to be offered up quite a lot of acts,” he told Hot Press. “One of the things we did last season was trying to get as many young Irish bands on as we could, and I think that's important. I was lucky enough to get one of my first breaks on the Late Late Show. It's about showcasing as much of that as we can.”

The Co. Down native remained guarded about specific artists he’d like to see feature in the coming months.

“The acts will be announced on the week of the show, so if I announce them now or reveal a guest that we're chasing, the people behind the scenes here are going to get quite angry!”

RTÉ's The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty back on set for his second season hosting the longest running chat show in the world. Picture Andres Poveda

Alongside its entertainment value, the Late Late Show has built a reputation over the years for tackling key social issues in Ireland, whether it be discussions on divorce, abortion rights or marriage equality. Is this commitment to addressing the nation's most pressing conversations still at the heart of its mission?

“The Late Late has always reflected Irish life,” Kielty observed. “The brilliant thing is that when it comes to music, entertainment and acting, Ireland is punching so much above its weight, so that's one part of the show that we're always going to have.

“I think the show also has to reflect what people are thinking and what the country's going through and those big issues. We were lucky enough to have a couple of big political interviews on the show last year, and we were able to bring the Stardust families on and talk to them about what they've been through. I think that's something that the show will always try to do, hopefully.”

RTÉ's The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty back on set for his second season hosting the longest running chat show in the world. Picture Andres Poveda

Kielty’s second season follows his debut outing last year, after Ryan Tubridy’s well-documented departure from the broadcaster. His first episode racked up an average viewership of 830,000, and showrunners are looking another strong start, with golf superstar Rory McIlroy one of tonight’s key guests.

“When you want to keep something fresh, rather than looking back, you have to look forward. We've a good team that like to brainstorm and see where we're going. But it's about looking forward, not looking back," Kielty said.

“I was going into this second season blindly optimistic. There was a curiosity about the first series - ‘Who is this guy? Can he walk and talk and steer the bus?’ and all that stuff. I've had a long enough career to know that you take the rough with the smooth. We're still starting out here, so whatever comes our way comes our way. You just have to try to and make the best show you can, and if somebody likes it that's good, and if they honestly don't like it and they're telling you the truth, I don't think you can be offended”.

Kielty also commented on recent reports that the Late Late Show, along with RTÉ’s flagship soap Fair City, will likely be filmed in a new location by 2028.

“They haven't told us when we're moving, and we don't know where we're going,” he admitted. “When you walk down that corridor and you go into that dressing room and into that studio and you look at all the magic that's been made, getting your head around the idea of the show not coming from this building is very weird. The only thing I would say is that TV studios look the same. So if you're in a studio you can still capture the same energy, I think that's what's important.”

With a contract running until 2026, reporters asked the host he’d consider staying on longer if given the chance. “I mean, I love doing the show and if there's a chance to keep doing it, it would be nice,” Kielty said. “You never know what can happen in the world of entertainment. People mightn’t want to see me in that chair after 3 or 7 years, let alone 37! I'm about to go in there and do 30 shows. It’s one run at a time.”

• Viewers can also look forward to appearances from comedian John Bishop, as well as a homecoming for Ireland’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes as The Late Late Show returns to RTÉ One & RTÉ Player on Friday September 13, 9:35pm.