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ANOTHER CHAPTER IN the story of Ireland’s longest-running television programme came to a close last night.
Yesterday’s episode of The Late Late Show was Ryan Tubridy’s last in the presenter’s chair before he hands over to Patrick Kielty for the new season later this year.
Kielty will become the fourth full-time presenter of the show since it was launched in July 1962, following in the footsteps of Tubridy, Pat Kenny, and Gay Byrne (or fifth if we include Frank Hall’s brief stint in 1964).
But what’s behind Ireland’s enduring love of the programme? How, after decades on our screens, does it still remain popular when appointment viewing is declining in favour of on-demand?
Joining us on this week’s episode are Mark O’Brien, head of DCU’s School of Communications and associate professor in journalism history, and Kirsty Blake Knox, writer with the Irish Independent, to delve into the show’s history.
How did it come to be in the first place? How has it evolved over time? And will Kielty be able to revive what might be seen as a dated format?
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/whats-behind-irelands-love-affair-with-the-late-late/s-xFFW08Rbzta?si=749b154b2e994342aaec4f10e4fcf09d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
This episode was created by presenter Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.
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Love affair? Tubridy? Seriously? Speak for yourselves…..
What? Are you paid to write this drivle? Love affair? Nobody under 70 watches it, even advertisers won’t pay premium for the ad breaks. Thus why a car company is keeping it going. Love affair?
Love affair? People in the industry estimate that approx 1/3 of viewers are not actually watching – they did not turn the television off after the news, and they are reading, online, asleep or in another room or house throughout. The audience is dying, literally.
Is this a joke?
There is no love affair. Have people nothing better to do at the weekend than watch this absolute pukeshow?
In an age where choice is at a premium, it’s sad that people get so triggered by how “crap” the Late Late show is. Viewing figures are still strong so obviously there’s a lot of people out there who really enjoy it. If you don’t like it then just don’t watch it. Life was so much simpler before social media allowed everyone to feel that, their opinion, was more important than everyone else’s.
@Willie Murphy: viewing figures still strong from 1 million plus when gay Byrne was in the seat, now at around 300,000 to 400,000 on normal Fridays, ya strong viewing figures. YouTubers are getting 1 million plus views in a couple of hours with just a phone camera just fixing cars, farming or a litter of puppies or kittens being cute.
I agree that the show is drive. Dr. Joseph would be a good match. Anyone remember her drivel about the Shelbourne Hotel statues?
Tubs should get the Nobel peace prize like Obama for the great work he’s done and hopefully Margo will release a new album after the culchie show lol
Only auld gowls watching that old rope
Honestly, just look at the number of views of this article vs others today. Not really a love affair is it?
Ireland…
God i love the honesty you know who would be good Ray Darcy
have your say