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PATRICK KIELTY HAS been in the Late Late Show hot seat for a few months now, but it’s nights like these that will decide the Co Down man’s legacy as host.
His predecessor Ryan Tubridy was often quick to note that his reputation as “the Toy Man” among the children of Ireland often superseded the rest of the work he did as a presenter.
What is usually a night of celebration in the Irish calendar this year falls against a backdrop of tumult and tragedy, as a knife attack hospitalised three children on Thursday, one of whom remains in a critical condition at the time of writing. A woman in her 30s was also hospitalised.
Alluding to the events that engulfed Dublin on Thursday, Kielty began tonight’s show by saying: “Given the events of the last 24 hours it is important to remember what this time of year is all about. We’re thinking of every family that needs an extra hug tonight.”
Once the show began in earnest, it became clear that there would be no revolutionising of the format. Kielty immediately settled in to doing a sturdy job of remaining interested while being shown dinosaurs and Sonic the Hedgehog. He performed admirably.
Ryan Tubridy’s frantic awkwardness was not particularly missed. Kielty handled himself well, not forcing the issue as toy exhibits dragged on somewhat, clearly aware that it’s far less uncomfortable to let the kids mess around with the toys than it is to rush them along. In one particularly weird and funny moment, Kielty called a child a “lick” for shouting out one of his teachers, which feels like he’s a man who will take to this role quite naturally.
One of the standout “toy testers” was seven-year-old Sheamie, sporting the kind of mullet most men will never be brave enough to attempt. There was Stevie, who belted out Ireland’s Call before being surprised by Bundee Aki and Peter O’Mahony. There was Sophia from Cork who started rapping while wearing an oversized cowboy hat. All of the classics. One kid drew Kielty in Japanese manga-style, which feels like new territory, but for the most part it was textbook Toy Show.
Our hero, Sheamie 🦸♀️ ❤️ #LateLateToyShow #RTE pic.twitter.com/wxLmUB2hCu
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 24, 2023
Kielty was even able to pull off a children’s books segment, which presumably sent a chill down Ryan Tubridy’s spine somewhere. This bit was punctuated by an almost needlessly good performance of WB Yeats’ Aedh Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven.
Not she wishes for the cloths of heaven 🫶🤍 #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/gClUlLZxh8
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 24, 2023
One of the most touching moments of the evening saw a young woman named Sophie surprised at a private screening of the Toy Show by the RTÉ crew and brought by private bus to the studio to test out some toys and get a weeklong trip to the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Eight-year-old Sophie burst into tears when Patrick went live to her family viewing party to tell her there was a magic bus for her and her family to bring her to the Toy Show studio #ToyShow #LateLateToyShow #PatrickKielty | https://t.co/2dlRQn5JEM pic.twitter.com/x3J9pjBnSv
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) November 24, 2023
Many who watched will also have wondered throughout what was going on with Elfvis, half-elf, half-Elvis, who appeared to be stuck in a box on stage, only ever called upon to deliver Patrick Kielty’s post. While Elfvis did not get the speaking time he deserved, he will be remembered as a pivotal part of this year’s Toy Show.
ELFIS PRESLEY #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/7tpjP1A72R
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 24, 2023
As usual, the Toy Show-watching public could be relied upon to a give a good account of themselves with respect to the Toy Show appeal, this year donating a total of €3,108,000.
In that respect, as with all others, this year’s Toy Show was exactly what audiences of children, parents and nostalgic millennials will have expected and hoped for.
At the end of the day, Kielty’s inaugural Toy Show was uneventful, predictable and pleasant. All things considered, it’s probably the best he could have hoped for.
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Kielty was terrific. Unlike former hosts he did not attempt to be the star of the show. He let the children be themselves and they were magnificent showpeople. Well done to all concerned … the ad for the show over the last few weeks wet the appetite and the production team, Patrick and the wonderful children delivered big time. Well done to the much maligned RTÉ. The pressure to deliver in all the circumstances was huge. The parcel arrived and the excitement was justified.
@hvWxJ10P: The ad for the show was brilliant, and funny. Unlike Tubridy, the children were the stars. They set the agenda and instructed Patrick on how the show should be run. I couldn’t imagine Tubridy doing that. The delighted laughs and shouts of the children showed that the formula worked. Well done to all concerned
Bit of a mealy mouthed end there Carl, the show was great, it had some wonderful moments like the family reunion and Sophie is a young girl not a woman, that situation was handled beautifully Tubs would have milked it told everyone exactly her diagnosis for max effect we don’t need that Patrick treated her with dignity and created a beautiful memory for her without unnecessary intrusion into her medical condition as a fellow patient I wish little Sophie all the best for the future and an amazing trip to Disney
Was a good show, kielty done brilliant. Was nice to see it about Christmas again, past few years there was hardly a mention of Christmas.
Kielty did a fantastic job & it was a lovely show & a great start to Christmas. Agree with the other comments that he treated the children with dignity and kindness & you could tell the kids loved it. Also viewers generously donated over €3 million to children’s charities which was brilliant.
I was worried before the show for Patrick as there was a lot of pressure on him to perform but he hit it out of the park. A brilliant show from start to finish, he let the kids be kids, plenty of toys on show and a few good feel stories. A really lovely start to the (un)official kickoff of Irelands Christmas!!
Kielty is the best thing to happen to the late late show in a long time. Well done, I could never understand the appeal of Tubridy and the toy show I always thought he was a clown on it and stopped watching it as a result but kielty has brought me back.
I really enjoyed it this year for all of the reasons outlined in the comments above. For me, Sheamie was the standout comedian without trying. Your throne is safe Sheamie for this year at least.
He did a super job. Very natural at it. The Toy Show is in good hands.
How many watched and haven’t paid the TV license but still tune in for this tripe, for free and feel great about it (new poll maybe). New PJs, treat boxes, donate to a charity, feel great about yourself for the little that you’ve done for a small part of the year while stealing Irish airwaves, the same people who rant and give out about the riots and how stealing and looting is sooo wrong, the irony. And I’m guessing a lot of people were watching in new trainers and designer gear.
The magic of Christmas. Truly has begun.
Merry Christmas, hope you have a great time while others pay your way.
@Rafa C: And all those attending the Toy Show as the esteemeed guests who get all the free gear and gifts from the sponsors of the show, they should have had to produce their TV License to gain entrance to RTE premises.
@Rafa C: go back to bed like a good lad.
@Rafa C: You ok hun?
@Rafa C: I went to bed as soon as it came on, if that makes you feel better.
@Rafa C: maybe people feel that after all the shennanigans at RTE with flip flops and so on RTE isnt deserving of more tax payers money until they get their house in order. RTE have played the public for mugs for years and wasted tax payers money over and over again and as soon as the going got tough they ducked and dived and went into hiding. For what it’s worth I do have a tv licence and I didn’t watch the toy show and I have no issue with anyone who chooses not to buy a tv licence.
@Derek Lyster: Breaking the law is breaking the law. Choosing laws to abide by now… that’s great. Carry on stealing so.
@donal O’brien: Wow, thought of all that by yourself did ya?
@Guill Ire: Grand. Irony of this nation is telling.
@brian o’leary: Well I wouldn’t have minded if you watched it as long as you paid your TV license. I guess irony at this hour is hard to grasp for a lot of people. ‘ooooh looters!!! arrghh scuzzzzmm!!!’ – I’ll watch the Toy Show now and I haven’t paid my TV license… theft is theft.
@Rafa C: and protest is protest?
@Rafa C: I’m sure they probably paid for their new gear though not stole it. Your point is
@Rafa C: Good to see you are full of the joys of Christmas this morning!
@Rafa C:
@Rafa C: Bit full of yourself there dude. I don’t have a licence. I didn’t watch the toy show. I don’t watch rte or any live terrestrial tv. I pay for my subscription to certain providers. I also bought & paid for my tv which has a tax on it. I won’t be paying for another tax to use my tv however I like…. Funny little man you are lol.
@Rafa C: Jesus Rafa, merry christmas
@Rafa C: Excuse me! My mate Deco earned the right to give me a free pair of runners, and a hoodie which was the wrong size, but that’s not his fault!
@Rafa C: You’re so sour. Merry Christmas? Sure don’t you detest Christmas?
@donal O’brien: stupid comment
@Rafa C: what am I stealing?
It was good , surprised how long it was given he has a shorter regular show.
You would miss Ryan who, despite his detractors, was brilliant in the toy show.
@Jimmy The Mink: nope he was no loss thrashing around the place this was a Toy Show for kids nothing else
@Kay C: i saw some of the show but Why come on here to have a go at Tubrity He done a good job & the kids loved him now its Patrick’s turn but people on here should give it a rest instead of always having a go Good luck to Ryan & Good luck to Patrick
So enjoyed this year’s Toy show . It was all about the children and paddy made it about the children spoke to them directly with eye contact and was so at ease with them .loved it
@catherine yilmaz: as Ryan Did every year for 14 years
Professional presentation is back. It was sadly missed.
@Frank Heffernan: Its a childrens Toy Show saw nothing different in the Presentation but that won’t stop u from having a go at Tubrity, why be vindictive GOOD LOOK TO TUBS & GOOD LUCK TO PATRICK
Wow !!!normal nice optimistic No rants against the government no biting off the hand that feeds you no anti immigration or anti everything no negativity Trolls out yet? No hate ! I wish this could continue ….Facts facts not alternative Facts please is this alot to ask in this fake unsafe world ????
@Margaret Gallagher: give it time. It’s still a bit early for them.
@Margaret Gallagher: Oh, so you have taken in migrants?
Good woman yourself.
@Margaret Gallagher: There’s the trouble right there Margaret, “facts”. One media outlet’s “facts” may not align with another’s. Media outlets have now become a battle ground and the reason for that is they are the very ones that manipulate facts, usually for political motivations.
I hope I haven’t intruded too much on your morning.
@Margaret Gallagher:
One of your migrant mates stabbed 3 kids on Thursday. There’s a fact for you. Happy now ?
@Regular John: An awful statement to make.
@Regular John: one if the migrants got knife out of his hand and in doing so saved many more
@Eileen Hennessy: exactly, but that is an inconvenient truth.
@Margaret Gallagher: Too right. And here they are.
@Margaret Gallagher: looks like you’ve stirred them up Margaret
@Regular John: as$hole
@Dan Breen: Sure why would she do that? Most have homes to live in. And jobs. You know, regular people. But that fact doesn’t suit your warped narrative. And I’m sure Margaret doesn’t mind taxes been allocated to help migrants who do need state assistance. Just like the help some Irish people need. So sod off with your sad attempts to divide people.
@Margaret Gallagher: I struggle to understand why you mentioned any of the above at all.
RTE perpetuating class division.
All the posh kids connected to Montrose getting TV gigs and expensive toys while the poor homeless kids from lower socio economic backgrounds with unsuitable Postcodes get nothing except having their noses rubbed in it.
Hopefully some day we’ll have an egalitarian society where all Irish children will be cherished equally irrespective of their backgrounds.
@Tommy Haze: yeah I’d say young sheamie who dreams of being a bricklayer has loads of connections in montrose. Deary me, have a day off.
@Tommy Haze: absolute steam.
@Tommy Haze: Good man Tommy! You’re the bull! You’re the bull! You’re the bull!
@Tommy Haze: Where is your proof. Did RTE send you a list of the background of the kids taking part. Didn’t think so.
Delighted to see the Toy Show was broadcast using ISL. About time…let’s hope for more broadcast s with ISL…
He did a great job. Was a bit long though.
PK did such a good job. Lovely genuine man..no ego on display. The focus was all on the children. We all really enjoyed it.
Did everyone in the audience get their Free Flip Flops?
Congrats to host, first time kids watched whole show. Past ones were a shadow of this. Loved minority focus, more traveller kids please
Children make Christmas magical. I haven’t watched the Toy Show in years but really enjoyed it this year, Patrick did a great job and the kids were delightful, from the little Elfish to Shaemy to the little girl who nearly ran off the catwalk – all that shone through was their innocence and pure happiness to be there.
Personally I thought alot of the toys were crap though lol, badly made but did you see the look on the little boys face at optimus prime and the girl with the toy out of the box..lovely to see.
Sheila Mac = mental patient
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