PK@rte.ie (again). The All New (Patrick Kielty) Late Late Show Thread

Ulster Fry 🙂

I'd argue don't listen to anyone in RTÉ, they've been found out and they have been coasting along for too long.

I mean I am splitting hairs but : -

I just don't think any one in RTÉ has much to offer or much experience.

Quoting from the above article

Beating heart of the show 🙄, if it is a real source I feel sorry for them that they think so highly of themselves.

I think the previous Tubridy version was terrible but in my view that was down to

1. Tubridy himself and
2. The constant obsession with and expansion of the misery slot

A significant % of the problems of TLLS went when Tubridy left

Hes been replaced by a supposedly good interviewer- so great, give him a chance to interview because currently he’s not been given that chance. If you throw the baby out with the bath water, TLLS will look like just any other entrainment show - you need to keep its secret sauce - but right now I think it’s becoming standard fare- it could be just any show - and that will kill TLLS if it ends up looking and sounding like that

I think there is a good chance TLLS is off the air in 5 years time. My elderly mother even said that it is time they got rid of it, and historically she wouldn't have missed it no matter what. She has complained about the guests, the awkward way the set is arranged, guests having to turn their heads, the spacing between the seats etc.

She's not happy! "Are they trying to be American or something?" said she. She hated Keilty's monologue on day one as well.

I agree, but I don't think older staff in RTÉ would agree with you on RT, I think they think the misery slot is the secret to a good late late show.

I think we can all agree that TLLS won't ever return to its heyday. PK2 has an opportunity to bring some of that magic back. And I think many feel he missed his opportunity with Frampton and with the CMO. Hopefully if he can he will pull those punches when the opportunity arises.

I also think they need to mix it up, the format should not be so rigidly structured.

Yes alot of the journos love the misery and political stuff too , that's why they going crazy with kielty because he is not satisfying them, they don't have anything to write about if there is no misery. They can't exactly write that they had a good laugh at the 2 johnies.

The older demographic like the misery too because it is probably more relevant to them than it is to a younger demographic but when they were young they liked gay Byrne not for misery but for entertainment. Kielty needs to keep going in that direction and ignore the begrudgers and the misery junkies

Why not, I'd argue that it is Irish Country and Western Music which is a completely different genre to C&W.

I think that RTÉ could have got a big name American C&W person for the special but instead went and spend all their money on Donie.

I'd argue that Gay Byrne was doing healthy debates not the misery slot, I don't ever really remember Gay Byrne interviewing someone about a horrific death in the family, this misery slot came from Kenny Live.

I was trying to decide if your word “exploitative” was a bit OTT- considering TLLS has become a massive commercial enterprise as opposed to a significant public service broadcast, in that vein, I’d have to agree with you

It was worse than that, they paid him not to come .

I just finished watching Gay Byrnes Late Late Moments on the RTE Player and I have to say looking back on his guest list over the many years was a revelation. The whole format was just open to everyone without scripted dialogue. Gay was a master at opening the floor up not just to his guests but to the audience on the night. Anything went. When P.K took up the reigns I felt that was the beginning of the end for what was a National institution.

I am assuming the PK you are referring to is Pat Kenny. "And after the break I'll be leering at yet another supermodel who has a book out"

I suppose if they were to start adding other music specials the L.L.S might attract a younger audience. Something they could do with at this moment and time.

Evening all! Oo’s on tonight then?