The Late Late Gay Byrne Irish Television Thread

It wasn’t in on Friday. However on Friday the theme was actually performed live, by a group of marching bands from the Garda, Army, and various other emergency services, with a choir singing the chorus of the original Chris Andrews song “To Whom it Concerns”, from which the Late Late Show theme is taken.

I also have a very vague recollection of Dickie Rock singing “To Whom it Concerns” at the end of the 50th anniversary, and an even vague recollection of some of the original arrangement (along with the sound-alike theme Pat Kenny used) in that shows opening titles.

I could clearly hear the original theme - it overpowered any sound from the live band. The choir was audible in parts.

From this Friday it will be a recorded original, as you are not going to have a band and singers each Friday night for the next 40 weeks.

Missing most of the drumroll but otherwise the original theme. And yes, they did the voiceover.

However, that is one cheesy title sequence accompanying it, particularly the giant pictures of Tubridy.

Oh dear God - they totally butchered and ruined the original Late Late opening. They butchered the drum roll and whistle blow at the start, and as nearly always the case with Tubridy, he and has team have truly messed it up.

Even they miss timed the "To Whom It Concerns" introduction.

RTE - what the hell were you thinking of?

The 2009 Brian Byrne arrangement is still hanging about incidentally, still being used in and out of breaks.

Virgin Media Sport Tonight has just launched. They are using the same graphics as Virgin Media News (obviously using the Sport Tonight Logo) same theme and modified titles. They are also using the ticker normally used on VM News at 8:00

They are also using the old TV3 name of a similar programme - Sports Tonight used to air nightly after News Tonight on TV3 from 1998 - VM are just making another very cheap programme, and using the slot to add up more home produced hours per week on the network.

It is a truly botched chance that the production team could have properly done. Bring back the full iconic tune. It was as simple as that and they ballsed it up big time.


I actually thought there was a fault on the opening titles, and it was a mistake at the drum roll start, but it looks like it was not a mistake.

Hmmm I must admit I like the opening titles.

It's ruined by the break bumpers though using the 2009 theme.

Inconsistant.

Tubridy's desk and tie are gone. I like that idea.

The set looks a little less americanised.

Some caps from VM Sport Tonight.

The Irish Mail On Sunday is reporting that RTÉ is to sell its studios in Cork. The paper says they are also cutting pay, laying off more staff, and selling more land at Montrose.