The Late Late Gay Byrne Irish Television Thread

I don't think there's been a day this week where The Six O'Clock Show hasn't used a VMTV staffer as a guest.

Today they did have a Corrie actress on, but with the addition of Ireland AM's weekend sports presenter.

VM must have a really hard time with their home produced shows trying to attract any big guests on to them - Just look at how stretched the Late Late Show and Ray D'arcy Show are for big guests, and they are prime time huge shows for RTE - what chance does VM have for a daytime or early evening show?

You get the feeling VM are so desperate to be Ireland's version of ITV, the only problem is ITV daytime shows are based in London and can attract a huge variety of guests - VM in Dublin, no way possible.

I thought Late Late did well last weekend with John Bercow and the cast of Mrs Brown's Boys.

Lineups for the Six O’Clock show and the Late Late tonight... Just for Comparison
The Six O’Clock Show
Clelia Murphy - former Fair City actress
Paddy Courtney - Film Writer
Chef - Sham Hanifa, cooking Malaysian Beef Rendang

The Late Late Show
Kiefer Sutherland - Country Singer
Andrea Corr - Musician
Jack Whitehall - Actor
Deirdre O’Kane - Actor and Comedian
Stephen Bradley - Filmmaker and Author
Gordon Darcy - Author
Paul Howard - Author

Again, Late Late is really strong with that line-up. I doubt there's anyone who wouldn't be interested in seeing at least one of those guests. The shocker for the Six O'Clock Show is they haven't got another VMTV presenter to pad for time!

To be fair, you're not comparing like for like there. It would be better to compare the Six O Clock Show to Today on RTE 1. Having said that it's a fairly strong line up for the Late Late this week, it's not always that good. On the other hand, no one complains about the guests on the Six O Clock Show because so few people are watching it.

Also, Kiefer Sutherland's listing should have Actor/Country Singer. His attraction as a guest is not because of his Country Music Career (of course that might change in the years to come)

I can't remember the presenter's name, but one of the English reporters from the now axed Xposé covered for Muireann on the Six O'Clock Show.

Her delivery is similar to Alison Hammond from This Morning.

I do remember Gay Byrne saying that back in 1962 when The Late Late Show launched, they knew they would never attract the big names in entertainment from the UK, USA etc every week, and so the show was designed to promote the home grown talent, debate on issues, topical debates, along with the big special guest when ever they came to Dublin.

The Tonight Show was pulled for this week, at the last minute aswell it seems. No reason given. A tweet was put out 10 minutes after the show was due to start.

Normal services resume next week - we’re off air for the week - back on Tuesday 5th November #tonightvmtv

— TonightVMTV (@TonightVMTV) October 29, 2019

Virgin Media probably forgot to pay their ESB bill for the studio for the week, and have to wait until November - I know it is a joke, but judging on how much this channel operates by a shoestring budget, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the reason.

Lots of people on holidays this week with the bank holiday and school midterms, might have had something to do with it.

A bank holiday in late October - strange how we in the UK have never had a bank holiday around Halloween, would be handy, as there is a huge gap between the late August Bank Holiday and the next one on Christmas Day.