The Late Late Show - Ireland (RTE One)

"Roll it there Colette" it is the big one. It is the 50th birthday of the The Late Late Show.

For the first time ever, The three presenters Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy will co- host the programme for the special night. It will look back on what major topics that happened in Ireland over the last 50 years. It is also the last show of the current season; It is a great way to mark off the current season in a fine fashion.

It hasn't always been perfect for the Late Late. When it started off as a eight week schedule in 1962; everybody in the country had a tendency to hate it. By August, it became a catalyst for the social issues that were highly important in Ireland at the time. I had seen a special edition of the RTE Guide with the three presenters on the front cover; One of the articles had said that the show had started on a budget of £90; which even today is a very small amount of money.

The guests list for the night includes a cream of Irish and International talent from the likes of Liam Neeson, Imelda May and Tommy Tiernan. Even the set is reportedly going to look like the Later with Jools Holland set from the BBC.

I cannot wait for it myself. I think it is going to a be a great show.

Saw the trailer - features the original Chris Andrews version of the show's theme tune "To Whom It Concerns", the sound-alike used during the Kenny era, and the band re-arrangement currently in use.

Some old Late Lates (as far back as 1971!) available on the RTÉ Player - interesting to see the old title sequences.

I enjoy watching RTE Player for The Late Late Show and that similar one that goes out on a Saturday night.

I actually think their mix of D list UK reality TV rejects makes for interesting viewing.

Sounds interesting. No doubt it will have all the production values of a programme made in 1962.

You may heard this already in the RTE Guide already; but the length of the show has been criticised by Ryan Tubridy. He said it should be reduced to a three part programme.

http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0529/tubridy.html

The three part bit of the show has been done before but only in special occasions eg. Good Friday and at Christmas. I agree the four parts are too long and have been for many years. A break in the tradition could be considered as normal could be a good start for next years season.

It has to be said that The Late Late Show is a vastly different program to the one it once was. When the show was created in July 1962 it was the pulse of the nation causing great controversy (some councils even passed resolutions condemning it!). The format was different with guests remaining on like the Graham Norton show together getting into more general conversation about different topics as it progressed. Today however it is only a couple of times each season the line-up cathches my attention and interests me in watching it. For what it is now it certainly is too long and I sympathise with Ryan Turbridy in having to stay awake for over 2 hours, I certainly don't anymore!

This feature gives us a more detailed overview on what is happening on the night.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/50thanniversary.html

It should be a cracker!

Wouldn't it be better to use of the time to make 2 1 hour programmes?

It does make laugh though, how they'll full of Irish people who have been on UK reality TV shows, or just anyone who's been on UK reality TV shows.

Yes, you did make that point already.

I just seen the preview of the set on RTE's 9 O'Clock News. It has only one addition to it. That is only a 50th anniversary logo added on to the LLS logo. Nothing else. I have to say it is no surprise but it is very disappointing.

The set may have been disappointing but the show was incredible. The fact it overran by a half hour shows how good it was, just like the old days of everyone drinking whiskey and drunk guests!

It was one of the best LLS programmes in years. Everyone had eased their way into the show and it felt great.