Podcast: Hugh Linehan reviews Patrick Kielty’s Late Late debut

The comedian's first episode was a ratings winner

Listen | 24:09
Patrick Kielty pictured with the first guests on his first Late Late Show: Hector O hEochagain, Laurita Blewitt and Tommy Tiernan. Photograph: RTE
Patrick Kielty pictured with the first guests on his first Late Late Show: Hector O hEochagain, Laurita Blewitt and Tommy Tiernan. Photograph: RTE

Expectations were high for the start of the 61st season of The Late Late Show, and new host Patrick Kielty delivered on some of them: the comedian delivered a funny monologue and generally seemed comfortable in his new role.

And with Kielty’s first outing drawing a large audience, new RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst will be pleased to finally see some positive headlines.

But some of the venerable chat show’s old problems remained, including a reliance on familiar guests. There were some new problems too, according to today’s In the News guest, Irish Times writer Hugh Linehan.

Together with Bernice Harrison, Hugh reviews Friday’s programme, looking at what went right, what went wrong - and how Mr Kielty can make the show his own.

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Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast