Patrick Kielty will take the helm of The Late Late Show tonight, September 15.
The comedian is set to host his first episode of RTÉ’s flagship programme – having taken over from Ryan Tubridy, who helmed the show for 14 years.
Over the past couple of weeks, RTÉ has revealed a number of changes to the long-standing chat show’s format – including a new blue and white logo.
The Irish Times previously reported that The Late Late Show’s running time had also been shortened to “approximately 90 minutes”.
This means Patrick will be on-air for about half an hour less than his predecessor Ryan.
The Late Late Show will air tonight from 9.35pm until 11.05pm.
The comedian will also only host 30 episodes this season, in comparison to the 35 to 27 live shows in previous seasons.
Picture: Andres Poveda
In addition to this, RTÉ previously teased that Patrick may be planning on interacting more with the audience, as they were looking for audience applicants with any ““funny/interesting/extraordinary stories” that they would be “happy to contribute on air”.
Hopefuls were also asked to share their Irish hero, their dream Late Late Show guest, and if they’d like to celebrate a “special event” on the show.
Ahead of Patrick’s Late Late Show hosting debut tonight, RTÉ has revealed yet another change to the show’s format – in the form of a brand new set.
In new photos, the comedian is seen posing in front of an old-style Hollywood theatre set, which reads ‘The Late Late Show’.
The set’s colouring is notably more cool-toned, with blue and purple lighting, instead of its traditional warm-toned brown and yellow lighting.
The set also features a large purple curtain behind what appears to be a stage for guest entrances – another new addition.
Speaking ahead of his Late Late Show hosting debut, Patrick said: “I think the tone is hopefully gonna be a little bit loose.”
“As someone who has done live stand-up and enjoys doing live TV, the idea of trying to make the thing too polished, it’s kind of about having fun.”
“If things are fun and things go wrong, that’s hopefully the tone of the show,” Patrick explained.
“The pace of the show – there’ll be ebbs and flows. Hopefully there’s something in there for everyone.”
Patrick also spoke about how his Late Late Show presenting style will be similar to that of his predecessor Gay Byrne’s.
The comedian said: “I think, growing up watching the show and watching Gay do his stuff, the brilliant thing that he used to do was he talked to the audience as much as he talked down the camera.”
“It was like coming into the parlour,” Patrick recalled. “That for me is what this show is, there’ll be different things, there’ll be eclectic bits and pieces.”
“The main lesson that I have learnt from the show over the years is you treat everybody the same.”
“Everybody’s the same on this show, that’s what it does best, and that’s why it has stood the test of time.”
You can find out everything we know about The Late Late Show’s brand new host Patrick Kielty here, ahead of the brand new season which airs tonight.
