Ryan Tubridy made an age-related joke on The Late Late Show on Friday night, one week after he came under fire for asking Jamie-Lee O’Donnell how old she was.
During his opening monologue, the chat show host told the audience: “You’re like a bunch of kids who have been let out for the night, you know, teenagers.”
“But sure lookit, isn’t age just a number? Honest to God.”
Ryan continued: “Which is why our director won’t mind me wishing him a happy birthday on live television – it’s just a number Alan, so relax and enjoy yourself.”
While he didn’t address the Jamie-Lee O’Donnell drama directly, viewers believed Ryan was poking fun at the controversy.
During last Friday’s episode, the Derry Girls star wasn’t too pleased when Ryan asked her to share her age.
The broadcaster said: “This might be a rude question, you don’t have to answer. But can I ask you how old you are?”
The actress, who plays Michelle Mallon in the Channel 4 sitcom, replied: “I’m 117. I’m very, very wise.”
After Ryan said, “Would you consider telling me what age you are?” Jamie-Lee said: “This is the thing about it that gets on my nerves a wee bit, no disrespect…”
Ryan interjected, “Oh no, that’s okay, I’ll walk away from it if you’d like me to.”
Jamie-Lee then explained, “Do you know what it is, it’s always quite misogynistic even it’s unintentionally misogynistic because men don’t get the same scrutiny in their career.”
Defending himself, Ryan insisted: “I would definitely have asked the male actor the same question because he’s playing a teenager too.”
Jamie-Lee then joked: “You’re saying that now, there’s nobody here. I’ll have to take your word for it!”
Explaining why he asked the question, the Late Late Show host added: “I would say that you’ve got these great characters playing teenagers.”
“And that’s really what I was getting at, the fact that you’re of a certain age that play teenagers and do it so well.”
“Actually there was a compliment coming there… please don’t misunderstand where I’m coming from, I mean that genuinely.”
Ryan added: “I’m done with that question; I’m going to move on. I can read a mood when I see it.”
After her interview aired on RTÉ One, viewers took to Twitter to praise Jamie-Lee for the way she reacted to the question.
Have we not learned at this stage to not ask a Derry Girl her age#LateLateShow #latelate pic.twitter.com/51CkWmg6Ef
— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) April 15, 2022
Ryan Tubridy hoping the ground opens up beneath him as Jamie-Lee O’Donnell calls him out on his misogynistic question on her age, she was well able for him 😂
#LateLateShow #DerryGirls— Frankie (@frankuary) April 15, 2022
#LateLateShow delighted Jamie Lee highlighted being asked about her age. Someone should tell Ray Darcy coz he is obsessed with that question. Women are immediately pigeon holed when they state age.
— muinteoirolly (@muinteoirolly) April 15, 2022
