Patrick Kielty recalls funny Stephen Colbert encounter while meeting the Pope

Stephen Porzio

The interaction clarifies something we had wondered about.

Have you ever tried to Youtube a clip from The Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty and gotten suggestions to watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? Or vice versa?

If so, it turns out you are not alone – as this issue has affected even the lives of the hosts of said programmes.

JOE caught up with Kielty ahead of The Late Late Show’s return yesterday evening (Friday, 13 September) and during the chat, we asked him about being one of the 100 comedians from across the world who had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis over the summer.

The event saw the Pontiff encouraging those in attendance to “cheer people up and help people see reality with all its contradictions,” according to the Vatican News.

Addressing the crowd in Italian, the Pope reportedly told the comedians that they are in possession of “a precious gift”, one that can spread peace “within hearts and between peoples, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.”

About his experience on the day, Kielty told JOE: “That was crazy stuff. The idea of 100 comedians, all of whom have at least 15 minutes to a half an hour’s material on the church and what they’ve been up to – so the idea of actually being brought in there to meet, it was a weird old day.

“It was fun to hang out with the other comedians. We had Conan O’Brien. He was on the [Late Late] just after Christmas. So, it was good to see him.”

It was then Kielty also recalled a funny encounter he had with US TV host Stephen Colbert, explaining:

“I got to meet Stephen Colbert from The Late Show. His sister went to introduce me. I said: ‘Hi, I’m Patrick Kielty from The Late Late.’

“He went: ‘I know exactly who you are, Patrick. You’re from The Late Late Show. I host The Late Show and every time I try to Google a clip of my show, I end up getting you on YouTube,’ so I was going: ‘Sorry about that.’ So yeah, it was a fun day out.

You can watch our interview with Kielty in full below:

Also during the chat, we asked the Irish host who is his favourite guest he has had on the Late Late so far.

JOE cited O’Brien as a highlight while the Irish presenter joked: “Don’t make me choose.”

He then added: “I don’t know. So far, there’s been so many big big names that have come on.

“I’m looking sort of off camera here at my producer Roisin who managed to surprise me with my own brother bringing on the Down minor trophy from 1987.

“So hopefully if I say my brother John is my favourite guest so far, he might buy me a pint when I get home this weekend.”

For those who want a reminder of this heart-warming Late Late Show moment, you can watch the clip below:

A little surprise for @PatricKielty to finish off the show 👀🤝#LateLate pic.twitter.com/ziEZd9dNfx
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 5, 2024

The Late Late Show was back on screens yesterday evening, with Kielty joking in his opening monologue about how the programme returned on Friday the 13th.

He also had quips about Enoch Burke, Taylor Swift and the US Presidential race.

Over the course of the episode, Kielty was also in conversation with golfer Rory McIlroy, several Team Ireland Olympians and Paralympians, comedian John Bishop and young rappers Kabin Crew and the Lisdoonvarna Crew.

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