Ryan Tubridy asked a question that the actress said got on her nerves “a wee bit”.
Late Late Show viewers have been praising actress Jamie-Lee O’Donnell for calling out what she described as a “misogynistic” question live on air.
Jamie-Lee is known for her iconic role as teenager Michelle in Derry Girls and appeared on the talk show to chat about the final series of the comedy – which premiered earlier this week.
However, when host Ryan Tubridy asked the star about her age, she was quick to let him know how she felt about that particular question.
Ryan asked her: “This may be a rude question, you don’t have to answer – but can I ask you how old you are?”
“I’m 117. I’m very, very wise,” she replied sarcastically.
But Ryan didn’t back down and continued to press her: “Would you consider telling me what age you are?”
“This is the thing about that, it sort of gets on my nerves a wee bit, no disrespect,” she said.
“It’s always quite misogynistic even if it’s unintentionally misogynistic because men don’t get the same scrutiny in their career.”
Ryan responded by saying he would have asked a male actor the same question if he was playing a teenager on-screen.
“You say that now but there’s nobody here to take your word for it,” Jamie-Lee quipped.
Ryan then explained himself, saying that he did not mean to cause any offence, with Jamie-Lee assuring him she knew it wasn’t intentional.
“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 you play teenagers and you do it so well,” he said.
“Actually there was a compliment coming there. Please don’t misunderstand where I’m coming from.
“I’m done with that question, I’m going to move on to something else entirely… I can read a mood when I see it.”
Viewers couldn’t get enough of the interaction and took to Twitter to share their reactions.
“Ryan Tubridy seeing his life flash before his eyes after Jamie-Lee O’Donnell pointed out the age question is misogynistic,” one person joked.
“Jamie-Lee is a powerhouse. She’s absolutely incredible in Derry Girls! Poor Ryan wasn’t ready for her!” another person said.
“Don’t cross a Derry Girl Tubs, fair play Jamie-Lee!” a third added.
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