Search icon

Movies & TV

01st Sep 2022

Here’s the line-up for the first Late Late Show of a brand new season

Dave Hanratty

Late Late show guests december

Your favourite show of all time is back…

Summer is officially over. We’re in the midst of a rising energy crisis. The cost of living is spiralling out of control. BUT DON’T WORRY… The Late Late Show is back, back, back!

That’s right, Ryan Tubridy is returning to your TV screen on Friday night as the ebullient host kicks off his 14th year at the helm of the nation’s most enduring chat show.

Such an occasion requires a sensational start, and who better than Lord of the Dance avatar turned mysterious leading man Michael Flatley? He’ll be present to discuss his long-awaited, almost mythical spy thriller Blackbird, which hits cinemas on Friday.

JOE’s Rory Cashin has seen Blackbird – “a bad bad movie that I still very much enjoyed” is the verdict there – and so Flatley will have the chance to address the cult status of the project, and how his mother was his biggest inspiration in terms of trading stage for screen.

That’s surely not enough star power for the Late Late, though. And so, Tubridy will welcome the Queen of Love Island herself; Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. She’ll talk about “dominating this year’s villa” and lots of other no-doubt very important topics that we simply must hear about.

Closer to home, it’s time to check in with Pat Spillane. After 30 years of entertaining analysis on The Sunday Game, Spillane will shed light on his decision to leave the programme, what he plans to do next and the emotional tribute to his father that won the hearts of the watching nation.

Music will come from the ever-captivating Tolü Makay, who will perform ‘Mercy Mercy Me’ with the help of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

As for the mood in RTÉ Towers? Let’s see what Ryan Tubridy has to say, shall we?

“I am absolutely delighted to be back in the hot seat this Friday night and we are back with a bang! Friday night promises a great, fun and fascinating array of guests.

“Where else would you want to be? Put the kettle on, or pour yourself a glass. It’s Friday, it’s The Late Late Show and we’re open for business!”

You heard the man. The Late Late Show returns to RTÉ One on Friday, 2 September at 9.35pm.

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge