The Late Late Show is an Irish chat show and the world's second longest- running late-night talk show, after the American The Tonight Show. It is also the longest-running live talk show globally. The show is considered an Irish television institution and is broadcast live on Friday nights at 9:30 pm on RTÉ One, typically running for about 90 minutes per episode during the season from September to May
. The show first aired on 6 July 1962 and has maintained the same name and format, featuring interviews, musical performances, and discussions on topical issues. It has played a significant role in shaping Irish societal norms and attitudes over the decades
. There have been four main hosts throughout its history: Gay Byrne (1962–1999), Pat Kenny (1999–2009), Ryan Tubridy (2009–2023), and the current host Patrick Kielty, who began in September 2023. The show was originally a summer filler but quickly became a forum for debate on sometimes controversial topics in Ireland
. The Late Late Show is known for its live format, studio audience, and has consistently achieved RTÉ's highest ratings, averaging around 650,000 viewers per episode. It is filmed at RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin, currently in Studio 4
. In summary, The Late Late Show is a flagship Irish live chat show with a long-standing history, influential cultural role, and a tradition of live broadcasts featuring a mix of interviews, music, and topical discussions
