'The Late Late Show' is unique because it reflects an Irish night out, according to host Patrick Kielty.

A new season of the world's longest running live TV chat show kicks off from 9.35pm tonight on RTÉ One.

It's also the second season for Patrick Kielty who told Newstalk's Henry McKean what we can expect.

"You never know what's around the corner," he said.

"I think the thing you have to do is that when you're hosting 'The Late Late Show' is take as good care of it as as you possibly can because it's way bigger than you are.

"The audience own the show, you don't own the show, but it feels nice to be rejoining the party rather than being the new kid at school."

 

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'It reflects an Irish night out'

Kielty said the show has an ebb and flow to it that others don't.

"I think 'The Late Late Show' is unique to Ireland because it reflects what an Irish night out is like," he said.

"If you go out for a night in Ireland, anywhere on this island, you will have a fun chat.

"Someone will make you smile with laughter, you'll probably end up having your arm around somebody having a very serious chat, then somebody will end up singing a song.

"This thing will ebb and flow.

"If you sit in an American bar, people are just [saying], 'Hey did you see the ballgame?'. If you're in an English pub that type of flow just doesn't happen.

"So 'The Late Late Show' reflects how Irish people are - whether they're sitting and watching a show, sitting on the show or whether they're out for a night.

"I think that's what makes it unique."

Henry McKean and Patrick Kielty. Image: Newstalk

On plans for 'The Late Late Show' to move production as part of restructuring plans over the next five years, Kielty said it is bitter sweet.

"We know that it's not going to be staying here in the building which, when you look at all the history and all the shows that have come here, that's definitely something that you get a bit of an achy heart about," he said.

"But I think wherever the show comes from the spirit of the show and... reflecting what Irish people are and their interactions, I don't think that will ever change.

"'The Late Late Show' will be here long after you and I are gone I'd imagine," he added.

Among those joining Kielty on the show tonight are golfer Rory McIlroy, comedian John Bishop and young rappers Kabin Crew.

You can hear the full interview on The Hard Shoulder from 4pm

Main image: Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty at an Irish Tourism Industry Confederation conference, 18-9-23. Image: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland