With Claire Byrne ruling herself out of the running for the Late Late Show presenter role, the question is does anyone want the job?
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Ciara Kelly said the show remains Ireland’s flagship TV production and we should reject claims the role is some sort of ‘toxic job’.
RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne was the standout favourite for the role until she yesterday followed in the footsteps of Miriam O’Callaghan in ruling herself out of the running.
The Claire Byrne Live presenter said she has a “young family, a busy home life and a full-time radio job that I love” adding that, “right now, that is enough for me”.
She went on to say that, “the Late Late Show should be presented by someone who can give it the time and dedication that it deserves”.
This morning meanwhile, Drivetime presenter Sarah McInerney also ruled herself out of the running.
Based on Boyle Sports betting odds, Patrick Kielty is now the clear favourite for the role - however, Newstalk's own Ciara Kelly is in second place at 11/4, with Baz Ashmawy in third at 4/1.
Late Late Show
“It changes things doesn’t it because I think a lot of us presumed that Claire Byrne was the next host of the Late Late Show,” said Ciara.
“It has, I suppose, blown the field wide open for, we don’t know who the next host will be.
“But also, there is a narrative in the papers today of, does anyone want the Late Late Show?
“Miriam has ruled herself out of it, Claire Byrne has ruled herself out of it, it’s almost - and I don’t like this narrative by the way - it is almost like it is a ‘toxic job’.”
Top job
Ciara said the job remains one of the most prestigious in Irish television.
“I don’t like us, kind of, going oh, the Late Late is a toxic thing,” she said.
“It’s our national broadcaster, which we should have some respect for, I think, and it is also a flagship show. It should be a prestigious show. People should want it.”
'Doesn't do it for me'
Fellow presenter Shane Coleman was quick to rule himself out of the running, noting that he is too busy watching the League of Ireland on a Friday night.
“It doesn’t do it for me; it never did it for me,” he said.
“I’m not a talk show fan generally so I don’t care really who gets the gig because I won’t really be watching.
“I would say there is no shortage of people who do want it, [although] I can see why there is a certain amount trepidation going into it because I think ratings are only going to go one way.”
He said talk of the end of terrestrial TV is overblown, but the lengthy runtime of the Late Late could spell trouble for ratings in the longer term.
