Kenny named new host of ‘Late Late’

By Andrew Bushe

DUBLIN — Pat Kenny is to take over the “Late Late Show” following the retirement of Gay Byrne after his world record 37 years as host, RTE has announced.

Kenny, a 51-year-old chemical engineer, has wide experience within RTE and has been hosting a Saturday night chat show, “Kenny Live,” with a similar format to the “Late Late.”

RTE Managing Director of Programs Joe Mulholland said they had been having discussions with Northern Ireland-born comedian Patrick Kielty about hosting a weekend show.

There had been suggestions that the “Late Late” might be “rested,” but Mulholland said the show was a strong brand name and a very necessary part of the program schedule.

“We feel that Pat Kenny is the right man for the job,” he said.

RTE had been in talks with Kielty and he was offered a weekend show.

“Perhaps if we had pursued our conversations and had he been available, perhaps it might have been the ‘Late Late,’ but we were always thinking in terms of two weekend shows,” Mulholland said. “Pat Kenny was out first choice for the ‘Late Late’ out of a considerably long list of people who could have presented the show.”

Mulholland said RTE was still in discussions with Kielty about other propositions.

He said the show that will replace “Kenny Live” on Saturday nights will have no fixed presenter.

Byrne, whose last show featured tributes from President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, is to present a series of eight programs called “Make ’em Laugh”, culled from the archives of various comedy programs.

May 26-June 1, 1999