Inside the Late Late Show: Limerick Live reporter visits studio four!

IN an era when we can stream whatever we want, true “appointment viewing” is rare.

Yet still flying the flag is The Late Late Show. Almost 64 years on air, it can still pull in huge live audiences for RTÉ on a Friday night.

Months ago, I applied for a ticket to see a recording of the second-longest running talk show in the world.

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I’d heard the stories — the craic, the giveaways (one for everyone in the audience) — and wanted to tick it off the bucket list.

I only applied for one ticket, thinking it might improve my chances. I was dolo in Donnybrook if you like.

We were asked to arrive at 8.15pm. From bitter experience at British TV recordings, I expected overbooking and a long, cold wait outside - so I was at the studio fashionably early!

I needn’t have worried — who turns down a Late Late ticket?

There was no queue snaking down the street, just a warm welcome inside reception on a night when temperatures were set to dip below freezing.

“You’ll be surprised how small it is,” one receptionist told me about the studio. She wasn’t wrong.

“Some people wait years to come here,” her colleague added.

The excitement built as people arrived from across the country.

A man from Kerry announced down the phone: “No, I’m not going out tonight. I’m above in RTÉ at the Late Late!”

A couple from Tyrone told me they’d been watching for years and were thrilled to finally make it.

We’d been told to dress to impress. Some opted for bold primary colours, others the safety of a suit.

Entry was through an unassuming side door into studio four — but not before a wine reception.

A colleague had offered a pro tip: “The wine before the show sends you into orbit — only have one.”

I stuck to Fanta, observing my annual Lenten abstinence.

The house band warmed up the 200-strong audience, though one section received a stark warning.

“Don’t stand up unless you want to be decapitated,” the floor manager said, gesturing to a roving camera. “It’s happened before.”

Golfing great Padraig Harrington was among the guests, prompting delight from the woman beside me who once photographed him draped in the tricolour.

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Phones were supposed to be on airplane mode, though a few furtive texters emerged when the €10,000 Tesco voucher competition was announced.

One misplaced ring and Patrick Kielty could have been dialling into Row C!

Ninety minutes flew by. Watching from a sofa never quite captures the hum in the room when the red light comes on.

And yes — every audience member went home with a voucher for a hairdresser.

As of now, mine remains unused!

It was a great experience - I’ll be back - if I get lucky, that is!