One has to commend the Late Late Show Country Music Special (RTÉ One, Fridays at 9.35 pm), which in a short span of time has become a cherished feature of Late Late, matching up to the Toy Show in popularity, even if not quite exceeding it.
Its success is simple to explain. The appeal of country music spans across a broad swathe of Ireland, and the genre is strewn with vibrant figures. One of these, the nationally adored Daniel O’Donnell, returns to the show after missing the 2023 session due to touring commitments.
The evening promises much entertainment, with familiar faces making their appearances. Among these is Susan McCann, the singer from Newry who receives an honourable place in the Late Late’s Country Hall of Fame. Adding to the show’s appeal is host Patrick Kielty, a country native hailing from rural Co Down. His roots provide him a deep connection to Ireland’s country core—a connection that his Dublin predecessor, Ryan Tubridy, lacked.
The show kicks off with O’Donnell leading a rendition of Burning Love, an Elvis classic. While O’Donnell does not imitate Elvis’s iconic hip movements, his suggestive shoulder-shaking mimics the intensity of a wild performance that includes knee slides and guitar tumbles. After this, O’Donnell interviews the renowned Donegal star and EastEnders actress Shona McGarty. McGarty, of London-Irish descent, shares about her childhood dreams of performing with O’Donnell.
McGarty speaks about her Irish roots and her engagement to her Co Offaly partner, whom she met on TikTok. O’Donnell seems flabbergasted at the idea of ‘sliding into DMs’, revealing a playful and charming side to this beloved Irish figure.
The “roulette” segment follows up next, featuring the renowned singers Margo and Mike Denver, Garron Noone, a TikTok sensation from Mayo (noted for his profound, harsh vocals) and X Factor alum, Janet Devlin who take the stage to render “randomly” chosen tracks from a slew of artists. Will the spotlight be on AC/DC? Beyoncé perhaps? Absolutely not – predictably, the wheel settles on previously picked options, Willie Nelson inclusive. Kielty, momentarily losing control, exclaims, “We all have a soft spot for Willie”. He also kicks off with a self-mocking crude jest where he ambiguously dwells on the term “country”.
The apex of the evening arises as O’Donnell and McGarty reunite on stage to delight the audience with Kris Kristofferson’s eternal classic, Me and Bobby McGee. The harmonious blend of their voices receives an applauding response from the listeners, bestowing a sense of relief on Kielty. Yet another year, another Late Late Country Special – yet another sign that contrary to persistent speculations, the Late Late show is far from its final bow.