Pat Kenny has admitted he was surprised Ryan Tubridy lasted 14 years hosting the Late Late Show – as he predicts a woman will be the next presenter of the Friday night chat show.
The Newstalk host reacted to fellow pal and former colleague Ryan Tubridy announcing his departure from the coveted show.
Pat said he believes Ryan might have gone sooner if it hadn’t been the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking exclusively to us, Pat said: “He went longer than I thought he would. Like 14 years.. I did 10. I think he might have gone sooner had it been the pandemic. Like there was no way you could abandon that shop in the middle of a pandemic when people kind of were stuck at home and depending on that kind of resource because it generated that sense of community during the pandemic.
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“I suppose we’ve reached a new era of streaming as well so the days of getting a million viewers – besides the Toy Show – are probably gone.
“Fundamentally ratings for live TV are lower, except for matches and breaking news. A lot of people have gotten out of the habit of having a date with their telly. The soap addicts will still do it.
“But other than that people choose their own time to watch everything.”
Pat said Ryan didn’t speak to him for advice about stepping down.
“I think it was wise for him to keep it as tight as he did. No that I would’ve been indiscreet but if he told people like me and confided and then there was a leak, well then you would be wondering which of my friends has let me down.”
Pat said he still remembers the day he announced his own departure from the Late Late Show.
“I did it on the Late Late Show. I told my team before the show that night just before we did the promo at one minute to nine and then I told the public halfway through the show.
“It’s the right way to do it because very much like they talk about a lame duck President because if they do it too far in advance telling people you’re going, the speculation starts far too early.
“But maybe he has other things on his mind that he wants to do so in order to do them he needs to be officially gone.”
Pat said he reckons a woman will be lined up for the hot seat.
He said: “I think it is almost inevitable it will be a woman. Gay did 37 years. Ryan did 14 years and I did 10. You’re looking at 61 years of men presenting the Late Late Show.
“But I would hate that someone gets it whose female and they say she only got it because she is a woman. That would be terrible. Someone should get it on the basis of merit.”
But Pat declined to be drawn in on who could replace him.
“I would like to see someone who handles the job well and who handles the legacy well. I think it probably will be a woman and I know all the players in the field… I would say it is likely to be a woman because of its weighted history but I will hold my judgement on whoever is selected to do the job.”
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