Tonight heralds the start of a brand-new chapter in The Late Late Show story as new host Patrick Kielty takes the hot seat.
The Co Down presenter is the fourth presenter at the helm of Ireland’s most-watched television programme.
Kielty’s debut is expected to bring in record viewership figures.
The guests have not yet been revealed, but odds are high that plenty of homegrown talent could be in the mix.
Dermot Kennedy, Aisling Bea, James Nesbitt and Jamie Dornan are all among the top guesses for the line-up.
As last-minute preparations are made, Kielty said he is excited to get the show on the road.
He added that he got a nice good luck message from former host Ryan Tubridy, who faced controversy this summer after revelations of incorrectly disclosed payments made to him by RTE.
“It sort of feels that the anticipation – people talking and all that stuff – that’s in the past,” Kielty told RTE.ie
“I can see the pitch – it’s time to get the boots on and time to make the show.”
Kielty said he wants the tone of the show “to be a little bit loose” and not to come across as “too polished.”
“You know, I think it’s kind of about having fun. If things are fun and things go wrong, I think that’s kind of hopefully the tone of the show… I think there’ll be ebbs and flows and hopefully something in there for everybody.”
And yes, the owl will be back!
