The Late Late Show (Irish talk show) with journalist Deirdre Purcell, who had ghostwritten Byrne's autobiography. After Kenny's mother suddenly died in October 2008, Gerry Ryan was announced as guest presenter for that week's show with less than 48 hours' notice. Kenny announced his decision to quit live on air in March 2009. On 11 May that year, RTÉ announced Ryan Tubridy as Kenny successor. Kenny in turn replaced Tubridy on 1 February 2013 for one night only, due to the death of Tubridy's father. Since the early 1970s, an annual Christmas edition entitled "The Late Late Toy Show" has been held in late November or early
Tubridy Tonight competition in a previous decade between Byrne and Kenny. A 2008 survey by "The Times" concluded that almost ⅕ of guests on RTÉ chat shows including "Tubridy Tonight" were RTÉ employees and associates. The survey did not include musical acts. Tubridy Tonight Tubridy Tonight is a talk show hosted by Ryan Tubridy that aired on RTÉ One for five seasons between 2004 and 2009. The programme featured guest interviews (usually three per show), audience participation and live music from both a guest music group and the house band. "Tubridy Tonight" aired every Saturday night, except during the summer months, directly