The Late Late Show owl

Television show mascot

The famous old owl insignia from The Late Late Show, now no longer in use.

The Late Late Show owl is a motif that has been used by the world's longest-running[1] chat show, The Late Late Show on RTÉ One television, since its inception in 1962. The owl symbol (a barn owl[2]) is the only remaining theme from the classic format other than the show's name and the traditional annual ‘toy show’ edition.[3] The first thing Ryan Tubridy said when announcing his plans for his takeover as host in August 2009 was: "I can tell you that the owl is not dead".[4] Tubridy posed for photographs on the set holding a wooden owl.[5]

Such is the nature of the owl theme, that RTÉ have used it in advertising campaigns for upcoming television shows.[6] Halifax, a recent sponsor of the show, created its own giant owl mascot which was used to herald the show's arrival, ending and the in-between commercial breaks.[7] It also ran competitions alluding to the famous owl theme, including one for primary schools, with the aim of building a shelter for the barn owl.[8] A month afterwards, the winners, St. Patrick's Boys National School, were invited onto the show to discuss their design.[9]

The mother of the singer Eva Cassidy was startled by the owl on her appearance on The Late Late Show and was heard by the show's researcher Will Hanafin to exclaim loudly: "What's that chicken doing flying there?".[10]

## References

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1. ^ "Dima performs at The Late Late Show". Eurovision. 31 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
* "Paisley on RTÉ's Late Late Show". BBC News. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
* "Late Late show getting new face". BBC News. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
* "Kenny's final viewer figures released". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
2. ^ "Owl's Bean Sí call may go way of piseogs". Irish Examiner. 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
3. ^ "County in a tizzy as The Late Late Show broadcasts from Wexford". Enniscorthy Echo. 4 September 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.[permanent dead link]
4. ^ "Tubridy reveals Late Late Show plans". RTÉ. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
5. ^ Fiach Kelly (4 September 2009). "It's a new host but same owl show". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
6. ^ "Fuel your imagination" campaign[permanent dead link]. RTÉ. Accessed 24 November 2008.
7. ^ "Media world: Too Late Late for Pat Kenny?". The Sunday Business Post. 24 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
8. ^ "Friday, 1 February 2008 ". RTÉ. Accessed 24 November 2008.
9. ^ "Friday, 29 February 2008 ". RTÉ. Accessed 24 November 2008.
10. ^ "Where did it all go wrong?". Irish Independent. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2009.

## External links

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* Halifax owl stings

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The Late Late Show

History|

* List of episodes
* Ryan Tubridy's first season
* Ryan Tubridy's second season
* Ryan Tubridy's third season
* Ryan Tubridy's fourth season
* Ryan Tubridy's fifth season
* Ryan Tubridy's sixth season
* Ryan Tubridy's seventh season

Special editions|

* Gaybo Laughs Back
* The Late Late Toy Show
* Toy Show The Musical
* The Late Late Tribute Shows

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