A man in a giant orange balloon, a twelve-piece country Irish music family band, a posh rocker talking cheese, a chef dosed up on painkillers, and an emotional farewell from the host - the last Saturday Night Show ever sure had its moments last night.
After five years on air, Brendan O'Connor presented the proverbial mixed bag of a final show, starting with an appearance from impressionist Oliver Callan and ending with an interview with Labour TD John Lyons and his mother.
Chef Dylan McGrath was clearly in pain as he gamely appeared for his interview, explaining that: "I’m 37 now, and when I was 26 I was working every hour God sent, but now I’m 37 I’m not as young as I used to be, so now my back is sore.” and going on to talk about his upbringing in West Belfast and the huge influence of his mother on his life.
Music came from all-American family act The Willis Clan, an excellent performance from young Derry SOAK, and a very strong showing from Dundalk band Third Smoke, winners of the Saturday Night Show/John Murray Show new music competition.
But even that musical richness was overshadowed by the sight of a man calling himself Mr Toons in shorts and a vest climbing in and out with a huge orange balloon.
Blur bassist Alex James made his second appearance on the show and discussed his band's new album The Magic Whip with fanboy Brendan. However, at one point cheesemaker Alex had to be jokingly chided when he remarked that British food was the best in the world.
O’Connor will return with a new show on RTÉ TV and last night he ended his five-year run on SNS by thanking his team and his many guests over the years.
“The most important thing is that I would like to thank all the people who came on here and told their stories over the last five years," he said.
"Because I think if there is one thing we’ve learnt in this country in the last few years, is that whether it’s about medical cards, or mental health, or sexuality, or disability - people telling their own stories . . . and a lot of people don’t want to do it, they’re private people. People telling their own stories can change everything.”
