Without wishing to out too fine a point on it, 2016 has been largely shite. But it will end with the O'Donovans on Graham Norton, so be thankful for such mercies.
The brothers bagged themselves an invite to the Graham Norton show on New Years' Eve, sitting on the sofa alongside Frank Skinner, James McEvoy, Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender. The full show is going out on December 31st, but the Beeb have released a five-minute teaser, focusing squarely on Ireland's Olympic silver-medalists.
These days, being yourself is a revolutionary act, and the O'Donovans did exactly that. Poor Marion Cotillard couldn't understand them, while they got a cracking dig into Michael Fassbender, who suddenly summoned an exceptionally strong Kerry accent out of nowhere.
Skinner didn't get a word in. The lads discussed life in Skib, the nuances (or lack thereof) of rowing, took the piss out of Norton a bit before a conversation about the proliferation of their phrase 'Pull Like A Dog', ending in a wanking joke:
Gary: Some guy came up to Paul inside in a nightclub in Skibereen-
Paul: Oh yeah, that's right, a tattoo. A proper ink tattoo, like. Full forearm, like. Saying Pull Like A Dog. That's nuts.
Gary: Probably wanking away, there.
Watch it below, it's just so bloody enjoyable.
O'Donovans on Graham Norton
Outstanding. The O'Donovans on Graham Norton, what a world! The brothers apparently left their medals after them, as Graham Norton told his audience:
They made it all the way from Rio, but they didn't make it off this set! It's great that they are so normal.
The show will be on BBC One on New Year's Eve at 10.25pm. It might just tempt you not to go on the piss. Here's hoping the Beeb don't cock it up like they did Match of the Day last night.
