There's only one thing better than the Late Late Toy Show - the Toy Show memes.
It's reliably one of the most-watched broadcasts of the year in Ireland, and this year's came with added significance, as Patrick Kielty took on the host's job for the very first time.
The County Down man took over from Ryan Tubridy, after almost a decade of Tubs helming the Toy Show.
This year's theme was revealed just ahead of the show airing on Friday night, with the 20-year anniversary of classic festive flick Elf giving all the influence needed for the biggest Christmas show of the year on these shores.
As always on Toy Show night, Irish Twitter was in flying form from minute one, as the nation sought a tonic for the recent pandemonium in the capital city.
And, in typical fashion, the Toy Show delivered.
READ HERE: The Most Memorable Sporting Cameos From The Late Late Toy Show
READ HERE: Ryan Tubridy Announces Return To Irish Airwaves Via UK Station
The best memes from Patrick Kielty's first Late Late Toy Show
Straight off the bat, there were laughs for Late Late Toy Show viewers at home, and memes were flying in on Twitter from the very first number.
An enthusiastic rendition of 'Santa Claus is Coming To Town' eventually saw Patrick Kielty revealed to the audience decked out in an outfit akin to Will Ferrell's in Elf, and one of his "elf" helpers ended up climbing to the top of the giant Christmas tree to act as the star.
However, when the elongated legs of the child's suit were still visible in the background as Kielty moved on to his first toy testers of the evening, the reactions on Irish social media were to be expected.
The long leg elf child can't hurt you
The long leg elf child can't hurt you
The long leg elf child can't hurt you #LateLateToyShow— Emma Langford (@ELangfordMusic) November 24, 2023
The Toy Show kicks off with a nightmare child whose legs won’t stop growing. Hope this body horror is a running theme #LateLateToyShow
— kevin (@KevBeirne) November 24, 2023
Some made reference to famous scenes from The Simpsons and the Spongebob Squarepants movie.
"Mr Kielty? I'd like to get down now" #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/51XRdV72t9
— Hugh Carr (@hughcarrhere) November 24, 2023
I hope that poor girl playing the angel isn’t up there for the night #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/dYWilOR3hI
— Enda Lynch (@austinstacksabu) November 24, 2023
The pair of Oisin and Naoise were among the first toy testers, as they showcased a toy oven by putting together a "pizza" and making a "cappuccino" with a coffee maker.
Their...eclectic choice of toppings on the pizza (lobster and marshmallow is not a combination we've experienced before) led to a littany of reactions, with many joking that the pair would be snapped up by major restaurants in Dublin or snapped up for a role on Disney+ series The Bear.
This looks cute but restaurant and hotels are still drastically under-staffed since the pandemic so this is actually Naoise's interview shift for a position in Milano's.#LateLateToyShow
— Richy Craven (@RichyCraven) November 24, 2023
just finished my marshmallow candy cane banana lobster pizza with my fisher-price oven and clay playset #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/ssivZIDwML
— ʀoss 🇵🇸 (@rosseireann) November 24, 2023
naoise and oisin throwing literally whatever on that pizza #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/QxTVPZeRCl
— barbara from HR (@lukethedumbass) November 24, 2023
Ireland watching 10 minutes of these kids making a fake pizza out of playdoh #LateLateToyShow
pic.twitter.com/YekSylqduh— Aaron S (@arneldo) November 24, 2023
As always, the energy of some of the children on the Late Late Toy Show was almost startling to viewers, as the kids enjoyed the best night of their lives under the spotlight in the RTÉ studio.
One of the toy testers, in particular, captivated audiences, as young Anna displayed some of the highest energy levels we've ever seen on the Toy Show. When she began enthusiastically whispering in Patrick Kielty's ear, one Twitter user had a brilliant sense of dark humour which shouldn't require too much explaining.
“Sir, they have hit the second tower” #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/5LKx0co0ED
— Ellie (@Ellie_hxyz) November 24, 2023
Patrick responding to Anna’s whispers #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/7ZgJfa6T23
— Eve Belle (@EveBelleSongs) November 24, 2023
Young sporting fanatic Stevie got one of the first Toy Show surprises of 2023, as he was met with Irish rugby stars Peter O'Mahony and Bundee Aki while kitted out in the national team's attire.
O'Mahony and Aki are sporting heroes, and Stevie was overjoyed to meet them. It was an incredibly wholesome moment but his choice of song to greet them with, 'Ireland's Call,' proved too much for some viewers to see past.
#LateLateToyShow Ireland's call https://t.co/EWUIffWZSl pic.twitter.com/EeQ8WldkWl
— Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) November 24, 2023
"Yeah Ton, they're singin fuckin Ireland's Call again"#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/TQ60cjRPnY
— Not the RTÉ News (@notthertenews) November 24, 2023
Ireland's Call? #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/zvP78lDB7c
— ash (@StevieNicksTD) November 24, 2023
To be fair to Stevie, he absolutely nailed his rendition, and plenty of Tweeters praised him for just that.
A leading contender for Toy Show icon of the year came shortly after Stevie's surprise, as Sheamie captivated audiences with his jokes to Patrick Kielty and his explanation of why he would be staying steadfast with his dreams for the future.
Our hero, Sheamie 🦸♀️ ❤️ #LateLateToyShow #RTE pic.twitter.com/wxLmUB2hCu
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 24, 2023
The seven-year-old became an instant cult hero. The Late Late Show's official Twitter account would refer to him as "7 going on 57," and Irish Twitter fell in love with a new icon of Toy Show history.
Sheamie
Mullet
Big Shmoke
Secret Jobs
Day off school to make Lego
Instant legend #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/tUQC838yZ0— Niamhers (@niamhhassell) November 24, 2023
Sheamie coming out with the “It’s both our first toy show, Patrick.” #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/N1icAGjg08
— Conor (@iamconorburke) November 24, 2023
Picture of Sheamie aged 1.#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/L8rLbLhaUv
— Gerry McK (@GMcK2012) November 24, 2023
Click the link to donate #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/jAazwkJl9l
— Killian O'Sullivan (@ActuallyKillian) November 24, 2023
sheamie is going down in the late late toy show hall of fame. a TRUE icon. #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/bwvHBMT9BE
— amy (@amybutlowkey) November 24, 2023
Just about usurping Sheamie as the biggest hero of the Toy Show in 2023, however, was our new favourite Elvis Presley impersonator.
Appearing from time to time to hand Patrick Kielty pieces of paper with crucial information pertaining to the Toy Show - such as the prizes on offer for "everybody in the audience," our new Toy Show icon was the one-and-only 'Elfish Presley.'
Austin Butler punching a wall after now giving the THIRD most memorable Elvis performance of the year #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/fmcdc7CiIq
— Ian Mangan (@ManganIan) November 24, 2023
Elfis Presley at the start of the night vs the end #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/JgXyxNWwCT
— Dan Casey (@SuperDanCasey) November 24, 2023
You see, my wife, she has been most vocal on the subject of the Elfis Presley. "Where is Elfis Presley?" "When are you going to get Elfis Presley?" "Why aren't you getting Elfis Presley now?" And so on. So please, the Elfis Presley”
#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/Mc4gODTeBY— Ian Flynn (@ianflynn94) November 24, 2023
Elves Presley in the background for the whole night waiting for his turn #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/GDiPERksU5
— Ciara 🥹 (@ciarareddy) November 24, 2023
The Late Late Toy Show 2023. One to remember, and a bangin' debut for Patrick Kielty.
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