COMMENT: Watching 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In in a pub and the strangest thing happened
Did you tune in?
Betty walked into the pub and said: “What the hell is going on in here? Did ye all fall out with each other or what?”
The counter of the bar was full, and everyone was sitting there in a strange silence, an unnatural silence for a bar with so many in it.
The reality for the ten or so men and one woman at the bar was that just a few seconds before Betty walked in, the ads came on for The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In on RTÉ 2.
The whole pub had been watching the show and laughing hysterically - engaged in the show and not with each other.
When the ads came on, rightly or wrongly, no one had anything to say to each other because we had all been captivated by the comedy from the Tipperary lads and their guests...
As the break in the show landed, there was one: “They're gas lads,” and a muttered response of “Ya!” from someone, I couldn’t say who, maybe it was me, I don’t know.
Then Betty walked in and thought there had been a row or something.
The opposite in fact. We may as well all have been at home in our living rooms.
It seemed for a brief period last Thursday night we all went to the pub to watch a show on RTÉ 2.
Even writing that it sounds strange.
The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock returned for a second series last week.
Tipperary presenting duo Johnny B (Cahir) and Johnny Smacks (Roscrea) are back to host the series which features a lively and unpredictable mix of celebrity guests, live music, silly games, and stand-up comedy.
On the first episode of the series, which aired on Thursday, October 3 at 9.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, The 2 Johnnies were joined by Derry Girls star Jamie Lee O’Donnell.
Comedy stars Jason Byrne and Gearóid Farrelly also appeared on the show, while Ruaille Buaille brought the tunes.
Making a comeback this series are fan-favourites Dub or Culchie?, the infamous Doghouse and of course The Parish Quiz.
Speaking about the show, Johnny Smacks said: “We can’t wait to be back entertaining everyone on a Thursday night and getting viewers pumped up for the weekend.
“We’re excited to bring on some wild characters, along with some fantastic musicians, comics and guests. The show will be full of laughs, sure what else would you want?”
Johnny B added: “There’s no show like this on television that showcases the madness that goes on in the local on a Saturday night.
“That’s what makes it uniquely Irish, packed with personalities and unpredictable moments, it’s absolutely bonkers!”
There seems to be no end to the heights these two Tipperary lads can reach and with another strong Tipperary man like James Hayes guiding them, their meteoric rise will hopefully continue for many more years to come.
The lads have moved the comedy on from the glory days of D’Unbelievables.
They have tapped into something very country in Ireland, they understand the culchie and they know what the culchie wants and oh boy are they giving it to us.
When you see some of the negative reaction to the lads’ success and the way some national media have targeted them in the past, almost trying to get them cancelled, just for succeeding it seemed, I’m reminded of a quote from the film Moneyball:
“I know you are taking it in the teeth, but the first guy through the wall, he always gets bloody. Always. This is threatening not just a way of doing business, but in their minds, it’s threatening the game. Really what it’s threatening is their livelihood, their jobs. It’s threatening the way they do things…and every time that happens, whether it’s the Government, a way of doing business, whatever, the people who are holding the reins – they have their hands on the switch – they go batshit crazy.”
More power to ye lads, f*ck the begrudgers!
It isn’t many who could quieten a pub so all the patrons could watch a show on RTÉ 2.
The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In airs on Thursday nights at 9.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.