Ryan Tubridy was able to see the funny side of a hilarious Toy Show joke on social media.
The Late Late Show star shared an article by Waterford Whispers with the headline "Tubridy Forced To Make Every ‘Toy Show’ Toy Himself Due To RTÉ Budget Cuts".
RTE host Ryan shared a screenshot of the story with his followers on Instagram with tears of laughter emojis and praised the "good work" of the popular satirical news site.
The article goes on: "The host is facing the unenviable task of making every single toy that features on this year’s show from scratch, such is the dire financial situation RTÉ finds itself in. In a race against the clock Tubridy is personally crafting cheap knock offs of this year’s most in demand toys with whatever old tat he can find lying around the RTÉ canteen.
"In another change from the iconic show format, the Late Late Toy Show audience will receive no lavish freebies. Instead, there will be a collection plate for everyone in the audience with those in attendance asked to donate and raise funds for the national broadcaster."
And the big day is moving ever closer as the country gears up for the national holiday tradition - although it will of course be slightly different this year.
The Toy Show will be broadcast live on RTE One on Friday November 27 at 9.35pm, and Tubridy has moved to reassure Irish kids that this year's show will go ahead despite the pandemic.
Last week RTE released the official trailer for the Late Late Toy Show 2020 which is as emotional as you might expect.
Speaking on this year's show Tubs said: "It has been a very strange year, and that's why this Christmas is so important. It's also why this year's Late Late Toy Show is possibly the most important of all time"
"We're going to be singing, we're going to be dancing, we're going to be playing with toys, and we're going to be having lots and lots and lots and lots of fun. We need you to gather together and join us, and let's make Christmas, Christmas!"
The emotional trailer tells the story of a young girl called Eva who, like everyone, is stuck at home.
Eva is missing her friends, friends she usually gets into her pjs with to watch the show. Her concerned brother Rob, goes above and beyond on the family farm to ensure Eva and her friends can be together to experience the magic of The Late Late Toy Show, just like every other year.
As Eva, Rob and her friends watch on from their cars, Ryan appears on the barn wall and tells them: "Never before have we needed a Christmas quite like this one, we are going to make this year's Late Late Toy Show the biggest, the best, the brightest. So, put your feet up, get the popcorn out, sit back and enjoy, the party starts here."
An RTE spokesperson said of the show: "2020 has been a year like no other, but the team at The Late Late Toy Show have been working tirelessly against the odds to ensure that this year's show will be delivered, and that Christmas can officially begin!
"Today marks just two weeks until Ireland's most anticipated television show of the year, and host Ryan Tubridy says that 2020 is one where we really need the joy that The Late Late Toy Show brings to the family, wherever in the world they might be."
