On Friday night, a nation held its breath as Tubbs did the unthinkable.
Eight words, twenty-two letters - easily said but impossible to take back.
Can I ask you how old you are?
At this stage, you'll probably have seen the bizarre
encounter from Good Friday's
Late Late Show, where Ryan Tubridy asks Derry Girls actor Jamie Lee O'Donnell her age. Some viewers shared her distaste, some couldn't see what the big deal was, others were just delighted to see Ryan squirm in his seat momentarily.
https://youtu.be/muAb1bJWUYg
Personally, when I saw it I was reminded of another man who experienced humiliation in a public place, almost 2,000 years ago at this very time of year. The aul Catholic education never leaves you, I guess.
And now, because I clearly have too much time on my hands, here are the Stations of the Cross - but it's Ryan Tubridy asking Jamie Lee O'Donnell her age.
1. Jesus falls for the first time (asks a woman her age on live telly)
Here, we see Ryan preface the ill-fated query with "this may be a rude question" - which is usually your first hint to simply not ask it at all.
2. He is made to bear his cross (is swiftly told to feck off, in a tactful, Prime Time tv-type way)
Jamie promptly answers "I'm a hundred and seventeen" and punctuates with a dramatic hair flick which, in fairness, could easily have been the end of the entire discussion.
3. He falls for the second time (asks her the question again)
We're begging you, Ryan, read the room.
After Jamie's polite but firm
*don't go there* answer
, Tubbs retorts with "Would you
consider telling me what age you are?" It's like Mrs Doyle not accepting "I won't have a cup, no" for three seasons of Father Ted, but with far graver consequences.
4. He falls for the third time (says "I would definitely have asked a male actor the same")
Cut to me commencing a deep dive into the
Late Late archives, searching for
any interview in which Ryan asks a male actor his age - only for the search to be cut short by the inefficiency of the RTÉ Player.
5. The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus (the studio audience cry with second-hand mortification)
This minute and three seconds must have felt like an eternity for anyone actually witnessing it in person.
6. He is nailed to the cross (insists it was actually a compliment)
No need to lend him a shovel, the grave is well and truly dug at this stage.
7. He dies on the cross (says "I can read a mood when I see it", after doing the literal polar opposite).
Alexa, play
Too Little Too Late by Jojo.
From now on, every year when I'm dragged to Mass on Good Friday, this will be the scene playing in my head.
Header image via RTÉ
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