Viewers Are In A Glass Case Of Emotion Watching Tonight's Late Late Toy Show

Tonight's (Dec 1) Late Late Toy Show has well and truly got underway, as adults and kids across the country settle in front of the TV for the night to watch one of the most anticipated shows of the year.

Ryan Tubridy opened with lots of fishy innuendos to coincide with this year's The Little Mermaid theme - but he looked far from a fish out of water (sorry), as the show opened with the presenter dancing around dressed as the lobster Sebastian. The set has been fittingly transformed into an underwater wonderland and as ever, Tubridy looks like he's having as much craic as the kids are.

The official countdown to Christmas has began people!

ITS FINALLY OFFICIALLY CHRISTMAS #LATELATETOYSHOW pic.twitter.com/txEMaLoc5N

— ❄️Shannon❄️ (@badrepmendes2x) December 1, 2017

It's that time of the year when Irish twitter gets absolutely LIT #latelatetoyshow

— Gill (@gillsher_) December 1, 2017

The audience are a sea of red and green and some viewers are delighted that others get to catch the show live.

The most hated group of people in Ireland tonight #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/pB5xJYyDJo

— Graham O Toole (@graham_otoole) December 1, 2017

Anyone else fly into a blind rage when they see someone in the audience not having the absolute time of their lives?

I COULD BE THERE IF YOU DIDN’T WANT TO GO YOU MISERABLE GOWL.#ToyShowTalent #latelatetoyshow #toyshow

— Rum Tum Tugger (@johndavidoc) December 1, 2017

Never was there a happier elf#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/Cv3ubchr7L

— jj tynan (@spreadzer) December 1, 2017

Viewers had a lot to say about this year's theme.

They've managed to make The Little Mermaid look like a young ginger June Rogers #latelatetoyshow

— Ste (@Steomc85) December 1, 2017

While some got into the whole Disney vibe, others weren't sure what to make of it.

Want to watch the Little Mermaid now!! #LateLateToyShow

— Hal90 (@halligansinead) December 1, 2017

Me trying to figure out what the sea has anything to do with Christmas #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/PnfUs2dJXF

— Sonia Redmond Zhao (@SoniaRedZhao) December 1, 2017

Omg The Little Mermaid #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/RAJAgiQDRo

— LucyFortune ☾ (@LucyFortuneLyne) December 1, 2017

Little Mermaid is one of my least favourite Disney movies. Where's all the appreciation for Hercules? #LateLateToyShow

— Paul McGrath (@paulpmcg) December 1, 2017

When you turn on the #LateLateToyShow and they're performing Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid... hello Christmas?!?? pic.twitter.com/CYS5je8fQO

— Emer O' Sullivan (@msemerosullivan) December 1, 2017

Elsewhere, Mia Farrell's story about living in a crowded house sent viewers on an emotional rollercoaster and many praised Tubridy for drawing the country's attention to it.

Props to Ryan for highlighting the housing crisis instead of sweeping it under the carpet! It’s real and it’s happening #LateLateToyShow

— denise? (@_deniseodonnell) December 1, 2017

I wasn’t expecting to be shedding a tear watching the #LatelateToyShow but she’s such a beautiful child and no child deserves to be homeless.

— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyKFM) December 1, 2017

Housing crisis highlighted on the #LateLateToyShow - if the housing minister needed a reason to get get the finger out, Mia just gave it to him.

— Adam Hewitt (@ahewitt2326) December 1, 2017

The heart wrenching reality of Ireland’s housing crisis in one child’s story. #Mia #LateLateToyShow

— Darren O'Keeffe (@Darren606) December 1, 2017

Naturally, everyone got all the feels when the presenter revealed the show are sending Mia and her family to Lego Land in Florida.

You go Ryan.... You fly that family #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/Uglc1Qe0pR

— Sarah Strange (@sarahstrangeirl) December 1, 2017

Watching Mia get a holiday on the Toy Show #LateLateToyshow pic.twitter.com/FMfSeVBJRV

— Sinéad (@SineadFarrelly_) December 1, 2017

Hope Mia has the best holiday ever #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/NqBdRMdd9Q

— Eoin Brosnan (@EoinBrosnan) December 1, 2017

I am crying at Mia getting a holiday on the #LateLateToyshow I love you Ryan pic.twitter.com/jNVW917w6a

— Lebrawyn James (@arianna_owens_) December 1, 2017

Mia ❤️ (I might be crying) #LateLateToyShow

— Mairead Ronan (@cocomairead) December 1, 2017

Oh my god, my heart. This is so lovely. Mia deserves this so much #LateLateToyShow

— rachel (@racheleustace) December 1, 2017

When Ryan sent Mia and family to Legoland... #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/2z1bB89OgC

— Andrew Lane (@Andrew_AL98) December 1, 2017

This is the moment that had the nation on the verge of tears.

"We have a surprise for you Mia" - Ryan surprises Mia Farrell from Bluebell in Dublin who lives in a crowded house and needs a break #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/3HXPcGRG5I

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 1, 2017

While viewers got emotional hearing little Mia's story, others were getting great craic out of watching tonight's show in general.

When the taxi driver tries to drag you out if the taxi after a wild night at Coppers #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/DnKKY48LRM