Keith Barry and Donncha O'Callaghan Join The 2 Johnnies Tonight

The 2 Johnnies Return to RTÉ2 With Season 4 of Late Night Lock In

The 2 Johnnies are back on the airwaves with a brand-new run of entertainment. Mentalist and entertainer Keith Barry and rugby legend and broadcaster Donncha O’Callaghan join Johnny B and Johnny Smacks for The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Former 2fm and Dancing With The Stars presenter Jennifer Zamparelli and comedian Jarlath Regan are among the guests for the first show of the new season of The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In.

The series brings a fresh slate of celebrity guests, live music, and pub-style chaos straight to Thursday night television. The new run also sees the return of The Parish Quiz.

Guests revealed for 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In — Photo: europesays.com

Describing the ethos behind the television project, Johnny Smacks explained, When we started the show, the idea was basically to bring the craic of a great Irish night out onto the telly – a bit of music, brilliant guests, plenty of messing and absolutely no guarantee that Johnny B will stick to the running order. He added, This season we’ve gone bigger again. We’ve got some unreal guests coming through the doors, great live music, and a few surprises that I’m fairly sure RTÉ haven’t fully thought through yet.

Johnny B echoed that sentiment, noting the deliberately casual atmosphere of the production. The best thing about The Late Night Lock In is that it doesn’t feel like a normal TV show, he said. It feels like you’ve landed into a pub on a Thursday night, found yourself sitting beside someone you never expected to meet, the band starts playing and suddenly you’re staying for one more.

Guest Lineups and Entertainment Highlights

The episodes feature a diverse mix of performers, athletes, and media personalities. Keith Barry discussed hypnotizing his sisters during childhood and an encounter with Bryan Adams, who was desperate to uncover his secrets, before performing a trick on Johnny Smacks that left both Johnnies gobsmacked. Donncha O’Callaghan reflected on his early days playing for Munster, his experiences during the first Ireland versus England rugby match at Croke Park, and his self-described status as a ‘Disaster Dad’.

Additional contributions come from comedian Andrew Ryan, who shared observations on traffic light colors and an encounter with a policeman in Belfast, while musical performances are provided by Cailíní Lua covering “This is the Life.” Other guests include comedian Paddy McDonnell, Galway trad act Clada, footballer Jason McAteer—who recalled purchasing a £120,000 Ferrari upon signing with Liverpool before returning it after a spinout—alongside Love Island participants Fitzy and Lola, and comedian Bernard Casey.

The Parish Quiz continues to form a core segment of the weekly broadcast, pairing contestants from various towns across Ireland against each other. The program airs on Thursday nights on RTÉ2 and is available for streaming via the RTÉ Player.