Late Late Show bosses had to halt plans to broadcast a cover of a Garth Brooks song for a country music special after news broke of allegations of rape and sexual assault against the star.
The annual special is always pre-recorded on the Thursday before broadcast to accommodate performers who have live concerts around the country on Friday nights.
Last Thursday, stars gatheredin Donnybrook to record the show, which was to include one of Brooks’ most popular songs, Friends in Low Places.
Singer Michael English had even performed it in the dress rehearsal, but as reports began to emerge that Brooks had been accused in a US court of rape, sexual assault and battery, the performance in front of the live audience was dropped.
Brooks has strenuously denied the allegations.
Through an abundance of caution, a decision was made to make an editorial change
Speaking to the Sunday Independent this weekend, an RTÉ source said: “The bosses had a decision to make when the story broke online, so after weighing it up they decided to drop plans to perform the song.”
When contacted this weekend, an RTÉ spokesperson said: “The Late Late country music special was pre-recorded on Thursday. There was uncertainty about the specifics of an emerging news story prior to recording of the song. Through an abundance of caution, a decision was made to make an editorial change. No song was cut from the show. No Garth Brooks song was performed in front of a studio audience.”
Garth Brooks last year. Photo: Getty
In California, lawyers for the woman identified as “Jane Roe” have filed a lawsuit, saying she was working as a hairstylist and make-up artist for the Grammy- winning country singer when, she claims, he raped her.
The lawsuit also alleges that Brooks repeatedly groped her and made sexually explicit comments to her when she was employed between 2017 and 2020.
In response, Brooks has since claimed the woman’s lawsuit is “extortion and defamation”.
For the last two months I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies and tragic tales
His accuser alleges that in May 2019, Brooks asked her to travel on his private jet to a Grammy tribute in Los Angeles.
When they arrived at the hotel, Brooks had only booked one suite with one bedroom for them both to share, according to the legal action. She alleges that once inside, the singer appeared naked in the doorway of the bedroom before he raped her.
In a statement, Brooks said: “For the last two months I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a cheque for many millions of dollars.”
Litigation began three weeks ago with an anonymous lawsuit filed in Mississippi by someone described as “a celebrity… who resides in Tennessee”. This was Brooks. His pre-emptive legal action denied her allegations, saying“Jane Roe” made her claim after he refused her request for salaried employment.