The Graham Norton Show
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| The Graham Norton Show | |
|---|---|
| Format | Chat show |
| Starring | Graham Norton |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 32 as of 17 April 2008 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 min per regular episode, 45 minutes Sunday night repeats |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Two |
| Original run | February 22, 2007 – Present |
The Graham Norton Show is a comedy chat show presented by Irish comedian Graham Norton on BBC Two. The show's format is very similar to his previous Channel 4 programmes, V Graham Norton and So Graham Norton, both of which were also produced by SO Television.
Contents |
[edit] Programming
The show mirrors "So" and "V" with strong adult humour along with Graham's monologue at the beginning of the show and often a musical guest to play out over the credits. Although the rude objects in "Graham's drawer" have not survived, the phone calls and hidden camera surprises have. These surprises are sometimes based around the guests, such as Sarah Beeny's dating website, a TARDIS on the South Bank when David Tennant appeared and a wine-tasting group drinking Gerard Depardieu's wine whilst he was on the show. Some of the surprises, such as the wine-tasting, have been arranged through ideas submitted by viewers, stating where they will be when the show is recorded.
At the end of the show, after any band or artist performance, an extra 5 minute section of the show is recorded, known as the "Cooldown". This section is seen in an extended weekend repeat, called Graham Norton Uncut, and is also made available as a downloadable podcast. As well as showing the "Cooldown", it also includes previously unseen parts from the original episode. This section often involves the audience, such as guessing an audience member's partner and playing mass charades.
After Graham's short monologue, he always introduces two guests. If there is a third guest, they are usually introduced later in the show. If the two guests are connected in some way (for example, Dustin Hoffman and his wife), they are the only ones introduced at the start. If musical guests are involved in the show, one of several things can happen. Sometimes performers, such as Enrique Iglesias come on stage from the very beginning. Others, such as Gareth Gates come on stage about 5 to 7 minutes before their performance for a short interview. Also, some musical guests only perform during the end credits and participate in the Cooldown section of the programme. However, all bands perform during the credits and are interviewed in the Cooldown segment.
Some celebrities have been hesitant of being a guest because of the nature of the show. For instance Hilary Swank was originally supposed to appear on the first episode but then she decided to pull out.[1]
Even after a period of 10 years, Graham's dinner lady Betty Hoskins still appears on most episodes. She can be seen in the front row.
[edit] Series
The first series began at 10pm on 27 February 2007 on BBC Two and was originally slated to end on 24 May 2007 after 13 episodes. However, the series proved such a hit that it was extended for an additional six episodes.
A 12-week second series begun on 11 October 2007, and will culminate with a Boxing Day special and New Year's compilation from previous episodes.[2]
The show made its North American première on BBC America on June 2, 2007, one week after what was supposed to be the final episode of Series 1 (before its extension). The shows are not airing on the same schedule as on BBC Two, most likely to spotlight more recognisable celebrities to the North American audience.[3]
Series 2 premièred on BBC America on 20 October 2007. Unlike the previous series, each episode premièred in the United States only 9 days after the initial UK broadcast. However, the final three episodes were broadcast in reverse order (with Episode 12 being shown on BBC America a few days earlier than BBC Two).
Series 3 began its run on 17 April 2008. For series 3, the "Cooldown" segment has been dropped, and the uncut show is just the full uncut 45-minute version of the show.
The show was originally recorded in studio 2 at The London Studios, but moved to studio 1, due to the slot of The Paul O'Grady Show and the high audience numbers.
The show continues to be broadcast in a 30-minute version on Thursdays at 10:00pm with Graham Norton Uncut, the uncut version shown on Sundays at around 11:00pm in a 45-minute version. However BBC Two in Wales sometimes broadcast the Thursday edition later than the rest of the BBC Two regions, usually after Newsnight at 11:20pm because they would usually have local programmes in the 10:00pm slot. BBC Two Northern Ireland has also done the same, and they have during series three, broadcast Thursday's show on Friday nights at 10:00pm on BBC Two Northern Ireland because of local programming on Thursdays.
[edit] Episode Guide
[edit] Series 1
[edit] Series 2
- See also: BBC America schedule
| Date | Episode Number | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2007 | 1 | Courtney Love, Louis Walsh, Brian Capron, & Katie Melua |
| October 18, 2007 | 2 | Gabriel Byrne, Letitia Dean, & The Backstreet Boys |
| October 25, 2007 | 3 | Melanie C, Josh Hartnett, & Rufus Wainwright |
| November 1, 2007 | 4 | Jackie Collins, John Waters, & Westlife |
| November 8, 2007 | 5 | Frankie Boyle, Elle MacPherson, & KT Tunstall |
| November 15, 2007 | 6 | Jo Brand, Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine, & Alison Moyet |
| November 22, 2007 | 7 | John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach & Phil Nichol |
| November 29, 2007 | 8 | Alan Carr, Glenn Close, & Amy MacDonald |
| December 6, 2007 | 9 | Nigella Lawson, Marilyn Manson, & Rihanna |
| December 13, 2007 | 10 | Sharon Osbourne, David Boreanaz, Louis Walsh, & Stereophonics |
| December 20, 2007 | 11 | Miriam Margolyes, Ashley Jensen, & Mika |
| December 26, 2007 One hour Christmas special |
12 | Russell Brand, Lorraine Kelly, Christopher Biggins, Barbara Windsor, & The Feeling |
[edit] Series 3
| Broadcast Date | Episode Number | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| April 17, 2008 | 1 | Kevin Bacon, Tony Curtis & Robyn |
| April 24, 2008 | 2 | Martin Sheen, Ed Byrne & Will.I.Am feat. Cheryl Cole |
| May 1, 2008 | 3 | Robert Wagner, Stephanie Powers, Chesney Hawkes & Sandi Thom |
| May 8, 2008 | 4 | Jimmy Carr & Minnie Driver |
| May 15, 2008 | 5 | Cynthia Nixon, David Mitchell, Liz Smith & One Republic |
| May 22, 2008 | 6 | Jackie Chan, Dawn French & Duffy |
| May 29, 2008 | 7 | Dame Edna Everage, Ray Mears & Alanis Morissette |
| June 5, 2008 | 8 | Susan Sarandon, Jon Culshaw, Jodie Prenger & The Feeling |
| June 12, 2008 | 9 | Gordon Ramsay, Juliette Binoche, & Scouting for Girls |
| June 19, 2008 | 10 | Alicia Silverstone & The Freemasons |
| June 26, 2008 | 11 | |
| July 3, 2008 | 12 |
[edit] References
- ^ Lisa Devaney's Blog, Close Encounters of the Graham Norton Kind, 22 Feb 2007
- ^ So Television, news & press, Norton Back in the Autumn, 29 June 2007
- ^ The Graham Norton Show Television show - The Graham Norton Show TV Show - Yahoo! TV
