The Graham Norton Show

Infobox Television
show_name = The Graham Norton Show


caption =
format = Chat Show
picture_format = 16:9]
runtime = 30 minutes
45 minutes (extended repeat)
creator =
starring = Graham Norton
channel = BBC Two
first_aired = 22 February 2007
last_aired = present
num_series = 4
num_episodes = 44 (as of 2 October 2008)
country = UK
producer = SO Television
location = The London Studios
preceded_by =
imdb_id =

"The Graham Norton Show" is a comedy chat show that has aired on BBC Two since 2007. Presented by Irish comedian Graham Norton, 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.

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. [ [http://lisadevaney.vox.com/library/post/close-encounters-of-the-graham-norton-kind.html Lisa Devaney's Blog] , Close Encounters of the Graham Norton Kind, 22 Feb 2007]

eries

The first series began at 10pm on 22 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 culminated with a Boxing Day special and New Year's compilation from previous episodes. [ [http://www.sotelevision.co.uk/news/details.html?id=48 So Television] , news & press, Norton Back in the Autumn, 29 June 2007]

The show made its North American première on BBC America on 2 June 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. [ [http://tv.yahoo.com/the-graham-norton-show/show/41809/season/65604 The Graham Norton Show Television show - The Graham Norton Show TV Show - Yahoo! TV ] ]

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.

Series 3 began its run on TV3 Ireland on 4 July 2008 at 9:00pm. Series 4 began its run on Thursday 3rd October 2008 at 10.00pm on BBC Two (however both BBC2 Wales and BBC2 NI broadcast the show at a later time due to their regional programming). The Sunday uncut editions have been kept, with the first uncut edition to be broadcast on BBC2 late on Sunday night.

Episodes

eries 1

eries 4

Series 4 will begin on 2 October 2008 [ [http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=105&programmeId=85337635&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp] ]

References

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=grahamnortonshow|title="The Graham Norton Show"
* [http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/231/index.jsp "The Graham Norton Show"] at BBC America