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Graham Norton is known for his incredibly successful The Graham Norton Show on BBC. He had achieved fame as a broadcaster on Britain’s Channel 4. Also noted was his role as Father Noel Furlong in the critically acclaimed television series Father Ted. Though he only appeared in three episodes, Norton’s performance as Father Noel proved a massive hit with the viewers.
The Beginning:
Graham Norton’s rise as one of the UK’s most loved hosts was during the early successes of Channel 5. It really began when he won an award for his performance as a stand-in host of the late-night talk show. This was usually presented by Jack Docherty. It was followed by a comic quiz show called Bring Me The Head Of Light Entertainment which further enhanced Graham’s reputation.
After this early success, Graham Norton moved to Channel 4 and to host his own chat shows including So Graham Norton, V. Graham Norton and The Graham Norton Effect. As a performer who is not only openly gay, but also naturally camp and flamboyant, it was here that Graham’s act was fully honed as a cheeky, innuendo-laden joker who remained likeable, even to the less right-on among viewers.
His shows are devoted to interviews of celebrities and raunchy conversations ensue. He generally precedes the interviews by asking questions of his audience members, for example Everyone stand up. Now sit down if you’ve never had a sexual experience with an animal.
He often phoned authors of eccentric websites live on the show often when they are fans of his guest. However, the addresses of the sites are no longer given out, as some of the owners have received hate mail and abuse in the past.
In 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. His Channel 4 programmes have won a record number of comedy awards.
Coming to America:
In the summer of 2004, Graham moved across the Atlantic to start a new venture in American television. The Graham Norton Effect debuted June 24th, 2004 on Comedy Central. In the midst of controversy surrounding Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl performance, Graham was wary of moving into the market. Yet, The Graham Norton Effect has got away with the same naughty, suggestive jokes that made his UK shows so popular. He then signed a huge contract to defect to the BBC on his return to the UK.
It was in 2007 when The Graham Norton Show appeared on BBC2. The show was then moved to a prime time slot on BBC1. By the end of series 30 he had produced 507 episodes.
Graham’s guests are a Global “Who’s Who” of “A” list celebrities from the entertainment industry, The Arts and The World Stage. There’s never a shortage of guests waiting to be asked on his show.
Book:
Graham published his latest book in 2022 called Forever Home. It’s his fourth book and a dark comedy about an older unmarried couple, the females mother and the house they live in.
2024 saw Graham Norton host Last One Laughing Ireland. This is a popular show which has been airing internationally since 2015 when it was first aired in Japan under the name Documental. The middle video shows Graham introducing Aisling Bea as she plays her Joker.
