The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines
The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

  • TV chat show
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 2007 - 2024
  • 494 episodes (31 series)

Comic chat show presented by Graham Norton. The biggest names in showbiz join the host on his sofa.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 1,231

Episode menu

Series 22, Episode 18 - Will.i.am, Imelda Staunton, Cuba Gooding Jr., George Ezra

Cuba Gooding Jr. says playing OJ Simpson has scarred him; Imelda Staunton reveals she took a picnic to the Oscars; Will.i.am believes time travel will happen; and George Ezra performs live in the studio.

Preview clips

Further details

Cuba Gooding Jr., talking about starring in Chicago in London's West End, says, "When I was performing on Broadway in 2013 and stepped back on the stage I realised the stage is home for me as an actor. This opportunity scares the hell out of me but, it's that fear that keeps the intensity going. When they said, 'You've done Broadway, come to the West End,' there were tears! I am very excited to be here."

The actor, who is still in rehearsals, gives an unaccompanied rendition of All I Care About is Love, delighting the audience.

Asked about playing the lead in The People v OJ Simpson, Cuba says, "It really got to me. It was about exploring the culture rather than whether he was guilty or innocent and that's why I accepted the role, but it was a dark emotional journey and I am still scarred by the darkness I had to create."

Revealing that fans have corrupted his famous line from Jerry McGuire to reflect his role as OJ Simpson, Cuba says, "They now shout, 'Show me the knife!'"

Imelda Staunton, talking about going to the Oscars for her Vera Drake nomination, says, "It was a long journey so I packed sandwiches and a bag full of snacks to have in the limo. How very English of me to worry about getting hungry!"

Asked if she was disappointed not to win, she jokes, 'I'm not bitter!" Adding, "I sort of knew I wouldn't win. Because it happened to me later in life I knew I had my career and it wouldn't change my life so I could absolutely enjoy the whole thing of it without thinking, 'This is going to make me.' We partied and it was gorgeous."

Talking about her new film Finding Your Feet, she says, "It's about having a life when you are middle aged. Usually the story is with the younger people, this time it is with us and it's rich, funny and heartbreaking - things that happen at any time of life."

Will.i.am, talking about his new futuristic novel - WaR; Wizards and Robots, and asked if he thinks time travel is possible, he says, "That will happen." And on whether there might be a film of the book he says, "Yep. It will be a virtual reality experience."

Asked if he can ever blend in with the crowd with a dressed-down day, he says, "I ride my bike and have a bike outfit. I wear a mask, my glasses, a helmet and a hoodie - I look like a ninja!"

Talking about losing weight recently, he says, "I used to layer up to hide everything and wear big brimmed hats - I have big brimmed hat for when I am a little plump to make me look smaller, but now I just eat rabbit food and have lost 20lbs."

George Ezra performs Paradise live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 2nd February 2018
Time
10:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
45 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 5th February 2018 11:15pm BBC1

Cast & crew

Cast
Graham Norton Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Cuba Gooding Jr Guest
William Adams (as Will.i.am) Guest
George Ezra Guest
Imelda Staunton Guest
Writing team
Rob Colley Writer
Christine Rose Writer
Production team
Steve Smith Director
Jon Magnusson Series Producer
Pete Snell Producer
Vicky Taylor Producer
Kate Radcliffe Producer
Graham Stuart Executive Producer
Perry Widdowson Editor
Chris Webster Production Designer
Mandy Furlonger Make-up Designer
Chris Rigby Lighting Designer
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) Composer

Videos

Will.i.am wasn't in Michael Jackson's video

Will.i.am's mother wouldn't let him be in Michael Jackson's music video.

Featuring: Graham Norton, Cuba Gooding Jr, Will.i.am & Imelda Staunton.

Press

Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am swaps the spinning chairs of The Voice UK for the king of chat's cramped red sofa. He's joined by stage and screen veteran Imelda Staunton, talking about her sprightly new romcom Finding Your Feet, and singer-songwriter George Ezra.

Ellen E. Jones, The Guardian, 2nd February 2018

Share this page