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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.
Episode menu
Series 28, Episode 24 - Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy, David Schwimmer, Nick Mohammed, Frank Skinner, Michelle Visage, Steps
Further details
Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy join Graham from LA and Australia respectively to chat about their new superhero comedy Thunder Force.
Asked about playing superheroes, Octavia says, "I loved the costumes, but I was terrified. I was worried because I run very hot, like 150 degrees hot! So, the idea of being in a super suit had me thinking they would be really uncomfortable. But I was amazed because the first time we were on set in ours we sort of naturally started talking with our hands on our hips in a superhero pose."
Melissa interjects, "I was like oh my god we are real superheroes because we keep taking this stance. It was amazing."
Talking about doing their own stunts, Octavia says, "Melissa does a lot. She likes being in a harness and it's wonderful to watch her. Me, not so much. I love my stunt woman!" Melissa adds, "I want to be 20 feet up and spun around like a propeller while Octavia, who literally didn't have her toes off the ground, was screaming, 'Oh, oh, oh, not for me! Not for me!'"
David Schwimmer joins Graham from New York to chat about the second series of spy sitcom Intelligence, in which he co-stars with Nick Mohammed.
Asked about the real government agencies the series portrays and asked if they really were worried about what Nick and David were doing, David jokes, "I'm sure the NSA has probably been tracking me for years!" Adding, "They didn't really reach out, I think it was the publicity person that wanted to check in. It was GCHQ really that was more interested, but they were actually quite chuffed at how they come off."
Nick continues, "They did get in contact with us when they heard we were doing a show about GCHQ, but when they realised we wanted to know more about their canteen, choir and bake sales and that we were making a silly sitcom and not a whistleblowing drama, they relaxed a bit and were incredibly supportive."
David, who has to leave the show promptly reveals, "I'm going to LA to shoot the Friends reunion. I will get to see everyone for the first time in years."
Asked if he will be Ross or David in the reunion, he says, "I'll be David. Nothing is scripted and we are not in character. We are all ourselves, although there is one section of it that I don't want to give away, but we all read something." Adding jokingly, "I should have genned up on old episodes, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to catch up on the 236 shows. I guess I need to watch a lot over the next five days!"
Michelle Visage, talking about the global success of Drag Race, says, "I think people need to know that they matter and that they belong. On the show everyone sees something they can relate to - and they see a place that is accepting, loving and forgiving. Everyone is welcome."
And on the differences between the US and the UK, she says, "It's important for the whole UK drag scene to be showcased for what it is, and it is not fair to compare. The aesthetic is different. There is a beauty and authenticity about drag in the UK with its rough edges. And that's what I love."
Talking more about her love of the show, she says, "Every single time I sit in down at that desk I am filled with excitement, anticipation, joy and admiration for those queens."
Asked how she met Steps and how performing with them came about, she jokes, "We hang out in the retired pop group Facebook group! Actually, Faye [Tozer] and I had the same dance partner - Giovanni - on Strictly so we became friends to moan together about our feet and everything else. She asked if I'd like to do a song with them. I said 'Sure' as you do, but it actually really happened!"
Revealing that as a struggling performer she worked in a strip club, she says, "I'd come out of a bad recording deal with zero dollars, so I went for an audition at strip club where girls were earning $3,000 a night. I went during lunch and the crowd was a bit seedy and I just couldn't do it - I didn't have the body or the confidence. But they were looking for a new host of the hot oil wrestling. I got the gig, and it was the best experience of my life - it was like putting on a stand-up show every night - it was amazing."
Frank Skinner, talking about his record breaking Three Lions single, says, "It's the 25th anniversary this summer so they are re-releasing for the European Championships. To be honest we keep re-releasing it - we've milked it!" Adding, "In the summer I received a package from the Guinness Book of Records with two framed certificates. I took the first one out and it was for being number one four times and the next one was for the biggest drop in the same week - we dropped from number one 96 places. That was the Jiffy Bag of showbusiness - the highs and the lows!"
Asked about resuming his Showbiz stand-up tour, he says, "We'd done three months touring and a run in the West End when my agent suggested another 20 dates and then lockdown happened. It will be 18 months since the last gig - it's the greatest interval of all time!"
Michelle performs Heartbreak In This City with Steps live in the studio.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on Frank, who volunteers to sit in the Big Red Chair on behalf of audience members telling their funniest stories from the comfort of their own home.
Notes
Sharon Stone was originally billed to appear in this episode.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Friday 2nd April 2021
- Time
- 10:30pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 45 minutes
Cast & crew
Graham Norton | Host / Presenter |
Frank Skinner | Guest |
Melissa McCarthy | Guest |
Octavia Spencer | Guest |
David Schwimmer | Guest |
Nick Mohammed | Guest |
Michelle Visage | Guest |
Ian Watkins (as Steps) | Guest |
Lee Latchford-Evans (as Steps) | Guest |
Claire Richards (as Steps) | Guest |
Faye Tozer (as Steps) | Guest |
Rob Colley | Writer |
Dan Gaster | Writer |
Toby Baker | Director |
Jon Magnusson | Series Producer |
Pete Snell | Producer |
Graham Stuart | Executive Producer |
Catherine Strauss | Line Producer |
Perry Widdowson | Editor |
Chris Webster | Production Designer |
Mandy Furlonger | Make-up Designer |
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) | Composer |
Kerry Hussain | Graphics |
Will Charles | Lighting Designer |
Videos
Octavia Spencer & Melissa McCarthy on stunts
Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy, Nick Mohammed and Frank Skinner all talk about doing their own stunts.
Featuring: Graham Norton, Frank Skinner, Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer & Nick Mohammed.
Frank Skinner's son does a pun prank
Frank Skinner reveals his son's brilliant pun prank.
Featuring: Graham Norton & Frank Skinner.
David Schwimmer talks about the Friends reunion
David Schwimmer is off to finally film the Friends reunion!
Featuring: Graham Norton & David Schwimmer.