The Graham Norton Effect

[c-lando]

I thought the first show felt a little flat, but I still look forward to seeing what turns this show takes now that it's on our side of the pond.

Did anyone else watch this on Comedy Central last night?

[sueque222]

I only saw a few minutes w/ sandra bernard, so I didn't get a good feel for it yet. although I had thought it looked promising for a while now, I've been less than excited about this show's debut ever since I watched how pitiful and unfunny graham was as jon stewart's guest last thursday

[onest2.0]

Grahm doesn't seem very funny as a person, but his pranks are pretty hilarious.

[emily655321]

Two episodes down, and I'm pretty disappointed. I've loved Graham Norton for...god, years. We got digital cable in January, so my mother and I were over the moon to be able to watch "So Graham Norton" again on BBCAmerica (we lived in the UK for a year and caught the very first epi. the night before we had to get on the plane home -- "No desk and couch like other talk shows. Just two chairs and a poof." ).

I had my fingers crossed for the Comedy Central version, especially since it hasn't been on BBCA for a while. But my fears seem to have been justified: they've really dumbed it down for American audiences. And I think the main problem is that he's working with an American audience; there's a different dynamic. British people seem more proper and shy, yet more willing to humiliate themselves. The average American'll sue your ass silly if you make them look bad -- so all you've got left over are the Jerry Springeresque freaks who'll do anything for a camera, and that's just no fun.

[redbobsled]

I, too love Graham Norton. I think we watched him almost every night for 2 weeks when we were in England last year. And I do agree that the Comedy Central version seems a bit dumbed down (and a little censored compared to the Brit version), but it still entertains me and I'm glad he got a TV deal here.

[postfeminist]

graham is filthy, i love him so. i'm also disappointed w/ the comedy central version.

[emily655321]

This week's wasn't actually so bad. I'm a crazy crazy crazy Alan Cumming fan. And Paul Rudd is cute too (how is it possible that he made it through that show without being groped?) I think as long as Sandra Bernhardt is forever banned from the airwaves it holds promise for the future. They just need the right guests. *ahemalancummingaspermanentcohostahem*

[eyeball]

I didn't watch. I just had a feeling it wasn't going to be as wonderful as SO! was. I watched that all the time on my digital cable. *sigh*

[DudeMan]

I don't like this American version nearly as well as the British version. Something about his humor doesn't translate as well to the studio audience, and it's definitely flat and forced as opposed to spontaneous and wickedly funny like his show on BBC-america. Plus, can he not get some better guests? Sandra Bernhard stopped being a funny guest around the time Letterman moved from NBC to CBS.

[beezlebob]

I don't like this guy. He tries way too hard. He reminds me of an over-talkative aquaintence that always wants to be your best friend.

[sueque222]

Originally posted by emily655321
This week's wasn't actually so bad. I'm a crazy crazy crazy Alan Cumming fan. And Paul Rudd is cute too (how is it possible that he made it through that show without being groped?) I think as long as Sandra Bernhardt is forever banned from the airwaves it holds promise for the future. They just need the right guests. *ahemalancummingaspermanentcohostahem*

I thought it was hilarious, actually. the jury is still out on graham himself, but alan cumming was such a funny guest - and paul rudd such an adorable one - that this episode turned out really well. and the audience participation? let's just say it don't get any funnier than that "x-treme sh*t men" skit!

we shall see how this next one turns out: guests are macaulay culkin and someone else I can't remember...

[aqualou]

My English wife LUVS Graham but not the American version. The Brits keep a bunch of dirty stuff in that we can't get away with, or so I'm told.

[emily655321]

RuPaul and MacCauley Culkin were on tonight. (For being a messed up child superstar, he certainly has his head screwed on tight.)

Graham tells the dude in drag to "go talk to the driver! Talk to the driver!" when he's soliciting, and just as he's walking past the car out steps Jesus. That was too perfect.

"Aw, Jesus...No wonder everybody loves you!" -- Graham

Are You Compatible With Jesus?

[emily655321]

Goddamnit, Jesus is my dreamboat and he's five years too old.

One thing I noticed, though: He lives in Northern Virginia. When Graham called him he said he was in New York. Clearly a set-up.

Way to self-promote, Jesus. You get a gold star.