On behalf of all entertainment lovers in the United States, I would like to formally apologize to you,Graham Norton. We had our chance, and we missed it. We didn’t realize how brilliant you were when we had you, and we let you go — just like that. Having watched your viral clips from your hit chat show,The Graham Norton Show,it’s clear what we could have had if we had faith in youand your show here in the States. Graham, we did you dirty!
In 2004, after a slew of successful television series in the United Kingdom, Norton brought his presenting talents to America. Comedy Central debutedThe Graham Norton Effect. Part chat show, part game show — all inspired by his signature wit and presenting prowess, the dynamic host welcomed a pair of celebrity guests, ranging fromAlan CummingtoRuPaultoJennifer Tilly, to partake in silly games and hilarious banter. Lasting only one season, the 13 episodes were a ratings miss.Comedy Central desired a breakout show, and this was not it.And then, we let you go, to go back to the UK (and look what you’re doing now). Graham, I’m here to grovel on behalf of my fellow Americans.
The History of ‘The Graham Norton Effect’
An unofficial spin-off of two previous UK series,So Graham NortonandV Graham Norton,The Graham Norton Effectteetered between fun and games and boundary-pushing raunchiness. With its risqué humor,The Graham Norton Effectwas specifically catered to American audiences. An audience that didn’t appreciate the comedian’s signature wit. Using elements from previous series, including one that was filmed in New York City,the Irish host was in his element in a foreign environment.
In the age of streaming, one might not think about how detrimental timing can be when releasing a series, butThe Graham Norton Effectwas a summer order for Comedy Central. Already a mark against it. Add in side-show-inspired antics,The Graham Norton Effectwasn’t something American audiences were used to, or perhaps even ready for. With audience participation being part of the gimmick, it just didn’t resonate. Now, looking at how fans can’t get enough of audience participation insegments like the Big Red Chair, it’s shocking thatThe Graham Norton Effectdidn’t resonate. Perhaps those censors had something to do with it. Or maybe a predominantly straight audience didn’t want to watch games featuring audience members giving men’s butts a makeover or picking out if someone is gay simply by their dance moves. Did I mention the show was risqué? The demographic of Comedy Central viewers tuning into a relatively lesser-known comedian import was not who Graham Norton played for.
The Graham Norton Effectis almost a relic in a time machine, where that time machine is the internet. While you’re still able to capture some of the antics on YouTube in unofficial clips, perhaps the most illuminating relic of the show is the criticism about the series still lingering on the World Wide Web.Dana Stevenswrotea review of the show for Slateunder the title, “No Laughing Matter.” Perhaps the best line of her review is this: ‘ButThe Graham NortonEffectdoes more than toy with FCC regulations on naughty language; it violates federal standards of unfunniness." Or maybe this statement, which has been refuted today: “With his ADD-style leaps from one cheap gag to the next, Norton is a terrible interviewer.” Norton is revered for his impeccable interview style — it’s why A-list celebrities make sureThe Graham Norton Showis on their press tour when visiting the UK.
Watch Out, Graham Norton, Another UK Idol is Coming For Your Spot!
Graham Norton has some fierce compeition.
But there is one admission that spoke to whyThe Graham Norton Effectdidn’t work at that time. Stevens wrote that, “Maybe Norton’s shtick really is hilarious in Britain, and it’s our patently American combination of prurience and repression that makes the imported version of this show so deeply unpleasant.Maybe, like bangers and mash, it tastes kind of good when you’re over there. But as a fan ofAbsolutely Fabulous,Monty Python, andThe Office, I’m going to have a hard time being convinced that my stone-faced reaction toThe Graham Norton Effectis just because I don’t get “British humor.” What Norton gave us in 2004 is exactly what he gives us today. We just didn’t want it.
Why Graham Norton Blew Up
Partially due to what Comedy Central was presenting at the time, the hybrid series was an outlier. Audiences were focused on reruns ofSNL, stand-up specials,South Park, andThe Daily Show. Finding your footing as a new program that was different proved difficult.Colin Quinntried prior and found success with audiences, until the network didn’t want a political series. Then cameThe Graham Norton Effect, which audiences didn’t want either. So, Comedy Central triedStephen Colbertin the driver’s seat, and they found a companion show toThe Daily Show.Norton wasn’t ever going to bring a comedic political series to the States, but that’s what Comedy Central viewers seemed to gravitate toward.
Only three years later, after hosting a handful of competition shows, the BBC tried its hand at a new Norton-led chat show, and the rest is history.The Graham Norton Showis internationally beloved. But shades of that show were there all along. If you go back and watch those clips that still exist,The Graham Norton Show, as we know it, is very present inThe Graham Norton Effect.The theme song is the same. The stage received an upgrade, but the layout is the same. The ancient computer was eventually swapped out for a flatscreen TV. Multiple guests shared the glory on stage for a group interview. The main difference is that Graham Norton no longer sports frosted tips. Now it’s an elderly yet tender gray beard.
We had our chance at having our Graham Norton moment and we failed him.Now, all we are left with are viral clips after its UK airing and reruns years later on Netflix. We’re sorry for not believing in you, Graham! I know we can’t have you back. As someone who was quite fortunate to attend a taping ofThe Graham Norton Showwhen I visited London, it was the best live studio talk show experience I’ve been to — and I’ve been to many. We need to learn from Norton and how he changed the landscape of chat shows. I wouldn’t ask you to leave your post, but if you ever find yourself back in the States with a new television chat show, we’ll be there for you this time. Promise.
The Graham Norton Showis available to stream on Netflix.
The Graham Norton Show
