British Comedy Guide
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
  • 514 episodes (32 series)

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

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Series 9, Episode 12 - Ewan McGregor, Chris O'Dowd, Example

Graham's guests are Scottish superstar Ewan McGregor, who talks about his new film Beginners; IT Crowd star Chris O'Dowd who talks about his role in the new hit movie Bridesmaids; and Example, who performs the chart-topping Changed The Way You Kiss Me.

Preview clips

Further details

Talking about his new movie, Beginners, and his bonding experience with his co-star Christopher Plummer, Ewan McGregor says: "The producer sent me out with him and gave me $200 to buy him a scarf. We are in the back of car and he says (indicating Ewan's jeans), 'What are these? They are very tight.' I say 'they are called skinny jeans' - so, when we got to the shop he was hell bent on getting skinny jeans; in the end I put a $1000 worth on my credit card."

On Cosmo, the dog that shares his scenes, he says: "I was getting to the end of the movie and I realised I was going to miss him and every time I did an interview and talked about him I cried, so I had to get a dog!"

Describing sex scenes as "tricky" Ewan says: "I don't like them very much. They are awkward because it is a strange and bizarre thing to be doing. It's not a normal situation; I am 40 now, and the actresses get younger and younger. I don't like gratuitous, Hollywood type, sweaty sex scenes - they are embarrassing to watch and to do."

Talking about the gay sex scene he had with Christian Bale in Velvet Goldmine, he says: "That was fun. It was great! We were really going for it and then I realised the film crew had already packed up! I think they thought it was a sensitive thing and they should leave us to it."

Talking about the international success of his film, Bridesmaids, Chris O'Dowd says: "It's a fun film and I am really happy with it. I have seen it three or four times and have enjoyed it every time - it's and easy film to see a lot."

Asked whether his girlfriend is annoyed that women now think he is so lovely, he says: "I think she likes it. I think she likes the idea of anyone finding me attractive and in some way justifies her own decision!"

On being in Star Wars, Ewan says: "I was a big fan of the films and was really familiar with the first three because my uncle Dennis Lawson had been in them, but when they were casting the new ones it didn't feel like something I was doing at the time. I was making British independent films and I didn't think it was really me but as I got closer and closer to being cast in it I wanted to do it more and more so I rang people like Dennis, who said: 'If you want to have a career after 30 don't do it.' Luckily I didn't listen to him."

Denying he owns an official Jedi lightsaber, Ewan accepts one from Graham before demonstrating his expert saber-wielding and sound effect skills, and, with no persuasion at all, Graham and Chris join in a mock Jedi fight.

Example performs Changed The Way You Kiss Me live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat. Talking about his new single he says: "It's great to have a number one but so did Bob the Builder and Mr Blobby so it's not all about that, it's about longevity."

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 1st July 2011
Time
10:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
45 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Graham Norton Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Ewan McGregor Guest
Chris O'Dowd Guest
Example Guest
Writing team
Rob Colley Writer
Dan Gaster Writer
Production team
Steve Smith Director
Jon Magnusson Series Producer
Graham Stuart Executive Producer
Catherine Strauss Line Producer
Perry Widdowson Editor
Chris Webster Production Designer
Lindsey McLean Costume Designer
Mandy Furlonger Make-up Designer
Chris Rigby Lighting Designer
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) Composer
Kerry Hussain Graphics

Videos

Playing with light sabres

Graham, Ewan & Chris show off their skills and play with toy light sabres.

Featuring: Graham Norton, Ewan McGregor & Chris O'Dowd.

Funny Dog Photos

Graham and his guests look at some funny photos of animals.

Featuring: Graham Norton, Ewan McGregor & Chris O'Dowd.

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