The Graham Norton Show

Radio Times review

Considering he's possibly the world's most charming man, Stephen Fry is never too far away from controversy. The publication of the third volume of his memoirs, More Fool Me, was accompanied by a racket as some readers and commentators demanded he be retrospectively prosecuted for his acknowledged cocaine use in the 1980s.

But Fry was determined to tell what he's described as the "ugly truth" about his drug-taking past that even saw him snorting cocaine during a reception at Buckingham Palace. "I was an imbecile, an idiot, I got caught up in a ridiculous dependency," he told Huw Edwards recently.

Another man who's had his own monumental battles with addiction, Robert Downey Jr, joins Fry and Oscar-winning Robert Duvall on the Norton sofa.

Graham Norton: Drinking has got me into trouble

Graham Norton has told of his love of drinking and the scrapes it has got him into - from waking up in a stranger's bed to breaking his ribs before a West End show.

Radio Times review

He's not actually made a romcom since 2009, but it's still impossible to imagine Hugh Grant starring in any other kind of film. Tonight he talks to Graham Norton about The Rewrite, in which he plays an anti-heroic cad akin to his roles in About a Boy and Bridget Jones's Diary.

Joining him on the sofa is Emma Thompson, who was persuaded to write a sequel to Beatrix Potter's story about Peter Rabbit when the publishers cleverly sent her a package containing a half-eaten radish and a letter from Peter himself. She couldn't refuse, she said, because "it was such a witty invitation".

If anyone doubts Graham Norton's position as chatshow king, a look at tonight's opening line-up should set them straight. While Alan Carr has the solid if unspectacular likes of Lionel Richie, Jessie J and Nick Grimshaw over on Channel 4 (10pm), Norton's sofa dwellers - Denzel Washington, Gemma Arteton and new Doctor Who Peter Capaldi - offer real big-name clout. Music, meanwhile, is provided by the endlessly emoting George Ezra, whose croaky folk has proved inescapable this summer.

Radio Times review

An evening on the Graham Norton sofa in the first of a new series might be just what Doctor Who Peter Capaldi needs, what with all the hoo-ha of recent months, and that huge world tour. Everyone's entitled to a little rest, surely?

Now we'll find out what Capaldi thinks of the reaction to his creation. And can Norton succeed where others have failed and prod him for clues as to the future of companion Clara? Doubtless listening closely will be Denzel Washington, star of a new film based on the fondly remembered 1980s series The Equalizer, and Gemma Arterton, star of the Made in Dagenham West End musical. The musical guest is George Ezra.

Graham Norton Show returns: 10 classic hilarious moment

Hoorah! The Graham Norton show is back to fill our Friday evenings with post-pub fun. We select a few of our favourite titbits from the show's last two series...

Graham Norton: 'Some guests don't get the humour'

He's been doing his BBC talk show for so long, it's hard to imagine Graham Norton gets excited about its return each September for another long run. But as the Irish sultan of chat prepares to settle back into his swivel chair for the start of next Friday's 16th series, he's thrilled to be back.

Graham Norton Show to be seen in Canada and Mexico

Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has bought the rights to Graham Norton's BBC One talk show.

Radio Times review

Either actress Emily Blunt is a smart, funny person or she's unbelievably good at chat shows. If you've seen her previous appearance on Norton's show - memorably jousting with Russell Brand - you'll know she's terrific value, and the fact that she had a baby this year can only, hopefully, add to her stock of funny stories.

It says something for the show's pulling power that Blunt is probably the least starry name on the sofa. Her co-star in sci-fi thriller Edge of Tomorrow Tom Cruise returns to the show - oh yes - while Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron drop by to promote their comedy western A Million Ways to Die in the West. Making up the numbers on music duties are a band called Coldplay.

Want to feel ancient? It's 50 years since Mary Poppins blew into Cherry Tree Lane in the classic Disney movie based on PL Travers' novel.

Its star Dame Julie Andrews will be Graham's very special guest on tonight's show.

And, if you doubt the film's enormous cultural significance for one second, let me point out that the spellcheck on my computer just recognised the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Actress Dame Julie also shares a Despicable Me connection with Graham's musical guest Pharrell Williams, who'll be performing his new single Marilyn Monroe.

For the benefit of younger viewers who've never found themselves humming Chim, Chim Cher-ee in an idle moment, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill will be on the show, too, to chat about their new movie.

The sequel to 21 Jump Street sees them going undercover as high school students once again.

Yes, it's called 22 Jump Street...