The Graham Norton Show

The chat show has become much devalued in recent times, but Norton is doing his best to rehabilitate the form with his lively and watchable show (toned down from his earlier days). Tonight he has an impressively A-list line up: Johnny Depp talking about his new film The Rum Diary; Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan; Ricky Gervais chatting about Life's Too Short, his new dwarf-based comedy (yes, really); and comedian Ed Byrne. Snow Patrol provide the music.

Graham Norton interview

At a time when so many people are being forced to tighten their belts, Graham Norton is also happy to pull his in a notch or two.

Nobody adds more value to celebrity chat than Graham Norton. He creates a kind of cocktail-party feel, so his guests end up riffing off each other in unlikely ways. Anyone who saw his show where actor James McAvoy ended up in a three-way mind-reading contest with Liza Minnelli and Jack Dee will know what I mean.

McAvoy is back tonight: he tends to play sad roles (the wronged hero in Atonement, the young Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class), but can be quick-witted on a TV sofa. He'll need to be to compete with fellow guest John Bishop. Arctic Monkeys provide the music.

Graham Norton: 'I would take BBC pay cut'

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Graham Norton may be heaving a sigh of relief that Jonathan Ross's ITV chat show finished on Saturday, alleviating competition for guests. Tonight the Telegraph agony uncle's line-up features a strong British contingent: actress Joanna Lumley, whose Greek Odyssey is currently on ITV1, Scottish actor James McAvoy (Atonement), who voices the forthcoming animated movie Arthur Christmas; professional Scouser John Bishop, who brings the jokes; and music from Sheffield combo Arctic Monkeys.

Poor Kate Winslet, she always gets a right going-over for being a bit wiffly and weepy when she accepts awards. But give the girl a break, what's she supposed to do, say "Sod the lot of you, now where's the after-show party?"

Besides, doesn't everyone like seeing actors get a bit theatrically overwrought at these kinds of ceremonies? Anyway, Kate is a game girl so she probably won't mind if Graham Norton has some sport poking fun at her tonight when his fantastic chat show returns after its break.

Winslet will be on the couch talking about her new film Contagion, and she'll be sharing the spotlight with young Jamie Bell, who's come a long, long way from Billy Elliot to star as Tintin in Steven Spielberg's film of Herge's beloved boy adventurer. Rob Brydon also guests, while Noah and the Whale provide the music.

Oscar-winner Kate Winslet heads up the guest list, as anarchic comedian Graham Norton returns with a new series of his bawdy chat show. Fresh from rescuing Richard Branson's mum from a burning Caribbean island, Winslet is now saving the world from a killer virus in new film Contagion. She's joined by affable comedian Rob Brydon and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell, picked to voice Tintin in Steven Spielberg's new movie. Music comes from indie folk band Noah and the Whale.

Rob Brydon and Jamie Bell join Graham on the sofa. And Kate Winslet takes the star spot to talk about new film Contagion and presumably the gossip that she's said to be dating a man who changed his surname to Rocknroll. Graham always brings out the best in his celebs with gentle teasing and wine. And the big red ejector seat is back for game audience members to spin their best anecdotes before Graham launches them into the scenery.

Graham Norton: 'The new Downton is terrible!'

TV Times magazine asks Graham Norton about what currently excites, elates and annoys him on TV as he returns to BBC1 next Friday with The Graham Norton Show...

Now in direct competition with Alan Carr: Chatty Man over on Channel 4! It's battle of the catty chat shows! Who will win the ratings? Who will come up with the daftest games and most excruciating audience participation? Who willbe most baffling to visiting Hollywood stars? It's all good fun. This week's guests are Ewan McGregor, who's got a new film out called Beginners, Chris O'Dowd, who's got a new film out called Bridesmaids, and a rapper who goes by the name of Example.