On his latest show Graham welcomes Oscar-winning director Quentin Tarantino, Irish star Colin Farrell, British actor Gemma Chan, American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, and British rock band Suede.
Quentin, talking about his West End comedy The Popinjay Cavalier, and asked how it came about, says, “I’ve been wanting to write a play for a while, and I
came up with this idea. I began writing it as a screenplay, but once I figured out everything on the page it really worked as a play and I thought, ‘this could be the
one.’ I am very happy with the results.
“It stars Sacha Baron Cohen but I want to keep the story a little under wraps but it’s jumping off from the swashbuckling movie genre with a French farce quality to it. I think it will be thrilling.”
Asked what he thinks about the adjective ‘Tarantinoesque’ being included in the Oxford English Dictionary, he says, “I always wanted to make my mark as a writer, and I think that kind of officially counts as that.”
Admitting he may know what his 10 th and final film will be, he says, “I’ve written a script I could do that I really like, but I want to do the play and see who I am then.
I’ll then go back and spend time with my family and live a little and then see what I want to do.”
Colin, talking about featuring in the documentary The Slightest Touch about his friend and Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) campaigner Emma Fogarty, says, “She is the most inspiring human being I have ever met and about four years ago I said to her in passing that we should do a marathon together some day. She then
rang me and said let’s do it. I suggested the documentary to have some fun and raise some awareness of her condition.”
Asked about revealing some of his personal life in the documentary, he says, “I wasn’t a big fan of doing that but I did sign up for it because I understand the arithmetic of celebrity – I was kind of the Trojan horse to get Emma’s story out there but our director was so empathetic and loving, I ended up talking about my dad and my kids and I blubber for the majority of it!”
Gemma, talking about her drama thriller Josephine, says, “It was a long time in the making – I got the script in 2019 but then came Covid and the strikes. It is amazing and the audience response has been incredible.”
Asked about performing ballet in the film, she says, “When they asked me to do it, I said, “You’ve got ‘Magic Mike’ (her co-star Channing Tatum) in the movie, and you want me to dance? They make me look much better than I actually am.”
Ellen, talking about being on tonight’s show, says, “I’ve nothing really going on and I really miss being on tv. I miss a lot about it – laughing with the writers and the audience. I think about doing stuff here.” Adding jokingly, “I think it is pretty easy to get on tv here – you have a pottery show, you have a sewing show, and you even have a show about people watching tv shows!”
Reminiscing about coming out on her sitcom Ellen, and the reaction it had on both sides of the Atlantic, she says, “In the US they were not very thrilled about my character or me coming out so for it to be celebrated in London was such an honour. To be treated that way when everyone else was done with me was extraordinary.”
Suede performs Dancing with the Europeans live in the studio before Brett Anderson joins Graham for a chat.
Talking about the last time Suede was on the show 23 years ago, he jokes, “I’m not blaming you, but we split up straight after that.”
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 16th October 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
Next week (23rd October) Graham’s guests include Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham, Robert Irwin, and Jorja Smith.
