On this week’s show (24th October) Graham welcomes Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Rachel Zegler, Bryan Cranston and rapper Little Simz.
Kim and Sarah chat about their new TV legal drama All's Fair.
Talking about her first big acting role, Kim Kardashian says, “Working with a cast like this I wanted to make sure I was completely prepared. What I could control was absolutely knowing my lines, being on time and being super professional. These women are the greatest at what they do, and I just watched and learned every day. It was an honour, and I have just had the best time. Working with these women was like summer camp.”
Asked if she was able to run her many businesses while working on the series, she says, “I’ve learned you can. It was mentally challenging having to do it all, but I loved it.”
Talking about her acting ambitions, she says, “I have a few projects coming up – I film my first movie in January, and we are hoping for a season two of All’s Fair. I always want to be growing, curious and evolving, and I want to see wherever that takes me.”
Revealing that the results of her bar exams are due soon, she says, “I will be qualified in two weeks. I hope to practise law. Maybe in 10 years I think I’ll give up being Kim K and be a trial lawyer. That’s what I really want.”
And, on the success of the Kardashian family’s long running reality shows, she says, “We shot the pilot and had no idea what it would turn into, but 20 years on it is still going. The shows write themselves. Once, when we wondered what might happen next my stepdad turned into a woman and there were two more seasons right there!”
Asked if she had to coach Kim in any way during filming, Sarah says, “The truth of the matter is that she made me feel like a slacker. She’s running a business, she’s looking after four children, she’s studying for the law. She really is an impressive person.”
Was she aware of Kim before working with her? “Yes, of course because I’m from Planet Earth!” Teasing Kim, she adds, “I actually love The Kardashians. I like Kim, but I really love Khloe, she’s really special.”
Rachel, talking about her West End performance in Evita and the praise she received particularly from Andrew Lloyd Webber, says, “It freaks me out – I can’t take a compliment. I’ve been so fortunate to work with him – he is so supportive. It’s been an honour, and I hope I get to do it forever.”
I dreamt as a little girl that I would perform in Evita, but I thought it would be in community theatre and that would be enough. I never could have imagined it would be like this. It was amazing and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Asked if she will be taking the role to Broadway, she says, “It’s not up to me, I don’t know, but I would love to. I want to do it so badly. I am a New Yorker, and I want to bring this thing I love so much to my home.”
Bryan, talking about taking to the West End stage in All My Sons, says, “There are several big ideas behind this production, but I am not at liberty to reveal anything, but it will be surprising. It’s a beautiful play, a great cast, and we are having so much fun.”
Talking about his love of British audiences, he says, “I like them very much. This is a country that truly values art and theatre and supports it. In America it’s commercialised and audiences give standing ovations no matter how good the play. Here they do not stand, they give a polite clap to the level of the performance, which, as an actor, I really appreciate.”
And, on the return of Malcolm in the Middle after 25 years, he says, “We managed to get everyone back together and it’s interesting to see that the kids are now the age we were as the parents in the original series. We have had such a great time with it.”
Little Simz performs Lion live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
The Graham Norton Show BBC One and iPlayer, Friday 24th October, 10.40pm.
Next week (31st October) Graham’s guests include Keira Knightley, Malala Yousafzai, Aimee Lou Wood, Chris McCausland and Mumford & Sons with Hozier.
Picture: BBC/So Television/The Graham Norton Show/Christopher Baines
