The Graham Norton Effect

[Hucklebubba]

Hmmmm. Smells like failure to me.

Any other thoughts? I'd especially like some feedback from our "across the pond" (As the young 'uns say.) forumgoers, as this Graham Norton fellow supposedly is/was already established in the UK.

[puggyd]

I saw the first episode and thought he was pretty great, but I don't know if it'll catch on. What I've learned from commentary tracks on the "Strangers with Candy" and "Upright Citizens Brigade" DVD, though, is that Comedy Central generally gives new shows three seasons to prove themselves and gain a following before they get cancelled. I don't know if they still do things that way, but apparently they were pretty lenient at one point.

At any rate, anything that takes up space on the Comedy Central schedule, thus preventing still more airings of "Chapelle's Show" and "Tough Crowd", is good in my book.

[neutral]

Graham does indeed have a strong base over here, he's probably the closest thing we have to a Jay Leno / David Letterman.

It sounds like he's using the same format that he used for V. Graham Norton and So Graham Norton. He always seemed too camp for US TV, but then w/ Queer Eye and Will & Grace (sadly) perhaps he'll do ok now.

I certainly enjoy his shows, always seemed head and shoulders above The Late Shows / Late Late Shows.

[mutantclare]

I've been watching Graham Norton on BBC America for a while now and love him to bits. I've seen only one of the new series on Comedy Central. A lot of times his show depends a lot on who his guests are. I kind of hope they try doing more bawdy racy stuff like they usually do on V or So Graham Norton. But we'll see. I hope they leave it on long enough for him to find his groove and really make it as funny as I know he can be. Love him. Love. Him.

[druidGirl]

I think So Graham Norton does well in ratings on BBCAmerica. Which is saying a lot considering the ratings on BBCAmerica. heh. If they can keep some of the raunchy stuff and he can "Americanize" his humor a bit, he'll have a good run on Comedy Central.

...not that I'd want his humor to be Americanized, it's just what's funny to the masses in England isn't to the masses in the US. And he does need to appeal to a broader audience than say, me and Clare, even though we love him and don't want him to change.