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Graham Norton and the pure joys of a humble British chat show

Over the last few years, The Graham Norton Show has proven again and again that it’s the finest chat show around and a bonafide British treasure. With a charming host who lets the guests interact instead of taking things over and the simple idea of bringing the celebs on together, giving them the ability to converse; it’s quietly and simply been one of the best shows on British TV for years.

Last Friday’s episode may have been THE very best episode there’s ever been. Graham can usually get fantastic guests, sometimes even big stars you so rarely see on UK TV and this time he got not just the stars of their last X-Men film Logan, Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, but surprisingly so, Ian McKellen.

What followed over 40 minutes was pure TV gold and I genuinely believe this episode should be up for an award because it so nimbly displays that all it takes to make something great is humble friendship and buckets of charm.

I think I must’ve strained something laughing I was enjoying it that much. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are legendary both on and off the screen and their friendship has been well documented. There’s also over a decade of history with Hugh Jackman who both loves and respects and is respected by them. It was a sofa of jovial joy like no other as three old friends laughed and joshed each other in a way that felt incredibly cathartic.

It wasn’t just funny but incredibly sweet as McKellen and Stewart embraced when seeing each other or when Jackman gushed over his love for them. All Graham could do was slightly nudge their conversation in a certain direction here and there and just give the reigns over to his guests.

It helps that the film they were promoting was receiving critical acclaim and despite it, they didn’t take it too seriously.. McKellen in particular remarks on the “tired old franchise” with a sly smirk.

Patrick Stewart tweeted that 10 minutes in he had forgotten he was on camera and I can see why. In these dark times, it’s so lovely to see a show that is so uncynical, so warm and inviting. This may be primarily down to the three guests but honestly, Norton is a big part in bringing it out in them.

Now I’m gonna go and watch it again.