There was a big change on the couch.
Graham Norton is far from being just a TV chatshow host because even before he launched his iconic show, we all knew and loved the Corkman from his time on Father Ted.
Aside from his, Norton is also an established author and radio presenter, so he’s very much in demand. This week, Eurovision duty called as Norton had to temporarily leave his beloved chatshow and head off to Tel Aviv.
However, comedian Jack Whitehall was the man chosen to replace him and he was joined by Gwendoline Christie, Luke Evans, Peter Crouch and David Walliams on the couch.
Right from the beginning, Whitehall set the self-deprecating tone by noting just how weird it was to see someone else hosting Norton’s show but the interviews flowed extremely well.
Gwendoline Christie was happy to chat some about her strangest crushes, Peter Crouch gave a few great anecdotes about his time as a footballer – his famous answer when asked ‘what would you be if you weren’t a footballer? is always gold – Luke Evans had a few stories about meeting the cast of Friends, and there was familiar vibe of friends slagging off each other between Walliams and Whitehall.
However, the main laugh of the night came during the ‘Big Red Chair’ segment when Whitehall got an unexpected blast from the past.
All things considered, viewers were pretty impressed with the new host because it couldn’t have been easy.
Plenty of viewers were impressed by Whitehall’s spot as the guest host on the show.
As a massive Graham Norton fam who once electrocuted @jackwhitehall I have to concede he’s doing a grand job this evening.
— Kirstie Allsopp (@KirstieMAllsopp) May 17, 2019
Jack Whitehall was the perfect choice as a stand in for Graham Norton. He's actually smashed it 👏👏
— Adam Driver's Wife (@jodileighbee) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/b_robinson256/status/1129510438725738496
Jack Whitehall is smashing the Graham Norton show tonight. Seriously funny. Definitely should have his own late night talk show.
— Tom Munns (@TomMunns1) May 17, 2019
I have to say… I thought @jackwhitehall was excellent filling Graham Norton’s enormous shoes @TheGNShow tonight. That was a really enjoyable, relaxed show. I like and respect him a lot more now. #grahamnortonshow pic.twitter.com/K1WWixNVkd
— amyrobyn (@amyrobyn) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/dylan__davies/status/1129644750733225985
Can we please have a jack Whitehall show! Hysterics the whole program #GrahamNorton #bbc @jackwhitehall
— linsey mcilroy (@linseymc85) May 17, 2019
So refreshing to see #JackWhitehall on the #GrahamNorton show.
A totally brilliant stand in that should be permanent.— Duncan Reid 🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@DuncanReid3) May 17, 2019
Have to say @jackwhitehall did a great job on The Graham Norton show tonight. #TheGNShow
— Barry Wood (@barry_wood) May 17, 2019
However, as good as Whitehall was, some viewers felt that his guest spot highlighted just how good Graham Norton is.
https://twitter.com/justelsg/status/1129505625812144128
#GrahamNorton This makes you realise how GOOD Graham Norton is at chat shows. He makes it look effortless and gives it the energy needed. This is a lacklustre performance this evening.
— DavidJO'Brien (@DavidJOBrienDav) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/NeilWalmsley3/status/1129504170669744128
Clips via BBC
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