Jonathan Ross Breaks Silence on Chat Show Rivalry with Graham Norton
Jonathan Ross has openly discussed his long-standing chat show rivalry with BBC star Graham Norton, suggesting that Norton secures "bigger" celebrity guests due to a more conciliatory approach with Hollywood studios. The presenter, who now hosts a Saturday night show on ITV, expressed confusion over why Norton consistently books A-list American stars while his own sofa is typically filled with British talent.
The Guest Booking Conundrum
"He gets American names – and I am not quite sure why that is," Ross told The Times when questioned about whether Norton attracts more famous guests. "I think they have a better relationship with the studios, and by 'better', I mean more conciliatory." Ross implied that Norton's team might be more willing to accommodate the demands of high-profile Hollywood stars, which could explain the disparity in guest calibre between the two shows.
Despite this, Ross was quick to defend the quality of his own programme. He emphasised that he doesn't believe his show "is any weaker" because of the perceived lower calibre of guests. "We put a lot of thought into the mix of people we get on. I try not to have all actors. I try not to have all comedians. I try to have a variety of ages and, obviously, sexes," he explained, highlighting a deliberate curation of diverse panels.
Viewing Figures and Historical Context
Ross also addressed the comparison of viewing figures between the two programmes. He acknowledged that Norton's overnight ratings are "slightly better," but claimed that "on catch-up, we are about the same." He provided a specific example, stating, "Last week, for example, our show beat the BBC until the news came on. So it's a healthy show. I don't think his figures are much better than mine."
The rivalry has deep roots. Ross used to host a series in Norton's slot, starting in 2001, but he moved to ITV after being dropped by the BBC in 2010. This followed the infamous 2008 Sachsgate scandal, where Ross and Russell Brand made prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs on Brand's BBC Radio 2 show. Ross has since said he "got kicked out" of the BBC, though it was initially reported he decided against a new contract. At its height, his BBC show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross averaged 3.1 million weekly viewers.
In contrast, The Graham Norton Show, which premiered on BBC Two in 2007, has grown significantly, now in its 33rd series and averaging 2.9 million viewers per episode. It was recently renewed for another three runs, securing Norton's presence on air until at least 2028. The show has become a favourite for globally recognised faces like Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, and even earned Norton an invite to Taylor Swift's wedding.
Looking to the Future
The chat show landscape is set to evolve further. In March, Claudia Winkleman, known for The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing, will launch her own Friday night show on the BBC. Norton clarified this development on ITV's Lorraine, explaining, "When I finish at the end of February, I used to come back and do kind of April, May series, so I stopped doing that a few years ago and this idea came up that Claudia could come and do it." He described Winkleman's show as "very stand alone" and predicted it would be "even more Claudia" with her own set and style.
Ross, reflecting on past controversies, indicated a desire to move on. He said he didn't want to discuss the Sachsgate incident as he "wants to avoid the issue" because "it has an impact on the lives of those who should never have been dragged into something like that in the first place." This marks a continued effort to focus on his current work and the ongoing competition in the chat show arena.
