Jonathan Ross Breaks Silence on Chat Show Rivalry with Graham Norton
Television presenter Jonathan Ross has publicly addressed his long-standing chat show rivalry with BBC star Graham Norton, suggesting that Norton's programme attracts "bigger" international guests because he is more willing to compromise with Hollywood stars' demands. Ross, who hosts a Saturday night ITV chat show, made these comments in a recent interview with The Times, breaking his silence on the perceived competition between the two broadcasters.
Ross Questions Norton's Access to American A-Listers
Ross expressed confusion over why The Graham Norton Show consistently books high-profile American celebrities, while his own sofa is typically filled with British talent. "He gets American names – and I am not quite sure why that is," Ross stated. "I think they have a better relationship with the studios, and by 'better', I mean more conciliatory." This remark hints at a belief that Norton's production team makes more concessions to secure top-tier guests from overseas.
Despite this, Ross defended the calibre of guests on his own show, emphasising the thoughtful curation of his lineup. "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. He asserted that his show is not weaker due to the different guest profile, highlighting a focus on diversity rather than sheer star power.
Viewing Figures and Historical Context
Ross acknowledged that Norton's overnight viewing figures are "slightly better," but claimed that on catch-up services, the two shows perform similarly. "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," Ross added, challenging the notion of a significant ratings gap.
The rivalry traces back to Ross's earlier career at the BBC, where he hosted Friday Night with Jonathan Ross starting in 2001, a slot later occupied by Norton. After being dropped by the BBC in 2010 following a controversial prank call scandal with Russell Brand, Ross moved to ITV. The scandal involved inappropriate calls to actor Andrew Sachs, for which Ross apologised, stating it was a "stupid error of judgement." In the new interview, Ross declined to revisit the topic, saying he "wants to avoid the issue" to protect those affected.
Norton's Show Success and Future Developments
Meanwhile, The Graham Norton Show, which premiered on BBC Two in 2007 and moved to BBC One in 2009, has become a staple for A-list guests like Julia Roberts and Harrison Ford, even earning Norton an invite to Taylor Swift's wedding. Now in its 33rd series, the show averages 2.9 million viewers per episode and was recently renewed until at least 2028. At its peak, Ross's BBC show averaged 3.1 million weekly viewers before its end in 2010.
Looking ahead, the chat show landscape is set to change with Claudia Winkleman launching her own Friday night BBC show in March. Norton clarified on ITV's Lorraine that Winkleman's programme is a "stand alone show," following her successful stint as his substitute last year. This development adds another layer to the evolving dynamics of British television chat shows, as Ross and Norton continue to navigate their respective roles in the industry.
