On this week’s show (21st November) Graham welcomes Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson and Ben Stiller, Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and singer-songwriter sombr.
Hugh and Kate chat about playing a Neil Diamond tribute act in their biographical drama Song Sung Blue.
Talking about the real-life couple they play (Mike and Claire Sardina), Hugh says, “I promise when you watch it part of you is going to say, ‘Hollywood, take it down a notch, it’s already a good story’, but everything is true. It’s an extraordinary story and they had an unbelievable ride.”
Asked what it was like impersonating a real person who in turn was impersonating a real person, he says, “It was confusing, but I had to sort of lose myself as a performer to become Mike and for Mike to become Neil. It was awesome.”
Praising his co-star, Hugh says, “Whatever expectations I had of Kate, she came in and blew straight past them. She is a force of nature and honestly it is one of the best performances you will ever see. She is extraordinary.”
Revealing her parents – Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell – cried when they saw the movie, Kate says, “They were a mess. Hugh and I were also a mess when we saw it for the first time, which is really rare. It is such an intense love story.”
And, on meeting Neil Diamond, she says, “I was brought up really near where he lives but I had never met him so I asked if I could visit. It was such a lovely emotional meeting. He loves Mike and Claire and he loves the movie. He was so grateful for it which I was not expecting.”
Hugh adds, “Neil rang me crying because he was so moved by the movie. I went to meet him and actually stayed the night. It was so great, when at dinner time, he suggested Karaoke. We sang, I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Sweet Caroline. It was wonderful.”
Asked about playing Wolverine again, he says, “Maybe. I’m never saying ‘never’ ever again. I did mean it until the day I changed my mind. I did mean it for quite a few years.” Jokingly adding, “I have done ten films now, so I think they have enough for an AI version of me!”
Ben, discussing his documentary about his comedy duo parents Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, says, “I didn’t really know what it would be when I started making it. We couldn’t do a memorial for my dad because of Covid, so I had to do something with all the footage he saved. He saved everything.
“Making the movie was a strange process and eventually it became about how my parents influenced me and how my children are influenced by me. The issues my kids have with me are the same ones I had with my parents. There is lots of generational stuff.”
Congratulated on the success of Severance, and asked about the third season, he says, “I am not directing any of the new episodes, but I am still producing and part of it. We are in the process of writing it now.”
And, talking about the upcoming Focker-in-Law movie, Ben says, “Most of the original cast are returning including Robert De Niro and Owen Wilson, and Ariana Grande has joined us. She is wonderful. We have just finished shooting and it will be out next year.”
Da’Vine, talking about her afterlife rom-com Eternity, says, “I basically play a social worker in purgatory. I help people decide where and with whom they want to spend eternity. There are lots of shenanigans.”
Asked about the fabulous hair dos she has in the film, she says, “I thought it would be cool if I had a different hairstyle in every scene. There was a lot of planning and hard work, but they look amazing and it was a lot of fun.”
Talking about the return of Only Murders in the Building for a sixth series, she says, “It is going to be made here in London. I don’t know how exactly, but I am very excited.”
Congratulated on her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Holdovers, and asked if winning was a showbiz dream, she says, “It was such an out of body experience. I was told not to write anything down and to speak from the heart. I did but because of that I blacked out most of it so don’t remember anything that happened. I do remember partying all night though!”
sombr performs his current single 12 to 12 live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat about his Grammy nomination and new album.
The Graham Norton Show BBC One and iPlayer Friday 21st November 10.40pm
Next week (28th November) Graham’s guests include Glenn Close, Alexander Skarsgård, Miriam Margolyes, and Jessie J.
Picture: BBC/So Television/The Graham Norton Show/Christopher Baines
