Ep 14. The Big Red Chair Special

The Graham Norton Show season 20 episode 14, titled "The Big Red Chair Special," brings together a star-studded lineup of guests for a special episode featuring the popular segment "The Big Red Chair." The show opens with Norton introducing his guests and teasing the audience with what they can expect from the evening's entertainment.

Joining Norton on the couch for the evening are Hollywood stars Whoopi Goldberg and Keanu Reeves, who are both promoting their latest films. They are joined by British comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry and British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware. Norton wastes no time in getting the conversation started, asking his guests about their current projects and recent experiences.

As the show progresses, Norton introduces the audience to "The Big Red Chair," a segment where members of the audience get the chance to share their stories while sitting in a giant red chair. However, the catch is that if Norton gets bored of their story, he pulls a lever and the chair is flipped over and the storyteller is sent flying. The audience is clearly excited about the prospect of being chosen to participate, and Norton is ready to make the most of this opportunity to entertain his viewers.

The first participant sits nervously in the chair as Norton listens intently to her story. She tells the story of a disastrous first date with a guy who ended up being a real jerk. The audience is engaged and laughing along as the woman recounts her awkward encounter. Norton listens carefully to her tale, teasing out the humor and making the most of the story's comedic potential. The audience is cheering her on as Norton pulls the lever and sends her flying, but it's clear that everyone is having a great time.

The next participant is a young boy who has come with his father to see the show. He tells a story about a recent family vacation to the beach, which quickly devolves into chaos when his younger sister gets lost. The boy's story is full of humor and heart, and the audience is clearly charmed by him. Norton makes the most of the opportunity to engage with the young boy, making him feel comfortable and eliciting more laughs from the audience. When it comes time to pull the lever, Norton hesitates briefly before sending the boy flying, much to everyone's delight.

The rest of the segment follows a similar pattern, with Norton engaging with each storyteller and making them feel comfortable while also getting the most entertainment value out of their tales. The audience is clearly enjoying themselves, and Norton is in rare form as he bounces from one storyteller to another.

As the show winds down, Norton invites his guests to promote their current projects and talk about their upcoming plans. Whoopi and Keanu share some entertaining stories from the set of their latest film, while Sir Lenny and Jessie talk about their experiences in the entertainment industry. The conversation is engaging and entertaining, and the guests clearly have a good rapport with Norton.

In the end, The Graham Norton Show season 20 episode 14 is a highly entertaining episode, full of laughs and engaging stories. The Big Red Chair segment is a particular standout, showcasing Norton's talent for engaging with his audience and eliciting entertaining tales. Fans of the show are sure to enjoy this lively and entertaining episode.