The Greatest Showman #1291 – Mountain Tsunami

Each episode of The Norton Show begins with a segment where Graham Norton combines current events and popular topics for humorous commentary. This part is a staple of late-night talk shows in both the UK and the US, but British humor tends to push the envelope even further.

Tonight's episode was no exception.

"I'm so excited to meet all of you again after such a long time!" Graham exclaimed, his enthusiasm barely contained. "It feels like a century, and I'm so ready for this!" He paused, letting the audience settle into the rhythm of his excitement.

One of the hottest recent topics in British politics had been Keith Vaz, a Member of Parliament who had recently been caught hiring a prostitute—while his wife was out of town. And to make things even more interesting, the prostitute was a man.

The audience burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Graham clasped his hands and pretended to swoon, mimicking the behavior of a star-struck teenager. "I'm really, really excited," he continued, rubbing his hands together in mock anticipation, earning more laughter from the crowd. His exaggerated movements and facial expressions had the audience in stitches.

From politics to entertainment, from sports to societal issues, Graham had an unerring ability to weave humor into any topic, keeping the audience laughing and on their toes. His commentary about the royal family was especially loaded with explosive humor.

Graham leaned in with a dramatic gasp. "So, Pippa Middleton—the sister of our beloved Kate Middleton—is in the news again. And not for the best reasons."

Since Kate married into the royal family, Pippa had constantly been in the media's spotlight, with some unflattering comparisons to her sister. Recently, her privacy had been invaded after some intimate photos were leaked. Graham dramatically made a "mouth zipped" gesture, signaling that he couldn't elaborate more, but his mischievous wink told the audience everything they needed to know. "But if you're curious," he said, "the photos are already all over the internet."

Just when the audience thought they had heard it all, a picture flashed on the big screen. It depicted Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry sitting side by side. Charles, holding a phone, was seen intently examining something on its screen, while his sons pointed at it in disbelief.

The studio erupted in uproarious laughter. The image not only captured a private moment between the royals, but it also hinted at the shocking content of the leaked photos, sending the crowd into a frenzy. "You never know what we might discover," Graham quipped, fueling the laughter that was now shaking the room.

After wrapping up the political commentary, Graham transitioned to the evening's guests. "Now, let's meet our stars," he announced, building excitement as he introduced the first guest of the night.

"First up, we have Robbie Williams," Graham began, "who will be performing his latest single. He just sang this at the Brit Awards, and it's going to be amazing!" The crowd cheered enthusiastically, already knowing they were in for a treat.

"But before Robbie," Graham added, "we have a very special guest. He grew up before our eyes as a child star and then broke free from his image to become an acclaimed actor on both stage and screen. Please welcome, Daniel Radcliffe!"

The crowd gave a warm round of applause as Daniel walked onto the stage, greeted by Graham with a hug. The audience had watched Daniel grow up, from his first appearance as Harry Potter to his successful career in the years since. His presence on the show was a sentimental moment for fans.

Next up was a British sensation—Ed Sheeran. The crowd's excitement reached new heights as they cheered for the 22-year-old singer-songwriter. Known for his reimagining of folk music and his breakout hits, Ed was a crowd favorite. He walked onto the stage shyly, his humble demeanor only adding to his charm.

And then came the moment the entire audience had been waiting for. Graham raised his hand dramatically, ready to introduce the final guest.

"This man needs no introduction," Graham said. "He is the youngest Oscar winner in history, an accomplished actor, and a multiple award-winner. His performance in Crazy Love still holds a special place in my heart. He has also won a Grammy and an Emmy, starred in Les Miserables, and is widely regarded as the sexiest man alive in 2012. He is the dream of millions, including myself."

The crowd's anticipation was palpable. The air was electric with excitement as Graham finally announced, "Please welcome Renly Hall!"

The moment Renly appeared behind the curtain, the studio erupted into deafening applause and cheers. The audience stood as one, screaming and whistling. The air was charged with energy, so powerful that even the cameras seemed to shake under the force of the crowd's enthusiasm.

Renly was dressed impeccably in a pale pink shirt and navy blue suit, his curly hair styled perfectly. He smiled humbly, acknowledging the cheering audience with a polite nod as he made his way to the stage. The light seemed to follow him, making every step he took feel like a spotlight moment.

The studio was in absolute chaos—screams, cries, and shouts echoed through the room, all directed at Renly. Graham, visibly overwhelmed, raised his hands in a gesture of mock reverence, which made Renly chuckle.

As Renly reached the stage, Graham joked, "It seems like this is your home ground now, not mine," to which Renly responded with a playful smirk.

Graham quickly recovered, introducing Renly to the audience. "Guys, this is Renly Hall!" The crowd roared in approval, and Renly took his seat, shaking hands with Daniel and Ed as he settled in.

But as soon as Renly sat down, Graham motioned for him to help calm the crowd. Renly raised his hand and gestured for the audience to quiet down. Though the cheering was still loud, it gradually began to subside. After a few moments, the studio finally returned to a semblance of order.

Graham, having regained his voice, shouted, "Oh my God, what a night!"

The chaos had been overwhelming, but the energy was undeniable. It was a night that would go down in The Norton Show's history—one of those moments when the audience and the guests collided in an unforgettable way.