The Greatest Showman - #1294: Control the Game

In the face of Renly's self-deprecating humor, even Graham, typically quick-witted, struggled to find the right words to counter. He let out a weak chuckle, blinking at Renly, and began to smirk uncontrollably.

At that moment, Daniel stood up.

"Hey, mate, if you're going to say that, what about all the other actors who've never reached their peak?" Daniel's comment was met with cheers from the audience. He spread his hands, seemingly trying to communicate an air of innocence—as if to say, "I'm just in the same boat."

Renly turned to look at him, resting his hands on his knees, and raised an eyebrow. "Dude?" he asked, his tone light but carrying an unmistakable edge. His words, though few, conveyed a clear message: "You and I are not on the same level." It almost sounded as though Renly was saying he didn't call anyone "dude" unless they had earned it.

Daniel froze, caught off guard by the understated dismissal. The audience erupted in laughter, stunned by Renly's effortless deflection—his ability to change the course of the conversation so subtly was nothing short of impressive.

"So, do you really feel that way?" Graham interjected, giving Daniel a chance to recover and Renly an opportunity to further explain himself.

Renly raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I thought this was The Norton Show, not the Oprah Show." He smirked, clearly amused. "And honestly, we can save the chicken soup for another time."

"Why not? We can take a moment to get to know each other before things get heated," Graham teased, slipping in a not-so-subtle innuendo, "before and after, you know."

Renly chuckled, effortlessly deflecting, "I'm working hard, trying to be a better actor. These awards are both an honor and a reminder to stay focused. But it's not easy; maybe one day you'll find me in the Magpie's Nest."

The Magpie's Nest—a slang term for a mental institution—had the audience chuckling. Renly's unexpected self-deprecation took the conversation in a different direction, keeping the mood light even while hinting at the pressures he faced.

Graham nodded seriously. "Don't worry, Daniel Day-Lewis will be waiting for you there," he joked. "It might even become an actor's retirement home one day."

The crowd burst into more applause, thoroughly entertained by the sharp wit flying back and forth.

"Back to you, Renly. The biggest difference between you and the rest of the cast, aside from the obvious..." Graham's tone became more pointed as he gestured to the audience, who eagerly joined in, hinting at Renly's prestigious background—something the public knew all too well.

Renly recognized the jab and quickly retorted, "Are you a Scorpio?"

Graham paused. "No, I'm an Aries."

Renly nodded knowingly. "Ah, I'm a Scorpio."

The unexpected comment threw the conversation into chaos. Ed, sitting next to Graham, couldn't contain his laughter, slapping his thighs in amusement. The audience, equally confused and amused, was left wondering what Renly's zodiac sign had to do with anything.

Graham, seizing the opportunity, grinned, "Ed, care to share your thoughts?"

Ed, still chuckling, explained, "The zodiac signs. Aries is competitive, and Scorpio... well, they can be a bit vengeful."

"Who would win in a showdown?" Graham asked, eager to hear more.

Ed, without missing a beat, replied, "If it were me, I'd say... don't mess with a Scorpio."

The audience erupted, thoroughly enjoying the playful banter and Renly's effortless ability to turn the tables. Even Graham, typically in control, couldn't help but laugh, his earlier focus slipping away.

As the laughter subsided, Graham continued, trying to regain the rhythm of the show. "Renly, your musical talents have been impressive too. 'Les Misérables,' 'Don Quixote,' and even collaborating with Ed... And I heard you've worked with Justin Timberlake recently. That's quite a range!"

Renly frowned slightly, then pointedly asked, "Is this really the topic for today's show?"

He glanced over at Daniel and Ed, both of whom were already shaking their heads, signaling that they'd rather not talk about their own work yet. Renly smiled, recognizing their silent protest.

Seeing this, Graham couldn't suppress his amusement. "Alright, alright," he relented. "But tell us about working with Justin Timberlake."

Renly, in his usual laid-back manner, responded, "It was a great experience, but let's save the juicy details for later. Otherwise, the movie's going to flop, and I'll get blamed for it."

The audience laughed at Renly's directness. His refusal to engage in promotion in favor of humor was both refreshing and hilarious.

Graham, trying once more to keep things on track, asked, "So, no future Norton Show appearances?"

Renly shook his head. "No, I don't think so." His bluntness once again cracked up the audience, leaving Graham scrambling for words.

"Shouldn't you be friendlier?" Graham asked dramatically.

"The premise is that the master shows enough friendliness," Renly replied, firing back without hesitation. The playful back-and-forth continued, and the laughter only intensified.

Graham, never one to miss a chance, shifted the topic again. "Ed, you performed at the Olympic opening ceremony last year as a British representative. I hear Renly was also a contender. Would you have taken that stage?"

Renly, with a smirk, played along. "Why am I only hearing about this now?"

The laughter that followed was deafening.

As the show continued, it became clear that while Renly might be a guest, he was very much in control of the conversation—turning the tables, dodging questions, and keeping the audience on their toes. It was a masterclass in charisma, and everyone in the studio was enjoying the ride.