The One Celebrity Guest Graham Norton Hated the Most

Over the years, Norton has become a master at handling everything from Hollywood divas to awkward Oscar-winners. But even a pro has their limits.

While he rarely calls out bad guests by name, Norton has, on occasion, let slip which celebrities made his job a living hell. And among the hundreds who've sat on his famous couch, there's one in particular he flat-out admits he hated interviewing.

Graham Norton's Hosting Style — And Why Some Celebs Fail It

What makes The Graham Norton Show work is its unscripted energy. Unlike American talk shows, Norton piles multiple guests together, encourages overlap, and creates the sort of conversations that feel like a rowdy pub hangout.

But that formula only works if the guests play along. As Norton once said:

"Some people just aren't made for this format. They don't get it, and that's fine. But it makes for a very long show."

When the chemistry is off, or when a guest is too guarded, drunk, or just plain dull, even a host like Norton struggles.

The Celebrity Who Made It Excruciating

When asked directly who his worst guest was, Norton didn't hesitate: Daryl Hannah. The star of Splash, Blade Runner, and Kill Bill managed to derail the whole experience — not by being rude or drunk, but by offering absolutely nothing.

Norton recalled:

"She just sat there saying nothing. It was like she had been dragged there against her will."

Most bad interviews can be salvaged with humor or a clever redirection. But Hannah's refusal to engage, her one-word answers, and the long silences left Norton stuck with dead air. It wasn't tense or explosive — just painfully awkward.

Unlike Robert De Niro, who's famously reserved but at least present, Hannah gave the impression she'd rather be anywhere else. As Norton described it, the whole segment felt like "a lost cause."

Other Guests Who Were Nearly as Bad

Hannah might've topped the list, but she had stiff competition:

• Mark Wahlberg showed up visibly drunk in 2013, interrupted everyone, climbed onto Norton's lap, and slurred his way through the segment. Norton later admitted: "He was just out of it. I mean, really out of it."
• Mickey Rourke barely said a word, gave clipped responses, and looked like he regretted showing up the minute he sat down.
• Robert De Niro was famously difficult, offering little more than nods and mumbled phrases. Norton even joked during the taping, "This is hard work, Robert."
• And then there was Harvey Weinstein, whose 2011 appearance was uncomfortable even before his crimes came to light. Norton described him as arrogant and controlling, steering the conversation toward himself and ignoring the show's playful tone. After Weinstein's downfall, Norton remarked: "I had no idea at the time, but looking back you do think — oh, that makes sense."

The Guests Who Get It Right

For all the disasters, Norton has his favorites too. Tom Cruise, Lady Gaga, and Julia Roberts are regularly praised for getting the show's energy. Norton said of Cruise:

"He just gets it. He comes to play and that's why people love him."

Lady Gaga's first appearance, dressed outrageously as expected, was also memorable because she didn't just plug her music — she told self-deprecating stories and laughed along with everyone else.