Norton fears he’ll be hosting the last TV chat show on Earth

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Graham Norton has voiced concerns that he may be the final traditional television chat show host, citing challenges in launching new programs and evolving audience tastes. He highlighted the rise of digital platforms altering celebrity engagement and suggested that artificial intelligence might be used to sustain the format as it faces decline.

Graham Norton, the longtime host of BBC One’s The Graham Norton Show, has expressed concerns that he may be the last traditional television chat show presenter. Speaking at a Royal Television Society event, Norton reflected on the challenges facing the format, noting the difficulties of establishing a new show in today’s evolving media landscape.

Norton had initially hoped that Claudia Winkleman might succeed him, particularly after his production company, So Television, created a show for her earlier this year. However, Winkleman departed after just one series, citing that she did not enjoy the experience. Norton praised Winkleman’s abilities, calling her “the perfect person” for the role, but acknowledged that chat show hosting is not suited to everyone.

“It takes so long to establish a new show,” Norton said, highlighting the two decades it took him to build relationships with publicists and Hollywood studios. This groundwork, he explained, made his program the go-to platform for celebrity guests. He pointed to the recent use of artificial intelligence to resurrect Michael Parkinson, suggesting that technological solutions might be attempted as the format faces decline.

Norton also acknowledged the increasing competition from digital platforms such as YouTube, which have changed the way audiences consume celebrity content. He contrasted his show’s more traditional approach of inviting guests to share personal stories with the trend of online videos featuring celebrities engaging in informal or challenge-based content, like tasting snacks or eating spicy wings.

He expressed uncertainty about how much longer The Graham Norton Show, on air since 2007, can continue amid these changes. “In an ideal world, you go, ‘We’ll keep going,’” Norton said. “But I do feel we might end up being the last chat show on Planet Earth, the way things are going.”

The remarks underscore the shifting dynamics of television entertainment, where long-established formats confront growing competition from online content and changing viewer preferences.

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