If You Love Graham Norton, Then You’ll Love This Star

If you think that The Graham Norton Show is the only chat show that has dominated late night television in the UK, you’d be wrong. While Graham Norton has a lot of hosting rivals, there’s one rival and friend who brings you just as much sass and charm with just a slightly different temperament. It’s brilliant comedian Alan Carr. Perhaps you’ve heard his name recently due to his inclusion in the UK’s celebrity edition of The Traitors, or you’re obsessed with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and know him from his work as one of the rotating hosts. But for the uninitiated, the man who also happens to be Adele‘s best friend had his own hit talk show, Alan Carr: Chatty Man.

While Graham Norton may give you a more polished presentation through his hosting duties, Alan Carr gives you excitable chaos. Both gay comedians ‘ visibility as prominent icons in the industry is crucial. While they couldn’t be more different, they are both incredibly excellent at their craft. Although they may not often intertwine on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, as they swap judging duties each episode, when they do share the screen, it’s an explosion of humor. While Chatty Man may not be on the air anymore, thankfully, clips still exist on YouTube. Now, let me help you become obsessed with Alan Carr so you can fall down the rabbit hole of Alan Carr videos.

Alan Carr Shined With ‘Chatty Man’

Emerging from the Manchester comedy scene, Alan Carr followed a similar path to many other British comedians, appearing as a guest and panelist on various programs before it was finally his time to shine on his own. As a co-host of The Friday Night Project, Alan Carr was able to begin to find his niche, so when the show was canceled, his name was on everybody’s lips to earn his own chat show. In 2009, on the back of The Graham Norton Show‘s success, Channel 4 brought the comedian in to host Alan Carr: Chatty Man.

Ultimately, running for 16 seasons, the lively talk show was as fun and vibrant as the man who sat in the hosting chair. Unlike the typical British chat show format, Chatty Man utilized one-on-one interviews rather than the panel-style format like on The Graham Norton Show and other similar shows.

Part of the gimmick Alan began each of his interviews with was offering his guests a beverage from within his magical globe. With cocktails flowing, and Alan Carr usually trying to keep up drink for drink, the chats always took a hilarious turn as the looseness allowed for brilliant banter. He has earned some prestigious awards, including a BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2013.

As he was pitted against Graham Norton and his rival series, Chatty Man sadly came to an end in 2016. But when one door closes, another many open. As an acclaimed stand-up comedian, Alan Carr maintained that presence, touring around the world and across the country.

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Alan Carr Continues To Sparkle

Like Graham Norton, Alan Carr was able to forge his own path as a presenter and host. He presented Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow for ITV. Since 2019, he’s served as the host of Interior Design Masters on BBC. But, from an international perspective, Alan Carr received much prominence when he was tapped by RuPaul as a rotating judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, coincidentally alongside Graham Norton.

The pairing was perfect as it gave voice to two of the UK’s biggest queer icons. Despite both being comedians, compared to the US iterations of a comedian with Ross Matthews and a style superstar with Carson Kressley, both Alan Carr and Graham Norton brought different perspectives to the show. Thanks to his legendary status, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK even parodied his former chat show in a challenge called “Catty Man.”

Alan Carr is simply hilarious. He’s witty and sharp, but what makes him so appealing is his self-deprecating nature. He knows what others mock him about, takes it, spins it, and allows himself to take the piss out of himself. His slightly neurotic and manic demeanor allows him to approach his jokes through an accessible perspective. Alan Carr can simply open his mouth and you’ll be cackling. It takes a special person to make you smile the way that Alan Carr does. Whether he’s a guest on another show talking about how Adele planned his wedding, becoming a puppet for RuPaul, or simply being an exceptional stand up comic, Alan Carr is going to entertain you. If Graham Norton is a national treasure, so is Alan Carr. We love the super spec-sy Alan Carr!