The Infamous Wahlberg Incident: A Drunken “Hell”
As legendary TV host Graham Norton celebrates his 63rd birthday on April 4, 2026, fans are revisiting his most “challenging” interviews from three decades on screen. Topping the list as the undisputed worst-ever guest is Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg.
During a 2013 taping, Wahlberg reportedly arrived appearing sober, but 15 minutes into the show, “whatever was in his system” kicked in. The result was a masterclass in talk-show chaos:
Constant Interruptions: Wahlberg repeatedly cut off fellow guests Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman.
The Mid-Show Nap: In one of the show’s most viral moments, Wahlberg actually fell asleep on the red sofa while Fassbender was in the middle of an anecdote.
Awkward Proximity: At one point, Wahlberg perched on Norton’s lap, leaving the host and guests visibly frustrated.
Norton later revealed at the Henley Literary Festival 2025 that the experience was “hell,” noting that if guests appear drunk on screen, it’s because they arrived that way—the show never provides enough alcohol to cause such a state.
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The “Benign” and the “Snooty”: De Niro and Costner
While Wahlberg was the most disruptive, other A-listers have struggled with the “couch chemistry” that makes the show a success.
Robert De Niro: Described by Norton as a “benign presence” but a notoriously poor storyteller. One of his anecdotes was so long and rambling that De Niro eventually stopped himself to ask, “Why am I telling this?” The entire segment was cut from the final broadcast.
Kevin Costner: Norton previously alleged that Costner was “snooty” toward him. He recalled asking a question only to receive a half-hearted answer, yet when fellow guest Helen Mirren asked the exact same thing, Costner “could not be happier” to respond.
30 Years of Late-Night Excellence
Despite these hurdles, Graham Norton remains a primary platform for celebrity promotion. Since his breakthrough in 1996, his ability to navigate “diva” antics and intoxicated actors has solidified his show as a dominant force in British television.
As he marks another year, these stories serve as a hilarious reminder that even the biggest stars can have an “off night” on the world’s most famous red sofa.