Julie Andrews says she didn’t feel worthy of her Oscar, Jennifer Aniston says it was so much fun playing an angry character, Reese Witherspoon talks about how Legally Blonde changed her life, Ian McKellen jokes about partying in Berlin and Dua Lipa performs live in the studio.
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On Tuesday 12 November on BBC BRIT (DStv channel 120), Graham welcomes legendary star Dame Julie Andrews, Hollywood actresses Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, the irrepressible Sir Ian McKellen and singer songwriter Dua Lipa.
Julie, talking about her new book A Memoir of My Hollywood Years, and asked about winning an Oscar for Mary Poppins, her first ever movie, says, “l kept the Oscar in the attic for a very long time because I thought I’d been given it as a ‘Welcome to Hollywood’ and I didn’t feel worthy of it. So much early success sent me into therapy and analysis. I learnt you have to do it right and honour the films you are making. It’s a huge gift, but a lot of obligation.”
Asked if, as a young woman in Hollywood, she had any unpleasant encounters, she says, “I was very lucky. I married Blake Edwards soon after arriving in Hollywood and it protected me from ever getting into that predicament.”
Recalling a scene in The Sound of Music that almost went horribly wrong, Julie says, “We were filming on the water in a row boat. I was supposed to stand up and we would all fall out. At the very last minute, just before the scene, the assistant director said, ‘The little one can’t swim, so when you fall out of the boat can you get to her quickly!’ Well, of course, I fell back instead of forward and I had to swim like mad to get to her. The poor kid. She went under, came up, and threw up!”
Jennifer, talking about recently posting a picture of her Friends co-stars on Instagram that not only ‘broke’ the internet, but fuelled the flames of a reunion, says, “No, we just love to get together whenever we can. The girls are very good at keeping up with time together but, when it happens that we are all together, it’s just so much fun.”
Talking about The Morning Show, her new Apple TV+ series, in which she stars, and exec produces with Reese, she says, “My character has a lot of rage. I have meltdowns, which were really fun to do because as a rule I just don’t do that in my personal life.”
Reese interjects, “I had meltdowns a lot, but mine were very close to the surface. I have three kids!”
Asked about exec producing the series, Jennifer says, “We were very hands-on. It was very different to the last time I was on television. This was like a film schedule. It was such hard work, but so much fun.”
Reese, talking about fame, says, “I was in England making the Importance of Being Earnest when Legally Blonde came out in America. When I went home my life had changed forever.”
Revealing she kept a few souvenirs from Legally Blonde, she says, “I kept the whole wardrobe including 77 pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes. I had it written in my contract! I didn’t touch them until the 15th anniversary and then had a lot of fun trying them on with my daughter.”
Asked if there will be a third series of Big Little Lies, Reese says, “I don’t know. We’re thinking about it and if people want to see it…”
Ian Mckellen joins Graham for a chat about his new film Good Liar.
Asked about the plot, he says, “It’s difficult to talk about. I can’t give anything away.”
Revealing much more about the movie’s wrap party, he says, “We were filming the last scenes in Berlin and the party was held in a very odd club there. The more you took off, the less you had to pay to get in. I was in my underpants and silver lame trousers. I can’t tell you what went on, but I think it was a sex club. There was nothing for me there though and I looked so fetching!”
Ian, known for his quizzes in his East End pub, turns quiz master to find out which of Graham’s guest knows most about Friends, with some surprising results.
Dupa Lipa performs Don’t Start Now live in the studio, before joining Graham for a chat.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Big Red Chair.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC Brit, Tuesday 12 November 8 PM.
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