BBC’s The Graham Norton Show ‘in crisis as it struggles to sign up A-list guests’ amid the SAG-AFTRA strikes: ‘It’s causing an absolute headache’
The Graham Norton Show is reportedly in crisis as show bosses are said to be struggling to sign A-lists guests amid the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Since July 17, Hollywood has ground to a halt as members of the SAG-AFTRA union joined the Writers Guild Of America in going on strike over growing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals.
As a knock-on effect, talk shows such as The Graham Norton Show are finding it difficult to fill the famous red sofa for the upcoming series, with big stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Zendaya and Robert De Niro refusing to do publicity for their films out of solidarity for the writers.
According to The Mirror, the strike is causing ‘an absolute headache’ for bookers as they scramble to get big names on the show.
It is said bookers have been left with a few big name Brit actors and American pop stars to fill the sofas, but are struggling to get Hollywood heavyweights through the door.
Oh dear: The Graham Norton Show is reportedly in crisis as show bosses are said to be struggling to sign A-lists guests amid the SAG-AFTRA strikes
Tough: As a knock-on effect, talk shows such as The Graham Norton Show are finding it difficult to fill the famous red sofa for the upcoming series
A source told the publication: ‘The BBC is in crisis as the Hollywood strikes are causing its flagship chat show an absolute headache for its next run later this year.
‘They can’t book any of the A-list actors who would usually be their headline guests.’
The insider added that even British guests have refused publicity ‘out of solidarity’, making things even harder for show makers.
MailOnline have contacted representatives of The Graham Norton Show for comment.
Graham himself hinted the strikes could have an impact on his talk show.
Speaking on Cork’s 96FM this summer, he said: ‘I’m going to wrap up and probably go to the States for a little while and then back to London for the chat show which, because there are no Hollywood actors, you know, if you’re in London there’s probably room on the sofa.’
The SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14 and is the latest of the ongoing labour disputes in Hollywood, leading to most movie sets grinding to a halt.
The action has brought the industry to a virtual standstill, forcing many film and TV productions to shut down, and marks the first time in more than 60 years that both actors and writers have gone on strike.
No can do: Big stars including Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured), Zendaya and Robert De Niro refusing to do publicity for their films out of solidarity for the writers
Strike: Since July 17, Hollywood has ground to a halt as members of the SAG-AFTRA union joined the Writers Guild Of America in going on strike over growing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals(Olivia Wilde pictured)
Difficult: It is said bookers have been left with a few big name Brit actors and American pop stars to fill the sofas, but are struggling to get Hollywood heavyweights through the door
Uh oh: ‘The BBC is in crisis as the Hollywood strikes are causing its flagship chat show an absolute headache for its next run later this year’
The strike has been going on since early May.
Under the rules of a strike, all Sag-aftra members will not be able to film any movie or TV series – which means that almost every show and film that’s currently in the works will be delayed indefinitely until the problem is resolved.
British Union Equity, the sister organisation to Sag-aftra, said in a statement that they are ‘full square [sic] behind’ their US counterpart.
British actors, including Brian Cox, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis, have supported the US strike here.
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