Back before he was known for his naughty antics as the host ofThe Graham Norton Show, the titular host had another television appearance that pushed the boundaries. Hosted by famed British actress and presenterMaria McErlane,Carnal Knowledgewas a late-night game show that watched as two couples were asked quite personal questions about their sex lives.
Since it was a game show after all,Graham Nortonserved as Maria’s assistant, the explicit content point counter, and the laugh-riot provocateur. He used his wit and charm to help make the contestants and audience blush. Though the show only last a few years in the mid-90s,it helped launch Graham to the place he is today. It’s time to celebrate the naughty show known asCarnal Knowledge.
Graham Norton Gave Classic Graham on ‘Carnal Knowledge’
Carnal Knowledgewas a late-night show made for adults, butif the comment section on the rare YouTube clip is proof, everyone tuned in. Even the teens and tweens sneak the television on to watch. As the show has very little of a presence, the clips that show Graham in action on the show are exceptionally telling.What’s fascinating is Graham, even in the 90s, had the same exact candor and cadence in his voice.He’s snappy. He’s sharp. And, no offense to the show’s main presenter, he steals the spotlight.
Hosting and presenting have always been in his blood. To say he’s flawless is an understatement. His ability to help the guests, or in this case the contestants, push their limits for the sake of comedy is effortless. The cheeky, saucy show was bound to make you blush. As his future resume has shown, the same panache that Graham shared onCarnal Knowledgehas always been the winning formula. Sometimes there are people who don’t need to evolve because they’ve always been perfect. That person is Graham Norton. While he’s had some career bombs,it’s likely that it was never his fault.Maybe it was the surroundings and timing.
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Emma Thompson is a national tresure.
‘Carnal Knowledge’ Impacted Other Shows
So how didCarnal Knowledgecome into people’s brains? Thank a pop icon. AsChertold Graham on his show during a 2018 appearance,“It was a porn game show,”recalling watching him on the late night series. It was in that moment, that Graham, the laugh-riot provocateur, who was caught blushing this time around. Once Cher dropped this bombshell,a flurry of fans rushed to the internet to find proof of this cheeky series.And there it was. A single episode awaiting upticks in the views department.
The games onCarnal Knowledgewere always a bit uncomfortable to process, but that was the gimmick. The contestants were really tested on all things sex. Like, you name it, they did it. Whether it was drawing sexual positions, talking about intimate secrets, having to watch clips, or make naughty guesses about people in the audience, the entertainment factor ofCarnal Knowledgewas there to push the boundaries to the max.
Perhaps some of the games were inspiration for other series, not all for late night consumption. When Graham Norton had shows likeThe Graham Norton Effect,many of the games that he had his celebrity guests partake in had a naughty aura to them. While that show didn’t find success in the States, it still helped give networks reason to take a chance on Graham. But beyond the comedian’s body of work, maybeCarnal Knowledgewas a precursor for the NSFWNaked Attraction.
Of course, if you haven’t seen that wild dating show, a clothed contestant faces six booths of naked individuals where, in each round, they are revealed feet up, as contestants are eliminated one by one. In the end, a clothed date is earned. While the games from Carnal Knowledge had an aura of lightheartedness,Naked Attractiongot to the nitty-gritty in real time. No matter what,Carnal Knowledgechanged game shows on late night television!It also proves that Graham Norton has always been exceptional at his job.
