S20.E05: Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, Bryan Cranston, Leann Rimes

[Athena]

Quote

Featuring Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, now appearing as Doctor Strange; Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne, starring in Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; and Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston, promoting his autobiography A Life in Parts. With chat and music from Leann Rimes, who performs The Story.

[JustaPerson]

Amazing episode! All the guests were delightful. Well excluding Leann Rimes who wasn't on very long. Is she that woman who cheated on her husband with her married costar? When Bryan was telling his Peter Wong story and revealed that Wong was murdered, Eddie gasping "Noooo..." and moving away from Bryan and toward Benedict for protection was amazing. And then Bryan started scooting toward them! I lost it.

[Athena]

Eddie: Bryan, will you blow on the colouring book?

Bryan: I beg your pardon. *blows*

Eddie: Now, harder than that.

Eddie to Benedict: Will you blow on it?... Give me a full smoke.

Benedict: I will blow hard.

Eddie to audience: Was it hard enough?

---

Very good couch until LeAnne Rimes. I really like the dating videos skit too. The boys looked like they had good fun and I hope Bryan comes back on soon.

[theatremouse]

I don't know why I fixated on this bit, but it was bizarre/annoying/fascinating/perplexing that the video dating service decided that the word "video" ought to be huge but the word "mate" was teeny tiny font. You'd think a dating company would want to emphasize the word that indicates it is one, no?

[MissLucas]

6 hours ago, theatremouse said:

I don't know why I fixated on this bit, but it was bizarre/annoying/fascinating/perplexing that the video dating service decided that the word "video" ought to be huge but the word "mate" was teeny tiny font. You'd think a dating company would want to emphasize the word that indicates it is one, no?

Maybe that was because back in those days 'video' was the cool new thing. I still remember the days when dating services had you fill out a paper questionnaire then sent you a couple of suggestions to chose from and set up a meeting if you showed interest in one of the candidates. To see them on a tv-screen in action beforehand was a big deal *off to feed her pet dinosaur*

[dubbel zout]

Enjoyable couch, but Eddie Redmayne tries so hard.

I always love it when Graham immediately flips the Big Red Chair. The second story was funny but went nowhere. The lady deserved her flip, too.

Leann Rimes is someone I will always dislike for dumb reasons that have nothing to do with her talent.

[Quof]

Eddie looked practically comatose compared to his couchmate Anna Kendrick a few years ago.  It must be exhausting to be her.

[Mumbles]

My favorite ep of the season so far, and one of my favorites in a long time.  Cranston is just such a great storyteller (lol "Great Expectations" video dating reminded me of "Lowered Expectations" on Mad TV years ago). The magic trick was delightful, both Eddie's boyish excitement, Benedict's and Bryan's "assistance", and everyone's delighted reaction (especially Graham's.)

LeAnn looked like she was lip-syncing. LOL when they cut to a long shot and Benedict and Eddie were chatting among themselves during her overwrought performance. And for a young woman, it sadly looks like she's had some unfortunate (and unnecessary) work done.

One thing that impresses me about Graham's show in general is how everyone is usually a good listener and lets the other guest tell their stories without the need to butt in with a smart remark etc. I think the tone is set by Graham who doesn't have his American counterparts' tendency to have to one-up their guests with a joke.

[dubbel zout]

Graham's not trying to be friends with the people on his couch, which is was a lot of the US late night hosts do. Which is how we get crap like that idiot Billy Bush egging on Trump's sexist, assaultive behavior.

[attica]

Bryan Cranston looks very good for 60. Shedding Walter White has rejuvenated him.

[dusang]

Every time I read "LeAnn Rimes" I immediately picture "Leah Remini" who is a VERY different person.  So then I have a moment of confusion due to everyone's reactions to her and then I remember she's probably NOT talking about going clear from Scientology.  Right.

[sugarbaker design]

1 hour ago, dubbel zout said:

Graham's not trying to be friends with the people on his couch, which is was a lot of the US late night hosts do. Which is how we get crap like that idiot Billy Bush egging on Trump's sexist, assaultive behavior.

That's why I love Graham!  U2 was on once, Bono told a story about a touring mishap.  An American talk show host would've asked how they got through such an ordeal.  But our darling, snarky Graham turned to the audience and yelled "Who has it worse than U2?!"

[dusang]

4 minutes ago, sugarbaker design said:

That's why I love Graham!  U2 was on once, Bono told a story about a touring mishap.  An American talk show host would've asked how they got through such an ordeal.  But our darling, snarky Graham turned to the audience and yelled "Who has it worse than U2?!"

But Graham also knows that U2 will take that in stride -- as most UK/European celebs would -- where many Hollywood stars would ... not take that well.

[Athena]

36 minutes ago, dusang said:

But Graham also knows that U2 will take that in stride -- as most UK/European celebs would -- where many Hollywood stars would ... not take that well.

It's true and Graham has to walk this fine line with his American guests because he still wants to book them again. A good party host would be the same; you don't want to make your guests uncomfortable. However, he still stays true to himself and brings up topics and lightens the mood in a way that most chat show hosts wouldn't necessarily. Some of the American guests are clueless, confused, and sometimes even rude. Not in this episode because Cranston is definitely funny and game. I do like that most of the UK guests especially the comedians usually know the score and help Graham along if things aren't going well or the guest is more reserved (see Harrison Ford and Jack Whitehall episode).

[dubbel zout]

You'd think the American guests' PR would give them a head's up on what to expect. It's not as if the format is so outrageously different. It's just a less obsequious tone.

[Mumbles]

I agree re Graham not being a suck-up. I remember Naomi Campbell trying to be a bit of a diva and Graham having none of it, in his funny, charming way.

[kat165]

I can't even sit through an entire ep of the current crop of American talk shows. The only host I can kind of stand is Kimmel. I miss Dave, Craig and Johnny Carson. :) Graham has the best talk show I've ever seen.

[TexasGal]

My dvr buried the lede, it didn't include Cumberbatch on the episode description.  Get it together dvr!  

That was just delightful.  Bryan Cranston is awesome.

[peeayebee]

What a great couch. All three guests were fantastic. Smart, witty, nice, generous, funny. I would love to just sit at a table with them in a bar and sit back and listen to them tell stories. 

[kat165]

And they all looked like they were having a great time.

[Ailianna]

On 10/30/2016 at 10:15 PM, Athena said:

Eddie: Bryan, will you blow on the colouring book?

Bryan: I beg your pardon. *blows*

Eddie: Now, harder than that.

Eddie to Benedict: Will you blow on it?... Give me a full smoke.

Benedict: I will blow hard.

Eddie to audience: Was it hard enough?

It was actually "Give me a full Smaug"  in reference to the part he played in the Hobbit movies, voicing the dragon Smaug. And then Benedict responded with a huffy growling blow, like a dragon. 

This was a fun couch.  I just watched this morning, and got election results accidentally part way through.  It was a fabulous palate cleanser for the political news.

[peeayebee]

57 minutes ago, Ailianna said:

It was actually "Give me a full Smaug"  in reference to the part he played in the Hobbit movies, voicing the dragon Smaug. And then Benedict responded with a huffy growling blow, like a dragon. 

Oh, thanks. I didn't get that at all.

[SmithW6079]

I liked Leann Rimes's song, but I felt sorry for her. She's only 34, but her face looks pulled tighter than a drum. Lay off the plastic surgery, please.

That magic trick book was pretty cool. 

[Bruinsfan]

She lost any sympathy from me when she started cheating on her husband. Though she and Cibrian deserve each other, and I hope they enjoy the knowledge that their partner could go looking for greener pastures at any moment.

[Quof]

How you got him is how you'll lose him, Leann.