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Graham Norton And The Diva

[Daily Telegraph] BG Note: The Daily Telegraph interviewed funny, long-time British talk show host, Graham Norton. Norton described the excessive demands of one diva guest.

A-listers do love a rider, laying out all their pre-show requirements. What’s the craziest one you’ve ever had?

We had someone once who required nine dressing rooms. But we managed it, and then in the afternoon someone from their team came running into the production office saying, “It’s a 911 situation. We need another dressing room.”

We managed it but said, “Just out of interest, what’s it for?” Completely straight-faced: “They want to charge their phone.”

That took our breath away. How somebody’s life gets to that point, where they cannot be in the same room as their phone, is beyond me. We live like animals, sharing rooms with charging phones.

BG Note: A performer’s contract rider is an addendum to an appearance or performance contract that details specific accommodations be made for the star (e.g. certain foods and drinks).

Similar: Threatening To Quit

Diva:

[Optional] If you were a star, what extreme request would you make on your rider?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. justme84 says

    I am going to guess this was Britney because apparently she has limited access to that kind of stuff so maybe her management was trying to keep it from her

  5. Stubbs says

    Probably an North American as UK emergency number is 999 and European is 112. Maria Carey and Madonna sound very likely, though Madge has spent enough time in the UK that her handlers should know the local emergency number.

  7. montebell says

    Favorite Graham guest is Miriam Margoyles. She’s a saucy, funny lady. Watch the shows when Stanley Tucci or Matthew Perry were guests. My rider? Chilled bottled water, clean potty, some magazines, someone to keep me company; nothing extreme.

  8. polina says

    Don’t know but I LOVE Graham Norton. His talk show is so much better than any US talk show. I don’t know why US talk shows don’t do what he does and bring all the guests out together at the beginning. It’s fun to watch them react to each other. And Graham is hysterical.

  9. Grendel900 says

    NFI on the diva, but if I were a gofer on a show I’d move heaven and earth to provide Jelly Drop’s rider! (I’d draw the line at the fruit platter though: some things just aren’t worth the hassle 😀 )

    Point of information though: while Graham Norton’s show is on British tv, he himself is Irish. We’re very possessive of our stars, especially the ones who had to leave Ireland in order to make it 😉

  10. reen57 says

    Mariah? Madonna? J. Lo? Elton John? Janet Jackson and Salma Hayek are known to be very demanding as well. Janet loves to get people fired who look at her instead of keeping their head bowed while in her sacred presence. None of these people are anyone I would want to voluntarily interact with.
    If I was able to command a rider, I would want enough USB ports to charge all my devices, comfy furniture and tasty Keto food along with enough non alcoholic liquid for everyone. With ice.

  11. Baileygirl says

    Obviously this is someone who is not embarrassed to act this way. Yikes! I would feel like a complete jerk to pull a stunt like that. Clearly, a person who never heard the word NO, or MANNERS when growing up. It could be one of many, but I will hazard a guess and say Beyoncé or JLO.
    I would probably request Poland Spring water at room temp and that is all. I think it is much hipper to be polite and not ask for anything outrageous such as a private room for a phone charger.

  13. trivialtime says

    Madonna

    If I had to wear all the crazy contraptions and makeup, I’d need a nice cool room and cold drinks with ice. Some starbursts would be good too, get a little sugar pep for good energy. (I know, so demanding) I’d really want to make sure my assistant or whomever helps me got what they needed as well.

    • Sharper_Teeth says

      There was a story out, back when she was married to Guy Ritchie, she would never use air conditioning because it’s bad for your voice, or something. Supposedly, they didn’t share a bed because it was too uncomfortable for him.

  20. WorkHardBeNice says

    Sounds like Cher.
    *I’d ask for a 6 pack of ice-cold 7up and an Original Tommy’s chili burger. I’m easy.
    P. S. Best Graham Norton guest? Bea Arthur!

  21. GeorgiaR says

    I am going to guess Sir Elton John because of all of his elaborate costumes, and perhaps he might need an extra room to practice on a piano or two.

    I can’t think of too many extreme requests, other than a nice bed in which to take naps, and decent iced tea and stevia to sip on, plus healthy, non-carb food for meals. I’m easy!

  24. Egregious Philbin says

    William Shatner.

    Shatner hosted Rescue 911 = “It’s a 911 situation”. This one is so obvious.

    • MinnieMe says

      Could also be Jennifer Lopez since she was in Shades of Blue for the 911 reason.

      My rider? No cigarettes or coffee within the area where I could smell it. Hate them both.

  30. Jelly Drop says

    Mariah Carey – i remember they did a lot for her on the set alone.

    If i were a star, just for * and giggles i would ask for the body of Harold Holt in a casket lined with peony flowers, a unicorn with a ballerina to care for the unicorn, Banksy drawing an artwork of me, the Hope Diamond and for entertainment indoor fireworks. Oh, and a fruit platter.

    • patata says

      Well, a fruit platter might turn out to be the real challenge!
      What kind of fruit do you like? Exotic, continental, seasonal, imported, regional, organic, cut, sliced, with or without seeds, cooled, room temperature, fully riped, sweet, sour, soft, hard, juicy, certain color, covered in chocolate?
      How would you like your platter? How many fruits, how many options, some of the above, all of the above, what kind of mix of the above, arranged in a certain manner?
      Giggles and * is a great…

  33. miss_tj says

    Diva: Mariah Carey

    Optional: I honestly hope that I wouldn’t ever become such a * that I would make any ridiculous demands. Saying that, a nice wine and cheeseboard would be nice (I’m a little basic like that).

  40. DaniJo says

    Mariah Carey (although I think Jennifer Lopez might be capable of this too, lol)

    Optional: I would just want a clean room. I’m pretty simple.

  45. KCeagle says

    Madonna ?

    I’d be too embarrassed to pull egomaniacal stunts and demand outrageous accommodations.
    I’d just request some kind of snack and that my personal staff be treated respectfully.
    Also… no crew members may address me or make eye contact, and must sprinkle rose petals wherever I’m walking… lol, jk