Stern & Wild client brings the heat for Madonna fans
Graham Norton’s interview with Madonna brought the UK’s hottest June day on record to a sizzling close on Friday in a near one-hour BBC TV special directed by the wonderful Stern & Wild filmmaker Karen McGann.
Recorded secretly in May at legendary London venue Koko (the former Camden Palace) – where Madonna performed in the UK for the first time in 1983 and launched her Grammy-winning 2005 album, Confessions on a Dance Floor – MADONNA & GRAHAM saw Norton quiz the Queen of Pop about her early days in the New York club scene, her relationship with the UK, and the creation of her latest album Confessions II which is set for release this Friday, 3 July. Guests on the show included Madonna’s long-time collaborator Stuart Price and fellow pop icon Kylie Minogue who made a surprise appearance in a comedy bar sketch.
A massive treat for fans of the Hung Up singer, the show has generated a huge response.
“Madonna was witty and smart,” wrote Anita Singh in the Telegraph. “She likes Norton, and he – although a superfan – kept a lid on his nerves and handled proceedings expertly.”
The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor wrote “Madonna in a designer gown. Graham Norton quaffing a huge glass of white wine. What could be better?”
And as for Madonna and Kylie together. “Norton feels as if he has ‘died and gone to gay heaven’,” wrote Chitra Ramaswamy in the Guardian.
A So Television production for BBC One and iPlayer, MADONNA & GRAHAM is produced by Andy Rowe and exec produced by Graham Stuart and Jon Magnusson. Danyca Reis is Production Manager and Nat Hill is DoP.
The show was “rigged, shot and wrapped in one crazy day in May,” says Karen. “Huge props to the crew of dozens who pulled this off... And Madonna was as you would expect – iconic.” What a project. Huge congratulations to Karen and the whole team.
To watch the show on BBC iPlayer click here.
Image: BBC/So Television/Ricardo Gomes