The Paul O'Grady Show

The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4. The programme was a teatime chat show that consists of a mixture of celebrity guests, comic stunts, musical performances, and occasionally viewer competitions.

Show outline

The show ran weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and has its last run on on Channel 4. Each episode usually followed the same format: O'Grady was introduced, and walked to his desk with one of his pet dogs; Buster (a Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise cross), or Olga (a Cairn Terrier). O'Grady then read out viewers' letters, sometimes with disgust at the things viewers have sent (which included vibrating soap, a viewer's dead goldfish wrapped in tissue, knitting poo, and children's letters asking if Paul wears a wig or dentures).

The remainder of the programme usually consisted of interviews with two celebrity guests. Some episodes ended with a performance by the "Paul O'Grady Players". Children were also featured in segments of the show such as reviewing toys, games and films, or demonstrating skills (such as speed cup stacking).

The show was originally broadcast live, but was later filmed at The London Studios.

2004–2005: First incarnation

ITV commissioned The Paul O'Grady Show...
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