Steve Smith

On The Graham Norton Show (2007), the host has room to listen without every exchange having to justify itself immediately. Steve Smith helps make that happen, and we recommend the result for its easy company. We relaxed watching Norton because the conversations were allowed to develop without an obvious hurry to reach the next point. The reservation is that such comfortable company leaves little room for friction.

Smith came to studio directing after working as an editor and assistant editor, and has specialised in multi-camera comedy and entertainment. His association with Norton began with the pilot of So Graham Norton (1998), well before the programme we have reviewed. He also co-directed Ali G, Innit (1999) and Ali G, Aiii (2000) with James Bobin. Later came launch-directing work on A League of Their Own (2010). He remained a primary director of The Graham Norton Show through 2021, directing more than 300 episodes.

The Norton programme makes clear why we should be careful about handing one director all the credit. Toby Baker shares the directing credits, while editors Perry Widdowson and Jon Magnusson help the exchanges feel unforced. Rob Colley’s writing credit also reminds us that this apparently casual television takes preparation. Their work succeeds because we notice Norton’s handling of people before we notice how the programme has been put together.

We would not ask Smith to manufacture awkwardness simply to make his direction more noticeable. But there are limits to what this sort of unobtrusive work can achieve when the format prizes comfort. A conversation can proceed smoothly without telling us much, and the direction cannot settle that problem by itself. Choose The Graham Norton Show for an evening of agreeable company; go elsewhere if the pleasure depends on watching someone being put on the spot.