Charlie Sheen talks about his fall from grace and Donald Trump, Melissa McCarthy, Kirsten Wigg, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones talk about Ghostbusters and Christine and the Queens performs live in the studio
On this week’s show, (17th June) Graham welcomes hell-raising actor Charlie Sheen, the stars of the Ghostbusters remake Melissa McCarthy, Kirsten Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, and French singer song-writer Christine and the Queens.
Charlie, talking about his spectacular and very public fall from grace and asked how he is now, says, “I’m in a great place.” Asked if, when he looks back, does he recognise himself then, he says, “I recognise myself by name but not by character. I get the shame shivers watching whatever incarnation of who I thought I was in those moments. If I could change any of it I would. It was like there was some measure of possession.”
Describing telling people he is HIV positive as ‘Liberating,’ he says, “It was good to talk about it and what I had been dealing with.” And on taking part in HIV drug trials, he says, “It was an opportunity to stop the self-loathing and the ‘why me’ and be part of something genuinely important.”
Asked how his father (Martin Sheen)had reacted to the episode, he says, “He was worried but supportive. He is my hero. He is smart, compassionate and patient enough to know that at some point I’d find my way back home and he and my mom would be waiting for me.”
Recalling spending time as a child with his father on the set of Apocalypse Now, which he describes as “The greatest cinematic achievement,” Charlie says, “I have so many great stories but one I remember is Marlon Brando coming to dinner. My mom made a huge bowl of spaghetti for everyone and when Brando showed up he started telling a great story. As the story went on, he reached for the bowl of spaghetti and started eating the contents. He must have eaten 11lbs of pasta. We just sat and watched him”
Talking about Donald Trump he says, “I’m really not a fan. I was once in a restaurant with my then wife Brooke and he came up to me to say that he would like to give me a wedding gift. He took off his cufflinks, told me they were solid platinum and diamonds and insisted I have them. Six month later I was having some jewellery appraised and remembered the cufflinks. When the jeweller took a look she recoiled and said, ‘In their finest moment, they were cheap pewter and bad zirconia.” They had ‘Trump’ stamped on them. I think that says a lot about the man.”
And on whether Trump is heading for the White House, Charlie says, “I have faith that good and decent people will make the right choice and the circus will leave town before it contaminates the Oval Office.”
Melissa, Kirsten, Leslie and Kate join Graham for a chat about their new movie – a reboot of Ghostbusters. Asked about working together, Melissa says, “It was like summer camp. We spent four months together and who gets to spend four months with their friends? When it was over it got a little emotional.”
Asked how much of the film is new and how much an homage to the original, Kirstin says, “It’s the same world. There are ghosts!” Melissa adds, “It has the same tone and great sentimental feeling. I like it because it’s still unlikely heroes.”
Talking about lots of the cast from the original movie appearing in the new one, Melissa says, “They show up as new characters and it comes out in such a nice way.” Leslie interjects, “It is awesome.”
Talking about fans’ negative reaction to an all female remake, Melissa says, “Fellas all across the world in their mothers’ basements rose up! We tried to explain that the other films will still exist and that it’s not an either-or situation.”
On working with Chris Hemsworth, Melissa says, “Never have I rooted for someone to be an unbelievable jerk. I just needed something to be wrong with him, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with him!” Leslie interjects, “He’s hot!”
Christine and the Queens perform Tilted live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Red Chair. This week there is a surprise for Melissa and co.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One,17th Juneat 10.35pm
Pictures are available from PA
Notes to editors – all quotes in this release were said during the recording but won’t necessarily appear in the final show.
Next week (24thJune) Graham’s guests include Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Rebel Wilson and Iggy Pop.
For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at
17th June 2016