Imagine being a world-renowned talk show host, known for your charm and discretion, only to have one guest turn your set into a chaotic nightmare. That’s exactly what happened to Graham Norton when Mark Wahlberg appeared on his BBC show in 2013. While Norton is typically tight-lipped about his celebrity encounters, he couldn’t resist sharing the bizarre experience at the Henley Literary Festival. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Wahlberg simply overindulging, or was there more to his erratic behavior? Let’s dive in.
Norton described the interview as “hell,” recalling how Wahlberg seemed perfectly fine upon arrival, discussing his film Broken City and sharing stories about stunts gone wrong. But this is the part most people miss: just 15 minutes into the show, something shifted. “Whatever was in his system really took hold,” Norton explained, leaving the actor interrupting guests, causing mischief, and even falling asleep mid-show. Yes, you read that right. While Michael Fassbender was in the middle of a captivating anecdote, Wahlberg was out cold. “We don’t encourage that [drinking],” Norton quipped, though he debunked rumors that guests are pressured to drink by producers. In fact, he joked, “If anyone wants to appear drunk on the show, my tip would be to pre-load.”
Wahlberg later brushed off the incident, telling Digital Spy in 2013, “I tried to do a bit, and some people took it a little too seriously.” But the question remains: Was it all just a bit of fun, or did Wahlberg cross a line? Interestingly, despite the chaos, there were no hard feelings—Wahlberg has appeared on The Graham Norton Show four times since, with his most recent visit in 2017. But here’s the real kicker: Norton has since named his worst-ever guest, and it’s not Wahlberg. It’s Harvey Weinstein, whose insistent emails to appear on the show now feel chilling in retrospect. “You realize, oh my God, that is an insight into how that man is,” Norton reflected.
So, what do you think? Was Wahlberg’s behavior a harmless blip or a sign of something more? And how does his appearance compare to the likes of Weinstein’s? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
