Madonna and Graham Norton shared the stage at Koko in Camden, north London, for a special BBC interview. The event, part of the promotion for Madonna's upcoming album Confessions II, featured appearances from producer Stuart Price and pop star Kylie Minogue. While the evening had moments of charm, the review notes a lack of the naughtiness that fans might expect from the iconic singer.
Opening at Koko
The show began with Norton in a black cab, heading to Koko, where Madonna played her first UK gig in 1983 and returned in 2005 to launch Confessions on a Dancefloor. Norton admitted, "I'm always nervous meeting Madonna," as archive footage of adoring fans played. Upon entering the red theatre, Madonna stood alone on the spotlit stage. Norton announced, "Madonna as I live and breathe! Back on the dance floor!" a line less memorable than his 2012 introduction: "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, IT'S MADONNA!"
Madonna on Her Roots
Madonna discussed finding her community on the dance floor, recalling her first visit to Detroit queer club Menjo's in the 1970s. "The doors opened and there were two beautiful men without shirts on wearing rollerskates, bow ties and shorts, carrying a drink on a tray. I was like wow, we're not in Kansas any more! Everyone was so free," she said. She credited her ballet teacher Christopher Flynn as "the first gay man I met," to which Norton replied, "Not the last …" and Madonna added, "Definitely not the last!"
Stilted Middle Section
The interview's middle section felt awkward, with Norton asking banal questions like "Who goes first in the studio?" and "Where did [this song] come from?" Madonna replied, "It came from my soul," with an incredulous expression. The format, spliced with guest appearances and clips from Confessions II – The Film, may have hindered intimacy. A classic two-hander might have yielded a more entertaining result.
Kylie Minogue's Surprise Appearance
Later, Kylie Minogue appeared as a bartender, serving drinks. Madonna confessed she was "a bit jealous of Kylie because she was so cute and I think my ex-husband at the time had a crush on her." Norton felt as if he had "died and gone to gay heaven." The segment included Kylie producing her copy of Madonna's first LP.
Fan Titbits and Future Plans
Fans learned about Madonna's feelings towards London and her new song about her late brother, Christopher. "He was in a lot of pain, I knew it was close to the end … I went upstairs and wrote a song," she said. Her daughter Lola, with whom she recorded a duet on Confessions II, "has been very reticent to work with me" and "struggling with these feelings through adolescence." Madonna hinted at "something bigger in the summertime," possibly in the UK, but refused to elaborate, telling Norton he always has "to know everything."
The review concludes that while the special offered some insights, it lacked the juiciness of Madonna's recent Interview magazine sit-down with Mel Ottenberg. Madonna & Graham aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
