Expect the Unexpected on 'Most Popular'

By Graham Norton
After the run-throughs, the walk throughs and dress rehearsals it's finally time to make the actual show. For me it is surreal to be driving in LA in the morning sunshine and pulling into my parking space on a proper studio lot. Our sound stage is just across from where they filmed the first two seasons of "I Love Lucy." I can imagine the episode where Lucy and Viv decide to take part in Most Popular. The early morning start is more than made up for by my first breakfast burrito. America is genius! The audience seem lively but will they enjoy being asked to judge seven strangers? I shouldn't have worried.
Seconds after the contestants walk out on stage they are happily sending Sandy, a 45 year old mother of two, back to the dressing room. When I asked one woman why she had taken against Sandy she explained that she thought her blouse was condescending her face. Don't worry I don't know what that means either but it did teach me that you can't begin to second guess our audience.

In the next round a woman who flew to London for a blind date only to be stood up was deemed to be less likeable than a woman who stripped to pay her way through college. The women then changed into their hot date outfits and what a difference it made. Suddenly one of the women who had been lost in the crowd turned into a stand out beauty and indeed she went on to win.

The highlight of the show however was when Liliana, a woman in her fifties, was confronted by her daughter who accused her of choosing men over her. The tears flowed but I felt something very genuine had happened. You never know what direction this show will head and that's why I love it.