In this hilarious video from 1981, Graham Norton interjects in a discussion to defend discos.
Youngline was an RTÉ TV show for young people that ran from 1976 to 1984. U2 even made their debut TV appearance on the show.
In this clip from the show in 1981, a 17 or 18-year-old Graham Norton jumps in to defend discos. While his fellow young audience members condemn discos and the underage drinking involved, Norton says, “What’s the big deal?!”.
Graham Norton defends discos back in 1981 – he hasn’t changed a bit
In the video, Graham Norton wonders why everyone in the audience is making such a fuss about discos. In response to his peers condemning discos and underage drinking, he cries out, “What’s the big deal?!”.
He says, “It’s an aul dance. People go to an aul dance, and they come home.” The conversation goes on a little with back and forth from a different audience member.
The young guy asks Graham Norton, “Do you enjoy discos?”, to which he replies, “Yea, they’re alright.”
He then asks Norton, “You get on sexually ok?” to which Norton replies emphatically, “Yes!”. Watch the video above to get the full effect of a young Graham Norton standing up for what he believes in. He clearly hasn’t changed a bit.
Youngline – popular among young people in the late 70’s/early 80’s
The old RTE show Youngline has provided us with some great memories of famous faces we all know today.
U2 played ‘Street Mission’ on Youngline back in 1978 in their first ever TV performance. The four members of the band were still in high school when they managed to blag their way onto the show.
Bono had heard that the program was searching for a young band to feature on the show, so he convinced one of the producers to attend one of their rehearsals.
The group played ‘Glad to See You Go’ by the Ramones. When the producer praised the song and asked if it was their own, Bono replied, “Yeah.”
The Youngline performance came at a great time for the band and their career, while the youngest member was only 16 years old, the eldest 11 days shy of his 18th birthday.
Graham Norton and discos – a hilarious memory
The video, in which Graham Norton defends discos back in 1981, is a great memory of a public figure largely loved by the nation.
He’s an actor, author, commentator, and comedian, known for Father Ted, Eurovision, The Graham Norton Show, and so much more.
However, now we know him as a young defender of discos on Youngline as well. We’d love to see a follow-up interview now to find out if his question was answered; What IS the big deal?!
