The Graham Norton Effect is a talk show/variety show, hosted by openly gay Irish comedian Graham Norton, showing on Comedy Central and on BBC3 beginning June 2004. An indirect spinoff of any number of his similar shows in England and Ireland, The Graham Norton Effect has been considered to be rather sophomoric, even when compared to its closest American counterparts, The Man Show and Jerry Springer. Comedy Central has ordered 13 of the weekly shows for its first season, and the first guests to appear on the program were Sandra Bernhard and Marlon Wayans.