‘Are those your real teeth?’ How TV’s best – and most obscure – chatshow tore up the rule book | Television

ATV presenter Rylan Clark arrives in horror to appear at the Assembly, heard to ask aloud: “Shit, what are they asking me?” We recently found out. The opening questions asked by the interviewer are “Are these your real teeth?” and “Have you ever thought about having a real suntan?” More on small talk.

The next half hour is spent asking questions about her infidelity, divorce and breakup. The 28-strong neurodivergent panel asks Rylan if he loves his absent father, coming out as gay and how he’s coping after another famous friend has been dumped (his tearful response appears to be in reference to Radio 2 co-star Scott Mills). “You idiots,” Rylan sniffs. “You made me cry.”

However, this game-changing program is not all life-searching and sad stories. There are plenty of light moments, too. Rylan is happy to recognize one of his interviewers from a Chelmsford gay club. Someone tries to make him their mother’s gardener. He receives a wedding invitation from a third party. By the time they’re all singing Pure Shores by All Saints, it’s great TV.

“That was the best thing I ever did,” Rylan says on his way out. “Let’s do it again.” Warm, honest and funny, it’s part of a show that has become a great talk show. Over the past two years, the ITV series has breathed new life into the tired television landscape.

Each episode begins with a guest host: “Welcome to the Forum, our group of interviewers with autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabilities. The VIP in the hot seat is turned on like no other. Forget Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross. The Forum makes for the most revealing, exciting meeting of celebrities on the air.

It didn’t have a smooth path to British screens. This wonderful breed originated in France, where it is named Papotin meetings (Chatterbox meeting). The show became a surprise when President Emmanuel Macron got married to his former high school teacher. It was this moment that convinced UK producers Rockerdale Studios to make a change. “What Macron did made us go: ‘This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,'” says Rockerdale CEO Stu Richards.

The British pilot saw Michael Sheen as a guest star and it was revealed on the BBC during the Autism Acceptance Week 2024. Although he received a lot of praise, the organization did not have the budget to present a complete series and was forced to watch the show being chased by its commercial rival.

The inaugural episode of ITV saw Danny Dyer interviewed about his marital problems, finances and drug addiction. As the record went on, Dyer said: “You better get ready for the limelight because I think this show is going to be huge.”

His story is the biggest on YouTube, with half a million views. A year after it first aired, Dyer told the Guardian: “It’s still my favorite interview.

He joined them on the original Rivals co-star David TennantLittle Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and footballer turned pundit Gary Lineker (“Have you stopped yourself?” was a vague question). The series was nominated for Bafta and won the RTS award. Since then, it has become popular worldwide, operating in 20 countries.

People with Down’s syndrome, autism and learning disabilities are given no screen time – and no full control. It makes for a very quiet video. Richards said: “Our company’s mainbox is full of viewers who tell us that they have family members with hearing loss who are happy to be represented on TV. “Visibility and awareness is important but we knew it would only come if we made the show fun. We can create screens for the Send group (special educational needs and disabilities) but the sad truth is that no one will. The meeting should be very interesting. Make sure it’s universally appealing, and then the rest will follow. “

“Our team ranges in age from 18 to 77 and diversity is key,” says chief executive officer Michelle Singer. “It leads to a diversity of life experiences, which is very important for people with neurodivergent disorders because of the risk of infancy.”

“Diversity is also very important,” Richards said. “With a show like this, people can say: ‘Well, it’s a piece of cake.’ But our actors are socially and politically motivated. They are great people who have clear thoughts.”

With each passing episode, the viewers know the regularity. There’s Caroline, who sits next to the celeb, wearing a sparkly silver top and asking probing questions. Jacob gives a famous person’s birthday and star sign. Luke is the poet who wrote Fry’s Wordsworth poem and Tennant’s Macbeth. The house band Assembly – led by the singer Julice, who is very popular – closes each show with a cover of a song with a special meaning for the guest. They sing and dance incessantly, building to an inspiring climax. “We hope to make an album one day,” says Singer. “There is a real demand!

As the second guest Lenny Henry told us: “The meeting was fun for me. On the one hand, a beautiful woman was experiencing all the emotions. On the other hand, I had a life similar to Google, spitting information about me like Jay-Z in his youth. It was crazy good.”

“It’s obvious how popular the scene is,” says Singer. “Most of the interviewees still talk about it with passion. Jade sent handwritten cards to each of the players to say thank you.”

The group’s refreshingly direct questions make for an unexpected conversation, which can alternate between sad, silly and brilliant. “Our show is about communication,” says Richards. “Once you accept our rules — and a lot of celebrities don’t, so they don’t come on the show — they take away the neurotypical rules and something magical happens.”

“Our recording time is another secret sauce,” adds Singer. “For a traditional interview, you get 10 minutes per guest. Our cameras roll for three hours. This gives everyone time to relax and for alchemy to happen.”

The conference creates an amazing exchange by asking difficult questions in such a fascinating way that it is impossible to evade or deviate. Strangers are taken for granted, often left crying, laughing or both. No plug-in or overflow, just seamless viewing. However, celebrities enjoy the opportunity to do something. It’s a great way to host a stage-managed sofa interview where questions are asked specifically to make a showbiz story.

Last month, Assembly returned for an anticipated second season. First guest Stephen Fry was asked: “How much have you spent on cocaine?” “Can you help me meet Céline Dion?” and, perhaps most memorable, “Are you high or low?” You don’t get that on the One Show.

“Asking the world’s economy this question was fun,” laughs Richards. “At times like this, when we’re in the theater, we’re going, ‘What’s it going to be like? Is a guest going to come out?’ But Stefano handled it well, which is a testimony to him. It was scary but fun. Now I say to the group: ‘I want to be scared once during the recording.’

“At a trade show, you’re there to sell something,” says Singer. “No one at the Assembly is showing their stuff.”

Richards said: “We also have a lot of surprises. Anything can happen. You never know if someone is going to ask about a 68-year-old’s sexual habits.

Former Scottish minister Nicola Sturgeon has become the first politician to brave the hot seat. She broke down in tears when asked about the miscarriage. Richards said: “He also talked about how he was thinking about becoming a writer. Our actor Marcus, who has been working in social care, came to read his poem about the subject. Everyone had a good time, including Marcus and Nicola.

Sturgeon described the Summit as “one of the most special experiences of my life”. They reconnected with Nicola who wrote about being names and discussed a trip to Scotland together. “Maybe we have some distractions here,” laughed Sturgeon. “Two Nicolas do in Scotland.”

“We want to do more politics,” says Richards. “The show strips away the clichés, strips them down and humanizes them.” Keir Starmer is chosen because his biggest problem is that people don’t see him as a person. Tony Blair or David Cameron would also be interesting. Who else is on the wish list? “Hugh Grant is timeless,” says Singer. “We’ll keep trying!” Richards says “Eric Cantona, Michelle Obama and the pope,” half laughing.

It takes courage for A-listers to sign up. “Some people who are social or people are scared,” Richards said. “Maybe they see a good reputation for being in the Assembly but they won’t risk it.”

“Many celebrities tell us during the shoot that they’re ‘distracting themselves,'” says Singer. “How can you help but be a little nervous at the prospect of 28 strangers asking you everything?”

A third series has yet to be confirmed but is on the way. Meanwhile, the reality stars of Assembly are embracing their new team. “At the TV Baftas, celebrities approach our members for selfies,” says Singer.

“You know Harry, who always wears a hat?” asked Richards. “He’s a big Whovian and Matt Smith recognized him. A real Timelord came to visit. This is where we are.”