Christmas Telly Nostalgia from Graham and Maria!

6:14Graham Norton:Yeah, but also then everything was long. And then I always felt like the best telly was on while we were eating and we were missing it. You know, there'd be a live circus or something.

6:24Maria McErlane:Was there?

6:25Graham Norton:Like some sort of German circus. This is RTE in Ireland. Oh, okay, right, yeah.

6:29Maria McErlane:German circus, very festive, of course. Yeah, and so affordable. I seem to remember watching Noel Edmonds kind of talking to troops. Oh, yes, he used to do it from the top of BT Tower. That's right. Wow. And people would send messages to their children. I didn't know Noel Edmonds was working during the Second World War.

6:51Maria McErlane:He started the Second World War with Mr. Blobby.

6:59Graham Norton:Well, now, Maria, holidays notwithstanding, we have work to do. There's a dilemma in the offing, and it's up next.

7:08Graham Norton:This episode of Wanging On is brought to you by Drambui.

7:11Maria McErlane:Oh yes, Graham, don't forget to complete your festive party with a bottle of Drambui.

7:18Graham Norton:It's the perfect accompaniment for every party, Maria, especially if you serve a Drambui iced espresso.

7:24Maria McErlane:Oh, you know, Graham, that is such a simple way to surprise your guests because it's 50-50, 50 % Drambui and 50 % espresso. And ice as well, of course. Oh, yes.

7:35Graham Norton:It's unexpectedly delicious.

7:37Maria McErlane:I can't wait to invite myself to your Christmas party this year.

7:42Graham Norton:If there's any room at the inn, Maria. Oh. Drambui Iced Espresso, the unexpected crowd pleaser.

7:47Maria McErlane:Please enjoy and share Drambui responsibly. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for more information.

7:54Graham Norton:This episode is brought to you by SoFi, the all-in-one finance app. The sooner you start investing, the more potential you have to build your money, even for beginners. SoFi makes it simple with an easy-to-use app to get you going. SoFi is offering up to$1 ,000 in stock when you open and fund a SoFi self-directed brokerage account. Learn more at SoFi.com slash Spotify. Brokerage offered through SoFi Securities LLC. Member FINRA slash SIPC. Terms apply. This episode is brought to you by Sweet Cream. The day doesn't ask for permission. Lunch window? Gone before you saw it coming. You deserve a break that actually satisfies.

8:33Graham Norton:Sweet Greens new wraps have got you. Real ingredients, zero shortcuts. Everything you love in one hand. Think green goddess chicken. Garlic aioli. Crumbled bacon. Corn salsa. 40 grams of protein. Made to keep up with whatever comes next. New Sweet Green wraps hit different. Order now at order.sweetgreen.com. Right, letter open, please. Yes. I said please, otherwise that sounded quite rude. Letter open. Sorry, I don't wear that paper. You added a please.

9:02Maria McErlane:Yeah. But I also know what I'm here for. I know. Yeah, yeah.

9:06Graham Norton:But in case people aren't watching this Viz pod, if they're just listening, I've got to explain what's going on.

9:12Maria McErlane:I think I did lots of this.

9:13Graham Norton:Oh, that's very good.

9:14Maria McErlane:As left for opening acting. Dear Graham and Maria, my husband and I were invited to a birthday party for a good friend. It was taking place at her friend's house. You following? Yes. Someone we'd not met before. We were asked to bring some food to share. So we made a delicious dessert. Don't say what. Took a few bottles of wine and some flowers for the host and a birthday gift for our friend. Okay. We all had a great time. Lots of laughter and we all dug into the selection of yummy buffet food which had been made by the other attending guests.

9:49Graham Norton:Got us in the details. See where I'm going with this.

9:51Maria McErlane:After a great evening and as we were putting on our coats to leave, the host took us to one side. The birthday girl was not in earshot and said she had divided up the cost of the party and we were asked to pay£15.35 each. She provided her bank details and sent us on our way. We didn't say anything and left. Given that we provided contributions to the party, we were a little shocked at the unexpected bill. Since the birthday evening, she has contacted us to ask for payment as we still haven't paid. Should we just pay the bill and not squabble over£30.70? or make a fuss given that we all contributed.

10:33Maria McErlane:That's from Matthew in Oxford. I like that Matthew in Oxford because it's quite thorny. Yes. But the thing is, Matthew, you don't know this person. This is not your friend. She was throwing a party for your friend to which you were all invited to contribute with the food. So what indeed has this friend of the birthday girl done? Is it for electricity? Is it for firewood? I think it's depreciation on the house while you were in it.

11:03Graham Norton:I mean, look, the friend of the friend who's now asking for this money is just unspeakably awful. But just pay it. Pay it and then say to your friend whose birthday it was, you know that creature who held the party for her? You know she charges 30 quid for going to her house to say happy birthday to you.

11:22Maria McErlane:So you have no compunction about dobbing her in it?

11:25Graham Norton:Oh, dob her. Dob, dob, dob. But pay it.

11:29Maria McErlane:Yeah, I think the easiest way, Matthew, is, you know, you could say, we contributed, we don't feel we should pay, here's what we spend on the flowers and the wine and the present and the food that we made. But that's going down to her level of pettiness.

11:46Graham Norton:Yes, you could invoice her for her share of your dessert.

11:49Maria McErlane:Your time, indeed. Yes. I think Martha Stewart did that once with her next door neighbours, so I heard. Oh, did she? Yeah.

11:56Graham Norton:Well, she did do time.

11:59Maria McErlane:good nice one so I think I mean if money is an issue which doesn't seem like it is an issue Matthew well they bought all that

12:07Graham Norton:wine and flowers and they're gifts

12:08Maria McErlane:but I mean you know it's annoying to have to pay£30 for something that you feel you've already contributed to but I think Graham is right I think just do it and then maybe dob her in it later and never have anything to do with her again because clearly you think somehow if someone says I'm throwing a party for so and so I know she's your friend will you come and will you bring a dessert? But no.

12:30Graham Norton:Yeah, because it sounded like everyone was on board. We understand you're hosting. You've been kind enough to host this party in your house and you've asked us to then contribute food and wine and stuff. So you feel like that was all prearranged. We know what's going on. Now, pay your 30, 70. I mean, it's such a weird amount.

12:48Maria McErlane:I know the specificness of£15.35 per person is very much annoying to me. Yes.

12:54Graham Norton:But I think then once you've paid it, then get Gabin, then get onto the phone to people you do know who were at that party and go, did she ask you for£15.35? And, you know, and then you can all talk about it like a dog in the street and that'll be worth£15.35. Will it? Will it, though? The pleasure of ripping this woman apart.

13:18Maria McErlane:You see, I think that if you if you dob her into the friend whose birthday it was, I mean, that's putting her in a very difficult position. Ha ha. Okay. That doesn't matter that you're putting her in a difficult position?

13:32Graham Norton:As you were putting your coats on, she pulled you aside and gave you her bank details. No, that is a bit low, isn't it? I mean, it's just, you can't do that.

13:41Maria McErlane:I believe you can really only do that if people have been forewarned that they will be asked to contribute and bring a dessert and flowers and wine and a present for the birthday girl.

13:50Graham Norton:You ought to at least get your flowers back.

13:54Maria McErlane:And in terms of lesson learned moving forward, What would you think that is, Graham?

13:59Graham Norton:And never go to another party.

14:02Maria McErlane:Change your friends.

14:03Graham Norton:Yeah. Never cook a delicious dessert.

14:06Maria McErlane:If I was the friend whose birthday it was, I would be absolutely horrified by all of this.

14:11Graham Norton:Yeah, you'd be mortified. You'd go, however much it is. I will pay it. I will pay it. I'll pay it, yeah. And also, I'd have hired a room in a hotel or a room above a pub or something if I'd known that this was a thing. Like, the whole point was, you were providing the place.

14:27Maria McErlane:You wanted to do it.

14:28Graham Norton:Yeah, but as a money-making scheme.

14:31Maria McErlane:£15.35, a Ponzi scheme.

14:33Graham Norton:She's an Airbnb host. And I charge by the hour.

14:37Maria McErlane:I think also, Matthew, you have to name names.

14:40Graham Norton:I know. Hey, have wangers got involved in this?

14:42Maria McErlane:I'm sure they have. I was just about to see. I feel there's going to be quite a lot said on this. Reggie says, dear Graham, and the ever-youthful Maria. I think you're being a little facetious there, Reggie.

14:54Graham Norton:Does she know it's a viz pod?

14:56Maria McErlane:This is easy peasy. Pay the money equals happy friends, plenty more party invites and fun times. Don't pay equals miserable tight gits. Condemned to a life of solitude, surrounded by piles of money. Maybe next time make it clear that you go to freebies only. Well, I like your thinking, Regis, but a bit unkind at the end.

15:15Graham Norton:Yes, I don't understand because it wasn't a freebie. It wasn't. You took lots of things. You did all the right, you know, they did the right things. They brought the food, they brought the wine, the gift, the flowers, and their own coats.

15:28Maria McErlane:I think I would have taken somebody else's coat that was a little bit more expensive.

15:32Graham Norton:If you'd known.

15:34Maria McErlane:Vicky says, what an absolute joke this friend of your friend is. What an absolute joke. What a liberty. I'd add up what you spent on drinks, flowers, and your dessert, including your time making it, at a reasonable£12 an hour. Then bill them for the difference. Well, I think once you get that off your chest, Vicky, it's done, isn't it?

15:52Graham Norton:Yeah, but also, yeah, then you become an arse if you do that. There are enough arses in the world. Yes, I feel just pay it and then get to just destroying this woman.

16:04Maria McErlane:Yeah, pay it and never let it go.

16:06Graham Norton:Yeah, exactly. Pay it and talk about it forever.

16:11Maria McErlane:In fact, write to the local paper. I would. Darren has sent quite a spirited voice note from Brighton. I love them.

16:20Graham Norton:Absolutely not. You should not pay this charge. This is unfair. You have fulfilled the contract agreement by bringing food and drink. You've completed that. I would respond saying, we've done what we need to do. Then I would also contact the birthday friend and said, look, this person is doing this and they're asking for money. It's not right. You can't go into something and then right at the end go, oh, that'd be£10. No, no, no. Watch your back, Martin Lewis. Yeah. He's on it. Darren. Consumer Rights Act. You fulfilled the contract of being a friend.

16:57Maria McErlane:Cathy from Glasgow says, 100 % pay it. It's annoying, but this is not worth the awkwardness of not paying and possibly losing a friendship. You don't know what this friend is going through at the moment. Definitely pay.

17:10Graham Norton:Is the money going towards medical treatment?

17:13Maria McErlane:We don't know. That's exactly what Cathy from Glasgow is saying. We don't know what they're going through.

17:17Graham Norton:Botox is very expensive. And it is a birthday.

17:20Maria McErlane:I mean, I guess you could actually send the money to her and then ask for an itemised breakdown.

17:26Graham Norton:Where's my accountant?

17:27Maria McErlane:My accountant has asked. Because I may be able to claim it on tax.

17:30Graham Norton:Actually, that is a funny thing to do, to kind of go. Thank you so much for a lovely party. Can I have an itemised bill for this? Because my accountant is such a sickler.

17:41Maria McErlane:My accountant doesn't need it, but because we're going to talk about this forever, we think it would be a funny thing to be able to read out what the itemised bill is for. to all our friends in the pub.

17:51Graham Norton:Yeah, at next year's party, we'll get this bill out.

17:54Maria McErlane:No one's going again.

17:55Graham Norton:As ever, do feel free to comment below on Spotify or YouTube. I'm guessing there'll be some quite passionate responses to this one.

18:03Maria McErlane:Yes. And if you want to send your dilemma, just like Matthew did, we'll offer our very best advice. Our email is wangingon at listen.co.uk.

18:13Graham Norton:Oh, and by the way, if you have emailed in wanting to be a wanger on the distribution list where you get early access to the problems. We have got your emails, but we've been slightly inundated and Maria doesn't type as fast as she used to. So it'll take us a while to get to you, but we are on it. You will eventually end up on that list. I promise you.

18:35Maria McErlane:Hanging wangers.

18:37Graham Norton:We'll have another problem in just a moment.

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19:30Graham Norton:Right, Maria, she's back and she's opening an envelope, I see.

19:34Maria McErlane:Yeah. Dear Graham and Maria, my partner and I are both in our early 30s and we have a two-year-old son. Both sets of our parents are besotted and will pop over to spend time with their grandson and us, incidentally, at least once a week. The issue is, hello, we're looking to move abroad. We want a different lifestyle and to expand our horizons before our son starts forming lifelong friendships. This is obviously heartbreaking for our parents, so much so that my father has banned any conversation on the subject after the last time it came up and upset my mother for days. I feel like not being able to talk about it is stopping us from being able to get excited about something we would normally share with them.

20:19Maria McErlane:But it's also preventing us from planning how we're going to stay in touch once we're no longer just down the road. Are we being selfish? Would it be better to insist we talk about it now rather than springing it on them when we have flights booked and the house is on the market? and that is from Scott. Well, Scott, I think it's already been, you know, flagged, hasn't it? Because you said nobody wants you to talk about it again. So you've already mentioned it. All you have to do now is say, sorry, mum and dad and mum and dad-in-law, this is actually a reality now. We are going to live in, let's say, Dubai.

20:57Maria McErlane:But, you know, with kind of Zooming and being able to catch up in every which way and also flights being quite cheap.

21:05Graham Norton:First of all, Scott, you are being selfish, but you should be selfish. Yeah, it's your life. It's your life, it's your kid, and you want to have this other life. And the fact that your parents don't get that, it annoys me. I think the parents need to grow up.

21:21Maria McErlane:I know, but it's the first grandchild, and to feel that that is being taken away from you. I think if there were other grandchildren in the mix, it would probably be easier. However, you're working with what you're working with, but you must do what is right for you. and it is a bit selfish, perhaps, as they will say, but this is your life and your son's life, and it's going to be a great education for him. They can come and visit. You can charge them to see your child by the hour, which will make you a little bit of pin money.

21:52Graham Norton:Yeah. The other thing I would say is you really need to talk to your dad, Scott, and say, look, I don't want to upset mom, but this is happening. so the more we talk about it the more she'll get used to the idea rather than just you know FaceTiming her from Gatwick going

22:11Maria McErlane:see this little face last time I mean what do you think about because if it's going to make every time they come round to see the child is it going to cause a row write them a letter and tell them this is what's happening we're putting the house on the market in March say and then we hope you'll come and visit us we're hoping to settle here but we don't know yet. Please be happy for us. This is our life. We don't want to cut you out on purpose. Please don't cause a scene. I hope you'll understand.

22:41Graham Norton:Yes, I think certainly a good way to kind of soften the blow is to give everyone something to look forward to. So wherever you are planning to move to, where's near there that might be a holiday destination and kind of go, oh, and we've booked a house. In Beirut. that sort of thing for you and the in-laws you know every so everyone's we're all going to come together and have a holiday and with the kid and it'll be quality time you know in the swimming pool blah blah blah blah and then they can look forward to that rather than kind of go we're out of here bye we might be home for christmas uh then it is a bit kind of oh whereas if you say there is this unspecified holiday or something to look forward to we're all going to get together it's going to be a big family thing, then it...

23:30Graham Norton:It softens the blow. Yes, it gives something to look forward to.

23:32Maria McErlane:I don't blame you for going away because to have the in-laws or your own parents popping in once a week to see the child and you're just incidentally there must be quite annoying.

23:40Graham Norton:Well, they might miss... They might miss... The babysitting opportunities. Yeah, the free childcare when they go away.

23:47Maria McErlane:I'm sure they've weighed that up, Graham, and decided it's still better to get the hell away from them.

23:52Graham Norton:I have to say, the moving away plan still seems incredibly vague. Like, so for the mother to start getting upset now, like, I feel like this child might be 18 by the time they actually get on a plane. So calm down, everyone. You know, this is an idea. It's not a reality yet. But I do think...

24:10Maria McErlane:Do you think it's attention seeking? And they're staying where they are?

24:14Graham Norton:Yeah. They just want them to get depressed and stay at home. But mother needs to... They all just need to grow a pair and engage with this.

24:23Maria McErlane:It sounds to me a bit, Scott, like you possibly, oh no, early 30s, yeah. But maybe you're the only son, maybe it's the only grandchild, I don't know. It feels like there's an awful lot of pressure on this particular little nuclear family.

24:38Graham Norton:But do not cave to pressure, Scott, because you've got to live your life for yourself. You can't live your life for your parents because, you know, a few years down the line, they're not going to be around and you'll be sitting there going, oh, remember, I wish we'd moved to New Zealand, but we never did.

24:54Maria McErlane:No, it's nice to use you. I know. I've been. I know, but then what do you do once you've said it's nice?

24:59Graham Norton:Well, then you take some more pictures of it.

25:01Maria McErlane:Okay.

25:02Graham Norton:You know, I'm sure there's a Facebook group you can join.

25:05Maria McErlane:I do remember when my...

25:06Graham Norton:You go looking for Noel Edmonds.

25:07Maria McErlane:My brother. Oh, yes, that's right. He's got a place out there. My brother went to... Found him. Mr. Blobby, too. My brother went to Australia, and my mother had a conniption about the whole thing, being so far away, and he said, you can come and visit. I'm not getting on a plane. My mother had never been on a plane.

25:26Graham Norton:Too late now. She's on an astral plane.

25:32Maria McErlane:She never got on a plane. But he came back here, obviously. But that was very bloody-minded of her not to get on a plane. She was like a Victorian lady.

25:42Graham Norton:A friend of mine was moving from, I think it was Bristol to London. Right. So far. His mother collapsed at the train station.

25:49Maria McErlane:Oh, my goodness. I know.

25:51Graham Norton:Like, that's too much now. You've watched too many soap operas.

25:54Maria McErlane:This sort of makes me glad that I didn't have children because I think I might have been that mother.

26:00Graham Norton:Wrapped in a fur coat, sunglasses and a turban.

26:03Maria McErlane:There is such a thing as loving your children too much. Yes, I have an image of myself as Pat Phoenix, actually, if anybody can remember. Shall we see what the wangers have said? Oh, yes, yes. Because I think this is one that will get them all very exercised. Neil in Guildford says, Be honest and upfront. Say that you're going to try living abroad. It may work or you may come back. Good plan. Tell them they did their best to give you a good life and you're simply doing the same for your child. Involve them as best you can and plan future visits so they know it's not a one-way ticket to never seeing each other again.

26:39Maria McErlane:You're your own family now, so do what's best for you and your child. Good advice, Neil in Guildford.

26:45Graham Norton:Yes, I imagine all the wangers on will say go. No one's going to say, oh, we should stay. Let's find out. Who's next?

26:52Maria McErlane:Neil. Oh, no, that was... I've just said Neil. Shall I read it again?

26:55Graham Norton:Yeah, it's still good advice. We still agree with you.

26:59Maria McErlane:Kelly says, I left the UK almost 20 years ago to move to the Middle East, and moving abroad is the best thing I have ever done. My parents were very supportive, although secretly I know they were worried about me. Of course, yes. They have been to visit me every year since I left. Oh, my God. And now... Every year. Yeah, and now that I have a daughter, Wait, they come twice a year for 30 days each time. Or move back home. Surviving this is another story. Move away and don't tell them where you're going. Make your plans and think about how you will facilitate visits and staying in touch. Then update them once it's a fait accompli.

27:38Maria McErlane:They will soon warm up to the idea when they realise they have the opportunity to have a pina colada in their hands and the sun on their faces when they come to see you. This obviously doesn't work if you're moving to Alaska. 30 days each time. That's two months.

27:52Graham Norton:Does Kelly not understand how awful that is?

27:58Maria McErlane:Two months of the year.

27:59Graham Norton:I mean, she's saying it like it's a solution to the problem,

28:02Maria McErlane:that they come twice a year for 30 days each time. Can you imagine waking up every day and they're going, hello, what are we doing today? Your mum's sitting there with her handbag on her lap. What's on the itinerary today? Every day for 30 days, twice a year.

28:14Graham Norton:We can stare at your child growing a tiny bit.

28:19Maria McErlane:That is, I feel for you, Kelly. I really do. I know, but no, Kelly seems happy. She does. Andrew, who's not sending a voice note because you said I sounded depressed last time. Well, you did.

28:32Graham Norton:I can speak about... You could have sent a voice note and bucked your ideas up a bit.

28:36Maria McErlane:Yeah, a bit perkier. Yeah. So Andrew says, I can speak about this firsthand. We moved our children, in brackets, the only grandchildren, to Australia on what was meant to be a two-year adventure, and we are still here 15 years on. We left money for the most broken-hearted sisters and mums and said, buy a flight now, come and see us whenever you want, and that worked well. Use technology, video calls, daily WhatsApps with pictures. People can remain in your life wherever you go. Moving abroad is a wrench and there's no way it's not, but your mother can take to her chambers with her smelling salts all she likes.

29:17Maria McErlane:A reality is a reality and she will need to deal with it. Good luck. Andrew's redeemed himself. He has.

29:23Graham Norton:Yes, he bucked his ideas up. That was very good. He's very perked up there. No, but also he's right. He's done everything correctly.

29:31Maria McErlane:Yeah. Good, Andrew. Sorry we said you were depressed. Claire in Glasgow's West End says, your dad is behaving in a controlling way. Oh, that's good somebody's used a controlling word. It's understandable your parents are upset, but it's your decision. My brother and I lived abroad with our parents when we were kids, and we absolutely loved it. It opened my eyes to different cultures and experiences. Take your mum to lunch on her own and explain how excited you are for this move. Reassure her that as grandparents, you still want them to play an important part in your son's life. Still, they need to start accepting your plans and supporting you.

30:08Maria McErlane:You didn't have a child just to amuse them in their retirement years. Good point there from Claire.

30:14Graham Norton:True that. Scott, it is a delicate one. However, if you do decide to move aboard, let us know where you've got. We'd like to stay in touch. That's nearly it for this week, but we do have time for an Am I Weird?

30:26Maria McErlane:Yes, today's Am I Weird comes to us from Rachel in Newport, South Wales. Dear gorgeous Graham and the delightful Maria, am I weird?

30:36Graham Norton:After that, yes.

30:37Maria McErlane:Yes.

30:39Graham Norton:Or the Wi-Fi signal's very poor in Newport, South Wales.

30:44Maria McErlane:I enjoy trashy reality TV shows, just like the rest of us, Big Brother, Love Island, etc., etc. I watch every episode from the start date. I enjoy it up until about three quarters before the end. And then I stop watching the show altogether. I don't care who wins the competition. I will Google who the winner is.

31:05Graham Norton:I mean, you are a television producer's nightmare. I mean, the whole point is it's supposed to hook you in.

31:14Maria McErlane:Yeah, yeah.

31:14Graham Norton:And you're supposed to be invested in who wins this thing.

31:16Maria McErlane:I think this is Rachel's way of saying to said TV producer, you don't own me. Yeah. I do what I like. I will watch this and then I won't watch it. I mean, it's one of those things that who are you hurting, Rachel, other than yourself? Googling the winner, yeah, I can see. I mean, I don't understand it, but I don't think it's necessarily weird.

31:38Graham Norton:Yes, I'm not sure what the point of any of it is. I'm not sure what the point of watching some of a program is. You either watch it and I enjoyed that and, oh, it was a great final, or you watch it and you go, oh, it sort of fell away in the last few weeks. Well, maybe that's what she's thinking.

31:57Maria McErlane:People just let things fall away because they think everyone's invested now. we don't have to spend as much money on the last two programs.

32:04Graham Norton:But also, I would have thought one of the pleasures of watching these sorts of programs is talking to people about them. You know, that's the nice thing. Oh, I can't believe she did that to him. Or I can't believe that, you know, blah, blah, blah. And that's kind of the joy. So you've kind of robbing yourself of that pleasure of they shouldn't have won or they did win. You know, all that kind of thing.

32:25Maria McErlane:I don't think Rachel has any friends. Well, it does sound like she did. Well, because that's a sort of, it's a self-sabotaging thing that, as I said, I don't know who you're getting at here, who you're beating, who you're winning over. It's one of those things like, I refuse to watch the last episode. Don't know why. If you were to put why, Rachel, we might have been able to add to whether you're weird or not. But you haven't given us that little tidbit of information that may have helped us and stopped you going in to the home.

32:58Graham Norton:I've got a weird thing where I've been to Paris loads and other times. Congratulations. I've never been to the Louvre. And for some reason, I've decided not to go. Okay. I know it's easy to get into. But I... Yes, easy to steal from. Bring a ladder.

33:14Maria McErlane:Apparently, the password is Louvre. I know.

33:16Graham Norton:I love that.

33:17Maria McErlane:I love that too.

33:18Graham Norton:Not even an exclamation mark, just Louvre. Louvre. But I feel like, I don't know why I've done, but it's a bit like this, I've just decided.

33:25Maria McErlane:Well, I think people get a bee in their bonnet and then they stick with it because I don't know. I mean, going to the Louvre, I think you are denying yourself, not going to the Louvre, you're denying yourself a lot of beauty there.

33:35Graham Norton:Yeah. It's her, isn't it? It's just Mona.

33:37Maria McErlane:No, it's not just Mona. Smirking away. We went to the Louvre once weekend. We went to Paris for the weekend. Went to the Louvre on Saturday. So fabulous. We only saw half of it. Went back on Sunday. Wow. There.

33:48Graham Norton:I'm bored already.

33:49Maria McErlane:I've made up. Well, you see, some of us are cultured, Graham. No, what's that?

33:55Graham Norton:What's the one by the river in the old station where they have the Impressionist art?

33:59Maria McErlane:In England are you talking about? No, in Paris. Oh, I don't know.

34:02Graham Norton:Well, I really enjoyed that one.

34:03Maria McErlane:What is it? You can't even remember what it was. You made it up.

34:06Graham Norton:Musée d 'Orsay.

34:07Maria McErlane:You've been there, have you?

34:08Graham Norton:Several times.

34:09Maria McErlane:And what do they have in there?

34:10Graham Norton:Impressionist art.

34:11Maria McErlane:Okay. Can you name one?

34:12Graham Norton:Well, I know that it was, they used it in an episode of Doctor Who.

34:18Maria McErlane:On shaky ground, Graham.

34:20Graham Norton:No, no, no. They did. You're using a TV reference. No, it was the one where Van Gogh came back to life. And actually, do you know what? It was a really lovely scene because it was all about them being back in time because he travels through time.

34:32Maria McErlane:I refuse to watch Doctor Who up until the last episode. Oh, yeah.

34:37Graham Norton:When he regenerated and it was you.

34:41Maria McErlane:Exactly. And I didn't see myself.

34:43Graham Norton:I am now Tron. And it was a really lovely episode where Van Gogh, Van Gogh, however you want to say it, he died not knowing. and how successful he was going to be. And they time-travelled him to the Musée d 'Orsay and saw all these people looking at his paintings. And it was a little tear to my eye.

35:02Maria McErlane:Van Gogh. That's what I like to say.

35:05Graham Norton:Is that how you say it? Van. Do you see? But Americans go Van Gogh.

35:10Maria McErlane:Oh, yeah, but Americans, what do they know? Van Wrong. So are we saying weird or not weird to Rebecca? Actually, I'm going to say slightly weird. I'm going to say not weird. but I want to know why. Can you please write back in and tell us why you do this?

35:26Graham Norton:Yeah, ask yourself some questions. Yeah.

35:29Maria McErlane:A life that isn't examined is no life or something like that.

35:32Graham Norton:Do you know what's happened now, Maria? We've run out of time. Oh. It's over. Thank goodness. It's over. And all that's left to do is wish all our wangers a very Merry Christmas. It's Christmas, Maria.

35:45Maria McErlane:Yeah, Merry Christmas to the wangers. And also, you may have noticed we're not experts. Instagram has a link to proper support services if that's what you need in the holidays or indeed at any other time. Just search at wanging on.

36:00Graham Norton:Our email address for your dilemmas is wangingon at listen.co.uk. And yes, no slacking here. We'll be back next week with another regular episode of Wanging On.

36:11Maria McErlane:Wanging On is a Listen production. Did you know that?

36:15Graham Norton:Goodbye.

36:15Maria McErlane:Goodbye.

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