Season 4
Parkinson is a British television chat show presented by Michael Parkinson and produced by Granada Television.
It was first shown on BBC One from 1971 to 1982, totalling 361 episodes. It returned in 1998, but transferred to ITV in 2004. The last episode, Parkinson: The Final Conversation, was broadcast on ITV on 16 December 2007.
Parkinson airs in South Africa on M-Net and DStv's BBC Prime channels.
Synopsis
Parkinson is a weekly television interview show hosted by British journalist, radio presenter and TV interviewer Michael Parkinson.
Both the show and Michael are more fondly known as Parky, reflecting the institution both he and the show have become in British Television.
In his career of over 30 years, Parky has interviewed more guests than any interviewer in the history of UK broadcasting and brings his knowledge and insight to each episode.
Filmed in front of a studio audience, the regular format of the show features three celebrities from the British and US entertainment industries.
Guests chat about their past and present lives, the things they've discovered through both their public and private personae and are interviewed in an order that reflects their degree of legend. More unfamilar guests appear first with the most famous appearing last.
In between interviews different musicians perform with the show's studio band and include groups, solo artists and members of casts from musicals.
In addition to the regular format there are also often specials of the show that either celebrate particular occasions, focus on one particular guest or reflect back on interviews from the past.
Michael Parkinson announced his retirement on June 26, 2007:
"After three enjoyable and productive years at ITV, and after 25 years of doing my talk show I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last.
"I’m going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects. My thanks go out to all those who have worked on the shows down the years and the viewers for their loyal support and occasional kind words."
The last regular Parkinson programme (the penultimate of the final series) was broadcast on ITV on 16 December 2007. An extended edition, it featured Billy Connolly, Peter Kay, Michael Caine, David Attenborough, Judi Dench, David Beckham, Jamie Cullum and Dame Edna Everage.
Guests By his own reckoning, Parkinson has interviewed over 2000 of the world's most famous people, including:
Muhammad Ali
Bing Crosby
Bob Hope
Peter Ustinov
Shirley MacLaine
Robert Redford
Tina Turner
Tom Hanks
Michael Caine
Daniel Craig
David Jason
Nicholas Lyndhurst
Dustin Hoffman
Jack Nicholson
Orson Welles
Ingrid Bergman
Bette Davis
Bette Midler
Racquel Welch
Peter Cook
Dudley Moore
Kenneth Williams
Billy Connolly
Gene Wilder
Ewan McGregor
Freddie Starr
David Bowie
John Cleese
Eric Idle
Dave Allen
John Lennon
Miss Piggy
Noel Gallagher
Tom Cruise
Edith Evans
Luciano Pavarotti
Cher
Madonna
Elton John
David Beckham
Victoria Beckham
Shane Warne
Thierry Henry
Ricky Hatton
Rod Stewart
Justin Timberlake
Robbie Williams
Ray Winstone
Kate Winslet
Cameron Diaz
Richard Attenborough
David Attenborough
Mel Gibson
Viggo Mortensen
George Michael
k.d. lang
Sarah Duchess of York
Paul Schrader
Peter Sellers
Peter Kay
Paul McCartney
Anthony Hopkins
Jeremy Clarkson
Simon Cowell
Sharon Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
Julie Andrews
Dame Edna Everage
Helen Mirren
Tommy Cooper
Judi Dench
Naomi Campbell
Tony Blair
Olivia Newton-John
Billie Piper
David Tennant
Sandra Bullock
Notable Moments On his appearance in the 1970s series, Orson Welles famously insisted that Parkinson dispose of his list of questions beforehand, reassuring him, "We'll talk."
Notably reticent about discussing himself, Peter Sellers only agreed to take part if he was allowed to walk on as someone else. Once introduced, he appeared dressed as a member of the Gestapo, impersonating Kenneth Mars' role in The Producers, and performed a number of lines in character before removing his "mask". He then settled down for what is arguably one of Parkinson's most memorable interviews.
Richard Burton's chat had to be recorded during the afternoon, for fear that the notorious drinker would be inebriated by the evening if allowed sufficient access to alcohol. Accordingly, the audience was hastily convened and as a result, mainly comprised staff of the BBC canteen — still in their kitchen whites. Burton confessed afterwards that the view from the studio floor as he walked on made him think that the "men in white coats" had caught up with him at last.
During Kenneth Williams' second appearance in 1973, the talk turned to politics, and particularly the Carry On star's trenchant views against trade unions. Williams accepted an invitation to return three weeks later and discuss these with trade unionist Jimmy Reid. The abrasive nature of their debate turned an entertainment show into something more akin to a serious current affairs programme, and the then BBC Controller, Paul Fox, directed that the programme was not to venture into that sort of territory again. However, Williams would become one of Parkinson's most celebrated guests, making a total of eight appearances over the years.
The famously articulate Muhammad Ali launched into an extraordinary tirade — even by his standards — when Parkinson challenged him on the nature of his religious beliefs. This so surprised the presenter (as he'd thought it to be an innocuous question) that he became lost for words.
Parkinson witnessed David Niven being physically sick in his dressing room shortly before his interview. The actor informed him that he had always suffered with nerves. However, once before the cameras, he proved to be an accomplished raconteur.
John Conteh was on the same show as Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Parkinson asked the boxer if it was true that he never had sex before a fight. While Conteh looked embarrassed, Cook chipped in with an observation for the host: "I wouldn't ask you if you have sex before a show. I can see that you have."
When comedian Dave Allen appeared in an edition that was transmitted on Halloween, Parkinson invited his guest to read a suitably themed poem. As he did so in his familiar Irish brogue, and as the ghostly nature of the words became ever more unsettling, the studio lights were gradually dimmed, leaving just a spotlight on Allen. After completing the final line ("And now, as the witching hour approaches...") with much gravitas, he paused, before exclaiming, "What a load of crap!"
When the show was relaunched on the BBC in 1998, the star guest on the first programme was Sir Anthony Hopkins, who provided an entertaining interview. He demonstrated his talent for mimicry by telling several Tommy Cooper jokes. The studio audience was very appreciative, and Parkinson was visibly gratified to the actor for getting his new series off to a good start.
On the programme featuring John Prescott, his own interview was followed by one with Phil Collins. However, the UK's Deputy Prime Minister interjected frequently and at great length during Parkinson's chat with the musician. The exasperated host finally pleaded, "May I have my guest back, please?"
Before being interviewed as a well-known comedian in his own right, Peter Kay was once a warm-up act for the Parkinson studio audience. In 2005, Parkinson returned the compliment by appearing alongside other UK celebrities such as Ronnie Corbett, Jim Bowen, Geoffrey Hayes and Shakin' Stevens on Kay's video with Tony Christie for their number one single, "(Is This the Way to) Amarillo".
In 1999, Woody Allen was conspicuously uncomfortable when the line of questioning led him to details of the custody battle for his children. The writer/director became increasingly wary, eventually responding, "Why are you asking this?" Recognising that the interview may be abruptly terminated, Parkinson defused the situation by apologising and changing the subject.
In October 2003, while in the UK to promote her film In the Cut, Meg Ryan made a controversial appearance on Parkinson, which resulted in negative publicity. The press accused both Ryan and Parkinson of being rude to one another. Ryan gave a few one-word answers, and after she acknowledged that she wasn't comfortable with the interview, Parkinson asked her what she would do if she were in his position now. She replied that she would "just wrap it up". Parkinson later revealed to the press that he felt her behaviour to his earlier guests, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, whom she turned her back on, was "unforgivable". Ryan also commented that Parkinson was a "nut" and said that she was "offended" by him as he was like a "disapproving father" in his tone.
In an episode broadcast on ITV on March 4, 2006, Tony Blair became the first serving Prime Minister to be interviewed by Parkinson and volunteered the information that he believed he would be judged by God for the Iraq war. He also told of how Cherie Blair's father (Tony Booth) had asked if he could light a marijuana joint when they first met.
Parkinson was once asked if there was anyone that he regretted never having interviewed. He replied, "Sinatra was the one that got away. Otherwise, I've met everyone I have ever wanted to meet."