~ ~ Michael Parkinson, for me, is simply without an equal when it comes to chat show hosts.
This 66-year-old son of a Yorkshire miner has been a journalist for 43 years, ever since he conducted his very first interview at the age of thirteen for his school magazine with a guy called Norman ... Read review
Advantages: Parkinson is the consummate host Disadvantages: Not a thing
~ ~ Michael Parkinson, for me, is simply without an equal when it comes to chat show hosts.
This 66-year-old son of a Yorkshire miner has been a journalist for 43 years, ever since he conducted his very first interview at the age of thirteen for his school magazine with a guy called Norman Bone, who made glass decorations for Christmas trees.
After starting his journalism career with local newspapers in his native Yorkshire, “Parky” ... ...with such notable national newspapers as the Daily Express, the Daily Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.
He also worked as a reporter with the BBC, and as a current affairs producer with the old Granada Television network.
~ ~ He first made the move to our TV screens in 1969, when he fronted Granada TV’s “Cinema” series, and a very popular afternoon show called “Teabreak”.
The show for which ... more
~ ~ Michael Parkinson, for me, is simply without an equal when it comes to chat show hosts. This 66-year-old son of a Yorkshire miner has been a journalist for 43 years, ever since he conducted his very first interview at the age of thirteen for his school magazine with a guy called Norman Bone, who made glass decorations for Christmas trees. After starting his journalism career with local newspapers in his native Yorkshire, “Parky” went on to become a distinguished and much respected columnist with such notable national newspapers as the Daily Express, the Daily Telegraph, and the Sunday Times. He also worked as a reporter with the BBC, and as a current affairs producer with the old Granada Television network.
~ ~ He first made the move to our TV screens in 1969, when he fronted Granada TV’s “Cinema” series, and a very popular afternoon show called “Teabreak”. The show for which he is best known and loved, “Parkinson”, began in 1971, and was to run for an amazing eleven years and 361 editions, and featuring close to a thousand of the world’s most famous celebrities from all walks of life. Sixteen years later, in 1998, the show was revived by the BBC, and still runs today, proving even more popular than ever with the viewing public, both here and in the USA.
~ ~ So what is it that this straight-talking Yorkshireman has that so endears him to his many fans? Just that, in my opinion. His straight talking. There are no airs and graces with Parky, no matter how high and mighty or rich and famous his guests may be. With this fella “what you see is what you get”, and every guest is treated in the same way, no matter there position in life. Watching his chat show is like being a fly on the wall at a private dinner party between friends, and earwigging on their conversation. And who amongst us doesn’t like a good bit of gossip now and again? What also helps him considerably is his extremely likeable personality, as almost invariably his guests like and respect him as much as the viewers, and are thus more likely to be forthcoming when he asks them “awkward” or somewhat leading questions. (which he DOES!)
~ ~ I watched his show last Saturday evening, when his three guests were Nicole Kidman, (the actress and ex-wife of Tom Cruise) Anne Robinson (fellow journalist, and now famous/infamous host of the leading quiz show “The Weakest Link”) and Ewan McGregor. (the Scottish actor of Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge fame) All were “drawn out” by Parky to talk openly and frankly about their respective lives and careers. I found his spot with Anne Robinson particularly interesting, as it transpires she is a “recovered” alcoholic of some 23 years standing, and has a VERY chequered history, something of which I was not aware prior to watching the show. As a “recovered” alcoholic myself, I was absolutely rooted by her revelations.
~ ~ Going back over the many shows down the years, there are some that will live in my memory forever. His interview with the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly is one. Obviously personal friends, Connolly was one of the few people who I have seen who was able to strike Parky speechless, simply because he was laughing so much that the tears were quite literally rolling down his cheeks. He’s on the show again next Saturday, so mark it down in your diary. Or his famous interview with the boxer and ex-World Champion Muhammad Ali, where Ali got up from his chair and offered to “spar” a few rounds with Michael. This show was totally priceless. And who could ever forget his interview with the comedian Roy Hull, and his famous hand puppet “Emu”. Hudd insisted in attacking Parky with the puppet, and it’s the closest I’ve ever seen Michael to actually losing his cool, at one point threatening to ram the offending puppet down Mr. Hudd’s throat. Absolutely riveting stuff!
~ ~ These are only three of the many, many celebrities who Parky has interviewed during his long and illustrious career. As I said at the beginning of my opinion, as far as this fella is concerned he is without a peer, and the undisputed “king” of the chat shows. Long may he reign.
I watched this programme quite often and found it to be rather entertaining, Michael Parkinson is the presenter, who interviews famous people from around the world, this programme has been going on for a while now and over the years he has interviewed so many stars from Mohammed Ali to Paul McCartney.
The interviews are always conducted in a lively manner, and the person being interviews always seems to be interesting, it’s a formal chat but ... ...the presenter is so well respected and always looks at ease when he is presenting the show. The shows flows so smoothly, Parkinson is always in control, always knowing what to ask, not being overwhelmed by the guest. Last week he had George Best on, and he was speaking about his problems with drink, it was so sad, and it would have been easier if Parkinson had move onto a different question. But he carried on, and got to the bottom of it.
He handled ...
sam123 30.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BBC1: Parkinson
Advantages: Intelligent, informative chat Disadvantages: It's not long enough
The art of hosting a chat show should not be underestimated. Over the years many have tried and many have failed. Plenty of confident TV presenters, well versed in communicating on a variety of mediums have floundered when they have tried to engage celebrities in they one to one interview. A good example Danny Baker, a slick and effective Radio presenter was given a chat show by the BBC and it was a disaster quickly to be cancelled. The one name ... ...30 years is Michael Parkinson and his show simply named Parkinson is still on BBC prime time on Saturday night. Why has he succeeded where many others have failed?
CHAT SHOWS
I think the chat show host faces many problems, the first and most obvious is that they need to be affable and put their guests at ease. Many accomplished actors/performers who come across as extroverted confident people on screen are simply not able to conduct interviews, ...
Mauri 12.10.2000 (16.10.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BBC1: Parkinson
Advantages: Informative and enjoyable Disadvantages: Perhaps not enough from other countries
The standard of tv chat shows can only be measured against one - Parkinson. There is no doubt that chat shows in general have been 'dumbed down' like the rest of tv. Its only when you see and hear Parky perform that realise this. Why Oh Why does it take the bringing back of Parky to prove this. He listens, prompts, laughs and generally put anyone at ease resulting in views and opinions that no one else gets anywhere near with these guests. Where ...
xaxacor 02.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1: Parkinson
Advantages: Occasionally he has good guests Disadvantages: His patronage of the spice girls is rather embarrassing
People's perception of "Parky" seems to be crippled by inertia, he may well have been a reasonable host. But it seems recently that sheer longevity in television guarantees you some kind of career rennaissance (who knows, perhaps Dennis Nordon will be next for this). As you may have guessed I'm not a fan of Parkinson, I find his interviewing style grossly sycophantic, he seems to faun of his guests and steers clear of asking difficult questions. ...
doctor_gonzo 03.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1: Parkinson
Advantages: On terrestial television Disadvantages: On ITV now
*** THE SHOW ***
The Parkinson chat show now on ITV between 9.35 pm and 10.45 pm, this is a new series. I normally tune in when I’ve nothing more important to do or when someone special to me is on display. Tonight’s programme features the famous US actors Goldie Hawn, John Travolta and the Englishman John Sargent.
Parkinson wrinkle faced grey haired and looking in his 60’s sits on 1 side of the stage in sitting in a black leather swivel chair ... ...They are introduced by Parkinson before they walk on stage and take a seat. Tonight the 1st is Goldie Hawn who talks a lot about her life, computers and brains.
After Parkinson has finished the interview he introduces the 2nd guest who comes in and sits next to Goldie, tonight this is John Sargent who talks about his book about Margaret Thatcher. Finally the 3rd guest John Travolta who takes the seat of the 2nd guest (they move to the 3rd seat) ...
JeffreyB 29.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1: Parkinson
