RIP Michael Parkinson

NZBoro1 said:
Great interviewer, it was all about his guests and not him, sadly very few like that these days.
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He was the ying to Pierce Morgans yang in that respect. Even though Morgan probably sees himself as the modern day parky, he isn't.

He was very good at giving his guests the space to meander through their experiences, and seemed to really make them at ease, which I guess is the number one characteristic for the job. He was a leading part of that 70s vibe of breaking down the 60s oxbridge educated, plum in mouth, starched shirt, types the TV was dominated by. A regional accent? on TV? with a cheeky glisten in his eye? whodathunkit? But he took to it with ease and the public loved it.
 
Excellent broadcaster and complete professional. 88 is a good age too, so his life can be celebrated and well remembered by those who knew him.
 
Parky was a great interviewer and no one better. He managed to interview all the greats and I loved his interviews with Ali.

I read his book some years back and he came over very selfish in his younger years. I wish I hadn’t read the book because it tainted the image I had for him.

RIP
 
I’ve just watched his interview with Helen Mirren in about 1973 and it was absolutely excruciating. It did not show him in a good light at all.

RIP though.
 
When I lived down South (in Oxon) I rang up to book a table at a local pub under my surname, which happens to be Parkinson.

I turned up and in a lifetime filled with failing to live up to people's expectations, I have never seen someone's face fall so far when they realised I was not Michael (who lived in the area). The landlord went so far as to accuse me of impersonating him when booking and we received absolutely horrendous service. I still laugh at the memory of his face.
 
Sad, but it comes to us all.
One of those unique individuals to whom his craft was natural and a joy to watch.
RIP
 
BoroMart said:
Oooooh that was cringy, I guess different times, y today's standards it was painful to watch.
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It was the lack of warmth in that interview that stood out, he was always very good at creating a relaxed environment in which interviewees felt at ease - that was completely the opposite.

Interesting to see how she has changed over the years (I guess we all do) in terms of how relaxed she is now when you see her interviewed compared to then - maybe that comes with experience, maturity, comfort with who you are, or maybe knowing that you wont get interviews like that.
 
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