RIP Michael Parkinson

Loved his shows
Remember, as a youngun, I couldn't stay up late to watch, so crept downstairs with my head against the living room door to listen to him interview George Best.
 
I've never been keen on chat shows, but did watch his three interviews with Muhammad Ali who I was quite fascinated with at the time. Mark Lawson recalls them and the different Alis it exposed in this article from 2016.
www.theguardian.com

Three heavyweight encounters: when Ali met Parkinson

The unforgettable interviews the champion gave to the BBC talkshow are landmarks in the rise – and, ultimately, fall – of his career
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
The King of the art of conversation,
a nod and a chat
from the miner's lad made good
and it all comes back.

By turns genial, irascible,
incompatible with fake emus,
loved a bloody good laugh
but bloody mindedly faced down
a true heavyweight great
in an age of greats
and fought him to standstill.

The old leather chair
stands empty, bereft
as its master's voice
exits, stage left.
 
He was great in Ghostwatch, he convinced my Mam something was going on.
I remember coming home and she told me that ' There's something wrong with Micheal Parkinson! He's been possessed!'
 
I've just found out that he was on the cover of Band On The Run, a fact I didn't know about until today. Apparently only 3 of them alive now (McCartney, Denny Laine & John Conteh)
 
He was Mr Saturday night. Blessed with true ability to make the interview about the guest and not himself. Nobody since has ever come close to his iconic style and repartee. Everybody (bar maybe Meg Ryan) was a joy, whoever they were, whatever their career, Billy Connolly being one of my favourites.

R.I.P. Michael and thanks for the memories

 
parmoboy said:
I enjoyed his interview with Noel Gallagher. Think he was the only interviewer who asked Noel about the abuse he'd received from his Dad as a child, but Noel was reluctant to open up about it.

Click to expand...
See, that's what made Parky stand on his own above the kind of nonsense you see today. A patiently probing, intelligent interview that gently drew its subject out into revealing interesting details about their life and how they came to be in the position they are. Exemplary.
 
On the news at dinner time he said he was expected to follow his dad down the mines. His dad said ' tha may have made a bit of money without breaking sweat, but tha didn't play for Yorkshire.
RIP.
As Tina would say 'simply the best '
 
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