Parkinson (TV series)
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| Parkinson | |
|---|---|
| Format | Talk show |
| Run time | 60 minutes |
| Starring | Michael Parkinson |
| Channel | ITV1 |
| Production company | ITV Productions |
| Air dates | 1971–1982, 1998 – present |
Parkinson is a chat show presented by Michael Parkinson. It was first shown on BBC One from 1971 to 1982, totalling 361 editions.[1] It returned in 1998, but transferred to ITV1 in 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Parkinson was traditionally broadcast in a late-night slot on Saturdays. A parallel series was shown in Australia between 1979 and 1982. In 1982 Parkinson left the BBC to be co-founder and presenter on the ITV breakfast television station TV-am, where after many schedule upheavals he ended up presenting the Sunday morning programme with his wife, Mary Parkinson.
He returned to the BBC in 1995 to present a series of retrospective shows, Parkinson: The Interviews, featuring memorable excerpts, eventually presenting a new, revived version of his chat show on BBC One three years later. However, in April 2004, ITV announced that it had "poached" the interviewer from the BBC from the autumn of that year. Parkinson said that he was sad to be leaving the BBC but that he and the channel controller, Lorraine Heggessey, could not agree on a suitable slot for his show following the return of Premiership football highlights to the BBC One Saturday evening schedule. The ITV version of the programme, produced by Granada, debuted in September 2004, with an identical set, theme tune and format to the BBC edition. Its audience is around 6m viewers.[2]
A typical programme will include three interviews, each lasting around 15 minutes. It is customary for the first two guests to remain after their own chats to observe and occasionally participate in those that follow. Such contributions are usually made respectfully, and when invited. However, this policy has backfired on occasion: see "Trivia" below. In addition, it has been known for some Hollywood stars to request a solo spot, Russell Crowe being one example. Furthermore, a show may feature a single guest for its duration, if the subject is deemed to be sufficiently deserving.
There is usually a musical interlude at some point, featuring a current recording star. If a solo singer, he/she is accompanied by the show's musicians, who also provide the walk-on music for each guest. In the 1970s, the group was led by Harry Stoneham. The role was undertaken by Laurie Holloway in the relaunched show.
The most recent Parkinson run on the BBC (1998–2004) was one of the few recent British TV programmes that was not made in widescreen. However, his ITV show is recorded in the format with very tight close-ups.
[edit] Interviewing style
Michael Parkinson has always sought guests who, besides being well known, had some sort of story to relate. He then saw his job as allowing them to tell it. He does this by being open, relaxed and attentive. (He learnt very early on that in order to be an adept interviewer, he had to be a good listener.) He researches his subjects thoroughly, and, in the early shows, always had his list of questions to hand. Having guided them to an area of discussion, he will rarely interrupt his guests — except to provide the occasional prompt — instead letting them expand on a particular topic. Sometimes, a person will warm to this style with unpredictable results. For example, he regards his chat with Shirley MacLaine as bordering on flirtatious.[3]
[edit] Guests
Parkinson has interviewed over 1,000 of the world's most famous people, including: Muhammad Ali, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Peter Ustinov, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Orson Welles, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Midler, Racquel Welch, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Kenneth Williams, Billy Connolly, Dave Allen, John Lennon, Miss Piggy, Jacob Bronowski, Tom Cruise, Edith Evans, Luciano Pavarotti, Cher, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Richard Attenborough, David Attenborough, George Michael, k.d. lang, Sarah, Duchess of York, Peter Sellers, Paul McCartney, Anthony Hopkins and Tony Blair.
During the 1970s, he was able to attract former big-name Hollywood stars, such as James Stewart, John Wayne, Mickey Rooney, David Niven, Gene Kelly, James Cagney and Robert Mitchum, not on the basis that they had a film to promote, but simply because they wanted a chat.
The record for most guest appearances is jointly held by the late Kenneth Williams (who despite this fact never really got on well with Parkinson) and Billy Connolly, with eight shows each.
[edit] Rod Hull and Emu
Much to his chagrin, the most repeated clip is of Parkinson's interview with entertainer Rod Hull in 1976. While the pair were chatting, Hull's glove puppet, Emu, continually and (apparently) uncontrollably attacked the interviewer, eventually causing him to fall off his chair. Fellow guest Billy Connolly threatened, "If that bird comes anywhere near me, I'll break its neck and your bloody arm!" Perhaps mindful of what this would mean for his professional future, Hull swiftly got his "pet" back on best behaviour. Parkinson had always lamented the fact that despite all the star guests he had interviewed over the years, he would probably be remembered for "that bloody bird". However, in an appearance on the TV show Room 101, he got his chance of revenge when the host, Paul Merton, unexpectedly brought Emu locked in a guillotine on stage and Parkinson took his chance by beheading the puppet, saying, "Goodbye, you foul beast."
[edit] Trivia
- On his appearance in the 1970s show, 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, 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 union leader Jimmy Reid. The abrasive nature of their debate turned an entertainment show into something more akin to Question Time, 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 he ever had sex before a fight. While Conteh looked bemused, Cook chipped in with a question for the host: "Do you ever have sex before an interview, Michael?"
- 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 2003, while in the UK to promote her film In the Cut, actress Meg Ryan had a notoriously terse and icy interview with Parkinson, drawing the ire of the British press for her behaviour. She turned her back on fellow guests, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, and, after a series of one-word answers, declared if she had her way, she would want to "wrap it up". In a 2006 survey of British TV viewers, her behaviour on the show was voted the third "most shocking" TV chat show moment ever.[4] Parkinson later described the experience as his "most difficult TV moment" and Ryan later said that Parkinson was "a nut" and "hostile".
- In March 2006, Tony Blair became the first serving Prime Minister on the Parky couch 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 had asked if he could light a marijuana joint when they first met.[5]
- 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."
[edit] References
- ^ BBC Press Office biography
- ^ MediaGuardian: BBC1 makes all the right moves
- ^ ABC Television: Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (interview transcript)
- ^ BBC News: Jones slap tops TV chat show poll
- ^ Scotsman.com: 'God will judge me on Iraq invasion' says Blair
