RIP Parky. Enjoyed the interviews a lot. Always remember the Meg Ryan one.
BBC have just announced that Michael Parkinson has passed away at age 88.
He had suffered with prostate cancer for many years.
An all round decent chap, he was part of my Saturday evening's growing up as a teenager with only three channels to choose from, and parents who enjoyed his northern sensibilities.
Apparently, he built lifelong friendships with many of his interviewees, something which is unlikely in this age of digital media and AI.
I look forward to selected highlights over the coming days
Last edited by W124; 17th August 2023 at 10:31.
RIP Parky. Enjoyed the interviews a lot. Always remember the Meg Ryan one.
Aye, RIP Parky,
Local boy done good, some very memorable interviews.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
One of the best shows on TV. Saturday nights were never the same when retired. RIP Parky you will be missed, big time
Parkinson gave me many happy memories in an otherwise traumatic childhood, so many clips committed to my memory. Thank you, Michael. RIP, Sir.
King of the interviewers.
I love this interview with these straight talking Yorkshire men
https://youtu.be/J7ZqORFttW8
RIP Parky, no one will match you.
Another legend has left us and by all accounts a genuinely nice bloke.
RIP Parky!
Like others, part of my childhood growing up, some great interviews and some great performances from the stars and the groups that appeared on his show. He was a national treasure and will be missed - unlike Emu…
RIP.
RIP parky
He was the main viewing in our house on a Saturday when I was a lad .
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Famously remembered for "a free Parker pen"
RIP.
Some say he was instrumental in launching Billy Connolly’s career.
Parky and Les Patterson. Fantastic chemistry that has me intears every time I watch them.
Great TV interviewer and also a fabulous author.
RIP Parky.
an icon - RIP
I was sad to hear this. Many memories of watching his show in the '70s. Appearances by Bette Midler and Sammy Davis Jr stand out particularly, and Billy Connolly of course.
I remember an odd moment when he was sitting in for Barry Norman on Film 86. An overtly homo-erotic clip from Derek Jarman's film Caravaggio was shown. After it concluded, Parky gave a very disapproving look to the camera and did a little "I'm a teapot" thing with his right hand; a gesture that I think would be construed as homophobic today.
Very sad news.
RIP Michael
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From Popbitch:
>> Parky time <<
Chang overboard!
Back when Michael Parkinson was working in Australia, there was a point where Elton John was out on tour over there too. Ever the lavish host, Elton invited Parky and his wife to join him out on a yacht for a little party he was throwing.
Unfortunately, Parky and Mary arrived to the jetty a little too late – just in time to catch the HMS Elton sailing off towards the horizon. A couple of obliging water cops recognised Parky however, so offered the couple a quick ride out to the vessel.
A few minutes later, they were aboard. But far from being happy to see them, Parky was greeted by a furious Elton. It turned out that the rest of the party had mistaken Parky's lift for a police bust, so had lobbed all their gear overboard. Thousands of dollars' worth of narcotics were lost to the deep, ruining the party for everyone – so the Parkinsons were pariahs for the rest of the night.
😁😁😁
So clever my foot fell off.
Another big part of one’s childhood, the one show I was always allowed to stay up for.
I’m feeling old!
RIP Parky, you were the best at your craft.
“Don’t look back, you’re not heading that way.”
RIP Michael - very sad news. I was always impressed with his interview style, so talented.
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What I always admired about Parky was how effortless he made it all look (always the sign of a professional) and how he actually listened to people.
His Peter Sellers interview is a perfect example of his mastery of the craft, where he puts a particularly difficult subject at ease.
Felt very much like the end of an era when he retired.
A true master, greatly missed, as are so many of those he interviewed.
Last edited by TheGent; 18th August 2023 at 08:56.
He always made interviewing look easy and natural, regardless of affability of the interviewee or the topic - I think that was because of his authenticity.
Another childhood icon gone.
RIP