By David Young-
Tributes have poured in for Michael Parkinson, the broadcaster best known for hosting the talkshow Parkinson from 1971 to 2007, has died, aged 88.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson following the television chat show host’s death after a brief illness, aged 88.Yorkshire held a minute’s silence in memory of Sir Michael ahead of play in their One-Day Cup game against Hampshire at York on Thursday.
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A statement from his family said: “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night, in the company of his family.
The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.
In tributes shared on social media, the comedian Eddie Izzard,
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Parkinson twice, said: “Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview.”
BBC broadcaster and Radio 4’s Today host Nick Robinson described him as “king of the chat show”, adding: “He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year”.
Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige also tweeted: “Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died. Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show [and] attended many events with him. A legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession. We will never see his like again. RIP Michael.”
After a stint in the army, including serving in Egypt during the Suez crisis as a press liaison officer, Parkinson moved into television. He worked for Granada Television in the 1960s as a current affairs reporter and presented the station’s late-night film review programme, Cinema, from 1969.
In 1971, his eponymous BBC talkshow began on a late-night Saturday slot, ultimately running until 1982 before being revived from 1998 to 2007. Parkinson pioneered a conversational style of interviewing, putting guests at ease with his relaxed questioning and lack of interruptions. It led to an unexpectedly confrontational exchange with the boxer Muhammad Ali in 1974, a flirtatious chat with the actor Shirley Maclaine, and a slapstick encounter with the entertainer Rod Hull and his puppet Emu in 1976.
In the world of broadcasting, where voices vie for attention and screens are crowded with hosts, there emerges the exceptional few who etch their names into the annals of history. Sir Michael Parkinson was one such luminary, a virtuoso of conversation who enthralled audiences for decades. With his recent passing at the age of 88, we bid adieu to a broadcasting titan who forever changed the landscape of talk shows and interviews.
Parkinson’s journey to becoming the “king of the intelligent interview” was one of gradual ascent, rooted in his early days as a wordsmith in the world of print journalism. Hailing from Barnsley, he cut his teeth working for local newspapers before making his way to the Manchester Guardian and later the Daily Express in London. His affinity for words was only matched by his curiosity about the world and its people – a curiosity that would lay the foundation for his future in television.
After a stint in the army, including a noteworthy role during the Suez crisis in Egypt, Parkinson made his pivot to television. The 1960s found him at Granada Television, where he honed his craft as a current affairs reporter. This foundation in investigative journalism would prove invaluable as he went on to host the late-night film review program “Cinema” in 1969. His dynamic skills as a presenter were clear, but it was in 1971 that he would ascend to iconic status with the debut of his eponymous talk show on the BBC.
For more than three decades, “Parkinson” became synonymous with insightful conversations that transcended the ordinary. With his unruffled demeanour, he had the rare ability to put guests at ease, coaxing out their stories and insights with a relaxed yet probing style. Unlike the bombastic interviewers of his time, Parkinson’s genius lay in his lack of interruption. He let the narrative breathe, allowing guests to unfold their tales at their own pace.
This approach gave birth to a myriad of unforgettable moments. One cannot forget the unexpected confrontation with boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 1974 – an interview that felt like conversing with a martian, a surreal dance of wit and bravado. Or the flirtatious exchange with the effervescent Shirley MacLaine, a reminder of Parkinson’s knack for delving into the personal without prying. His repertoire extended to the whimsical too, as seen in the slapstick encounter with entertainer Rod Hull and his puppet Emu in 1976 – a testament to his versatility and willingness to embrace the unexpected.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Parkinson graced his stage with over 2,000 celebrities, each interview a unique brushstroke on his canvas of conversation. From Hollywood A-listers to political powerhouses, from musical maestros to sporting legends, he navigated the spectrum of human experience with grace and genuine interest.
The tributes that poured in upon the news of his passing are a testament to the indelible mark he left. Comedian Eddie Izzard’s description of him as the “king of the intelligent interview” perfectly encapsulates the gravitas of his craft. BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson hailed him as the “king of the chat show,” acknowledging the enduring influence of his Saturday night reign. Elaine Paige, the renowned Radio 2 presenter, fittingly summarized him as a “legendary interviewer” – a title that echoes through time.
As we bid farewell to Sir Michael Parkinson, we commemorate not just a broadcaster, but a maestro of dialogue who redefined the art of interviewing. His legacy is one of respect, of empathy, and of the profound connections he forged through the gentle power of conversation. In an era of rapid soundbites and fleeting moments, his work remains a timeless testament to the value of genuine engagement. Farewell, Sir Michael – the echoes of your conversations will resonate for generations to come.
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