Michael Parkinson’s most unforgettable TV moments

From our Dame Edna Everage to Muhammad Ali, Michael Parkinson interviewed the biggest stars on the planet. Here are a few of his greatest hits ... and a couple of misses.

After the death of Michael Parkinson, Elton John declared that the British television legend was famous for “getting the best out of his guests”. Elton wasn’t wrong.

During his 50-year career, the man known as “Parky”, interviewed the world’s biggest names in entertainment, sports and politics. Funny? Always. Controversial. Sometimes. One thing Parkinson’s interviews were not? Boring. Here are a few of Parkinson’s greatest TV moments and a few more he might rather forget.

Michael Parkinson with his “final” guests in 2007, including David Attenborough, Billy Connolly, Judi Dench, David Beckham and Dame Edna Everage. Picture: Supplied

BARRY HUMPHRIES AND DAME EDNA

Parkinson often remarked that Dame Edna was among his favourite all-time guests and the housewife from Moonee Ponds was one of the rare few who scored an invitation to appear on Parkinson’s final ever show in 2007.

Michael Parkinson named Barry Humphries (and Dame Edna Everage) one of his all-time favourite guests. Picture: Supplied

One of the most memorable interviews between the two took place in 2004, when Dame Edna appeared alongside British actor Dame Judy Dench and TV personality Sharon Osbourne. The two women and Parkinson could barely speak for laughing when Humphries as Edna took the reins and ran with it. Brilliant television.

After Humphries’s death earlier this year, Parkinson released a statement saying: “Barry was a cultured, highly intelligent, fascinating man who just happened to create, in Dame Edna Everage, one of the everlasting comedy characters of all time as well as one of my favourite guests on my talk show.”

MUHAMMAD ALI

“When people ask me who I most enjoyed interviewing, I’m unable to give them an answer. If they ask me who was the most remarkable man I ever met, I answer without hesitation: Muhammad Ali,” Parkinson said in Michael Parkinson’s Greatest Entertainers, which went to air in 2007.

Michael Parkinson interviews Mohammed Ali. Picture: supplied

“I interviewed him four times – I lost on every occasion.”

Their verbal sparring sessions provided some of the show’s most memorable moments and ratings soared each time Ali appeared. “I’m not going to argue with you,” Parkinson said to Ali during one memorable chat, to which Ali replied: “You’re not as dumb as you look.”

BILLY CONNOLLY

Connolly was an unknown making a living on the Scottish club circuit when Parkinson gave him his big break in 1975. The comic reportedly had been recommended to the host by a taxi driver.

Connolly had the audience in stitches with a string of gags and became an overnight star. He went on to make more appearances on the show than any other guest.

Billy Connolly said appearing on Michael Parkinson's show changed his career and his life. Picture: BBC

MEG RYAN

Parkinson’s 2003 sit-down with Meg Ryan went down in TV history for all the wrong reasons.

Parkinson questioned a frosy Ryan on why she chose a career in acting if she didn’t enjoy the fame that went with it.

Growing frustrated with Ryan’s reticence, he said: “It seems you have a problem — one that’s not going to be resolved on this show.

Meg Ryan told Michael Parkinson to "wrap it up" during a very awkward encounter in 2003. Picture: BBC

“You’re wary of journalists, you’re wary of me, you’re wary of the interview, you don’t like being interviewed — I can see it in the way that you sit, the way you are,” Parkinson said.

“True,” Ryan answered.

Parkinson then asked: “If you were me, what would you do now?”

“Just wrap it up,” Ryan said.

Parkinson later apologised to Ryan during a 2021 interview.

“I wish I hadn’t lost my temper with Meg Ryan. I wish I’d dealt with it in a more courteous manner,” he said.

“I was quite obviously angry with her and it’s not my business to be angry towards the guests. I came across as kind of pompous and I could have done better.”

ROD HULL AND EMU

Parkinson often joked that his career would always be remembered for “that bloody bird”. In a 1976 appearance, the puppet attacked the host on the sofa and wrestled him to the ground, a video that was regularly replayed over the years.

HELEN MIRREN

Parkinson was slammed over his 1975 interview with the now Oscar-winner, introducing her on his show as the “sex queen” of the Royal Shakespeare Company and quoting a theatre critic’s description of her as projecting “sluttish eroticism”.

During the interview, Parkinson asked Mirren if her “equipment” distracted audiences and if serious actors could have “big bosoms”. Mirren who later called him a “sexist old fart” said the interview had been “enraging”.

Helen Mirren was not happy with Michael Parkinson after their infamous interview. Picture: BBC

Parkinson never fully apologised for the interaction. Speaking on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories in 2019, he said: “I feel it’s of its time, and of its time it’s embarrassing. It was over the top, absolutely so.”

When Morgan hinted the comments were sexist, Parkinson replied: “Well, maybe. But nobody got hurt, nobody died.” Mirren did not appear on the show again.

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM

The Beckhams sat down with Parkinson at the height of their fame, during which Victoria revealed she called her soccer star husband: “Goldenballs.”

The name has stuck and Beckham was forever known as “Goldenballs”.

GEORGE MICHAEL

The late George Michael said sitting next to Parkinson in 1998 was a “great honour” because he remembered it was the one TV show his late mother would let him stay up late for to watch.

The singer’s appearance on Parkinson came after he had been arrested in Los Angeles for being caught in a “lewd act” in a public toilet by an undercover police officer. Michael told Parkinson: “She [his mother] probably wouldn’t have been quite as thrilled that I had to take my willy out to get on here.”

George Michael’s incredible opening line when he spoke to Michael Parkinson in the wake of his arrest for lewd behaviour in LA pic.twitter.com/oDVATAFsWT

— Neil Brennan (@nrdbrennan) August 17, 2023

Originally published as Michael Parkinson’s most unforgettable TV moments