Parkinson

Watched him since the 70's, always polite , draws guests out like no other, the only one Oprah would go on!he is the grand daddy of them all.His kind,gentle but probing manner puts his guests at there ease and in doing so they give more, the feeling is more of "old pals" chatting to each other than the stereotype chat show interview that seems to aim at "tripping up" the guest. Who could forget the interviews with Muhamid Ali and Helen Mirren to name but two.His abiding interest in sports journalism helps many interviews as his anicdotes role out, and his constant support of poor George Best over the years teaches so many of us what a "True" friend is really like.

I have just seen a 'Parky' show with the delightful Lesley Garrett. Apart from her marvelous voice, I was amazed at her vivacity and sense of humour. It was entertainment at it's best. Lesley was introduced as styling herself more like Gracie Fields than Maria Callas ... I'm sure she is truly loved for being herself.

If it wasn't for this type of show (and Parkinson show is the best of this genre) One would never see the other side of some of these celebrities, and we would be poorer for it.

It seems some people don't like the Parkinson show, these few people shouldn't watch it, especially when their jealousy for Parkinson's popularity shows so much.

If you don't like Parkinson with Peter sellers, or Michael Caine, or Elton John you must be in a constant state of nausea suffering through illiterate morons like Fallon or seth Myers Colbert report was great but as a talk show host he is a D- Craig Ferguson was good but he's gone. Maybe you should stick to screaming hags in the audience of those old bags on the view

Parkinson could be entertaining, but he never had the charm of Johnny Carson in America. But then again, he apparently didn't believe it his job was to make his guests comfortable, but to make them uncomfortable with probing, intrusive questions. He was often paternalistic and disapproving to his female guests, which he defends as being "a man of his time." But I can tell you that women watching back in that time period also found him sexist, as when he asked a young Helen Mirren if her "attributes" (breasts) interfered with becoming a serious actress because they were distracting. I interpreted his different attitude towards women and men as simply his feeling superior to women and being intimidated by the men. One has to wonder if he has a secret hatred of women, he certainly felt he could do whatever he wanted, as the time when he kissed Lauren Bacall full on the lips because HE found her attractive. Parkinson would never be able to have a show in today's world and maybe that's a good thing.

Absolutely the best interviewer around. Has an amazing ability to make his guest feel at home. They simply talk about other things on Parkinsons than they do on any other talk show. With a lot of humor and intelligence, we get little anecdotes, funny and interesting stuff. Parkinson can get away with questions, the stars would normally not even bother to answer. But on Parkinsons there's this great atmosphere that makes everyone relax. Off course there's many funny shows on TV, but when you have watched Parkinsons, you feel not only entertained, but also a little wiser. Many times, you will sit around after the show, with a little happy smile on your face. To put it shortly, it doesn't get any better than this.