Esteemed British talk-show host Michael Parkinson has produced a two-part special for Australian audiences, drawing upon his interviews with famous Australians over the years.
Parky’s Favourite Australians features interviews with people such as Bob Hawke, Sir Joh and Lady (Flo) Bjelke-Petersen, Paul Hogan, Sir Robert Helpmann, Gary McDonald, Cliff Young, Sir Les Patterson, Shane Warne, Ian Thorpe, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.
The show features some famous interviews, including the contentious interview with Kerry Packer during the World Series Cricket controversy; interviews with Dame Edna Everage, to which Barry Humphries attributes his popularity in Britain; and last year’s appearance by swimmer Ian Thorpe, during which he announced he is gay.
Other interview subjects include Russell Crowe, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Paul Hogan and Clive James.
The TV specials, developed by Network Ten’s News Director Peter Meakin, are “a charming and revealing journey down memory lane” as well as a backward glance on Parkinson’s illustrious career.
From 1979 to 1983, Parkinson recorded over 70 episodes of the TV series Parkinson in Australia for the ABC and Network Ten.
The final segment of Parky’s Favourite Australians airs tonight at 7.30pm on TEN. If you missed the first segment of, why not watch it on TENPlay?
