Parky's People: Intimate insights into 100 Legendary Encounters

by Michael Parkinson

A unique memoir by Sir Michael Parkinson, reflecting on 100 of the most legendary encounters by the man who has met everyone who is someone.Sir Michael Parkinson occupies a unique place in the public consciousness. For many he is the chronicler of a generation. Through his onscreen work and his intelligent, thought provking journalism, he has introduced millions of people to the major names of sport of showbiz over the past five decades. In Parky's People, Parkinson gives us an intimate insight into the lives of great celebrities from all around the world. Now an international celebrity himself, the man from a humble but colourful Yorkshire mining family who can tease out the secrets of even the most reticent star guest. Those featured include Muhammad Ali, David Attenborough, Judi Dench, David Beckham, and many, many more. Parkinson's distinguished career has involved working on highly acclaimed current affairs and film programmes. His wide interests and expertise include jazz, film, football and cricket. Witty and humourous, Parky's People makes the perfect gift.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born 28 March 1935) was an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his chat show, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007. He has been described by The Guardian as "the great British talkshow host".

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is A Great book to read, It details about the life of the UK best chat show host and the memorable interviews he had.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book which I dipped into on and off over the last month. Parky certainly has interviewed a vast range of people, and some very famous movie stars. The full list of his guests at the end of his book even made interesting reading, as it shows the waning fame of many B grade UK television stars, alongside the ever meteoric fame of the Hollywood greats.

[Tony Sacre]

Loved the interview with Bette Davis & Spike Milligan. Still 98 to go...

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved watching Parky. I thought he was one of the best interviewers around. He had a style that relaxed his guests and had them talking about all sorts of subjects, some maybe they had not planned to broach.

This book covers interviews over the period of his show from 1971 to 2007 and includes a broad array of the high-profile guests that would clamour to be on his show. Everyone from Helen Mirren, Muhammad Ali, Barry Humphries, Oprah Winfrey, Bette Davis, Bing Crosby, David Attenborough, David Beckham, Henry and Jane Fonda, Tony Blair - the list goes on and on.

A thoroughly entertaining book that brought back many fond memories.

[Sharon Albanese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting people here, and I was always a fan of Michael Parkinson's understated interviewing style, where the show was always about the guests not the host. I wish the interviews had been a bit more in depth however, as I feel that in each case the interviewee only skimmed the surface. A bit more detail would have helped me really work out what makes these extraordinary people tick.

[Bethan Coles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to read about 100 different people - plenty who I hadn’t heard of and some I’d like to read more about. Didn’t like the format it was written in - think it lost a lot of the funniness

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe the main issue in my response to this book was a mis-match between the book and me, rather than any particular failing on either part. I've watched Parkinson on several occasions, although not regularly, and was more interested and entertained by the televised interviews than the printed version. Perhaps that says something about the importance of all the elements that don't translate across into book form: the timing, tone of voice, audience response, and also the response of guests to each other.
Parkinson's manner alienates me, too. As an interviewer he is very much 'present' in the interviews. His introductions to the interviews in the book tended to tell as much about himself as his guest. Not that this is wrong - it's just an approach that disengages me (see opening comment).
And my final observation is in the choice of interviewees for the book. Parkinson comes across as quite star-struck, sometimes eager to let us know about his personal friendship with a particular guest, sometimes almost sycophantic. It's interesting to reflect on the gender balance in the printed interviews; if you take out the gender-specific chapters of 'Leading Ladies' and 'Leading Men', there are 10 female subjects in 78 interviews. It's also an almost exclusively UK/USA list. Aussie Shane Warne gets a look-in (so much I could say there about cultural representation, but not in this review!) but I think he's the only exception. Are there no interesting people in the rest of the world? Or are Parkinson audiences only able to cope with the familiar (famous faces from close to home)?
That does all sound quite negative, but I wanted to unpack the reasons behind my emotional reaction to reading the book - it felt like a long slog and was sometimes downright tedious, particularly in Parkinson's apparent inability to introduce or interview women without referring to their looks and/or flirt with them (there's a fine line between courtly flirtation and drooling sleaziness, Parky). However, I'm glad I hung in there to the end, because there were a few interviews that I found very interesting, and they were almost all in the final chapters.
Over all, if you like Parkinson you will probably like this book. If you want to learn about particular guests, there might be better ways to achieve that.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I didn't read every interview here, just dipped in and out of it, but I think it really is the kind of book you can do that with. Light and enjoyable. Although you do wish you got more interviews in detail. I suspect I ultimately prefer Andrew denton's Enough Rope. Will have to check if they have interviewed each other. I also suspect that you're better off watching Rather than reading the interviews.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably give this 3.5 stars. It is entertaining and well written but I felt the transposing of a live show into print left the book rather superficial. It is one thing to be entertained on the stage, but I wanted to know so much more about each person in the book and so was left somewhat dissatisfied. The very varied range of people that he interviewed over so many years was, however, interesting.

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a table book which covers a series of interviews and various people. I tend to pick up and read in parts depending on which person catches my eye. Like Billy Connolly whose interview made me laugh, he really is entertaining as was John Clease.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good read which contains some great interviews but unfortunately I think this is a case of the television beating the book. Interviews are just far more entertaining and enjoyable on a screen rather than a printed format.

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not having Parkinson on TV in South Africa I didn't know him before this.
After reading his book I'm sorry that I didn't get to hear his interviews. Very entertaining and he obviously likes people as it tells from the fun he has during the interviews.

[Teryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its nice to dip into, I don't think I could have read it from start to finish.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was great...humerous, enjoyable, he's a great interviewer, and person. Have just bought the DVD, The Michael Parkinson Collection. Can't wait to enjoy it!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant read, fantastic interviews.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, Parky has certainly met some intresting people

[Alison Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the memories it brought back of many of the shows I had seen

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good to pick up and put down ... very entertaining.