Long before Graham Norton’s sofa of stars, there was only one talk show A Listers wanted to appear on.
Parkinson was less of a TV programme, more of an institution. I remember watching in amazement as guarded celebs would reveal intimate details of their lives on a Saturday night – anecdotes they wouldn’t share with any other interviewer.
Even if you didn’t care too much about the person in the hotseat, the conversation would always be interesting, and often surprising.
I vividly remember the embarrassment on David Beckham’s face when Victoria revealed her nickname for him was Golden Balls…
As the programme celebrates half a century since the first episode aired, the legendary interviewer took the time to flick through the archives.
He picked out some memorable moments with the stars for last night’s Parkinson at 50 show on BBC1, with only the tiniest acknowledgement of Rod Hull and Emu.
He talks about getting flustered and flirting outrageously with his teen pin-up Lauren Bacall, a life-affirming chat with Jimmy Stewart and a treasured conversation with John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Michael’s first big interview came when he was working at Granada television, and he was sent to speak to a very young Mick Jagger – a prospect that terrified him.
Even when he relaxed into the interviewing, Michael admits he was always scared of tripping over when he came down the famous stairs at the start of the show.
Michael relived encounters with the likes of Peter Kay, Tommy Cooper and Victoria Wood, remembering the moments he couldn’t stop laughing.
But he had the good grace to discuss the conversations that left him cringing too – not just the infamous Meg Ryan moment, but also a toe-curling chat with Helen Mirren and a fiery clash with Muhammad Ali.
He acknowledges that some of his reactions were pompous and misjudged, but when you’ve interviewed literally thousands of stars, there will always be some people you just don’t get on with.
And others who ‘restore your faith’ like Denzel Washington and Billy Connolly.
Interviewed by his son Mike, there’s also time for Michael to reflect on his life. Growing up in a pit village in Yorkshire, his dad took him down the mine as a kid to encourage him to work hard and forge a different career.
Journalism took him on a great adventure and gave him a long-running show that began as a 10-week summer experiment.
It went on to give us decades of entertainment, insight and laughs, so thanks Parky, here’s to you.
