Michael Parkinson

Acting

Michael Parkinson

Born — Died

1935-03-28 — 2023-08-17

Place of birth

Cudworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England

Known for

Acting

Credits

81 titles

Sir Michael Parkinson CBE (28 March 1935 – 16 August 2023) was an English television presenter, broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his television talk show Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007, as well as other talk shows and programmes both in the UK and abroad. He also worked in radio and was described by The Guardian as "the great British talkshow host".

Known for

The Graham Norton Show poster
7.2

Each week celebrity guests join Irish comedian Graham Norton to discuss what's being going on around the world that week. The guests poke fun and share their opinions on the main news stories. Graham is often joined by a band or artist to play the show out.

The Graham Norton Show

2007

The One Show poster
4.3

A topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One.

The One Show

2006

Top Gear poster
7.6

This fast-paced and stunt-filled motor show tests whether cars, both mundane and extraordinary, live up to their manufacturers' claims. The long-running show travels to locations around the world, performing extreme stunts and challenges to see what the featured cars are capable of doing. The current hosts are Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.

Top Gear

2002

Have I Got News for You poster
7.1

Hilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs.

Have I Got News for You

1990

The Dick Cavett Show poster
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.

The Dick Cavett Show

1968

World in Action poster
7.0

World in Action was Granada Television’s flagship ITV current affairs series, running from 7 Jan 1963 to 7 Dec 1998, and built a reputation for film-led investigative reporting and a forceful editorial stance. Its journalism produced major public and political repercussions—including investigations associated with miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six—and it also served as a platform for landmark documentary projects, including the first broadcast of “Seven Up!” as part of the strand in 1964.

World in Action

1963

Film credits

2020s · 6 titles

David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth poster
7.0

A 90-minute special, broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall, London, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's groundbreaking career on the day of his 100th birthday.

David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth

2026

Ooh the Banter! poster
NR

Jack Docherty brings together a jam-packed cast of comedians, actors and famous faces for a riotous celebration of Scotland's most valuable export – its sense of humour. Scotland is a small nation with a big funny bone. It's known the world over for self-deprecation, quick-witted patter and deadpan asides. But what makes it so funny? To find out the answer, this programme delves deep into the BBC Scotland archives to find a century’s worth of classic characters, catchphrases and comedy clips.

Ooh the Banter!

2022

Parkinson at 50 poster
10.0

Sir Michael Parkinson looks back over his 50 years as a broadcaster, revealing some tricks of the interview trade and remembering some of his favourite encounters.

Parkinson at 50

2021

Barry Humphries at the BBC poster
7.6

Alex Jones looks back at the highlights of Barry’s career on a selection of BBC shows, featuring some of Barry’s funniest, rudest and most revealing moments from over the decades.

Barry Humphries at the BBC

2023

Victoria Wood In Her Own Words poster
NR

A look back at the life and work of one of Britain's greatest comediennes, featuring interviews with those who worked alongside Victoria.

Victoria Wood In Her Own Words

2020

No artwork available
NR

How did a miner’s son from working-class Yorkshire, who rose to become television’s greatest interviewer and die a knighted Sir, never truly believe in himself? A revelatory portrait of Michael Parkinson – the man behind the ‘Parky’ icon as told in his own words and from those closest to him.

Parky

2026

2010s · 11 titles

Attenborough at 90 poster
8.0

In celebration of his ninetieth birthday, Sir David Attenborough shares extraordinary highlights of his life and career with broadcaster Kirsty Young, including the inspiring people he has met, the extraordinary journeys he has made and the remarkable animal encounters he has had across the globe. Joined by colleagues and friends, including Michael Palin and Chris Packham, Sir David shares some of the unforgettable moments from his unparalleled career, from capturing unique animal behaviour for the first time to the fast-paced advances in wildlife filming technology, as well as stories of the wonder and fragility of the natural world - stories that Sir David has spent his life exploring and championing.

Attenborough at 90

2016

Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains poster
NR

Two decades after its unprecedented television broadcast, the cast, crew and fans of the notorious BBC 'Halloween Hoax' Ghostwatch look back at the show's unique production and legendary aftermath in this brand-new retrospective documentary. Includes never-before-seen material and interviews!

Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains

2012

BBC Swingin' Christmas poster
NR

Michael Parkinson presents the sensational John Wilson Orchestra in a celebration of festive musical treats from the golden age of swing, with soloists Seth MacFarlane, Anna-Jane Casey and special guest Curtis Stigers. The Christmas classics include Winter Wonderland, Baby It's Cold Outside, Let It Snow and White Christmas.

BBC Swingin' Christmas

2010

A Dandy and a Clown: The Life of Jon Pertwee poster
NR

This exclusive documentary looks at the life and career of Jon Pertwee. With contributions from actors Katy Manning, Judy Cornwell, David Jacobs, Geoffrey Bayldon and Kenneth Earle, Doctor Who writer and script editor Terrance Dicks and long-time friend Stuart Money.

A Dandy and a Clown: The Life of Jon Pertwee

2013

No artwork available
NR

Ray Reardon, one of the legends of Welsh sport, prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday. The tough competitor with the twinkling eyes returns to his home town of Tredegar and visits the Welsh Open championship in Newport, where he reflects on a glittering career that brought him six World titles.

Ray Reardon at 80

2012

Matthews poster
6.0

MATTHEWS tells the incredible true story of the life and career of a man considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, Sir Stanley Matthews.

Matthews

2017

The Battle for Britain's Breakfast poster
NR

The story of how the introduction of breakfast television to the UK in 1983 led to a fierce battle for viewers between the BBC and ITV.

The Battle for Britain's Breakfast

2014

Busby poster
6.2

The story of Manchester United legend Sir Matt Busby.

Busby

2019

Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words poster
7.0

An affectionate look back at Tommy Cooper's life and career. Sir Michael Parkinson, Jimmy Tarbuck and Chris Tarrant and others reflect on what made Tommy Cooper one of the greatest ever comedians. Colleagues talk about working with him, and his daughter Vicky reveals her feelings about her father.

Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words

2018

Parky's Picks poster
NR

Michael Parkinson's personal selection of his talk show celebrity guests chosen from a career spanning over 40 years.

Parky's Picks

2012

No artwork available
NR

As ITV's move from its iconic base on Quay Street to the Orange Tower at MediaCityUK nears completion, this tribute looks back at 56 years of Granada television. Beginning from its inception in 1954, including rare archive footage of its co-founders, brothers Sidney and Cecil Bernstein, replays archive clips of some of the programmes and performances filmed and produced there - from Coronation Street, Prime Suspect, Jewel In the Crown, and Stars In Their Eyes, to the television debuts of The Sex Pistols, Take That, and the Beatles.

Goodbye Granadaland

2013

2000s · 13 titles

Love Actually poster
7.1

Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

Love Actually

2003

There's Only One Paul McCartney poster
8.0

An affectionate portrait of the man and the musician in a week that sees the ex-Beatie playing at the Buckingham Palace concert. With contributions from Bono, Mike Myers , Dustin Hoffman , Meryl Streep , Cilia Black, Bob Geldof , Dale Winton , Travis and Richard Branson

There's Only One Paul McCartney

2002

No artwork available
NR

Documentary looking back at the golden era of heavyweight boxing which occurred at the dawn of global television broadcasting.

When Boxing Ruled The World

2001

Billy Connolly: A BAFTA Tribute poster
8.0

A BAFTA tribute celebrating the career of Billy Connolly.

Billy Connolly: A BAFTA Tribute

2002

Victoria's Secrets poster
9.0

Iconic Spice Girl Victoria Beckham discovers the answers to some of the most confusing celebrity conundrums in this documentary. She talks to Elton John, James Bond legend Roger Moore, soccer star husband David, and others, exploring the legacy of British pop culture icons.

Victoria's Secrets

2000

Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings poster
7.0

The comedienne stars in this festive sketch show, alongside a host of celebrity guests.

Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings

2000

Best Ever Muppet Moments poster
6.0

A review of the most memorable Muppet moments to commemorate Kermit the Frog's 50th anniversary.

Best Ever Muppet Moments

2006

Thora Hird Tribute poster
NR

Friends, colleagues and fans, including Julie Walters, Jonathan Ross, Norman Wisdom, Keith Barron and Victoria Wood, pay tribute to Dame Thora Hird, who died in 2003 at the age of 91.

Thora Hird Tribute

2003

David Beckham: Close Up poster
7.0

An insight into the man famous not only for being a footballer and captain of the England squad, but also for being a fashion icon and husband of a pop-star. Also included is a look at his relationship with Sven-Goran Eriksson and insights from other footballers such as Glenn Hoddle.

David Beckham: Close Up

2002

Prom at the Palace poster
9.0

All-time classical favourites from the first ever public concert held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Broadcast live on BBC Television, 1st June 2002. Opera fans are in for a particular treat with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (singing Bizet and Gershwin), Sir Thomas Allen (Rossini and Sir Edward German), and Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu (Puccini and Verdi) sharing the honours. Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich also makes a rare guest appearance with the cello section of the London Symphony Orchestra playing Villa-Lobos.

Prom at the Palace

2002

Peter Ustinov: The Parkinson Interviews poster
NR

A selection of highlights from Sir Peter Ustinov's appearances on Parkinson. A look back at a multitalented writer, director, actor and ambassador for Unicef.

Peter Ustinov: The Parkinson Interviews

2004

Hellraisers poster
NR

Documentary about notorious British and Irish wildmen Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole, Oliver Reed and Keith Moon and their excesses and exploits.

Hellraisers

2000

Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe poster
NR

TV documentary tracing the life of the comedian and satirist from his school days, through the Cambridge Footlights, to Beyond the Fringe and his partnership with Dudley Moore. With contributions from Cook's school friends Peter Rabey and Jonathan Harlow; Cook's first wife Wendy Cook; Cambridge University friends Tim Harrold and Roger Law; Adrian Slade (ex-president of Cambridge Footlights); Jonathan Miller; Sir David Frost; Ned Sherrin; John Bassett (creator, Beyond The Fringe); Willie Donaldson (producer, Beyond The Fringe); John Cleese; Eric Idle; Michael Parkinson; Brenda Vaccaro; John Fortune; Nicholas Luard (co-owner with Cook of The Establishment club); actress Gaye Brown; Christopher Booker; Ian Hislop; Victor Lownes and Michael Bawtree (friends of Cook); Joe McGrath; Dick Clement; Mel Smith; Clive Anderson; tv producer and executive Paul Jackson; Harry Enfield, radio presenter Clive Bull, and archival interview footage of both Cook and Dudley Moore.

Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe

2002

1990s · 6 titles

Ghostwatch poster
7.0

For Halloween 1992, the BBC decides to broadcast an investigation into the supernatural, hosted by TV chat-show legend Michael Parkinson. Parky (assisted by Mike Smith, Sarah Greene & Craig Charles) and a camera crew attempt to discover the truth behind the most haunted house in Britain. This ground-breaking live television experiment does not go as planned, however.

Ghostwatch

1992

Granada: From the North poster
NR

The story of Granada, the company responsible for Britain's most enduring soap opera Coronation Street, the current affairs series World in Action, and highly praised drama from Brideshead Revisited to Prime Suspect. With contributions from Jeremy Isaacs, Gus Macdonald, David Plowright, Michael Parkinson, Gerry Robinson and Sir Denis Forman. Director David Thompson

Granada: From the North

1992

In the Best Possible Taste: A Tribute to Kenny Everett poster
7.0

A tribute to Kenny Everett broadcast after his death from AIDS in 1995. Comprising of many of his classic sketches from his 1980s BBC TV series, this tribute also features recollections from those who knew him.

In the Best Possible Taste: A Tribute to Kenny Everett

1995

Parkinson Meets Morecambe and Wise poster
NR

Michael Parkinson looks back at his 1972 interview with comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, who he describes as 'the funniest double act we ever produced. The interview, which Parkinson cites as the wittiest he ever conducted, sees Morecambe and Wise at their absolute best, speaking about their pasts, their heroes and their friendship.

Parkinson Meets Morecambe and Wise

1999

An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck poster
10.0

Jimmy Tarbuck parades his comic wares in front of a celebrity audience, including Cilla Black, Bruce Forsyth, Billy Connolly, Michael Parkinson, Harry Secombe and Henry Cooper.

An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck

1994

Billy Connolly: Erect for 30 Years poster
7.4

The very best of Billy Connolly's stand up comedy, from 30 years of performances around the world!

Billy Connolly: Erect for 30 Years

1999

1970s · 5 titles

Series credits

The Graham Norton Show poster
7.2

Each week celebrity guests join Irish comedian Graham Norton to discuss what's being going on around the world that week. The guests poke fun and share their opinions on the main news stories. Graham is often joined by a band or artist to play the show out.

The Graham Norton Show

2007

The One Show poster
4.3

A topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One.

The One Show

2006

Top Gear poster
7.6

This fast-paced and stunt-filled motor show tests whether cars, both mundane and extraordinary, live up to their manufacturers' claims. The long-running show travels to locations around the world, performing extreme stunts and challenges to see what the featured cars are capable of doing. The current hosts are Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.

Top Gear

2002

Top Gear poster
7.6

This fast-paced and stunt-filled motor show tests whether cars, both mundane and extraordinary, live up to their manufacturers' claims. The long-running show travels to locations around the world, performing extreme stunts and challenges to see what the featured cars are capable of doing. The current hosts are Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.

Top Gear

2002

Have I Got News for You poster
7.1

Hilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs.

Have I Got News for You

1990

The Dick Cavett Show poster
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.

The Dick Cavett Show

1968

The Dick Cavett Show poster
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.

The Dick Cavett Show

1968

World in Action poster
7.0

World in Action was Granada Television’s flagship ITV current affairs series, running from 7 Jan 1963 to 7 Dec 1998, and built a reputation for film-led investigative reporting and a forceful editorial stance. Its journalism produced major public and political repercussions—including investigations associated with miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six—and it also served as a platform for landmark documentary projects, including the first broadcast of “Seven Up!” as part of the strand in 1964.

World in Action

1963

No artwork available
4.5

The Alan Titchmarsh Show is a British daytime chat show presented by Alan Titchmarsh. It was first broadcast on ITV on 3 September 2007 and currently airs on weekday afternoons. The show's main focus is the "Best of British" theme with many of the shows' segments focusing on fashion, health, nature, cookery and animals.

The Alan Titchmarsh Show

2007

Parkinson poster
NR

Michael Parkinson returns for a second run of his iconic talk show.

Parkinson

1998

No artwork available
5.1

The BBC's flagship cinema review TV program featuring reviews of new releases, news items and interviews. The title of the program changes each year to incorporate the year of broadcast.

Film '72

1971

No artwork available
4.1

Pebble Mill was a re-launched version of the 1970s daily chat show Pebble Mill (also known as Pebble Mill At One for a while) which aired on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The series premiered on October 14, 1991. The show was a mixture of celebrity guests and music. Alan Titchmarsh was a presenter on the show throughout it's complete run. Other presenters included Judi Spiers, Gloria Hunniford and Ross King.

Pebble Mill

1991

An Audience with... poster
5.3

An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.

An Audience with...

1978

TFI Friday poster
7.1

TFI Friday was an entertainment show broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2000. The show was produced by Ginger Productions, written by Danny Baker and hosted by Chris Evans, for the first 5 series. The final series was hosted by a number of guest presenters. It was broadcast on Fridays at 6pm from 9 February 1996 to 22 December 2000, with a repeat later that night. The title officially stood for "Thank Four It's Friday", but was widely understood to mean "Thank Fuck It's Friday" and was a reference to the popular phrase "Thank God it's Friday". The show's theme tune was Ron Grainer's theme from Man in a Suitcase, in keeping with Evans's frequent use of 1960s television themes in his work.

TFI Friday

1996

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Scene at 6:30

1963

Room 101 poster
6.6

Fast-moving game show meets talk show, which sees Frank Skinner refereeing three celebrities each week as they compete to banish their top peeve or worst nightmare to the depths of Room 101.

Room 101

1994

Parkinson poster
7.0

The final incarnation of Michael Parkinson's iconic talk show featuring an array of celebrities from every sphere.

Parkinson

2004

The Frank Skinner Show poster
7.5

The Frank Skinner Show was a television chat show hosted by comedian Frank Skinner, which lasted nine series on British television between 1995 and 2005. As well as celebrity interviews, the shows included an initial stand-up routine, various sketches throughout the episode and usually concluded with a comedic song featuring Frank and the guest stars. The Frank Skinner Show became notorious over the years for the unconventional nature of the interviews, including some shocking revelations from the guests. The programme ended in 2005 after nine series. It was screened on BBC One from its first episode on 10 September 1995 until 3 June 1999. In 2000, the show moved to ITV. The programme was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award in 2001.

The Frank Skinner Show

1995

Morecambe & Wise poster
6.5

No synopsis available yet.

Morecambe & Wise

1961

Screen One poster
7.2

Anthology drama series.

Screen One

1989

Countdown poster
6.0

The clock is ticking as contestants compete in games of lexical dexterity and numerical agility.

Countdown

1982

The Meaning of Life poster
7.0

The Meaning of Life is an Irish television programme, the first series of which was broadcast on RTÉ One in 2009. It is presented by the veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne. Each episode involves Byrne interviewing a well-known public figure. The series is broadcast each Sunday night at 22:20. In 2010 The Meaning of Life returned for both a second and, later, a third series. Interviews with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and actors Gabriel Byrne and Brenda Fricker during the second series attracted media attention when they spoke of their religious habits and child sexual abuse respectively. Gay Byrne appeared on The Late Late Show on 18 December 2009 to discuss the programme. A fourth series soon followed. Then a fifth series from January 2012. And a sixth in October 2012. And a seventh in January 2013.

The Meaning of Life

2009

Give Us a Clue poster
NR

Give Us a Clue is a British televised game show version of charades which was broadcast on ITV from 1979 to 1992. The original host was Michael Aspel from 1979 to 1983, followed by Michael Parkinson from 1984 to 1992. The show featured two teams, one captained by Lionel Blair and the other by Una Stubbs. Later versions of the programme had Liza Goddard as captain of the women's team. A revived version was attempted by BBC One, which ran from 10 November to 19 December 1997 and commissioned 30 episodes, it was hosted by Tim Clark. Teams were captained by Christopher Blake and Julie Peasgood and the show tried to introduce a lateral thinking puzzle. Give us a Clue returned for a special Comic Relief episode on 5 March 2011 with Sara Cox, Christopher Biggins, Lionel Blair, Una Stubbs, Holly Walsh, Jenni Falconer and David Walliams.

Give Us a Clue

1979

Give Us a Clue poster
NR

Give Us a Clue is a British televised game show version of charades which was broadcast on ITV from 1979 to 1992. The original host was Michael Aspel from 1979 to 1983, followed by Michael Parkinson from 1984 to 1992. The show featured two teams, one captained by Lionel Blair and the other by Una Stubbs. Later versions of the programme had Liza Goddard as captain of the women's team. A revived version was attempted by BBC One, which ran from 10 November to 19 December 1997 and commissioned 30 episodes, it was hosted by Tim Clark. Teams were captained by Christopher Blake and Julie Peasgood and the show tried to introduce a lateral thinking puzzle. Give us a Clue returned for a special Comic Relief episode on 5 March 2011 with Sara Cox, Christopher Biggins, Lionel Blair, Una Stubbs, Holly Walsh, Jenni Falconer and David Walliams.

Give Us a Clue

1979

This Morning poster
5.2

This Morning features a variety of news, as well as show business, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and garden, food, tech, live phone-ins, and competitions.

This Morning

1988

Television poster
8.0

Exhaustive 13-part survey of the television medium from its hesitant beginnings in the 1920s to the multi-million dollar extravaganzas of today and the cable and satellite technologies of the future [relative to 1985]. Tackling the medium as a worldwide phenomenon, the series examines each of the principal areas of programming - news, drama, documentaries, and light entertainment - and the unique impact of "live" coverage.

Television

1985

Parkinson poster
6.5

Parkinson (1971) is a British television Interview show that was presented by Michael Parkinson.

Parkinson

1971

The Marti Caine Show poster
NR

Marti Caine presents a star studded variety show in which she performs comedy material, sings and dances alongside special guests.

The Marti Caine Show

1979

Enough Rope With Andrew Denton poster
7.0

Enough Rope with Andrew Denton is a television interview show originally broadcast on ABC1 in Australia. The title of the show came from the phrase "give someone enough rope and they'll hang themselves". The program was the brainchild of Australian comedian, social critic, producer and media personality Andrew Denton, who hosted the show. The hour-long chat show aired from 2003 to 2008.

Enough Rope With Andrew Denton

2003

99-1 poster
NR

Implicated in an enquiry, maverick undercover DI Mick Raynor goes deep undercover to infiltrate dangerous criminal networks, often bending the rules in order to get results.

99-1

1994

Parkinson In Australia poster
6.0

Australian version of Michael Parkinson's UK talk show. He interviews a broad range of famous Australians, and in later series, international stars.

Parkinson In Australia

1979

The Story of Light Entertainment poster
5.0

The Story of Light Entertainment is a British documentary series shown on the BBC in 2006. The series comprises eight episodes and is narrated by Stephen Fry.

The Story of Light Entertainment

2006

No artwork available
8.0

TV-am was a TV company that broadcast the ITV franchise for breakfast television in the United Kingdom from 1 February 1983 until 31 December 1992. The station was the UK's first national operator of a commercial breakfast television franchise. Its daily broadcasts were between 6:00 am and 9:25 am.

TV-am

1983

The National Television Awards poster
1.0

The National Television Awards (often shortened to NTAs) is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and initiated in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted on by the general public.

The National Television Awards

1995

No artwork available
6.7

Spike Milligan sketch series created after the BBC apparently thought another 'Q' would confuse people - continues in the same anarchic & often politically incorrect vein.

There's A Lot Of It About

1982

Parkinson One to One poster
7.5

No synopsis available yet.

Parkinson One to One

1987

Parkinson: The Interviews poster
NR

Michael Parkinson reflects on the most memorable subjects of his interviews from the 1970s and 1980s.

Parkinson: The Interviews

1995