The broadcaster interviewed some of the world’s most famous celebrities of the 20th century, including Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Paul McCartney — and Miss Piggy.
LONDON — Michael Parkinson, the renowned British broadcaster who interviewed some of the world’s most famous celebrities of the 20th century from Muhammad Ali to Miss Piggy, has died. He was 88.
Hosting “Parkinson” over three spells through to 2007, he earned his status as Britain’s talk show king by putting his guests at ease, drawing out insights others could not. Flirty, funny and serious by turns, he would spar with his guests, rather than seeking anecdotes, although those were welcome when they came.
That journalistic pedigree stood him in good stead when he moved to television, first at regional channels Granada and Thames Television, and then at the BBC, where the first stint of his talk show ran from 1971 until 1982. In 1998, the show was revived on the BBC and proved an instant hit, switching to commercial rival ITV in 2004 until it ended three years later.
Politicians also featured strongly, including Tony Blair in 2006, the first time Parkinson interviewed a sitting prime minister. During that interview, Blair said God would judge him over his decision to back the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq three years previously.
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