In the first of four compilations, Michael Parkinson looks back at some of his most memorable interviewing encounters. Parkinson's interviews with Muhammad Ali always made for compelling viewing. With both men at the height of their professions, and Ali regularly exhibiting the fierce intelligence which helped make him a great champion, this was the closest that interviewing could get to the excitement of the sporting arena. Here Parkinson looks back at his four meetings with the former world champion boxer, and charts the career of the man still regarded by many as the greatest of all pugilists.
In the second of four nostalgic shows, 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.
In the penultimate compilation, Michael Parkinson looks back at interviews he carried out with legendary Hollywood actors in the seventies. Those featured include Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon - who both tell stories about Marilyn Monroe - Kirk Douglas, James Stewart, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman and John Wayne. Parkinson also recalls meeting Citizen Kane director Orson Welles, whom he describes as one of the most fascinating men he ever met.
In the final compilation of his interviews from the seventies, Michael Parkinson looks back at his meetings with Hollywood's leading ladies. Those in the interviewee's chair include such legendary sirens as Bette Davis , Raquel Welch , Bette Midler , and Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman -who both reminisce on time spent with Humphrey Bogart. Michael also recalls his encounter with The Muppet Show's porcine star Miss Piggy.
Michael Parkinson 's guest in the first of three special programmes is Paul McCartney , one of the most successful popular music composers of the 20th century. In the first televised interview since the death of his wife Linda last year, the singer-songwriter talks exclusively about his life and career.
Michael Parkinson plays host to Michael Crawford, one of Britain's best loved and most successful stars. Star of "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" and, more recently, of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" and "Barnum", he discusses his career to date and performs songs including the Phantom classic, "Music of the Night".
21:30 Parkinson BBC One logo BBC One Fri 17th Dec 1999, 21:30 on BBC One London In the last of this short series of special programmes, Michael Parkinson talks to pop star and actor Sting - who also performs some of his classic songs - and comedian Billy Connolly.
John Cleese gives a rare interview in which he talks about his life and his involvement in some of Britain's mould-breaking comedy shows.
King of chat Michael Parkinson welcomes funnyman and explorer Michael Palin, who talks about his expedition across the Sahara Desert. He also talks to veteran BBC news correspondent Kate Adie, discussing her distinguished career, and actor-comedian Ricky Gervais, who reveals the inspiration for David Brent, his obnoxious character in award-winning sitcom The Office. Plus, music by singing sensation Norah Jones.
The king of chat meets X Files star Gillian Anderson to discuss her life and career. Plus, interviews with comedians Paul Whitehouse and Paul O'Grady - better known at the time as alter ego Lily Savage - and music by Eighties chart-toppers Madness, who perform classic hits It Must Be Love and Our House.
Tonight Parky meets star of Love Actually Bill Nighy, impressionist Jon Culshaw and controversial superstar George Michael. First up is George Michael, the former dishwasher who became a global superstar of pop. He's as controversial as he is talented, and has just released his first album for 4 years and says it's the best he has ever done. During the interview George discusses the media attention his controversial life has attracted, and reflects how the famous interview with Parky in 98 affected his life... ""It was amazing after that interview... for a while after people thought I was very approachable and, apart from the fact that people were so nice to me, they spent their whole time telling me about their sexual exploits and where they had been caught out and stuff like that."" George also tells how he has recorded part of his new album on John Lennon's piano, which he bought, and dinner with Tony and Cheri Blair. ""At the end of the evening, as I was about to leave, Cheri said to