October 26th 2024.
Last year, the world lost a beloved TV legend who had entertained and captivated audiences for seven decades. Sir Michael Parkinson, known for his iconic chat show, passed away at the age of 88. Throughout his illustrious career, he had the privilege of interviewing some of the most famous and influential people in the world, including Ingrid Bergmann, Fred Astair, Lauren Bacall, Sir Elton John, Muhammad Ali, and Meg Ryan, to name a few.
Parkinson's chat show, aptly named Parkinson, aired on BBC from 1971 to 1982, and then again from 1998 to 2007, before moving to ITV for its final three years. His relaxed and engaging style of interviewing made him a household name and a favorite among celebrities and viewers alike. And now, even after his passing, his legacy is set to continue with the help of artificial intelligence.
That's right, plans are in the works to recreate Parkinson's unique voice using AI technology, so he can continue to interview famous names for a new podcast. It may sound strange, but it's a testament to how adored and missed he is even after his passing. A source close to the project shared, "Using AI like this will keep the memory of the grand inquisitor alive and remember him for doing what he did best – grilling famous people."
Parkinson's son, Mike Parkinson, has given his full support to the project, and a list of potential interview subjects has already been identified. The podcast, titled Virtually Parkinson, will feature a series of unscripted episodes, with new guests being questioned in Parkinson's signature style, all with the blessing of his family and estate. This groundbreaking podcast, produced by Deep Fusion Films, is expected to be the first of its kind to be entirely presented by an AI host.
Mike Parkinson shared, "We're going for a new generation of guest talent, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't go back to people he interviewed before. Doing this now, trying something so new, we feel a bit like he must have felt back in 1971 when his show started."
The AI version of Parkinson will be powered by data collected from his vast collection of interviews with VIPs over the years. This will not be an approximation of his voice – it will be his voice, exactly how he delivered his questions, with the same pacing and tone. "It stills people when they hear it," Mike added.
The producers are currently reaching out to celebrities to participate in the podcast, and one of the most memorable interviews that they hope to recreate is Parkinson's 2003 chat with actress Meg Ryan. The Hollywood star appeared on the show to promote her thriller In The Cut, but things turned frosty between her and Parkinson. Ryan even famously told him to "wrap it up" during the interview. Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, hosts of What Not To Wear, were also guests on the show and shared their thoughts on the iconic moment in a recent podcast.
Trinny recalled, "I do remember something very specifically, God rest Mr. Parkinson. He whispered in my ear, and he said some expletives about Meg Ryan." She went on to defend Parkinson, criticizing Ryan for her lack of engagement and professionalism during the interview. In 2021, Parkinson publicly apologized to Ryan, admitting, "I wish I hadn't lost my temper with Meg Ryan. I wish I'd dealt with it in a more courteous manner."
The legacy of Sir Michael Parkinson will continue to live on through this innovative podcast, allowing new generations to experience his legendary interviews and giving fans the opportunity to once again hear his distinctive voice. The team behind Virtually Parkinson is excited to bring this project to life and honor the memory of a beloved TV icon. Do you have a celebrity story to share? Get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency – they'd love to hear from you!
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